Falai

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68 Clinton St (at nr. Rivington St.)
New York, NY 10002

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(212) 253-1960
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Falai - New York, NY
Falai - New York, NY
Falai - New York, NY
Falai - New York, NY
Falai - New York, NY
Falai - New York, NY
Falai - New York, NY
Reviews
( 30 )
( 7 )
( 5 )
( 5 )
( 5 )

Best

My favourite restaurant in the city. Cons: best food + great service + good price

Worst

We had reservations on a wed night at 8 pm. We didn't leave the restaurant until close to midnight. Yep, it took about 2 hours to get our appetizers and another hour or so for the...

NICE BUT NEEDS WORK 7/16/2005

On a recent visit to Falai, one thing struck us in the face after our 20 block walk on a 90 degree evening - no air conditioning! Don't mean to be picky, but when the wood oven faces the VERY small dining room, and when a six person check runs $650.00, it would be nice to cool off and enjoy the food. The food was adequate and well presented, but rather pricey for the limited selections and small quantities. The service, however, was excellent, and managed to salvage the evening. Noise level is much too high for small groups to enjoy conversation. Glad we went, probably never go back. Pros: Decor, Service, Wine list Cons: No AC, limited selections, very high noise level more
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Outstanding NY Dining Experience!! 7/8/2005

Based largely on the Citysearch reviews my wife and I went with another couple last weekend. Dollar for dollar, Falai ranks among the best we have had, and exceeds many that are priced significantly higher. The service is wonderfully attentive without ever being overbearing. Dinner is delightfully punctuated with a plentiful breadbasket of multiple excellent breads that keeps coming as long as you want, and an amuse bouche, in our case carrot soup laced with ginger, that was delicious. We loved every appetizer and entree and the desserts were divine. Special favorites were the black ink pasta, served perfectly al dente in the shape of fish and filled with an incredible puree of roasted scallops, ricotta and asparagus. The polenta with chicken livers was the best of either item that we have ever had. Don't even think about missing the profiteroles! Thank you, Chef Falai, for an extraordinary NY original! Pros: Food, Service, Ambience more
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Go Here! 7/4/2005

Could be trendy and attitudinal, but wasn't. The staff couldn't have been more accomodating and the waiter was adorable. He knew exactly what he could and should recommend, and what recommendations were best left to others (the wine, for example which both satisfied our taste and perfectly accompanied the food). The portions were not huge, but actually human-sized and quite satisfying - no need to stuff yourselves unecessarily folks. The lovely pasta was obviously homemade as well as the assortment of heavenly breads. Try them all if you can. Due to the modest, ""European"" size of the portions, dessert is still a possiblity at the end of this meal - go for it - it's worth it. Pros: good service, reasonable prices Cons: size more
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DREAMY EXPERIENCE 6/25/2005

We arrived with a reservation for two but added a third at prime seating time. They were able to accommodate us and were great about it all. I'm not sure about the previous reviewer's experience, but our meal from start to finish lasted a full two and a half hours. I really felt like I was back in Italy....from the excellent wine, the great food, the friendly service.... Pros: food, wine, service Cons: no large groups more
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tasty food but horrible service 6/15/2005

We went for dinner the other night to celebrate a friend's visit to NYC, and were rushed through the entire meal. The food, admittedly, was tasty (we came prepared for high prices and small portions) but I could not believe that with entrees, appetizers, and wine that the servers would rush us through each course. The waiter told us he would give us ""one minute"" to decide on our entrees, and we had two dishes taken from us before we were finished! We avoided dessert, not because we didn't want to try, but because the experience was so stressful. This type of service might be understandable if they explained when we made our reservation that they expected many other diners, or if the restaurant was crowded, but there were two empty tables the entire time we were there! more
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amazing!!! 5/18/2005

i have never written a review before, but i feel that this place did such an incredible job in terms of food and service that they deserve proper credit. i have a food allergy and they were very accomodating and helpful. the food was unbelievable. great price. it is a great place to meet up with a couple of friends for an enchanting dinner. more
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What a good service!! 5/6/2005

I have beeen several times to eat in the White House that sig. Iacopo Falai started few months ago and everytime I have feel like at home ; the courtesy of the manager added to the good looking of the italian waiters and their professionality, make me came back to taste the amasing Pici with Musetto and the faboulouse Pork with cocoa nibs.....I suggest to be there during the week , better for a date that could be unforgettable... more
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True artistry 5/1/2005

If you're into refines food that still remails authentic to its roots this is the place for you. Everything from the bread to pasta to dessert is prepared by Chef Iacopo, to perfection. The ravioli with swis chard and sausage was delightful The beef medalions were perfectly done as was my passionfruit souffle. the profiteroles were little bites of heaven. Overall, a great addition to the Clinton St food crawl. more
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Fantastic!!! 3/26/2005

I loved it! it was so romantic (everything was white!!! so impressive) and simply everything was perfect to me. Food, service, atmosphere, everything!! Greenpea papardelle w/ wild boar ragu was my favorite and panna cotta!! Bread and pastas are all home-made!! so good. For me, food tasted truly home-made italian. Can't wait to go back there. One thing, I don't think they open for lunch.. Pros: romantic, home-made bread,pasta, warm service more
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Complimenti!! 3/6/2005

A hip gem! Fine dining, warm casual atmosphere. Everything was carefully and beautifully presented + scrumptious... It's no secret that the two chefs, Matteo and Fabio, are serious about their food. For primi, we loved the fresh pappardelle w/ wild boar ragu, (licked our plates) + Polipetti, (octopus), meaty + grilled to perfection. (W/ the chef's compliments), fresh ricotta + sundried tomato parfait + ricotta and spinach creation, a temptation for a cheese lover like me! For entrees, Manzo, melt in your mouth beef medallions complemented by plump, sweet raisins + spinach. Try the juicy prawns presented atop potato slices + sliced zucchini with capers to pour a tasty consomme on top. Save room -best italian desserts, (if you like rum), the baba napoletana, a cake w/ raisins doused in rum w/ a side of homemade cream was irresistible + the fresh pannacotta, w/ delicate strawberry slices. more
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Too good not to share 3/1/2005

A small group of us went to Falai for dinner to celebrate a birthday. I called ahead to ask if it would be fine to bring a candle to top a dessert. They kindly obliged and trumped my simple request by making the most elaborate dessert, turning off the lights in th entrie restaurant and singing happy birthday. I can't tell you how special and wonderfully delicious our experince was. The app.'s, entrees and desserts were equally wonderful. What a welcome addition to NYC cuisine! Thanks... Pros: Attentive Staff, Delicious Food, Chic Enviro more
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fan-tas-tic 2/18/2005

Amazing. The owner's passion about food is so obvious, not only in immaculate presentation of his dishes, but the amazing, fresh flavors in every dish. Everything is home made... a rare thing for NYC restaurant in this price point. not to be missed. more
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Menu for Falai


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Editorial

  • Clever design touches, like glittering crystals, hang over the bread-splayed bar. Despite the doily place mats and frilly eyelet wall pattern, the crowd is decidedly more leather than lace. Chef...

  • 1/18/2007 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Daily 2pm-11pm
  • Payments: Master Card, American Express, Visa
  • Neighborhoods: Lower East Side, Downtown
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