Scalinatella

We enjoyed our experience at Scalinatella. Was recommended by a friend. The flavors were excellent, we were happy with most of our dishes. Friendly service which was very attentive, at least until it was super busy in the dining room. But we like to eat pretty early (had a show to catch). Wasn't a problem for us. Only complaint was our pesto pasta was undercooked. Nearly crunchy. I like al dente, this was just a hair too undercooked. Still ate it because the pesto was very flavorful. It's expensive, but so is everything these days. It felt like a fun, neighborhood spot that if we were regular locals we'd be family.

Intimate cozy setting. Friendly and attentive service staff. Food was overpriced and under seasoned. Lamb was overcooked. Chicken Parm had zero seasoning. Branzino was flaky and fresh. Cheesecake was great but tiramisu was disappointing. I have never salted my food at a restaurant until that chicken parm. And I needed spoon fulls of red pepper flakes on top to make it worth eating. Lots of hype but not worth the price tag. $800 plus tip for 4 ladies. Only one cocktail each.

Food was all very good, they bring you zucchini & seafood salad to start N/C, we got this pasta medley and tartar dishes, everything was delicious, and service great too btw, definitely recommend this place!! 😊

All of food is way too good that I had to over rate more than what we experienced. BUT, I must say that verbal menu must be written with each price. All most $200 for fish over $100 for pasta are TOO MUCH. Also the system of waiters must be improved. He was asking what drinks to order 4 times to me while my friend is in a restroom. No rulls at all!

First of all, the food is delicious. I will not deny that. However, when the waiter offered us Parmesan cheese, olives and meats, he should have also said it was $66! For four people, one piece of meat, two olives and cheese. $66!! Then, after ordering, he asked if we wanted an appetizer of zucchini florets- almost demanding we get them- we said sure! They were $57! One small florets for each person! They really need to be more transparent about these “special offerings!” We NEVER would have ordered the meat and cheese or the florets for those prices. Very unfair. Especially when we don’t over $500 for four people.

Love that they had sole and it was fairly priced. The blue Crab Appetizer was delicious, as was the eggplant parm and my friend had the lamb chops leaving nothing behind.😋 oh and the pasta appetizer we had with truffles was soooo delicious. We ate a lot and left nothing behind.

Where do I start? Gian and his team have set a new level for gastronomic standards! The experience we enjoyed is beyond that of spots that have been in existence for decades! The atmosphere is warm and inviting! The food quality and presentation is first class! The service makes you feel like you are part of the family! You will not be disappointed! Treat yourself to an experience of a lifetime! God Bless Blue & Gold!! God Bless America!!

Scalinatella is one of those rare spots in NYC that still feels like old-school Italian luxury — dimly lit, intimate, and effortlessly charming. The moment you walk down those stairs, you're transported to a different era: white-jacketed servers, a menu recited from memory, and that warm, lived-in elegance that only decades of history can bring. The food is consistently phenomenal — rich pastas, perfectly cooked seafood, and traditional dishes that feel like a warm hug from Nonna. No gimmicks, just classic Italian done right. What makes it extra special? The people-watching. On more than one occasion, I’ve seen celebrities dining quietly in the corner, which adds to the whole experience. It’s discreet, exclusive, and yet somehow still feels like a neighborhood secret

Great ambience. Very cozy seating area. The place is bustling with people. Ambience is quaint. As soon as you sit down, you get fresh bread and olive oil, a zucchini and calamari appetizer. The place is packed to the rim granted it's a very small restaurant. I got the rigatoni which was good but my friend had the special Ravioli with burrata eggplant and zucchini with cherry tomatoes on top which was divine! I don't event like ravioli, the pasta would melt in your mouth! Fun atmosphere. FYI, the place is pricey, two people hit 300$ easily with two entrees, two appetizers

Cute hidden spot on the upper east side. Menu changes daily based on specials. Perfect for a date night. Service was great and all dishes came out very hot. Taking 1 star off because the bill didn't make any sense whatsoever when it came. To be perfectly honest, I'd probably go to Tony di Napolis a few blocks away for better quality food at half the price.

This place has the worst service I've ever had in my life. What do you mean "there's no menu"??? HUH?? And then charging over 100$ for mediocre pasta? Are you out of your mind? I am begging anyone reading this to never come here.

This is a Wonderful restaurant! Yesterday! I came to dinner here with a friend my first time here. The location of the restaurant is quite interesting. It's all the way downstairs which at one point would have been the basement of a business. It looks like a cave quite cool looking. I think they need to change the ceiling because it has a very old ambience to it but yet the ceiling is very modern . I had the Prosecco, which was good, but I thought the champagne glass was too big . My friend had a couple glasses of wine then I had the Appetizer of Italian zucchini flowers with mozzarella. As my main course, I had fresh mozzarella with peppers and tomato, and my friend had fish . It was crowded. Lots of staff to take care of you. The bathrooms were upstairs and we're fairly clean. The prices are high, but I think the foods pretty good and They also give decent size portions, which I liked . We were the last to leave. No one complained. I wouldn't mind trying this place again.

Our dinner was excellent and our server Florian was so nice and friendly. We loved it!

Terrific Italian with perfect service. Atmosphere is exactly what you'd expect from a legit Italian restaurant. Would go again and again.

Scalinatella was recommended to us for a nice dinner, and we took our family of kids ages 8-19 plus 2 adults. We had the eggplant, seafood and bread that was preset and adults absolutely loved the eggplant. We loved the ambiance and service, and with 3 teenagers and just one younger (who actually ended up sleeping through the whole meal) it was such a lovely evening for all of us. However, my caution is to either not care about the cost AT ALL or ask details. Because we got no understandable bill at the end and were either way overcharged for a few things or would never have ordered (ex: $69 per person including the sleeping child who didn't eat an appetizer, $15ish gelato pp) See receipt photo. We ordered an appetizer of prosciutto and parm, one glass of wine, one jack and coke, a soda for each kid, and the following entrees: -Shrimp and scallop pasta with olive oil and fresh tomatoes (delicious, would have loved sear on scallops) - this was a special - Ravioli with broccoli Raab and sausage (good but small portion) - kids portion of spaghetti with butter and parm - eggplant parm (not on menu, great flavor but soupy) - fettuccine Alfredo with chicken (not on menu, mixed reviews from the two who got it) The gelato (5) and ricotta cheesecake (1) were delicious. Overall, I'd absolutely return and would just be more cautious and would also ask for explanation of prices because this didn't add up.

There are a ton of Italian restaurants in NYC, but there's nothing else like Scalinatella. The space feels like a glamorous, family own Italian place and their delicious Italian food is always perfectly executed.

One of the all time favorites of uptown manhattan plenty of great Thursday night dinners top notch service

Amazing authentic NYC eatery! Just the best! Great food and service with ambience galore!

This place is a hidden gem. The food was outstanding and the staff were great. The restaurant is small in a basement but very quaint.

This place was a 10/10! We showed up at about 5:45 with no reservation but were quickly seated. The staff was AMAZING! We were initially impressed by one of our servers ability to remember and explain all the specials that night (one included the white pasta pictured in the photo) and we also were treated well with every server we encountered. Let's just say the service was impeccable. Now on to the food...we are still dreaming about the white truffle pasta so if they have it when you go its a must try! Everything was delicious and we hope to make our way back soon.

Whoever their hostess is TODAY Friday, September 22, 2023 at 3:40pm IS EXTREMELY rude and should probably be taken in for training on how to speak to customers. I asked her to please address me correctly and she used a condescending tone of voice and was beyond rude upon me calling to confirm reservations. I will be attending my reservation this evening regardless of the unprofessional behavior from their hostess because I have been visiting Scalinatella for years and truly consider it a "hidden gem" but employees like her are not good for the business and behave like uneducated savages who don't know how to communicate. This is the hospitality industry not the hostility industry maybe you should suggest to her a change in field.

The food and service were good BUT the prices are ridiculous and they are NOT honest. We specifically asked the price of the lobster special which was $130 but when the bill came, they charged $175. We ordered the asparagus side, received 7 medium asparagus and the charge was $25.50. A complete rip-off. We live in NYC and are used to NY prices but we are not used to being deceived and ripped off. Unacceptable!

We came here a few times and enjoyed each experience. The staff is on point and friendly. Definitely make reservations because the place is small and they book fast. They have a good selection on their menu, however you want to pay very close attention to their specials. They have many options and you won't be disappointed. We ordered everything from their specials. Their food is fresh, the portion size is just right and everything is absolutely delicious! They give you a small tasting of their zucchini and seafood salad. Appetizers: Fava bean salad Stuffed zucchini flowers: make sure you order enough for the table. Entrees Spaghetti with lobster and cherry tomatoes Red snapper with red sauce, calamari, scallops, shrimp, mussels and clams. Everything was absolutely delicious! We can't wait to come back!

A must visit each time I visit NYC. I love the ambiance and that I can order anything I want. Very very attentive staff that wants you to have an experience rather than a meal.

Stop what you're doing right now and get to this restaurant! Wow, what an experience. To the cozy ambience, the on-point staff and the fresh Italian dishes - OH THE FOOD! It truly felt like being in Italy. The Caprese and a cold Lobster Tail salad to start, linguine with clams and a filet mignon to go with - outstanding. I didn't want to leave. Hurry and go!

Yummy food. I couldn't decide on the ravioli or the risotto so I got both. I just wish you didn't have to climb those steep stairs to the bathroom when wearing heals, plus going down. Too bad there's no room for outside seating. It's too drab in there but worth it for the food. Pricey but it's the hood. When you can't go to Capri Italy what can you do? Typical service nothing extraordinary. The ice cream didn't seem fresh was my only real complaint. All in all a good meal.

Our waiter was excellent on explaining the dishes and what was available. Gerardo from Veracruz México and his assistants were extremely helpful!

Very good food and ambiance. Didn't pay bill so don't know about value. Great atmosphere. Will be back. Get the branzino.

Absolutley wonderful service, food, drinks and desserts! We will be back on our next trip to the city.

Delicious and authentic, old school at its best. Soft shell crabs were delicious and the wine menu and the service is great

Amazing place to eat and enjoy company. Service, selection, ambience were all 100/100.

Okay, before you stop reading, listen up!! When we went to the hotel front desk to ask for a good place to eat, they told us this was the place to come. And boy were they right! I ordered rigatoni with asparagus and artichokes. My mom got the spaghetti with tomato sauce, and my dad got Bolognese fettuccine on his dish. The restaurant basically gives you whatever you want! The place is amazing, and we will definitely be back! -Diya Sulaiman a child.

The best Italian food in the world! I have been eating here for 30 years and it just keeps getting better!

Pro: excellent service, delicious homemade pasta and well cooked proteins Con: downstairs with no windows, but that's sort of the vibe

My wife and I were in town for a long weekend and wanted somewhere nice but somewhat off the beaten path and were pointed in the direction of this place. The service was fantastic and very attentive. Started with a nice bottle of italian red wine - a Barolo but i do not recall the vintage. They paired that with some fresh cut prosciutto, parmesan chunks, and a few olives and a few other freebies from the kitchen that i can't recall. As for dinner, we decided to stick to the basics: my wife asked for an off-menu traditional carbonara and was very pleased with it and the portion size! I had the spaghetti and clams (my fav) and it was absolutely delicious. We finished with tiramisu and that certainly didn't disappoint. The ambiance is neat - the tables are close, however, it doesn't feel like you're on top of your fellow guests. As many have many have said, the costs are on the higher side but if you have the means or want a memorable evening, it's on par with anything else you're going to get in Manhattan. We will return when the opportunity presents itself. (Sorry, no photos)

Great food amazing staff over the top service. They don't miss. This should be on everyone's top italian lists in nyc

We hosted a birthday celebration for my daughter on Wednesday night and the place was packed. I hadn't been there before but it's her favorite. The service was wonderful, extremely attentive and happy to make off menu items. Wine list had many good options, with some bottles priced around $50 and as high as you'd like. Food was excellent - we were greeted with fresh bread, focaccia, sauteed zucchini and some seafood salads. We added on prosciutto and parmigiano reggiano, as part of the starters. Entrees are priced at $35 and up, but are generously portioned and plated with a veggie side. Pastas are prepped in the dining room, so are served piping hot. We had a special celebratory dessert that the staff suggested and controlled and we all shared. Warmed pineapple and peaches with ice cream, berries with zabaglione and an assorted platter of tiramisu, cannoli, biscotti and cheesecake. The atmosphere is dark, since it's a walk downstairs from street level, so no windows. I'd give 5 stars, but it is very loud. Not sure how the restaurant itself can help that, but just an FYI - not a place for a quiet, romantic meal, but was good for a celebration.

Fabulous! Simply Fabulous in Every Detail! Venue is tiny, cozy and filled with wonderful energy! Staff , All Staff, are friendly and warm. Very welcoming! The food!!!! Not enough words to explain how scrumptious everything was! Cocktails on point! Fresh pastas are to die for and cooked to perfection! Veal Parm on the bone is Amazing! So much to list in a review... all of our dishes were delicious! Desserts!! Authentic Ricotta Cheescake... doesn't look like the traditional, but certainly tastes like it. So pleasantly surprised! ! We are thrilled to have discovered this Italian Restaurant in NYC It's truly The Best! Thanks to Eddie for a spectacular evening! See you again next week!

Generally good Italian food there were some great dishes, and then there were some above average dishes. The slow cooked zucchini was great, the mozzarella was great, the cheesecake was great, and I had a bite or two of ravioli it was great. My own dish was Linguine with Lobster Sauce and Shrimps. The homemade pasta was splendid with great texture, lobster sauce was above average at best and the shrimps were slightly overcooked and I had a bite of the shell, so that was disappointing. With that being said, It was expensive and the food didn't exactly blow my socks off. Just couldn's quite justify with date decor in the basement. Lastly, it was late something zoomed by on the floor, you can judge for yourself what it was.

I have been dining at this restaurant for over two decades when I visit NY and until today I generally had a positive experience. Unfortunately, the experience and service today was so poor that I will not be returning. The staff was inattentive, the manager was dismissive and the food was just average (and missing ingredients). There are so many better options in NYC for great Italian cuisine. Unfortunately Scalinatella appears well past its prime and seems to care less about offering excellent service commensurate with their excessive prices.

Small neighborhood spot with a romantic, cozy ambiance. It is dark and candlelit. Everyone is so nice and it's a great neighborhood place. Came here for valentine's day and it was the perfect spot. AMAZING wine, service and food. We had the incredible truffle pasta (not on the menu) and the veal chop. Expensive spot but worth it for a special occasion and will definitely come back soon!!!

Mediocre food that is not worth the price. The vongole pasta was not tasty and I was very disappointed as i could have just cooked it myself better. I was pregnant at the time and I literally cried after eating because the food was so disappointing and all I craved was some good pasta. It is hard to find decent restaurants in UES so we will keep searching..

First class service. Food was great. Waiter made some calls for our large table and they were spot on. Thank you for a great dinner and experience.

I've been to Scalinatella before, food has always been splendid, always had been a 10/10, however, this time the veal chop (the reason i go this place) lacked that splendid taste. The service was great. The ambience not so much. Anyways... we had a beef carpaccio, the salt crust branzino, the grilled octopus, the breaded clams, the veal chop (it's always great, this time it lacked flavor), the tiramisu and the cheesecake.

Best meal of my entire life every time!!! They never miss a beat and the food is spectacular!!! I've never not been 10000% satisfied after leaving! Best place in town for sure!!!!

3 1/2 stars. 'Twas the night before Marathon and to fill up before the race, runners looking for pasta filled up the place. " Yes, it was not easy finding a reservation at an Italian restaurant on Marathon eve. Our party of seven was seated right away for our 6pm reservation. By the time we left, the place was a zoo. The restaurant is small so when people are waiting they are literally standing over you. In general, it is crowded and loud (not a place for intimate conversation!). Gratis appetizers were provided: Zucchini flowerettes which tasted very acidic and a chopped seafood salad. The menu is very small but there are a large number of specials which are recited by the server. They are reeled off so quickly (without prices) that you will probably have to ask to hear them again. I shared two dishes with my sister. The Snapper Livornese was very good but I have to admit that I have had better or equal versions of the same dish at local Italian restaurants in suburban Fort Lauderdale! The pasta special had plenty of lobster and crab but it could have used a bit more "oomph". There was barely a hint of sauce or much seasoning. Everyone else enjoyed their dishes which included: Rigatoni & Meatballs, Tortellini & Meatballs, and Branzino. For dessert we Just went with some Biscotti and coffee. For an Italian restaurant, I found the coffee to be pretty weak. The service was polite and efficient (almost so efficient that I felt a bit rushed in a Saturday night). Overall, the food was solid but probably overpriced for the setting and quality of food.

Scalinatella is tired. ThE patron is tired. The decor is tired. Saying that, it is a good restaurant with simple and fresh ingredients. Like Italian restaurants should be. For me, though, this restaurant is the live proof that eating out is not only about good food but also good atmosphere, good clean ambiance, good service. We went there in an early cold Saturday afternoon, half empty room, one waitress for everybody. We waited about 10 minutes to have the Menu . Before we gave up, a smiley waiter came with warm bread and olive oil. Orders done , I started to noticing that a phone would never stop ringing... Food arrived , well prepared and tasty. Phone still ringing We ordered deserts (my ricotta cheese cake was divine) and the phone still ringing... I really got anoyed about that! Also, we overheard a comment from 2 Canadian ladies sitting next to us...complaining about the noise ... So... i m not sure about this place...

Elite food, service and ambiance I had the pasta with the vodka sauce and some amazing wine on top of it. I love the fact that they cooked everything on the floor. It was so fresh. You have to check it out.

Such great food and a classic continental upscale NYC dining that is disappearing. Especially nice spot to go around the holidays and in winter

Came back after a long break from the Pandemic and was so happy! Everything was just as delicious and the service was excellent as usual - here are my favorites: Vonggole Bolognese Milanese And we had their Branzino which was one of their specials Carpaccio The wine they gave was also fantastic. Only downside is the $$$$ but we'll worth when you want to treat yourself. Go for lunch instead too!

Simply amazing. Pay close attention when they go to the specials because that's where you're gonna get some of the best food you've ever eaten. Very small main menu but phenomenal specials. Highly recommend.

Amazing location and the truffle pasta is amazing! The appetizers they they bring before ordering are so yummy and I will continue to go here for years to come!

Came here for a late night dinner with a small group of friends. The restaurant was dark, cozy and pretty bustling for a weekday night. The food was delicious (truffle pasta was divine!) and there was a very good selection of wines to choose from. I think this would be a great date night location and will definitely be back.

Arrogant service. Told after sitting for 60 minutes that they "needed" the table in 30 minutes. Food is ok but certainly not worth the aggravation they caused. Go elsewhere. Plenty of NYC Italian restaurants with much more accommodating service and comparable food.

Scalinatella is the best best best! Greatest atmosphere! Great service! Can get loud but it's ok.

Came here after work with out of city friends, this underground upscale gem always impresses. As we walked down the steps, you are greeted in Italian into an intimate and aromatic Italian scene. The food is divine and goes even better with wine. The branzino was cooked perfectly and cut out of its salt covered skin right next to you. The service complements the entire experience very well. If you need a good date spot or just want good traditional Italian food, this is a great choice.

I came here with some colleagues for dinner and what a great experience! The place is located in the basement and the entrance is unassuming - I wouldn't be surprised most people walk right past without a second glance. Once you go downstairs, you see a very rustic looking dining area that is pretty tight on space (I mean it is New York). The wait staff greeted us kindly and were knowledgeable about the food. One thing I have to comment is that a bulk of the available dishes is NOT on the menu or on their website. Instead, they verbally gave us a laundry list of items. Luckily, one of our friends has frequented the restaurant many times and knew what were the best dishes to get (the truffle pasta was amazing!) If I were a first time diner, I would ask them to slowly go through the list of items they had. The food was, for the most part, excellent. The truffle pasta and mozzarella were truly memorable. However, the lobster pasta was not as good unfortunately - nothing really made me say "wow" especially for the price point for the entire meal. The tiramisu, I have to say, is the best I've had in the city. Overall, I would come come here again for some of the dishes (the truffle pasta and tiramisu) but the price point is quite steep for what you are getting here.