Abboccato

I've been to Abboccato several times over the years, and with one small hiccup in poor management, the food has always been fantastic! Sometimes people slide under the radar, I get it. The service has changed over the years notably when uniforms changed some time ago - never been a fan of vests, ever, but all of that is machts-nichts. On to the real point - I go for the food and the company I keep. Bad service can only be rated on how much I think I deserve...just give us something good to eat and me and my friends are quite content.

The food is not mediocre by any means - this is cuisine designed and toiled over by someone's hands, personally crafted by someone - (originally Chef Botsacos - now I see David Arias has really worked his way up the chain, bravo to you!) so where the bad reviews come from, I don't know. I absolutely love to cook, so I understand the efforts put forth.

I used to tend to a group of lady-friends I have, who became regulars almost instantly. There isn't anything on this menu I wouldn't recommend. The ambience is nice but not gaudy and doesn't need to be anywhere in a review, the price point is perfect for those of us willing to dodge a pre-fixe menu to pay for a meal well balanced.

I've had almost everything on their menu aside from any shellfish as I'm allergic; another note to extend is that I've never had an allergy issue in their establishment. My personal favorites: Arancini, Polpette, Crudo (special), bruschetta (special), Salmone (tartar), Burrata, Beet Salad, Pappardelle, Ravioli (Di Zucca and the red beets), Amatriciana, Branzino (filet it myself), Vitello, and the Punta di Peto, I don't want to make this a long-winded review, but I would go to Abboccato any time and would highly suggest this restaurant to anyone looking for a quaint, quality dining experience.

I'm not much of a day time diner, so dinner it is! Highly suggest!

- L.O.

Went here for lunch on Friday during restaurant week after carefully reviewing the restaurant week menu options. Was glad I made this choice!

Ordered calamari salad, which was not bland like many calamari salads. It was well seasoned with vinegar and spices, not spicy but just perfect for me to enjoy the complimenting tastes of red onions and arugula with fried calamari.

The main course, Brodo di Salmone, was a definite highlight of the lunch! My salmon, clams, and vegetables in a delicious saffron basil broth were superb. Enjoyed every bite of this filling, well cooked, interesting dish full of vibrant flavors from the broth. "Brodo di Salmone" is a must try for any seafood lover!!

Dessert was disappointing. My passion fruit panna cotta was extremely sweet, and I love sweet, but in this case I just couldn't enjoy the overpowering sweetness. My friend ordered tiramisu, which wasn't sweet but just perfectly balanced to soothe the palette after such delicious meal.

The only downside was the service. We arrived on a Friday afternoon when the restaurant was half empty, yet no one greeted or seated us until about 5-7 minutes after I started looking for staff to help us. All the waiters seemed harried--our waiter spent minimal time with us, so when we needed help, we had to wait until someone came close to where we were sitting to ask them to assist us. Only after everyone sitting around us left, did our waiter start paying attention to ask. Yet, he was so eager to see us finish our meal that he kept asking if we asked for check yet, although it was perfectly clear that we were eating dessert and not getting ready to leave.

The ambiance was cozy, spacious, and inviting: perfect for a date, a family gathering, or just a meal with friends.

Will be back again!

Cozy interior, mediocre food.
I had the brodo di salmone. The broth was too salty, the shrimp were overcooked, and the salmon was barely adequate enough to put in my mouth.. the only thing that held me back from snapping was the mussels, they were okay.
Took a bite of my friend's tagliatelle, 5/10.
BUT, the calamari salad and the tiramisu were phenomenal.
This place's worth a try. Just get the appetizers, skip the entree, and go straight to the tiramisu.

Was staying at the Blakely (attached), so stopped in for breakfast one morning, and a happy hour drink another evening, and both were very good.

Breakfast is served 7:30-10:30, and buffet is complimentary for guests; $16 for non-guests. It's simple, but fresh and good - yogurt, fresh fruit, fresh mini muffins, bread and bagels, and coffee, tea and fruit juice. You can also order hot breakfast off the menu.

Happy Hour is 3-5 pm - 1/2 off wine, cocktails, select appetizers and $5 beer. I tried the Ficchii Grappino (just $6 on happy hour), and it was very unique - fresh fig, Grappino, Amaro Montenegro and a splash of prosecco, served over a house/made, over-sized fig ice cube. Nice!

I'm in love and I don't care who knows it!

Abboccato is my new significant other. Food, service, ambiance...it's the complete package. We were off to a strong start with a tasty Rob Roy (and I don't really like Scotch) and it just kept getting better. Starters: Grilled octopus with beans was phenomenal! Perfect texture. Foie gras terrine was heavenly.

Primi: How to choose which was better? Spaghetti neri with cuttlefish was perfectly cooked with the right amount of spice. The pappardelle was even better. I wanted to fill my coat pockets with that so I could snack on it on the way home.

Secondi: Osso bucco with polenta was wonderful. The right amount of tender without being soggy. The side of broccoli rabe could convert a hardcore carnivore to become a vegetarian

The finish....an amazing chocolate bomb..filled with Nutella Mousse, Crème Brule, and a coffee sauce. They should rename this thechocolatebomb.com

Now that we're an item, I want to keep Abboccato all to myself, but in order to share with others, I'll consider an open relationship. Keep Abboccato in mind if you are looking for something special.

Now that I've finally gotten into the swing of taking advantage of Restaurant Week these last few years, I have decided that if a restaurant has crappy service or not up to snuff food, saying "Well, it's Restaurant Week" is not an excuse. If a restaurant isn't willing to put its best food forward while participating in RW, then I'm not going to try them out again when it's not RW.

That being said, Abboccato was truly fabulous for RW. The service was top notch (they crumbed the table one time more than Gramercy) and the food was seriously delicious. I ate the eggplant they put under my fish! I don't like eggplant!

Will I return? Definitely for RW or if I've got a rich relative in town, since it is rather pricey, and I will certainly consider it as a pre-theatre place when I'm not feeling broke and need to treat myself.

After a long day with coworkers we landed here because it was literally in our hotel. The meal was delicious, the service fantastic, the super tuscan went perfectly. Finally, the tiramisu was a perfect ending to the day. We had a great table and the atmosphere suited the menu.

The prices seemed a bit on the high side but not unreasonable. I only am giving 4 stars because I'm from out of town and have no idea how this place compares to others in the area.

Highly Recommend.

Beautiful rustic Italian, right across from City Center, serves some of the most delicious and interesting cuisine. My dinner the other night included the best grilled lamb chops ever, served with a ricotta and oven dried tomato crust, spaghetti squash and plum tomato confit. Dessert was Bomboloni ai fruilli di bosco: cinnamon dusted doughnuts with mixed berries and vanilla mascarpone. Incredible!

Here's some background: The Chef, Jim Botsacos of Molyvos, mined the classic recipes of his Greek roots---his father is Greek, his mother Italian---to earn the restaurant three stars from the New York Times, in addition to other rave reviews. Since the launch of the Italian restaurant Abboccato in 2004, Botsacos has been able to embrace his other half. Owned by the Livanos Family, owners of three-star Oceana and Molyvos.

I wasn't too crazy about this place. If I am traveling pass my area boundary then it better be good.

Right when I walked in I was not feeling this place! The crowd is either very very old or very young-like CHILDREN young because they are all with their family doing the tourist things like Broadway shows.

I was not feeling our waiter nor the service!

Moving on........

I came here for Restaurant Week and it was not worth the trip there!

I had the Mitta Fritto as my appetizer-I give it a C! How can you mess up on Fried food?
I should had went with the salad, but unfortunately I hate bitter taste of arugula!

The entrees that were being offered---what a bore!!!!
It was either spaghetti, today's fish, or chicken.

Dessert-The marscapone and rhubarb was delicious though. I didn't try the cinnamon dusted donuts though. Sorry I am just one of those weird people who never liked donuts. I feel it's a waste of calories!

Instead I went with the Panna Cotta-surprisingly it was great and better than what I expected due to the waitress poor description of the dessert. It was not BLAND at all and nor did it remind me of a Spanish styled flan!

Dessert saved this place from a one star review!!!!

Me and my boyfriend came here for valentines day, their valentines day meals were really good!
They give you two sections one with heavier taste another one is lighter, which I thought I was really nice considered.
And ambiance was nice, the only complain is the sitting were a little but too closed so I can see the guy at next table ask for bread like 3 times...