Branzini

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299 Madison Ave
New York, NY 10017

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(212) 557-3340
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Reviews
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( 15 )
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( 3 )

Best

I was intrigued by the NY Times review. The food was exceptional and the wine we choose was very complimentary to our dishes. Try to leave room for dessert. We decided to order...

Worst

The food was okay, but nothing to write home about. The service was barely above that received at McDonalds. I honestly find some of the other reveiws here hard to believe. Thi...

Save your money, save your time-do not go there!!! 6/22/2007

Looks like the good reviews were written a few years ago. We stopped there on a cold winter Saturday evening for an early dinner. The room was not crowded at all. 4 adults, 4 kids. The kids were hungry after a Bway show, so right away, we asked for a bread and butter basket and specified that we wanted that ASAP. We then had to ask 3 times for it and finally, after about 45 minutes, it appeared. After an hour, the waiter showed up to take our orders and after another hour and believe me, I am not exagerating, the food appeared. By the way, for a restaurant that goes by the name of Branzini to be out of that particular fish is rather funny. The food was OK-my steak was rather bland, the pastas were good so was the chicken. The desserts were pretty good too. It took forever to wait for the meal, though and the place was only half full. A lady at another table was desperately waving at waiter for 15 minutes with the tab and credit card until he finally saw her. I will never set a foot in this place again!!! more
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Worst Service Ever 6/12/2006

The food was okay, but nothing to write home about. The service was barely above that received at McDonalds. I honestly find some of the other reveiws here hard to believe. This was the biggest dissapointment....Certainly Not For Special Occasions! Bar scene was drunk office workers...loud and disruptive for those dinning. Could barely hear the others at my table. The waitress was not busy...three tables but had to be searched for each time we needed something. Pass this by! Pros: There no Pros Cons: Loud - horribel service. more
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User review by lddev 3/16/2006

The current rating of 8.7 is about right. The food was solid, but did not blow my socks off. Service was very prompt, but the tables were packed fairly tightly. Pros: location, not too expensive Cons: cramped seating more
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An Oasis from Midtown 8/22/2005

This place is a quaint classy warm cafe, the perfect spot to meet for lunch if you want to feel like you aren't in midtown per se. Pros: atmosphere, food, a-typical for Midtown more
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Warm atmosphere for a relaxed dinner 6/29/2005

I met two friends at Branzini for dinner. I got there early so I decided to have a glass of wine at the bar. They have an ample list of wines by the glass, and I enjoyed a great glass of red wine. To my surprise when the bill came, it was 1/2 price because of a happy hour special. After my friends arrived, we were seated at a table in the cozy, sofly lit restaurant. The rigatoni I had for dinner was delicious, promptly served, and reasonably priced. A great choice for an evening catching up with friends or even for a date. Plus, it's proximity to Grand Central makes it a perfect choice for commuters to enjoy a nice meal before catching a train home. Pros: Price, Atmosphere, Location Cons: Small bar area more
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Delicious food 6/29/2005

Tuna tartare (appetizer) and scallop risotto (entree) were amazing. The service/waitress was ok but not very helpful or pleasant even though the place wasn't busy at all (there were only a few other customers besides us). more
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Don't think about it 3/26/2005

Not only is it overpriced but rude, rude, rude service! more
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A nice evening out 6/30/2004

The food & wine selections were just right and not overdone or overwhelming. Service was a bit slow but not in a negative way, it lingers but the atmosphere and food make up for that. It fits perfectly in line with the hotel which is great! Pros: atmosphere, wine list, location more
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Before word gets out... 5/4/2004

Treat yourself to a lovely night at this charming and romantic rest. where the food and service fight for top honors. I decided to try this place for dinner last week with a couple of close friends, the place at lunch is less inviting. With all the doors open and a gracious host our experience began and never faltered. Unusual for most NYC rest., the manager was completely welcoming, and more importantly informative as to all our options. The waitstaff was prompt and polite, and did not make us feel rushed as most places will. I HIGHLY suggest trying Branzini out, before everyone else figures out it's one of the best dining experiences in NYC. Pros: Ambience, Food, Service more
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Wouldn't Go Back 4/28/2003

Was expecting much more. Love the concept, the location is convenient so we gave it another try. It was very disappointing again. We had two glasses of wine each, two tapas and shared a pasta for $100. The crab cake was fishy, pasta was pretty good but expensive at $16. Wines by the glass were the biggest disappointment - $13 - $14 for mediocre wine? (btw, no american wine to be found). I was still hungry when we got home. I don't see this place lasting. Cons: overpriced, needs help, bad wine selection more
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Wonderful ending to a wonderful day. 3/2/2003

I was intrigued by the NY Times review. The food was exceptional and the wine we choose was very complimentary to our dishes. Try to leave room for dessert. We decided to order an after dinner wine and the manager served us. The Chef came over during our dessert. I guess management liked us as much as we liked the restaurant. The menu may be small, but the food is straight forward with uncomplicated preparations. Our server was bright, cheery and very knowledgeable. Pros: great wine list, friendly service, delicious food Cons: decor was just OK, noisey near the bar more
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Hidden gem of a NYC trattoria 2/20/2003

Branzini is an excellent twist on the typical trattoria. While the limited menu holds no surprises when you read it, the generous portions and exceptional flavors are impressive and robust. Chef/owner Rick Moonen has done wonders, turning the predictable Manhattan trattoria into something far more sophisticated under the surface. Pros: Quick seating, Generous portions, Casual Atmosphere Cons: Inattentive staff, Can be loud, Crowded tables more
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Finally Found! 2/5/2003

Well looks like the NY Times finally uncovered this little gem. Probably won't be as easy to get in now. Great simple dishes and pastas and I agree with Grimes - fantastic Crab Cake! Also went to a cocktail party there on the 14th floor, fabulous space. Pros: Inexpensive, Pleasing Environment, Nice Staff Cons: small more
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Oasis Midtown 1/11/2003

Staying at the Library Hotel I was kindly steered to Branzini.Could not have been more welcomed and relaxed. Pristinely fresh sardines, wonderful wines to compliment...Veal and eponymous Branzino showed restraint and confidence...dine out alot and respect value and thoughtful execution. more
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So wrong! 1/11/2003

Recent reviews about this fabulous restaurant must have been written by diners more interested in having their egos stroked by overly solicitous waitstaff and management than enjoying a great meal in a cozy and romantic space. My experience here was quite different. Great food, especially the pasta. And if the ""mean manager"" was the handsome and charming man in the suit that offered to help us choose the perfect wine with our dinner, then may I suggest that you wait to dine until after your commute back to Greenwich, where restaurants are in the business of catering to whining children. Pros: Manager, Wine List Cons: Location more
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EMBARRASSING 12/26/2002

I had friends in from out of town for the holiday weekend and took them here. What a mistake. I can't beleive Citysearch said this was a ""hot"" new restaurant. It was anything but ""hot"" with a diner-like atmosphere, so-so food, bad management and to top it off, very expensive for what you get. I agree with the other negative reviews. DO NOT GO HERE. There are much better restaurants. more
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suprisingly fantastic!!! 12/19/2002

We were staying at the Library Hotel above Branzini, and have looked at the menu a few times in the past, but never gone in. This time we had to grab a quick local lunch so we figured what the heck... All I can say is we will SURELY be back! It ia a resonable priced place that served wonderful seafood! The grilled sardines were fantastic, as well as the namesake grilled branzini. We stay at the Library Hotel often and this has now become our local place, AND we can have this great food delivered to us as room service there!!! WE WILL BE BACK! more
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The best pasta I've had! 12/18/2002

Wow! The mushroom penne at Branzini blew me away! It was awesome, fresh, perfect pasta. My friend had the cavatelli, which she raved about as well. The atmosphere is nice -- it's a good lunch or dinner spot with a warm, casual feel and good service. I'd highly recommend it, especially if you want pasta that's a cut above...you won't away feeling dissapointed! Pros: excellent pasta, warm feel Cons: lunch can be crowded more
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Marvelous summer dining w/friends 11/11/2002

Starting with Marvelous cocktails our party of six had an outstanding casual dinner. For an appetizer my I suggest that you try their dates wrapped with prosciutto it was excellent! The food was great and the staff very tentative but not in your face. Everyone in our party enjoyed ourselves so much that we skipped our after dinner show plans. Pros: romantic, open to street dining, Great bar more
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Great Food with a Quiet Atmosphere 10/16/2002

Recently ate at the ""new"" Branzini. Rick Moonen, the old chef from Oceana is now in charge here and it shows. The paella is really good and nothing can beat the pasta with the sausage, I really enjoyed it! What was really nice was that we ate at night and it was so quiet in the restaurant. There were very few tables occupied (it was about 8:30pm). At first this made me skeptical, but evidently they do quite a large lunch crowd. Great place for a date! more
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Menu for Branzini


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Editorial

  • The Scene
    This is just what midtown needed south of Grand Central: A comfortable, stylish neighborhood spot where everyone feels welcome. Branzini's airy dining room has floor-to-ceiling...

  • 7/28/2004 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Payments: Master Card, American Express, Visa
  • Neighborhoods: Midtown South Central, Midtown
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