Frank is the original East Village anchor of chef Frank Prisinzano's restaurant family, which also includes sister spots Lil' Frankie's, Supper, and Daddies (along with Lil' Frankie's Grocery and Francuccio). Opened in 1998, it stays true to its cash-only, bustling, red-sauce neighborhood roots. Using the exact menu terminology, here is how the meal stood out: Black Kale Caesar: Crisp black kale tossed with garlic breadcrumbs, Parmigiano, and a rich dressing. Burrata Mozzarella Cheese: Served soft and creamy as an appetizer special, simple and focused on the quality of the cheese. Friday Special (Black Gnocchi): Their Friday-only homemade squid ink gnocchi special, which yields a delicate, pillow-soft texture. Chicken alla Parmigiana paired with Spaghetti Limone: We asked for the Chicken alla Parmigiana (crispy breaded chicken cutlet topped with marinara and melted mozzarella) and ordered a side of their iconic Spaghetti Limone--spaghetti tossed in a tart, bright lemon and butter sauce--to go with it instead of standard tomato pasta. The citrusy kick cuts right through the rich, cheesy cutlet. Fast, traditional service in a packed dining room. A must-visit classic in the East Village family of restaurants. read more

Frank - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

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Food, service and ambiance is lovely. The staff from front of the house to servers were pleasant and helpful. We sat in the back enclosed 'garden like' space which was really nice. My family & I [grp of 10] enjoyed a brunch of delicious french toast (fresh berries) w real maple syrup, egg dishes, sandwiches that came with side salad & mimosas. The space is has heating lamps which can be shut off/on by staff as requested. Some of my party became warm, then some of us were cold :) We found a Happy medium. Heads up they only accept cash & mostly require reservations. I honestly would have liked to hear music as background rather than hearing people talking. My honest pov. I certainly return. read more

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Really enjoyed this cute Italian neighborhood spot on the lower east side. They had a vast menu (a ton on specials on top of the usual menu. We got the mozzarella appetizer, garlic bread, homemade gnocchi and the oriechette with sausage. Everything was delicious but the gnocchi was the highlight- the tomato sauce was delicious and we got straciatella on top- so good! The service was quick and we got some good recs from our server. Also they have a great wine list including a delicious orange wine that we got a bottle of. Will be back! read more

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Been coming here for over 20 yrs...since I was in my teens. Says a lot about this neighborhood joint, delicious consistency! Frank's other spots all have their own vibe, but I've always loved Frank Restaurant! The people watching and the bar are just the best! And their staff just make you feel so welcome, like family! read more

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We love Frank! Such a homey restaurant and the staff is super friendly. You really can't Go wrong with any of their pastas - the red sauce is the bomb. The chicken parm is also fantastic and comes with a side of pasta. The ravioli is also amazing and their meatballs are so flavorful. One night we couldn't narrow in on two desserts so they brought us the panna cotta complimentary - so nice! We ended up finishing all three desserts because everything was that good! This is definitely one of our go to spots! read more

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I've posted about Frank in the East Village a few times because it's one of my favorites in New York. I was very excited to go back because it was the first time for my beautiful wife and close friends to experience their amazingness. The food, cocktails and neighborhood energy is the best. It's quaint, authentic, and as welcoming as you would want in any local neighborhood joint. It's what's beautiful about New York. I am usually there during the week for an early dinner on a work trip so it was fun to see the energy of prime time on a Saturday night. It was packed, lively, and had all the energy of being at a large family holiday party. The casual Italian food and classic cocktails are perfect. Our friends told us we had to order their famous meat loaf (photo 13). I never had it and wasn't feeling it so it was quite the surprise when one of our friends ordered it for the table on top of our entrees. I'm so glad we tried it because it was one of the best dishes I've had in a long time. It was slathered in a wonderfully rich tomato ragu that was memorable. The cocktails are creative across a nice number of signature recipes and any classics you like. For a small bar the quality is very good. I stuck with a classic Manhattan and others fired up a few Negronis. We were celebrating my bday so they brought me out a delicious tiramisu to blow out my candle. It was excellent like everything else. If you like small neighborhood Italian joints with great cocktails, you need to check out Frank in East Village. Salute @thejohnnycocktail #cocktails #cocktailphotography #newyork read more

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The uniqueness of the atmosphere, the quality of the food, we have been here a handful of times and it is our favorite Italian food anywhere, when we travel to NYC this is always at the top of the list of places to go. Food is so incredible, fresh, fast, and delicious. Atmosphere is so home like, tight close seating, and basically sitting in the kitchen. Service has always been attentive, and knowledgeable. You're missing out if you don't come here. read more

Frank - Lasagna and Rigatoni Al Ragu - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

Was not a huge fan. Service was rushed (had 5 mins with the appetizer), and pasta was soupy. read more

Frank - Penne and meatballs - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

Belonging to the same family as Lil Frankie's this is a great option for reliable Italian food and a last-minute large group spot. I ended up having the black spaghetti with calamari and it was great! Would recommend the watermelon basil salad and the molten chocolate cake for dessert. If you're looking for a ton of space you definitely won't find it here...but then again, it's the East Village... and also New York. read more

Frank - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

Best bolognese since Rome. Cute little restaurant in NYC. Recommended by a local and it did not disappoint. It's very narrow seating...super cozy. They do have a nice patio setting when it's nice weather. One bathroom that I saw in the middle of the place which seems more like a closet. Very little elbow room. Food and drinks were great along with the service. Bartender seemed to really enjoy and love her job. Super friendly and helpful with recommendations. Would definitely go back and highly recommended. read more

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Food was delicious and staff were incredibly attentive. It's a small cozy place and a great place to go for authentic Italian. We loved it. Thank you. read more

Wow! So pleasantly surprised by this place! Haven't been since before the Pandemic. Pulled up with my crew - all five of us - and the hostess kindly sat us after a brief wait, and with no reservation. It's a small, cozy place with old photos on the walls, loud music, an open kitchen that shoots flames every so often, and good vibes. We ordered a kale caesar with fresh, sturdy green tasting kale, and lots of creamy dressing. My father in law gave high marks to his mussels - the sauce was a beautiful ocean-y marinara, perfect for mopping up with good bread. I adored the chicken parm - reminded me of those great restaurants behind the pizzerias on Long Island. The rigatoni with sausage and broccoli rabe was soulful and good. Desserts aren't worth the calories but order one anyway, and an espresso for good measure. Service was amazing. Thanks for a good time, Frank! read more

I was in town visiting and got a local recommendation for frank from the fine folks at paradise lost. Boy, am I grateful for them. Frank is a nook in every sense of the world. But, a beautiful spot nonetheless. Bustling, cozy, intimate, spirited all come to mind when in Frank. Seats are nestled right next to each other, the music is going, conversation is up. This is the type of experience folks want when looking for authentic italian. The menu is small, yet diverse enough to satisfy all palates. I rolled with a slice of roasted garlic bread and the chicken alla parmigiana. Both great. The garlic bread was charred and crispy on the crust, while the side was still soft and fluffy. The roasted garlic shined with the parmesan. There is nothing better than a good piece of garlic bread, and the bread at Frank is going to do it for you and then some. Now, the chicken alla parmigiana: a masterclass in chicken parms. The cutlet was paper thin and crispy. Oh, it was perfection. The red sauce had just enough sweetness to offset the acidity. Of course, chicken was layered in cheese as well. Silky smooth. An added element of depth and texture. It also comes with pasta so their portion is certainly generous. I can't forget the service, either. My server was great and so was the host. They accommodated me on a busy evening and got me right in. An absolute gem in the east village. read more

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EDIT: I wanted to update my review to note that the team at Frank reached out, acknowledged the shortcomings of our visit, and offered us the opportunity to return for a better experience. While holidays are understandably challenging, I appreciate that they listened to the feedback and responded thoughtfully. It was a professional and customer-focused response, and I'm glad to see the concerns taken seriously. _______________________________________________ We came to Frank for a Valentine's Day dinner after it was highly recommended and booked 30 days in advance. At no point were we informed that we would be seated at a community table. The seating was unbelievably cramped. Once diners were seated on both sides of us, there was no space to move, we were completely boxed in and couldn't even get up without multiple people having to move. It was the worst seating experience we've ever had at a restaurant, and especially disappointing for a Valentine's Day reservation. Our server was excellent and did his best, but the situation was clearly a result of poor seating logistics and lack of transparency. Had we known this was the arrangement, we would never have booked. The discomfort overshadowed the entire meal and turned what should have been a special night into a frustrating experience. read more

Frank prides itself on offering fresh Italian cuisine and they mostly live up to their reputation. The flagship of a small group of restaurants in Manhattan (Super, Lil Frankie's, Daddy, et al), the menu covers a range of pasta and meat dishes. I met up with some friends from out of state on a Saturday evening and our group of 5 got a table outside. We split an order of the stracciatella and an order of pate crostini. The stracciatella was phenomenal: fresh, milky mozzarella atop thick tomato slices and basil leaves with an aged balsamic. The pate was rich and earthy. I did the tagliatelle special: wide strips of fresh pasta with a mushroom cream sauce. The pasta did a great job of soaking up the sauce but the flavours were a little muted. All in all, a great meal and reasonably priced for the neighborhood. Be aware: Frank is cash only! read more

Frank - Tagliatelle with a mushroom cream sauce - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

Had a reservation for 9pm with four guests and was seated within a few minutes. We were led through one entrance to the back, through a door, then toward the front of the adjacent room for our seats. Very maze-like and a bit chaotic LOL. It was also quite loud with all the chatter, plus it was a very intimate space so you're very close to all the other tables. I originally wanted the Friday special, the black gnocchi with calamari but had to get the linguini with calamari since they were out of the gnocchi. It was a fairly decent portion with lots of squid which made me very happy. I was surprised how much tomato was in this dish as I thought it would be more seafood-y with oil, but it did taste delicious. Overall, cute intimate vibe with a lively young crowd. Pretty popular Italian spot with some solid staples. It is cash only! read more

Frank - Black Linguini with Calamari - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

Classic Italian spot in the east village. Perfect for brunch, lunch or dinner... it always hits the spot. Cash only with a cozy, quaint interior as if you stepped into an Italian grandmothers apartment with a gorgeous marble bar. Service is friendly and fast! Get the chicken Milanese sandwich at lunch and the penne a la vodka for dinner, though anything is delicious. read more

Frank - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

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Great music, the bartenders are super cool as well (one of them let me play my favorite song -- it was my birthday after all ). However, wasn't a huge fan of the pasta dish. It was very plain to me. Granted, this was our last stop on a mini food tour, but I wish I had chosen something else. This is a cute place! 3 stars only because I didn't get a full restaurant experience (we were at the bar). read more

We had a whirlwind 48 hours in New York, pouring my heart into rekindling my beautiful, amazing marriage. The past month was tough, and I had to show up--thoughtful, listening, loving, and cool. I planned surprises my wife never saw coming. We could have eaten anywhere but heard great things about Frank--WOW! We savored every moment and bite at Frank. The staff was warm, kind, and so welcoming. They had our drinks ready with a smile, knowing we were celebrating love, and surprised us with a heavenly Tiramisu on the house. We had gnocchi, and it was perfection. This wasn't just dinner--it was my heart shouting that, among 8 billion souls, my wife is my world. Frank made it unforgettable. Thank you, Frank. We'll be back! read more

Frank's is a solid Italian restaurant. Nothing fancy or flashy. Simple, good quality Italian food. The servers are low key and friendly. The bruschetta was on fantastic, toasted sourdough bread. The pasta was cooked perfectly and the rigatoni al ragú had quality meatballs and sausage. The chicken parmigiana is MASSIVE, pounded flat and covered with tons of sauce, Parmesan, and mozzarella. End the meal with the affogato. Two scoops of vanilla covered in espresso...perfection. Simple and good meal. read more

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Frank has been part of the dining landscape of the East Village since I went to high school in the area, yet I've walked passed it numerous times with barely any passive interest. They're a classic red sauce restaurant-- if you're familiar with homestyle Italian fare then you know what's on the menu here. I visited with a friend who loves and craves this category of cuisine and I was excited to share in the passion for this food with her. I think they've amassed a dedicated customer base over the years as they seem to have no trouble filling every seat for dinner most nights. The interior is rustic and charming, and sitting at the bar gave us a great view into the bustle of the kitchen. The staff move like acrobats in the tiny space, and I feel like watching your dinner get prepared makes the food taste better. The same dishes on the menu are also written on a chalkboard against the wall, and something about a chalkboard menu feels extra charming. We shared a fava bean starter and I got a seafood dish made with squid ink pasta. We also finished off a bottle of red wine between the two of us. The food portions are pretty sizeable though I still feel the prices are outsized for what you get, which I've always felt about this cuisine. The dishes were okay, but the flavors and textures didn't leave an impression. Note that they only accept cash payments. I'm glad to have visited to satisfy a curiosity but I don't think I'm the target demo for this restaurant. read more

Just fine. There's definitely better Italian food in new york! We ordered the veal ragu, tortellini zucco with butternut squash, and chicken Parm. The portions are hefty and it's definitely a homey meal, so I can see the appeal if you're looking for something chill and comforting. But the Parm was a bit soggy, the spaghetti was nothing special and not coated well, and the ragu noodles were overcooked. The tortellini were a hit though! For the same price point there are many other options around the east village. read more

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Frank is the absolute best. No frills, fresh Italian food. I've been here for dinner twice now and would love to try every single item on the menu (maybe a new goal of mine?). This time we came after a matinee and sat inside. We started with the Roasted Garlic Bread with Imported Anchovies and it was salty, crunchy, garlicky and amazing. We also did the arugula salad on the side which is the perfect amount of fresh greens to balance out the meal. I had the Bolognese special that was exactly what I wanted and hit the spot. Freshly made pasta coated with meaty and saucy perfection. My friends had the chicken parmesan (she almost licked her plate!) and the orecchiette with broccoli rabe and sausage. It was all...chef's kiss! read more

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I have been a devoted follower of Frank Prisinzano for years. I watch and really pay attention to all of his cooking videos and observe closely as he travels around Italy sharing the foods of different regions. I've also wanted to go to one of his restaurants in the East Village for years as well, and while I don't live in the city, I have reason to be there quite often, and yet...it never worked out...until last week. My husband contacted my son, who contacted my closest friend (met on our first day at NYU in the late 80s), and I found myself there with a friend I just don't ever see enough of, for a birthday dinner. We had a reservation for 6, but honestly ended up walking in the neighborhood at 4, starving, and thought...why not? So we headed up to the front, and the super flexible staff seated us right away. We planted at a warm corner table, which I loved, as I typically hate sitting in the middle of a dining space. Also, this spot made it so I was able to soak in the atmosphere and see the specials board clearly! I really went around and around in terms of what to get. For example; I love eggplant rollatini and make it myself. It is a LOT of work, and mine is, what I believe to be, a slammin version... YET, I still wanted to try the ER at Franks On the OTHER hand, shouldn't I try something I don't usually have...Ugh! I think you get the picture! Finally settled on a stracciatella and tomato salad and one piece of bruschetta of tomatoes. Both were excellent, although I have to admit, I did have rollatini regret! For mains, we ordered the branzino and the chicken parmigiana. I asked for it with sauteed spinach instead of pasta, which was excellent and which I highly reccommend if you are not eating pasta. I did have a long internal battle over whether or not to order the spaghetti limone, which I have watched Frank make several times, BUT can't eat that much pasta. Should I still have ordered it? Should we have gotten that for a shared app? We were not going to order dessert, but were swayed by the options. Honestly, I was moved by the offering of a fresh fruit platter, THANK YOU FRANK for that! I loved it and yes, even though it was winter, the fruit was perfect. My friend went with the affogato and said that the house made vanilla ice cream was 100%. Overall, LOVED everything about Franks place! Also recommend coming in earlier for dinner IF that works for you and your schedule, by the time we left, the place was packed! Thank you Frank! read more

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Excellent, fresh tasting penne vodka. The espresso martini was also great. This place is cash only. read more

Frank - a glass of coffee and a flower on a table - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

Not bad, I wouldn't come here again. My friend was super excited because John Legend and his wife apparently rave about this place. However, I wasn't a big fan and my friend felt sick after she finished eating. I personally didn't like my food either. It was underwhelming. Really small spot on the inside, definitely not big enough for groups. Probably can hold about 10 people inside lol There's outside seating... it doesn't look heated but it is covered up. THEY ONLY TAKE CASH... no credit or debit cards. read more

Frank - Menu and inside - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

Wish I had 10 stars to give Frank! After going to Lil' Frankie's my last visit to the city I couldn't wait to return to go to Frank! We were comfortably seated outdoors. We started with everyone else at the table ordering Bruschetta, except for me, as I wanted to avoid the bread. However...when my daughter offered me 1/2 of hers, of course I jumped on it! So good that I want to say the bread melts in your mouth and the tomato topping was out of this world! Lessons learned, I will order my own next time! Prior to coming, we talked about ordering differently so we could sample each other's but sadly, we forgot that plan and we both ordered Rigatoni al Ragu and added a side of meatballs and sausage. There is something about that sauce! (I couldn't make mine taste that good no matter how hard I would try!) Not heavy, yet it covered the rigatoni and not overdone with garlic, although it was there. If you can imagine PERFECT- that is it! The food did not disappoint and I have to say our overall dining experience was AMAZING. I recommend you take out of town guests here if they want a true Italian restaurant in NYC! I will return! Cash only - need to be prepared for that! read more

Frank - Rigatoni Al Ragu - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

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Was recommended this as on par with Carbones. Not sure if we went to the right spot or not I just booked the resi regardless. The gnocchi was delicious but the sauce was really what stood out. Their marinara is to die for. Seriously the best sauce I've ever had. I don't typically like marinara in general but it was yummy here. That's really all I have to say. Cash only beware. Service was phenomenal. The staff was awesome. read more

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This is my favorite restaurant. Quaint, cozy, downtown vibe. The food is fantastic. Simple and fresh, like you're on the Almafi coast.

Back again with another glowing review for Frank. This is still our family's favorite stop for pasta in the city. Every single thing we ordered was delicious, the wine menu (as always) does not disappoint, and the staff is fantastic. Do not miss Frank for the best pasta around. Highly recommend! read more

Hmmm we ended up eating here because we didn't have a reservation anywhere else and they had seating available. I wish we would have waited for the place we originally wanted to go to, but this was a decent option as well. The food was good, but the pasta didn't taste like it was actually freshly made. The prices are also absurd, even for Manhattan. Also this place is cash only which is a pain in everyone's butt... please get with the times and start accepting credit cards. Can't say I'd recommend Frank, but I also can't say I had a bad experience. Just for NYC, it was very meh in my opinion. read more

Frank - Seating area - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

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Food completely went downhill. Kale caeser is drenched in cheese you can't taste anything else. I ordered on uber eats and they gave me maybe ten rigatoni in an order! Used to have generous portions. Would not go back. read more

My friends recommended this place to me and I was very impressed. This place is cash only, so do not forget to visit the bank before you come because the food here is no joke The gnocchi was absolutely amazing. The red sauce tasted fresh and flavorful, I could not get enough of it. The Gnocchi was homemade and had the most amazing texture. We also got the cacio e Pepe and I was not disappointed, it definitely hit the spot. The pasta was a great texture and the sauce was yummy. When we finished our pasta we were just taking the bread and dipping it in the sauce. Aside from the food the service was great, our waitresses were super friendly and helpful, and we had a lovely conversation with them. The ambiance was also very cute and I would love to come back to this place soon. read more

Frank - cacio e pepe - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

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This was a great meal and experience. The food and service were top shelf..the pasta fresh the salads crisp and delish! We sat outside and enjoyed the cooling evening. On of the best dinners in NYC!! read more

Great old school establishment. Fresh food, great service, staff is excellent. Please remember to bring cash.

Nice intimate place. Excellent service and great food. Much more than simple pasta. Very good variety of fare. Bring cash

Really love coming to these frank restaurants as the quality and service never disappoints. Definitely will need a reservation (small venue) coming here but food is always great. Really love the burrata as well as this mushroom tailgate was delicious.great wine and always great memories of this place read more

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The food here was amazing. We had the gnocchi and the mushroom tagliatelle. Both were awesome. The service was also nice. They were very friendly and willing to help, but we did have to flag them down, which I personally don't mind doing. The restaurant itself is very nice inside with an authentic Italian feel. I would recommend. read more

Frank - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

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Frank is awesome! It's very homey and comfortable! To start, we got the Mozzarella Di Bufalo. Huge, fresh tomatoes covered with olive oil, salt and pepper, and a little balsamic. The Mozzarella was amazing as well. My one note would be adding more cheese because the ratio was a little off. The free bread was perfect, comes with a very strong olive oil. For entrees, we ordered the Spaghetti Limone and the Gnocchi. The Spaghetti Limone is their speciality and what they're known for, understandably so. Fresh, creamy, perfectly cooked pasta. 10/10. The Gnocchi was fabulous as well. A creamy, cheesy red sauce on top. SO good. I decided on 4 stars because there was like a big metal grate in the outside area and someone kept slamming it? It scared me a few times idk it was a bit weird. Other than that, I really enjoyed the atmosphere. read more

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I love Frank restaurant and it will forever be on my rec list. My go tos are the spaghetti limone, salmon, the Burrata, and all desserts are epic. My only new complaint is the portion of the pasta dishes. A couple years back the portions were a shareable amount. Now, I'm paying $25 for a small portion of spaghetti and it's bothering me a bit. Nonetheless, flavor, and ambiance, is never lacking. Also, they make it very clear it's cash only and have an ATM! read more