Ambra
Italian restaurant · West Village
569 Hudson St, New York, NY 10014
Highlights
Stylish Italian eatery with homemade pasta and a great vibe
Stylish Italian eatery with homemade pasta and a great vibe
"This tiny, tasting-menu-only spot in Queen Village feels more like a great dinner party than a restaurant. At its core, Ambra is all about rustic Italian, and delivers it unlike anywhere else in the city—with tweezer precision, a dash of molecular gastronomy, and exceptional service. It’s a once-in-a-presidential-term kind of meal that you’ll want to have once a season. You have the option to dine in the kitchen with the chefs, but the best seats are at the single communal table in the candlelit, flower-filled dining room (your only other option). That’s where ten strangers become friends during a wine-, caviar-, and truffle-fueled meal. Ambra has a community table, dining room, and kitchen counter seating (two to four people). The kitchen counter is the front-row ticket everyone wants. Reservations come out two months in advance, on the first of the month. Also, they have a reservationist who you can call at 267-858-9232 and ask about cancellations or potentially bribe." - candis mclean, alison kessler
"This tiny, tasting-menu-only spot in Queen Village feels more like a great dinner party than a restaurant. At its core, Ambra is all about rustic Italian, and delivers it unlike anywhere else in the city—with tweezer precision, a dash of molecular gastronomy, and exceptional service. It’s a once-in-a-presidential-term kind of meal that you’ll want to have once a season. You have the option to dine in the kitchen with the chefs, but the best seats are at the single communal table in the candlelit, flower-filled dining room (your only other option). That’s where ten strangers become friends during a wine-, caviar-, and truffle-fueled meal. Warm, seamless service and chatty tablemates make the three-hour experience fly by, but you won’t want it to. Ambra has a community table, dining room, and kitchen counter seating (two to four people). The kitchen counter is the front-row ticket everyone wants. Reservations come out two months in advance, on the first of the month. Also, they have a reservationist who you can call at 267-858-9232 and ask about cancellations or potentially bribe." - candis mclean, alison kessler
"Verdict: Whether you're at the community table, dining room, or kitchen counter seating at Queen Village's Ambra, you'll have exceptional Italian food. But it's only at the kitchen counter that you'll watch the chef plate frutti di mare with a shimmering squid ink vinaigrette or learn how to store a rare cabernet properly. And that's why the $300-per-person (cash only), over-the-top fine dining experience is worth trying at least once in your Philly lifetime. Ambra has a community table, dining room, and kitchen counter seating (two to four people). The kitchen counter is the front-row ticket everyone wants. Reservations come out two months in advance, on the first of the month. Also, they have a reservationist who you can call at 267-858-9232 and ask about cancellations or potentially bribe." - candis mclean
"This tiny, tasting-menu-only spot in Queen Village feels more like a swanky dinner party than a restaurant. At its core, Ambra is all about rustic Italian, and delivers it unlike anywhere else in the city—with tweezer precision, a dash of molecular gastronomy, and exceptional service. It’s a once-in-a-presidential-term kind of meal that you’ll want to have once a season. You have the option to dine in the kitchen with the chefs, but the best seats are at the single communal table in the candlelit, flower-filled dining room (your only other option). That’s where ten strangers become friends during a wine-, caviar-, and truffle-fueled meal. Ambra has a community table, dining room, and kitchen counter seating (two to four people). The kitchen counter is the front-row ticket everyone wants. Reservations come out two months in advance, on the first of the month. Also, they have a reservationist who you can call at 267-858-9232 and ask about cancellations or potentially bribe." - candis mclean, alison kessler
"This Queen Village tasting menu spot does Italian food with tweezer precision, a dash of molecular gastronomy, and exceptional service. You have the option to sit at the communal table in the candlelit, flower-filled dining room, but if you want a night resembling one at Le Bec-Fin, sit in the kitchen with the chefs. You’ll watch them work, and in this case, we really mean it—both Ambra and sister restaurant Southwark share the same small kitchen. Ambra has a community table, dining room, and kitchen counter seating (two to four people). The kitchen counter is the front-row ticket everyone wants. Reservations come out two months in advance, on the first of the month. Also, they have a reservationist who you can call at 267-858-9232 and ask about cancellations or potentially bribe." - alison kessler
