I waited a week before I wrote this review, mainly because I wanted it to be fair and factual and not based on the emotions I felt while dining at Nino's 46.
I was visiting New York City with my sister, her friend, and my eight year-old niece. My niece, has celiac disease, which can sometimes make it difficult to find accommodating restaurants. We specifically chose this restaurant because of her celiacs and reviews regarding owner having celiacs and understanding accommodations. I have a shellfish allergy, so it was comforting for me as well. However, I didn't expect the issues with accommodations to be geared towards my mobility and wheelchair usage instead of food allergies.
I am an ambulatory wheelchair user. I specifically bring my chair with me on long trips, due to chronic pain. It is a narrow, TSA approved, folding electric travel wheelchair. It's small, maneuverable and light weight.
When we arrived, the restaurant did not have a handicap accessible entrance. The only way into the restaurant is by a short staircase. This type of issue isn't uncommon in old cities, but it is uncommon with public restaurants that have been fully renovated Since the American with disabilities act came out more than 20 years ago... There is room for a ramp, which I would urge the owners to do as there is no grandfather accommodation for ADA with public restaurants (something that I will also be reporting). My sister and her friend carried my wheelchair down the 4-5 steps so that I could come inside with my chair. I sat back down in it. The next part still upsets me.
Upon noticing us, our server came up and made a comment that "this isn't really the restaurant for that type of thing" pointing to my chair. I kinda laughed, and shrugged it off and said yeah New York City isn't the most accessible. He led us to a table, and said 'it's a good thing we don't have many people in here today because otherwise we wouldn't even seat you because we have no room for you'. (It was 2:30pm and EMPTY). This is also completely untrue, while the restaurant is small it is not small by any New York City standards, and there was no reason to make somebody who is in a wheelchair feel completely unwelcome in a location. My chair is small and narrow, and can pull under any table. It can also be stored. I have been to so many places and no one has ever told me that I wouldn't be welcome when they are busy because of my wheelchair. Kind of upset, I shrugged it off as he continued to mumble, didn't say anything again and sat down with my family, and ordered our food.
Food arrived (4 entrées, 2 apps), including a sandwich that I ordered. Side note in pricing: a lunch chicken pesto sandwich and a glass of Tap water cost $30, tip was included in bill. The food was nothing special for the cost, decent flavor but nothing that in particular that I remember about the sandwich. My niece did enjoy her GF noodles (which was the main reason we chose the location, so that's a plus). Overall food was 7/10.
However, I was very taken aback by the waiters attitude once again when my sister and her friends food arrived. Friend ordered eggplant parm. Plating was beautiful and she took a very excited bite of the eggplant, and looked up with disappointment and said 'it's cold'. The pasta was hot, but the Eggplant either did not get to temp in the fryer or sat too long before being plated. Waiter came by a few minutes afterword and asked how it was.
I've worked fine dining, I've never seen a response like this. The waiter immediately began arguing with her; she asked if it could be heated up and he oddly assumed meant microwaved and went on a rant about how they don't use them. This continued on with him lecturing that there is no way the eggplant could be cold because it came straight out. He then said he could remake it, but by this time we felt extremely uncomfortable with the entire experience as he went on about how the drop time was only 60 seconds (for reference, it was a 2.5 min cook time at our restaurant, pan fried).
We ended up paying for the full meal (including cold plate) and the added 25% gratuity on the receipt and CC charge. He left the table mumbling something under his breath, we all checked eggplant, it was absolutely cold...
Obviously, I wouldn't go back as I never felt welcomed in the first place and wouldn't be able to enter it by myself with a wheelchair. It was one of the few times I have ever felt that I was being discriminated based on my disability and mobility. I hope this long but honest review serves as a warning for all those with hidden and unhidden disabilities who are considering this location based on its GF menu.
TLDR: Disability discrimination (not accommodating and intentionally rude regarding use of wheelchair), over priced, rude staff, cold food read more