I think there were other elements that factored in for this review. 1. Rainy day 2. Small table for four 3. Thursday night 4. I don't eat meat and on a diet 5. I didn't want to overspend So I opted out for the salmon with the salad. It was made well and took a bite of some fancy cheese that was ordered for the table. I think this review is solely going to be on the food cost and the overall experience here. While I went with my good friends, this the restaurant is incredibly small and loud. I love that it is an open kitchen but holy shit it's loud and cramped. I just didn't want to overspend on mediocre food, and I'm glad I didn't because my friends who are big Italian food lovers were not too keen on the sauce either. I stole a few bites from them and meh. Too harsh? I've written worse back in the day lol Note: parties won't be seated until all present. Cash only. The hostess is also not welcoming. Bartender is a great flirt and a nice time though. read more

Delicious handmade pasta in my belly! Cozy and homey Italian kitschy looking place with some outside seating. Can be somewhat cramped as this is a popular spot, and on a nice weather night people want to eat at the sidewalk tables. Hey, we all know it's a NYC thing that we all love. Just put your name on the list and do the hover like a senior citizen waiting to jump on that penny slot machine as soon as someone gets off. The Evil Eye is all too real! Wandering the area recently it was a perfect night to finally sit outside and enjoy a meal as the swamp ass heat of summer actually disappeared for a bit in NYC. So glad we gave Frank a shot. He's a fine gent indeed! Started off with a bottle of sparkling water, and as an appetizer a plate of Sliced Pears and Gorgonzola. Well.... because cheese! I had the Black Linguini w/ Frutti di Mare and it was terrific! There was plenty of seafood in that bowl and the pasta was heavenly. My gal had the Handmade Ravioli of the Day which was Butternut Squash and it was righteous! Tasted like dessert! Great spot to people watch as the world walks by. Casual and not rushed. Cash only so be aware to hit the ATM beforehand. Can seem a bit pricey for what is it, but the food is solid here. They offer limited reservations on certain nights and hours so be prepared to wait a few minutes for a table. This is a locals joint in the East Village that does it right. Oh, and killer 80's hair metal and classic rock played here inside by the small bar area. Might have to just come back here for a glass or two of wine and rock out. Always a win! \m/ read more

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There are a lot of Italian restaurants on this part of 2nd ave, but Frank is the best one I've tried so far. My friend and I arrived for a late lunch around 3 on a weekday, and the place was nearly empty (not surprisingly since 3 pm is a super random time to eat.) The restaurant is very cozy and nicely decorated and the waitstaff was friendly. They have their specials on a chalkboard above the kitchen, and they have so many specials! It made the process of deciding what to order quite difficult. We started by sharing the stracciatella and the sautéed spinach. The stracciatella was phenomenal, so flavorful and just a bit salty. The sautéed spinach was decent but nothing I couldn't have made at home--I would skip the spinach if I went back tbh. For our entrees, I had the rigatoni and my friend had the gnocchi special. The rigatoni was really, really good--it was al dente and rich and the sauce was delicious. It was topped with the perfect amount of Parmesan cheese. I was confused when it came because there was an option on the menu to add meatballs for 4.95, which I didn't ask for, but it came with meatballs and sausage pieces in it. Maybe they were part of the ragu? I'm not sure but they didn't charge me so I can't complain too much. My friend loved her gnocchi dish too--the gnocchi was homemade and the sauce was delicious. I'm not a gnocchi fan so I didn't try it though. This is definitely not the cheapest restaurant but in my opinion the quality is proportionate with the prices. This pasta really stands out. Keep in mind if you go that payment is cash only! read more

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First off it is a very cozy place. The food and the drinks were delicious. Honestly I've been here many times i Usually sit at the bar and eat with a couple of friends and every time it's great. Never a bad meal or cocktail read more

Frank is an establishment. Yes, it's crazy crowded. Yes, it's cash only and prices have only gotten higher and yes, the tables are TINY and seats are wobbly but the food is ALWAYS fresh and delicious. It's the kinda place you go to because you just want a huge bowl of amazing pasta and a bottle of wine. It's not for the ambiance or the service. I've been going to Frank since 2002 when I was a broke college student with $25 in my pocket. I could go, buy myself a huge bowl of pasta and split a bottle of wine and leave with leftovers for tomorrow and that's still the case today. The service has never been anything but kind to me but I can see a Karen or Chad getting worked up about the wait or the seating. I still love Frank's, just save yourself the frustration though and make a reservation on a weeknight during off peak hours so you can enjoy your food and watch the hustle and bustle on the street. read more

-1 Star for the most unwelcoming host ever. She was very dry, super curt and not an ounce of niceness or kindness escaped her soul. It was Valentine's dinner and the place was packed. Seating was tight, the pasta is absolutely overrated, especially for being handmade, as they say. -1 Star for the service feeing rushed, too. -1 Star for the lack in creativity in the dishes. I had a medium rare skirt steak and it was decent. Certainly nothing to write home about. I've followed Frank on Instagram for almost a year and was beyond excited to try the food, but the experience just left me disappointed. Maybe I'll come back on a lower key night and give it another shot, but with the amount of impeccable handmade pastas I've had in NYC over the years, I could think of a handful of other places I'd probably go to instead to feed any pasta cravings that might arise. Shame. I wanted to love it. It was such a bland experience that I didn't even take my phone out to take any pictures. Nothing stood out, not even the wine bottle we ordered. read more

Frank - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

I'm obsessed with Frank. The perfection of simplicity in home-style Italian food has no better icon in the USA than this humble little spot. Service is always tops, friendly and fast. The wine and cocktail selection runs the gamut and has great selections at any price range. The dishes are classic, with bold, fresh flavors, the perfect pasta consistency, and lots of choices. It gets crowded and cozy, and it's a great spot for a hot date. read more

We had a great time and a great meal at Frank on Friday night. I have been wanting to go to Frank along with their two other restaurants (Lil Frankies and Supper) for a while now, so I was very happy to finally go to one! We had made a reservation for 6 of us at 7 pm this past Friday and they seated us right on time. Right past the bar when you walk in, there is a very large, long table. We were seated here, communal style. There was a family of about 6 at one end, then they put the 6 of us in the middle, and then another group of 6 came and sat on the other end. I don't loveee these kinda seating styles, but I don't mind them a ton, so it was fine for me, but I know some people don't like this at all. The main downside was that I was in the very middle on the side against the wall, so it was nearly impossible to get up to go the bathroom, but that was the only bad thing. We started w a bottle of red wine for three of us and the other 3 had the aperol spritz which they liked. For apps we orders 3 bruchettas since they are served by the piece and they cut them in half for us. One half was more than enough for each of us, it was very big and they put a very generous amount of tomatoes on it. We also had the buratta which was huge, more than enough for the 6 of us and it was really delicious. For an entree I had the penne vodka from the special menu and it was delicious. Penne vodka is one of my favorite dishes so I have high expectations for it, and I really enjoyed it. The entire menu was things I liked so I had a really hard time picking. I'm sure anything I would have gotten would have been great too. We also had the chocolate molten cake for dessert w ice cream and omg so yummy. One thing to note is that they are cash only, so prepare ahead of time. I don't believe they had an ATM either, but we just went down the street to the bank. One thing which was cool that I have never seen before, is they do this wine program, where if you pick a bottle of wine from a specific list, they have a "buy back" program for if you don't finish the bottle. They will determine how much is left and they charge you accordingly. Finishing a bottle of wine is never a problem for us, so we didn't need this, but thought it was cool. Definitely a great place to come for a good Italian dinner, will definitely be back and can't wait to try out their other restaurants. read more

TLDR: the pasta was extremely overcooked, prices are ridiculous for dinner. I was so excited to come here but the place was okay. The prices were absolutely ridiculous. I grew up in NYC, and a burrata is $28 for an app for dinner? That's something I expect on the upper east side. Not east village. Also, the pasta was extremely over cooked both for the gnocchi and the pappardelle. Sauce was good though. Not coming here again. I even said to the waiter that the pasta was over cooked after eating, to let them know for the future. And the waiter didn't care at all. Clearly not caring about the restaurant. Poor quality food. Poor quality service. read more

Their usual menu is pretty good Italian... my favorites are the gnocchi and squid ink pasta. But there are 698 other reviews already that talk about this. I have not come here to write a review of this. I have come here to exult in the glory of their Thanksgiving special. Totally saved my Covid-giving, and probably the best Thanksgiving meal I've ever had (sorry mom). Everything was amaze, but in particular I couldn't get over their stuffing. If it were on their regular menu I'd order it like every week. I was hoping they did something similar for Christmas (would love some ham, or a prime rib or a goose), but sadly they do not. read more

During pandemic I followed Frank on instagram and I was blown away from what I saw. I think he is an extraordinary guy and an amazing chef. So when the date time came I was excited to actually come and try this restaurant. While the stuff is nice, the whole atmosphere was in poor taste for me. Maybe I expected too much. I expected the upscale(ish) restaurant with a cool vibe overall. The place is dusty and dirty, the tables are loose and menus are not even cut properly with scissors. Now the RAP music (in Italian restaurant) was blasting so loud combined with the banging dishes coming from dishwashers (open kitchen) and yelling from the kitchen staff was the last drop. Again, I expected more refined place than that. Obviously we stood up and left, even though Im sure the food is probably amazing. Will never know... read more

Frank - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

Might be the best Italian in the city. We've been following Frank (the chef) for a year now and he's amazing. I've tried a couple different dishes on the menu but the mushroom tagliatelle (on the specials) was the best I've had there thus far. Other notable dishes: -lemon pasta -pappardelle veal -burrata -rigatoni read more

Frank - Mushroom tagliatelle - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

I've been to Frank a hand full of times now and I'm finally getting around to writing a review on my experience. To begin, Frank is not a huge restaurant and at times you may have to wait for a table depending on the day, the time of day, and the size of your group. That being said, they make up for it with great food - delicious pasta, to be exact. I am a fan of their Ragu, Bolognese, and Tagliatelle dishes...Especially their Tagliatelle!! They give you portions where you can eat it all and be full, to a good point, or where you can take some home with you, which is not a bad thing. Their dark kale salad is great for an appetizer, but you also get that complimentary bread w/ olive oil and olives. I expect Olive oil and bread but the olives are a nice addition and are delicious! The servers are always checking up on you to make sure the food is good or to see if you need anything, so service is on point. The only negative aspect, which may not even be a deal breaker for a lot of people is price. 2 pasta dishes and a dark kale salad came out to $70 and then add tip, so the meal came out to $80 - a little on the expensive side, but like I said, it may be worth it. I would recommend Frank, especially if you're going with a group of people, so you can try more dishes and split the cost, making it cheaper for everyone. read more

Frank - Olive oil w Olives (left), Pappardelle w/ Lamb Ragu (top), and Tagliatelle w/ Wild Mushrooms (bottom) - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

Nothing tasted good and ingredients are not fresh! And this is all while charging very high prices (like a high end Italian restaurant) but genuiely the worst italian food I had in my 4 years of living and eating almost everyday outside in NYC! read more

It's a meh for me though obviously an institution. Had to wait 40 mins for our table despite having a reservation, which I always find annoying (obvious the resys were too close so they can squeeze $ out of the clientele). Host was rude, though manager apologized and was nice (though nothing special offered). Food was ok, but nothing special, the sage ravioli was def addicting though a little heavy, and the rest of the dishes on the forgettable side. It's fine if you want a pre-drinks dinner in EV without spending too much but don't expect to be wowed (or treated great). read more

Too loud, too crowded, too tightly packed. Definitely wasn't a good experience. It's going to be a no for me. #CovidCentral read more

Frank - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

The food is consistently amazing here. You can't go wrong with any of the dishes especially the spaghetti limone or chicken parmigiana. If I had to find a complaint the restaurant gets super packed and loudon the weekend. Also I would ask which dishes are spicy if you are sensitive to that because they add chili flakes to some of their dishes (brocolli pasta.) but still great food and experience! read more

We've been today for lunch and the restaurant was quieter than normally is at dinner time. Service from the waiter was good and attentive. The house offered olives and bread as complimentary starter and it was nice. We ordered: - Avocado salad. Definitely, nothing fancy. It looked like my grandma's salad: romaine salad, half an avocado chopted and a pear tomato. The salad was good but we were really hungry. As this simple, and it costed 13$. This was pricey. - 2pcs Garlic bread (one of them with anchovies). Around 3$ a the plain garlic bread (one slice) and 6$ or so the one with anchovies. Bread toasted and good. - Papardelle lamb ragu (18,5$) - Tagliattelle mushrooms (18,5$) Both pasta were well cooked and portions were big. Both sauces were good. Lunch was overall good. I think that for the price you pay you can find better options in the East Village! read more

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Everything was so good!! Definitely recommend!! We were there for hours & the server was very accommodating!! read more

Frank - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

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Remember that it is cash only! Showed up 30 minutes late for our reservation and on New Year's Day but they still sat us which was great! Not my top Italian pick in the city but still a good option. read more

Its a New Year and I'm back with a brand new review! Despite the Arctic blast we're having right now, I still decided to brave the dangerous cold to scratch at least one notch off my list. So I went with Frank. Frank on 2nd Avenue is a classic NY ltalian eatery. Everything from the wooden tables to the framed pictures on the wall of famous Italian-Americans all add to that ambiance. But of course the most important factor is always the food. They offer classic red sauce pastas as well as the white olive oil & garlic based pastas. I however decided to look up at the handwritten chalkboard they have up top and ordered one of their most popular specials, the Pappardelle with Veal Ragu. I also requested to add meatballs to my Pappardelle which is an extra charge. When the waiter came back with my pasta, I was amazed. They really serve you a mountain of pasta here! They feed you like an Italian grandma would. Originally I had planned to sample some of the other nearby food establishments after leaving Frank. But clearly that wasn't happening today. There was just SO MUCH pasta! I was barely halfway thro with my noodles and I was already getting sweats LOL. And the amount of meat in the sauce was very generous. The meatballs I ordered were also very filling. I still didn't want to have to take it home for leftovers because we all know they never taste as good after it gets cold and reheated again. I slowly but surely completed my gigantic plate of pasta. For dessert, I went with the classic Tiramisu. It was creamy and yet also not as heavy as the versions I've had at other restaurants. The entire feast was so good that even after I left the restaurant, my whole body was hot, which was very good protection seeing as its only 15 degrees outside right now. read more

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The food is good, service not so much. If anything I'll order to go. I know there are other restaurants under the same owner, may give the other restaurants a try. Save your time and order to go. read more

here's the Deal: I've been trying to get here for ever since a family member said this is a "MUST" try in NYC.. Damn!!!! this place did not disappoint!!!! outstanding food!!!! but VERY small. I'd recommend coming when weather is warmer so there is more room for outside tables. The food was soooooo good & fresh!!! homemade pasta was delicious. The appetizers were delicious!!! amazing dining experience. read more

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Stefano is so fantastic!!! Wow great service he is always smiling and very prompt with our order perfectly . Experience can not be faked you can tell he is very professional and knowledgeable about restaurant industry great service from supper STEFANO . I'll comeback to frank and recommend to everyone because of the great service he provide !! read more

Classic dishes cooked to perfection. Great service from Manny. Excellent menu suggestions. Beautiful wine list.

Who doesn't love home made pasta and 3-for-1 brunch drinks? Frank is a great little spot to have a meal, I like to sit at the bar in the window seat so that you don't get bumped by people walking in from the door. It's a tight squeeze during peak hours so be prepared. They had a bunch menu, a lunch menu and a truffle menu when I was there, as well as a specials board. I got bolognese pasta, simple but solid. We also got a steak dish, which was a little more cooked than the requested Medium Rare but was still tasty nonetheless. We also got the octopus appetizer, which caught be off guard because it's lil' head was still attached but the tentacles were juicy and delicious. read more

Worst restaurant ever! Aweful service, overpriced cocktails and drinks, shaky tables, and to top it off a pretentious staff. I'd rather eat a salmonella filled corn dog from a street vendor than come back, and i'm vegan. Skip this restaurant and order olive garden instead. read more

Frank - Unhappy customers - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

Bueno, fui a este lugar y me enamoré. I'm not from New York, but I was here visiting my BF for the weekend. We have been eating at many restaurants in east and west village. AND I HAVE TO SAY THAT THIS HAS BEEN MY BEST EXPERIENCE YET! The food was amazing. And the service was exceptional. I ordered the Sunday special, which was the black linguini. My boyfriend ordered the salmon with potatoes. And we ordered the meat balls and sausage as our appetizer. My dish (I.e. Sunday special) should have really been called the best 7 mares pasta you'll ever have because it has shrimp, salmon, octopus, clams, etc. The flavor were so delicate. The perfect combination of spices and red sauce. My boyfriend dish was probably one of the best salmons I have ever had. A nice zesty taste. The meat balls were to die for. And the service, was absolutely amazing. Not only were the waiters attentive and kind, but you can tell they had a great relationship with each other. We never felt in a rush. We felt very much taken care of! I will never come to NYC and not eat here. Amazing amazing. Amazing. If you come here you will not be disappointed. Ps. They have inside and outdoor seating. Enjoy! read more

Frank - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

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Amazing food, was so hard to decide because everything on the menu sounds amazing. Ended up getting the gnocchi and maaan it did not disappoint. Also had the pancakes and they were so light and tasted great. Will 100% be back! read more

Love this place. Right on 2nd ave with a great ambiance. Great brunch special with good quality food. Amazing customer service where the waiters give you a bit more mimosa than they should read more

I don't mind paying a lot for my food if it is exceptional food. I easily overlook a well worn decor and ambiance if the food is exceptional. This food is absolutely NOT exceptional!!! The only thing that was slightly above average was the sauce and the bread. The chicken was pounded paper thin and breaded so who knows if it was even chicken. The meatballs held the sauce but they were very small and perfectly rounded (ie Costco) with just ok flavor. Dessert was atrocious. The molten lava cake was a flavorless chocolate pancake. The restaurant itself is a hovel- and not a cozy, artsy eclectic hovel. Picture a restaurant that had a fire with only the kitchen left standing. It's quickly cleared out and cleaned up. Furnishings are found by dumpster diving and the kitchen is up and running again very quickly. Oh but now there are 10 tables squished together in the kitchen itself (and no it's not a pretty shiny kitchen). It's the type of place you expect to get a "great hearty meal at a good price". Then you see the prices and think the food must be incredible. So you get zero ambiance, meh food and completely overpay for the experience. read more

The food here is amazing. Great pasta. Wonderful classic Italian sandwiches. Not sure why it is compare rated. Maybe bad service.

Food was VERY good. Service was great. But the prices for this type of place were completely ridiculous. Almost insulting. $19.50 for a Makers Mark Manhattan is how we started. Also it's cash only which is annoying but fine except when the bill comes and you feel completely ripped off. read more

Note: This review is for delivery only. I follow Frank Prisinzano on Instagram and pass Frank on my walk home frequently, so when my roommate was looking on Caviar for some delivery pasta, I thought this was a good chance to check it out. I went with the classic spaghetti since I was feeling under the weather, with a crispy egg added on. Delivery estimate was 30-45 minutes, but the food wasn't ready until 50 minutes in. Considering my roommate also had an uncomplicated pasta, that's a little disappointing. At least delivery after that was swift. My pasta was pleasant, with a simple butter and lemon sauce and a sprinkle of cheese. However, the noodles were not cooked al dente. The crispy egg was quite good. Portion was big and I got two meals out of it. It also came with a few pieces of bread in the bag, which were on the hard side. It was pretty pricy, at $20 after service and tax. They do basic well here, but it's at a price, and I think you have more interesting options in the Village for Italian. If you do come, the crispy egg is worth investigating. read more

Frank - Spaghetti with crispy egg - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

The food was amazing but the outdoor seating that was enclosed in plastic was sweltering. It ruined the dining experience. I understand it protects from rain but it's been three years investing in something that allows ventilation read more

I give it a 3 because it could have been great and knowing it could have but didnt knocks a star off the review. First off it is on a main street so it gets alot of traffic...so they dont have to try, I suppose to get diners. It's tiny, they have outdoor seating, which I would have preferred but my companions wanted indoor AC on a hot summer evening. I dont know why, and I dont have proof but I feel we were treated differently because we were women. We were 3 who initially showed up, an East Asian an African American and an Asian. We were put in the table at the back, and the tables pushed in to trap 2 of us against the wall. It took us questioning about the specials, etc. rather than being told about it. I observed other couples getting more banter, information, etc from the same staff. The food, was good, but overpriced for what we got. The portabella salad had one 4 inch mushroom and half a tomato cut into 4 wedges. It looked quite small for the price. It should have been called a dinner salad. My pasta was good, calamari with ink in the noodles and a tomato based sauce. Since it is cash only...I think they shouldn't be coy by not putting up all prices...for the specials written on the bulletin board. We found another Italian place in the same neighborhood for better food, service and prices. read more

Frank - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

found the LONGEST blonde hair in my fennel salad : ( ughhh

We came to Frank after seeing one of our favorite restaurants (Supper) had a C rating. Frank and Supper are owned by the same people and usually have similar menus. Both feel like authentic Italian restaurants and are very good. Frank is very small so be sure to make a reservation and both are cash only! They always have a ton of specials, but the spaghetti limone, gnochhi, and chicken parm are consistently good. We got 4 different pastas and loved them all! Also, one time I saw Chrissy Teigan and John Legend here :) read more

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I actually used to really like this place because their pancakes (yes, I swear) are amazing. I know- why onto an Italian place for pancakes, but they are really that good! The service is amazing, they are quick and very polite. I really do like this place. BUT... I got the pancakes and they were tiny! I got two super small pancakes. And look, I know it doesn't sound like a big deal but if you're going to charge almost $17 for pancakes, give me some real pancakes! The food here is wonderful but I was really unsatisfied with my order. You can go to Cafe Luluc and get two huge, amazing pancakes for $4 less! Again- service was perfect! They work really hard, but for my future pancake needs, I'm not going to Frank anymore. read more

Great food. Pricing is great as well, even though it is a cash only establishment. Nothing bad to say about it at all.