Da Ciro Ristorante

In a city that is anything but short of Italian eateries (restaurants, ristoranti, trattorias or whatever they choose to call themselves) Da Ciro is the sort of neighborhood gastro-biz that stands out due to food and the way it is served. Granted, DaCiro is not --and does not pretend to be-- an expense account destination that turns out exquisitely crafted dishes that might be unknown to most Italians in their home country. But if you're in the mood for well prepared pastas, fresh salads, crisp individual pizzas and tasy entres, then DaCiro is a good place to satisfy an appetite and enjoy a well-mixed drink (the wine list is, imho, rather overpriced). You can dine on fine tablecloths and a more hushed atmosphere on the upper level or enjoy a pub-like environment on the ground floor --at a table or at the bar. Especially recommended are the dishes cooked in a genuine wood-fired oven. Out of it, among other dishes, comes a crispy roast baby chicken that is invariably hard to beat for flavor and tenderness. Desserts, as in most Italian places, are fine but hardly the highlight of a dining experience. Great place for a date, conversation or just the simple enjoyment of a nice cocktail and correspondingly tasty meal. BTW, other reviewers who praised the robbiola focaccia perfumed with truffled oil are right on the mark; it's an unusual treat. Pros: Food, ambiance, service more

I have seen mixed reviews on the web, but had to try this place, as I love Italian. What I realized after being there for ten minutes was, everyone has a bad day. The service was spot on. They were not all over us, but we got everything we needed promptly. Pros: Great food more

I don't know how this place is described as having ""regional Italian cooking."" Unless that is, Chef Boyardee and the region of Canned, Tasteless Food is considered the origin of fine dining. Let's start with the prices. I have no issues with spending good money for an excellent meal. Here, your money will not be well-spent. I had the chicken, which was as bland as eating a brown paper bag. Similarly, the people with whom I dined were disappointing with their pasta, which was mushy and covered with what was described as a ""ragout""."" They should change their menu to described it as Spaghetti with Lumps of Tasteless Slop. As for the service. this was even worse than the food. Our waiter, Marco, was arrogant and patronizing from the moment we walked in. I suspect this was because we were dining with three adults and one toddler. However, there was no cause for being treated in such a way. We have been dining out with our son since he was a baby, and he has never been allowed to be rude or disruptive in restaurants. He does not climb on tables, scream bloody murder during a meal, or throw food. The simple fact that he was a child seemed to somehow offend Marco. During our meal, Marco approached us and snidely told us that we needed to stop our car alarm from going off- a minivan parked out front with a car seat in it. We do not own a mini-van. That was, to be cliche, the last straw. We demanded our check, had our food packed, and left. I called later than evening to speak to a manager, and Marco was put on the phone and pretended to be the manager. Again, he was rude and confrontational. When I asked for his name, he said ""No. Why do you need it? So you can go and write a review?"" I told him no, I simply wanted an apology for the way in which we were treated. Thankfully, his name was on our check. I called later that evening to speak to the owner, at which time Marco got on the phone again, and continued to maintain the F-you attitude. I don't know why this place is getting good reviews. Living half time in Philadelphia, I can recognize a good Italian restaurant. To be frank, this place sucks. Big time. Between the cost, lack of service, and crappy food, I say try something else. Penelope, which is right up the street, is AMAZING!! Pros: The place was empty Cons: Everything more

This place is a must try. Great food, serivce and of course drinks. Just ask the waiter what to order and they will take good care of you. Best italian food in murray hill. more

We go to Da Ciro almost every Saturday night and love it! The food is always consistent. I wouldn't order the specials because sometimes they can be pricey. The black linguine with seafood is amazing. It's a nice romantic restaurant. The owner is really nice will always greet the regulars when they come in. more

Da Ciro Restaurant is a real gem! If you like great food, great service, and a truly welcoming atmosphere, you have got to go there. Go, and you too will become a regular. This is the kind of place that when you walk in you are part of the family. Take the train, get in a cab, unbuckle your belt and enjoy one of the places that is truly worth going out for! Pros: Best wood fired food in town Cons: what cons? more

Best place anywhere, Amazing place I thing the reviews on the past the are wrong, I went to this place last night and I have the best food and service, very good prizes and quality. Pros: Ambience. more

...really sorry for it but this is an old story!!! Starting well with excellent italian food great brick oven and owners always controlling every plate comin out of the kitchen.... Pros: if you go there in a snowy winter night you can warm up close to the brick oven Cons: food and wine more

This is my favorite italian restaurant in Mannhattan. I've been going to Da Ciro for the past seven years and have never once had a bad dish. They also have the best tiramisu you'll find anywhere. Pros: foccaccia, tiramisu more

If you are looking to try something you will never forget and NEVER be able to cook yourself, this place is the where its at....the foccacia robiola pizza. It is to die for and you will find yourself craving it again and again. The restaurant is so homey and there are always familiar faces when you go. It has become a regular spot for me and my friends. Sit and eat at the bar, make instant friends, or chat it up with the friendly bartender. Tony the manager has a great understanding of wine.....go there to learn a thing or two. Pastas are fantastic and an all time favorite of mine is the grilled (in the woodburning oven) octupus. Pros: Great pizza, awesome wine more

I have been eating at this restaurant for over 5 years. The food is consistently amazing and everyone who works there is great. I was shocked by the one of the posted reviews that said Tony was a thug. He is always a gentleman and an amazing host who will remember your name if you come back and will do anything to make sure your dining experience is perfect. I have brought over 50 friends and business associates for dinner and every one asks when are we going again! Pros: Amazing food Cons: you might have to wait for a table more

Strongly do not recommend going to this restaurant. The maitre'd named Tony, is a thug who only seats his friends and not other customers. When a complaint was made about the situation he physically threatened us both in the restaurant, and continued to do so out on the street. Go at your own peril! more

I was at Da Ciro last night and it is the WORST Italian restaurant in the Murray Hill neighborhood. My pasta tasted like pure salt! It was extremely overpriced and very bad service! Pros: The water more

The food was okay - when it finally got to our table! The service was awful, taking 20 minutes for a waiter to come over then we waited an hour for two pizzas! Won't be back, the food was just okay for the ridiculous prices, don't waste your money. more

I've eaten here numerous times and have always had a pleasant experience until today. I took my 2 cousins here for ""lunch"" for the first time and although the food was good - as usual - I was absolutely appalled by the outrageous prices charged for such small portions at best. I've eaten out at great places for many years and was insulted by being charged $28 for the focaccio appetizer... yes - basically bread and cheese with a little prosciutto, tomato and a ""drizzle"" or should I say invisible touch of truffle oil as it couldn't be seen or tasted. Also, charging $23 for 8 ravioli with lemon & sage should be justification for charges of robbery. I'll never go back, so save your time and money and head down to Franks on 6th street & 2nd. Pros: solid pastas and attentive service Cons: Ridiculously high prices for small portions more

i've been dining at da ciro for 7 years. the food is always delecious , and the service friendly. a recent added plus is the new host, anthony (ciro's nephew) who has a genuine concern to keep the customers happy. manga !! more

I first visited Da Ciro on a December Friday evening at the recommendation of our hotel concierge. My sister and I sat at the bar waiting for our table. We were told it would be 20 minutes. The manager was very attentive to us, and although it took longer, we felt very welcome and serviced. Our waiter, Nick was amazing. The food was fabulous. We knew we were in a great spot when we noticed people that were leaving were hugging the manager and were definitely repeat customers! I brought my husband back two nights later, and Nick remembered me. He swept us up to a romantic table upstairs and treated us like gold. He even gave us a complementary Tiramasu for dessert. (The best I have ever had). I am planning another trip to NY in JUly, and will definitely return. I hope Nick is still there! Pros: great food, service Cons: crowded, tables very close together more

Another very unpleasent Fiasco in NY. service was very very slow,the Pizza wasn't as good as they say,and the manager started a fight at the Bar with a client that it turn in to a huge ""Drama"" in within 5 minutes. I am very unhappy on how this place on a thursday night,were I was aspecting delicious Pizza's and Pasta. Also, please the wine by the glass !!! $ 10 Dollar a glass for a $ 4.99 dollar bottle of wine SOLD the LOCAL liquor store next to my residence. Ridicolously hugly. Very unfare... Cons: bad service, food, bad attitude more

The food was really good, but there wasn't much of it for the price they were charging. I like hearty Italian with Italian portions. =) The service was decent...they took away our bread w/o asking if we were done. the place was really overcorwded so there was no room for our dishes. The waiters were nice...the experience was just a little awkward. Pros: good food Cons: high price, small portions, squished space more

My first visit to Da Ciro and most certainly not my last. My brother (who had been there once recently), & I were treated like family by Ciro and his manager, Tony. We sat at the bar and let Tony order for us. The Antipasto di Portobello was delicious, followed by their one of a kind focaccia with robiola cheese, prosciutto, arugula & tomato. For the entree, we enjoyed spinach infused gnocchi and veal osso buco. The '02 Almanera Nero d'Avola Sicilian wine by the glass was a wonderful accompaniment. Finally, we were treated to the most heavenly Tiramisu anywhere, along with a strawberry Napoleon. Tony even ran out to our car on Lex to feed the 1 hr limit parking meter for us. We enjoyed the meal & company so much we wound up being late for the Rangers game. Bravo! Pros: Everything Cons: Nothing more