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Great ambiance-Good for celebrations! Service is great and their menu is ample. Loved their pasta. Their entrance is in construction zone right now so dont get discouraged by the exteriors. The inside is cozy and warm.
Yummy food! The tagliatelle felt oily is all I will say, but the bread with the cheese spread and the ragú was really solid. The pasta texture is excellent. The ambiance is interesting. It's more upscale and nice, great for dinner with parents or a date but also a little more casual leaning with the mismatch chairs and the two big tv screens Service was extremely attentive
Came here last week with a friend. We really enjoyed our pastas. I got the spaghetti and meatballs. It was a good portion of food! They have so many fun pasta options and shapes to choose from.
I had a good experience at Nonna Dora's. They have table and bar seating and the place was busy but not loud. They had a wide range of appetizers, entrees, desserts, and drinks. My favorites were the tortellini, panzerotti, and lasagna. The tortellini had a nice creamy filling. The panzerotti was a fun appetizer to share. And the lasagna was cooked perfectly with a delicious meat sauce. The wild boar ragu and carbonara were both too salty. The servers came and checked up on us throughout the night and our food came in a timely manner. They were really friendly too.
When we arrived on a Monday night I realised I had made the reservation for the following week. The staff were really accommodating and were able to find us a table (even though it was pretty busy given the day of the week). My friend and I shared two starters; calamari and a focaccia and they were ok. For mains we also shared pastas; the pappardelle with boar ragu and the lobster tonnarelli. The best dish was the tonnarelli where the lobster sauce really elevated the dish. The boar dish was ok but I have had far better versions elsewhere. Service was a little slow with taking orders, to the extent where we were going to order desserts but after a 15 minute wait or so decided to just grab the bill. Including a glass of wine each the bill came to c$85 a person, which I felt was expensive for the quality of food we had. I had been so excited to visit Non a Dora's but unfortunately I don't think I will be visiting again.
So fresh, so quick, so delicious. I forget about this little spot tucked away in Murray Hill, but man, everyday I got I'm so amazed by the quality of each dish. The focaccia and meatballs are an absolute must, and the boar ragu is maybe the best I've had. Reasonable portions for the price and so so flavorful
Nonna Dora's landed on my radar when looking for places to eat on Mother's Day; we usually always celebrate with a nice dinner and this year was no exception. My mother actually had pointed this place out as she had seen it floating on social media. Italian? Fresh-made pasta? You didn't need to tell me twice - so I booked a table and off we went. There is definitely an oversaturation in NYC, and I would even go as far as to say that ones that advertise fresh pasta are pretty common as well. For me, what set ND apart from the jump was that it's common to see Addolorata Marzovilla, their Nonna Dora, in the restaurant making pasta as you dine. The restaurant is very open and somewhat narrow - there's seating towards the front, with a large bar to the left and more tables on the opposite wall. The biggest callout regarding the aesthetics is a large glass wall opposite the bar which is where I assume the pasta-making is done. It takes up a large portion of the main floor so I'm not sure if other things are done there, but in any case it wasn't being utilized while we were there. ND's offer two different menus - a prix fixe where you choose from a selection of apps, mains, and desserts, and a tasting menu which consists of five courses of pasta. Before that though, drinks and snacks. Their drink menu sports an entire section dedicated to negronis - I'm not the biggest fan of them but did try one; it was pretty good. We also decided to get some snacks for the table - mainly some giardiniera and a meat/cheese board; they also provided us with some taralli and breadsticks which was a nice touch. Everything was fresh and tasty - the breadsticks were my favorite as they were super thin and crunchy; I munched on quite a few of them. For my actual meal I decided to get the polpette as my starter, the cappelletti as my main, and finish with the tiramisu. The meatballs were quite good - I'm funny about having meatballs in restaurants as my dad makes some of the best, but these were some of the better ones I've had outside of the home. They were a good size and the marinara was good. The cappelletti was another solid dish - the pasta was slightly soft but not in a way that it was overcooked (more like in a fresh pasta way), and was complemented with guanciale which added to the dish's flavor profile well. The tiramisu was good, nothing too outstanding in my opinion but just a really solid dessert. Service was great and definitely one of the highlights of the meal. Food came out at a good pace, and they were super attentive; kudos to the entire team. Overall, I had a great experience at Nonna Dora's. I'm not of the opinion that fresh pasta is "better" than dry pasta, however the sheer variety they make here and their story really sets this place apart from other pasta restaurants for me. I would definitely return to explore more of their menu.
I really wanted to like this place it's such a great concept! I really appreciated they sat me even though my friend wasn't with him. Her train was late and she ended up being 15 minutes late. Our waiter was friendly, but I was bit annoyed when the bill came and he charged us for 2 glasses of wine when my friend only got 1 glass. I understand mistakes happen but when he asked me if I wanted one too when my friend ordered one, I told him I didn't drink. Now into the food, they bring you complimentary still and sparkling water. As someone who stated still water, I appreciated the option of sparkling. We got the three course menu where you got to choose an appetizer, entree and dessert. I got the panzerotti with mozerella and san marzano tomatoes. I wasn't a huge fan of the breading, but I enjoyed the filling. The tomatoes SLAPPED. I wish there was more filling - I feel the ratio was off. For entree I got the spaghetti neri with anchovies and breadcrumbs. My friend and I also got the spaghetti and clams to share. The spaghetti neri pasta was a bit strange. I've had squid ink pasta multiple times and I love it! But this was a bit too fishy and the pasta was a bit hard it was a bit difficult to chew. The spaghetti and clams I didn't like at all, I thought the homemade pasta color was very creative but the pasta was flavorless. Lastly, I got the tiramisu for dessert and I was hoping the dessert would knock out of the park since the rest of the meal didn't and I was also disappointed with it. Display wise it was beautiful but it also lacked flavor. Overall, I think this a place for vibes 100%, but if you're someone who wants homemade delicious tasting pasta, I don't think this is the place. Definitely a cute spot to stop and have a drink the bar and maybe enjoy some light bites.
This is by bar on my top 3 favorite Italian restaurants of ALL time. For starters, the staff was amazing. She was quick, professional, personable, and took her time to patiently explain the menu. We were so lucky she even brought us the fried calzones to try and they were amazing! That dough was so fluffy and crispy, I could have eaten six (they're very small). My favorite part was watching the girls behind the clear glass hand making all the mess cool different color pastas and variations. The precision that went into perfectly crafty each and every one of them was amazing. The fact that they took so much time and care into crafting each one alone is a reason to support and pay for the quality of this pasta. We ordered the arugula salad, meatballs, lasagna, and bolognese. These meatballs omg, the best over heard had. Unlike the spongy like taste in many, these had the perfect texture and flavored covered in super fresh tomato sauce. The lasagna was delicious. Huge portion, I barely ate half. The winner was the amazing fresh sauce poured over. It tasted like the tomatoes were picked from the garden the day off and handled with care directly into the plate. The noodles on the bolognese melted in your mouth. Everything was perfectly seasoned, piping hot, and made with great quality and ingredients. Don't sleep on that complimentary bread either! It was a combination of soft and tender bread with a crunchy coat with tomatoes embedded in it. The tomatoes were sooo fresh and so delicious, no dipping sauces or oil was needed. They were perfect. We took the bus on broadway at just 6 stops and walks one block to our destination. Very easy to find. I am so glad we decided to try this place and can't wait to go again. This place is truly amazing and deserves every single start. I didn't get to meet non a Dora who I hear is there mostly every day hand making her pastas at the table. I would recommend this place over and over again.
Don't let the strip mall location scare you. This is a great pasta restaurant hidden away. All pasta is made homemade in the restaurant and there are different ways to experience. We chose a two course option which was plenty of food per person. They bring a complimentary focaccia for the table which was nice but not really that fresh. Great selection of Negronis, all with different flavors to enjoy. Staff were fun and the host was so personable and friendly.
Came here on a Friday night on a whim and was so happy we got spots up at the dining bar. The ambience was wonderful and the service even better! The hosts were warm and inviting and our server was so great - even throwing in some extra desserts for us. We had a variety of things that were all terrific - fried calamari (French fries of the sea!) and panzerotti were some app highlights. I went with the vegetarian tasting menu and my favorites from that menu were the paglia e fieno and tagliatelle with mushrooms. The portion sizes for the tasting menu were manageable and not overly filling. Dessert with the tasting menus included nutella panzerotti but we also tried the panna cotta from the dessert menu. There were honestly so many more pasta options and dessert options to try that I will definitely be coming back to get some more! A true gem in the middle of Kips Bay.
I was so excited to finally try Nonna Dora's--a spot my date, who lives nearby, has always talked up as one of his favorite neighborhood gems. He's been coming here for years and had nothing but praise for it, so I was genuinely looking forward to a cozy, authentic Italian dinner. Unfortunately, the experience was disappointing from start to finish and left us both frustrated with how far the restaurant has fallen. To start, the bread was great--reminiscent of pizza bread. It was one of the only highlights. They didn't have Diet Coke, which is a bit annoying but not a dealbreaker (they only offered Coke Zero, which I don't drink). The mocktail menu was lackluster--some options, but nothing truly exciting or thoughtfully crafted. I appreciated that the lemon wedges were actual wedges (small detail, but a good one), and our servers were friendly and attentive throughout. Unfortunately, none of this could make up for what came next. We were told we could only order a multi-course prix fixe menu now--no à la carte options at all. When we asked why, the explanation was that "too many people were coming in and only ordering a glass of wine and a pasta." I'm sorry, but isn't that the whole point of having a casual Italian spot in the neighborhood? It felt like the restaurant was punishing loyal guests for dining the way people naturally want to at a place like this. So, with no choice, we both had to order three courses, regardless of how hungry we actually were. I started with the burrata, which was fine--nothing memorable. My date ordered a salad that was, quite literally, a plate of plain lettuce with a few cherry tomatoes and a smear of pesto. For a mandatory starter, it was lazy and uninspired. Then came the pasta, which I was genuinely excited about: paglia e fieno "straw and hay." Unfortunately, by the time it arrived, I was already full from the starter I hadn't wanted to begin with. The pasta itself was solid, but I could barely enjoy it because of how stuffed I felt. Dessert, though, was the real kicker. My date is allergic to dairy--a common enough issue these days--and when we asked what he could have for dessert, the server simply said there was nothing available. No fruit, no sorbet, no workarounds. Just "nothing." So not only were we forced to order three courses, but he was literally unable to eat one of them. When we asked if anything could be done, the manager came over and told us, "Well, we could have made something for you." When we pointed out that the server said the opposite, the manager doubled down and refused to take anything off the bill. It made no sense, and it was made worse by the total lack of accountability or willingness to fix the situation. The rest was unspoken but clear: the restaurant has prioritized profit over hospitality. What was once a beloved, welcoming neighborhood spot has turned its back on the very people who made it successful in the first place. Instead of a warm, flexible dining experience, it's now an inflexible, overpriced, social media-fueled operation with a one-size-fits-all model that doesn't reflect how people actually want to dine. I rarely write one-star reviews, but this experience genuinely warranted it. The food was decent, but the service model, lack of allergy accommodations, and refusal to take care of loyal customers made it an incredibly frustrating and disappointing night. Nonna Dora's may still be coasting on its reputation, but if this is the direction they're going, they won't be for long.
Appetizers: PANZEROTTI Baby calzones, stuffed with San Marzano tomato & mozzarella (best one but needed to be dipped in the polpette sauce - so good!!) BURRATA Creamy mozzarella of Puglia, with Dora's giardiniera POLPETTE Dora's Sunday meatballs Pasta: RAVIOLI PER OLIVIA Stuffed with ricotta, in a Sicilian pistachio pesto (so delicous and light, named after Nonna Doras granddaughter) MALLOREDDUS Saffron-seasoned, with sausage & tomato (good flavor, a little too al dente, would skip) DORA'S LASAGNA (SOOOOO GOOOOOD! Thin delicious layers with amazing sauce and perfect ratios) Layered with meat sauce & béchamel Dolci: TORTA DI RICOTTA dora's cheesecake (would skip - good but not phenomenal) SEMIFREDDO 'half-frozen' chocolate mousse with praline (BEST ONE SOOOOOOOOOO GOOD! Amazing textures) PANNA COTTA vanilla bean, with berry compote (So tasty and light) The service was the best part. The son of the owner welcomed us and wanted to know who made the reservation.( we have a looong Italian last name) My daughter raised her hand and he wanted to know if she knew so and so. A lawyer in Brooklyn with the same last name. She said no, but we are probably related somehow down the line as it is an unusual last name. Only in NYC! I don't usually go to Italian restaurants, but this one was a delight. And a great bargain for the city! There were 3 of us so we each got the 3 course option and shared. Great wine with complimentary focaccia bread!
5 months ago
I stopped by because I was in the neighborhood and craving Italian. The host was welcoming and the place has a chill vibe. I decided to try the Restaurant Week menu, which included a three-course meal for $60. I started with the octopus and fennel salad, followed by the shrimp mezzeluna, and finished with the tiramisu. The octopus salad was light, refreshing, and a perfect summer starter. The shrimp mezzeluna was delicious with a chewy texture. The tiramisu, on the other hand, was pretty basic and served in a plastic cup, so it wasn't particularly memorable. Unfortunately, what really impacted my experience had nothing to do with the food itself. I was seated at the bar and had a clear view of the food prep area. Throughout my meal, I watched staff repeatedly handle food with their bare hands after touching other ingredients, dirty towels, and surfaces that hadn't been wiped down. The moment that really got me was watching one of the staff touch a molten cake with her bare fingers to check if it was ready. After seeing that, I honestly lost my appetite. The only reason I ended up ordering the tiramisu was because it required less handling. The food itself was good, but the food handling practices left me too uncomfortable to want to return. read more
Fresh made pasta and so delicious. It has casual and unassuming vibes which is fine. Beyond their control but the construction zone outside makes it a little hard to find. But it's worth making it through the obstacle course because the food is amazing and the service is top notch! read more
Great ambiance-Good for celebrations! Service is great and their menu is ample. Loved their pasta. Their entrance is in construction zone right now so dont get discouraged by the exteriors. The inside is cozy and warm. read more
10 days ago
Yummy food! The tagliatelle felt oily is all I will say, but the bread with the cheese spread and the ragú was really solid. The pasta texture is excellent. The ambiance is interesting. It's more upscale and nice, great for dinner with parents or a date but also a little more casual leaning with the mismatch chairs and the two big tv screens Service was extremely attentive read more
I had a good experience at Nonna Dora's. They have table and bar seating and the place was busy but not loud. They had a wide range of appetizers, entrees, desserts, and drinks. My favorites were the tortellini, panzerotti, and lasagna. The tortellini had a nice creamy filling. The panzerotti was a fun appetizer to share. And the lasagna was cooked perfectly with a delicious meat sauce. The wild boar ragu and carbonara were both too salty. The servers came and checked up on us throughout the night and our food came in a timely manner. They were really friendly too. read more
When we arrived on a Monday night I realised I had made the reservation for the following week. The staff were really accommodating and were able to find us a table (even though it was pretty busy given the day of the week). My friend and I shared two starters; calamari and a focaccia and they were ok. For mains we also shared pastas; the pappardelle with boar ragu and the lobster tonnarelli. The best dish was the tonnarelli where the lobster sauce really elevated the dish. The boar dish was ok but I have had far better versions elsewhere. Service was a little slow with taking orders, to the extent where we were going to order desserts but after a 15 minute wait or so decided to just grab the bill. Including a glass of wine each the bill came to c$85 a person, which I felt was expensive for the quality of food we had. I had been so excited to visit Non a Dora's but unfortunately I don't think I will be visiting again. read more
14 days ago
1 month ago
So fresh, so quick, so delicious. I forget about this little spot tucked away in Murray Hill, but man, everyday I got I'm so amazed by the quality of each dish. The focaccia and meatballs are an absolute must, and the boar ragu is maybe the best I've had. Reasonable portions for the price and so so flavorful read more
Nonna Dora's landed on my radar when looking for places to eat on Mother's Day; we usually always celebrate with a nice dinner and this year was no exception. My mother actually had pointed this place out as she had seen it floating on social media. Italian? Fresh-made pasta? You didn't need to tell me twice - so I booked a table and off we went. There is definitely an oversaturation in NYC, and I would even go as far as to say that ones that advertise fresh pasta are pretty common as well. For me, what set ND apart from the jump was that it's common to see Addolorata Marzovilla, their Nonna Dora, in the restaurant making pasta as you dine. The restaurant is very open and somewhat narrow - there's seating towards the front, with a large bar to the left and more tables on the opposite wall. The biggest callout regarding the aesthetics is a large glass wall opposite the bar which is where I assume the pasta-making is done. It takes up a large portion of the main floor so I'm not sure if other things are done there, but in any case it wasn't being utilized while we were there. ND's offer two different menus - a prix fixe where you choose from a selection of apps, mains, and desserts, and a tasting menu which consists of five courses of pasta. Before that though, drinks and snacks. Their drink menu sports an entire section dedicated to negronis - I'm not the biggest fan of them but did try one; it was pretty good. We also decided to get some snacks for the table - mainly some giardiniera and a meat/cheese board; they also provided us with some taralli and breadsticks which was a nice touch. Everything was fresh and tasty - the breadsticks were my favorite as they were super thin and crunchy; I munched on quite a few of them. For my actual meal I decided to get the polpette as my starter, the cappelletti as my main, and finish with the tiramisu. The meatballs were quite good - I'm funny about having meatballs in restaurants as my dad makes some of the best, but these were some of the better ones I've had outside of the home. They were a good size and the marinara was good. The cappelletti was another solid dish - the pasta was slightly soft but not in a way that it was overcooked (more like in a fresh pasta way), and was complemented with guanciale which added to the dish's flavor profile well. The tiramisu was good, nothing too outstanding in my opinion but just a really solid dessert. Service was great and definitely one of the highlights of the meal. Food came out at a good pace, and they were super attentive; kudos to the entire team. Overall, I had a great experience at Nonna Dora's. I'm not of the opinion that fresh pasta is "better" than dry pasta, however the sheer variety they make here and their story really sets this place apart from other pasta restaurants for me. I would definitely return to explore more of their menu. read more
I really wanted to like this place it's such a great concept! I really appreciated they sat me even though my friend wasn't with him. Her train was late and she ended up being 15 minutes late. Our waiter was friendly, but I was bit annoyed when the bill came and he charged us for 2 glasses of wine when my friend only got 1 glass. I understand mistakes happen but when he asked me if I wanted one too when my friend ordered one, I told him I didn't drink. Now into the food, they bring you complimentary still and sparkling water. As someone who stated still water, I appreciated the option of sparkling. We got the three course menu where you got to choose an appetizer, entree and dessert. I got the panzerotti with mozerella and san marzano tomatoes. I wasn't a huge fan of the breading, but I enjoyed the filling. The tomatoes SLAPPED. I wish there was more filling - I feel the ratio was off. For entree I got the spaghetti neri with anchovies and breadcrumbs. My friend and I also got the spaghetti and clams to share. The spaghetti neri pasta was a bit strange. I've had squid ink pasta multiple times and I love it! But this was a bit too fishy and the pasta was a bit hard it was a bit difficult to chew. The spaghetti and clams I didn't like at all, I thought the homemade pasta color was very creative but the pasta was flavorless. Lastly, I got the tiramisu for dessert and I was hoping the dessert would knock out of the park since the rest of the meal didn't and I was also disappointed with it. Display wise it was beautiful but it also lacked flavor. Overall, I think this a place for vibes 100%, but if you're someone who wants homemade delicious tasting pasta, I don't think this is the place. Definitely a cute spot to stop and have a drink the bar and maybe enjoy some light bites. read more
1 year ago
This is by bar on my top 3 favorite Italian restaurants of ALL time. For starters, the staff was amazing. She was quick, professional, personable, and took her time to patiently explain the menu. We were so lucky she even brought us the fried calzones to try and they were amazing! That dough was so fluffy and crispy, I could have eaten six (they're very small). My favorite part was watching the girls behind the clear glass hand making all the mess cool different color pastas and variations. The precision that went into perfectly crafty each and every one of them was amazing. The fact that they took so much time and care into crafting each one alone is a reason to support and pay for the quality of this pasta. We ordered the arugula salad, meatballs, lasagna, and bolognese. These meatballs omg, the best over heard had. Unlike the spongy like taste in many, these had the perfect texture and flavored covered in super fresh tomato sauce. The lasagna was delicious. Huge portion, I barely ate half. The winner was the amazing fresh sauce poured over. It tasted like the tomatoes were picked from the garden the day off and handled with care directly into the plate. The noodles on the bolognese melted in your mouth. Everything was perfectly seasoned, piping hot, and made with great quality and ingredients. Don't sleep on that complimentary bread either! It was a combination of soft and tender bread with a crunchy coat with tomatoes embedded in it. The tomatoes were sooo fresh and so delicious, no dipping sauces or oil was needed. They were perfect. We took the bus on broadway at just 6 stops and walks one block to our destination. Very easy to find. I am so glad we decided to try this place and can't wait to go again. This place is truly amazing and deserves every single start. I didn't get to meet non a Dora who I hear is there mostly every day hand making her pastas at the table. I would recommend this place over and over again. read more
Don't let the strip mall location scare you. This is a great pasta restaurant hidden away. All pasta is made homemade in the restaurant and there are different ways to experience. We chose a two course option which was plenty of food per person. They bring a complimentary focaccia for the table which was nice but not really that fresh. Great selection of Negronis, all with different flavors to enjoy. Staff were fun and the host was so personable and friendly. read more
Came here on a Friday night on a whim and was so happy we got spots up at the dining bar. The ambience was wonderful and the service even better! The hosts were warm and inviting and our server was so great - even throwing in some extra desserts for us. We had a variety of things that were all terrific - fried calamari (French fries of the sea!) and panzerotti were some app highlights. I went with the vegetarian tasting menu and my favorites from that menu were the paglia e fieno and tagliatelle with mushrooms. The portion sizes for the tasting menu were manageable and not overly filling. Dessert with the tasting menus included nutella panzerotti but we also tried the panna cotta from the dessert menu. There were honestly so many more pasta options and dessert options to try that I will definitely be coming back to get some more! A true gem in the middle of Kips Bay. read more
1 year ago
I was so excited to finally try Nonna Dora's--a spot my date, who lives nearby, has always talked up as one of his favorite neighborhood gems. He's been coming here for years and had nothing but praise for it, so I was genuinely looking forward to a cozy, authentic Italian dinner. Unfortunately, the experience was disappointing from start to finish and left us both frustrated with how far the restaurant has fallen. To start, the bread was great--reminiscent of pizza bread. It was one of the only highlights. They didn't have Diet Coke, which is a bit annoying but not a dealbreaker (they only offered Coke Zero, which I don't drink). The mocktail menu was lackluster--some options, but nothing truly exciting or thoughtfully crafted. I appreciated that the lemon wedges were actual wedges (small detail, but a good one), and our servers were friendly and attentive throughout. Unfortunately, none of this could make up for what came next. We were told we could only order a multi-course prix fixe menu now--no à la carte options at all. When we asked why, the explanation was that "too many people were coming in and only ordering a glass of wine and a pasta." I'm sorry, but isn't that the whole point of having a casual Italian spot in the neighborhood? It felt like the restaurant was punishing loyal guests for dining the way people naturally want to at a place like this. So, with no choice, we both had to order three courses, regardless of how hungry we actually were. I started with the burrata, which was fine--nothing memorable. My date ordered a salad that was, quite literally, a plate of plain lettuce with a few cherry tomatoes and a smear of pesto. For a mandatory starter, it was lazy and uninspired. Then came the pasta, which I was genuinely excited about: paglia e fieno "straw and hay." Unfortunately, by the time it arrived, I was already full from the starter I hadn't wanted to begin with. The pasta itself was solid, but I could barely enjoy it because of how stuffed I felt. Dessert, though, was the real kicker. My date is allergic to dairy--a common enough issue these days--and when we asked what he could have for dessert, the server simply said there was nothing available. No fruit, no sorbet, no workarounds. Just "nothing." So not only were we forced to order three courses, but he was literally unable to eat one of them. When we asked if anything could be done, the manager came over and told us, "Well, we could have made something for you." When we pointed out that the server said the opposite, the manager doubled down and refused to take anything off the bill. It made no sense, and it was made worse by the total lack of accountability or willingness to fix the situation. The rest was unspoken but clear: the restaurant has prioritized profit over hospitality. What was once a beloved, welcoming neighborhood spot has turned its back on the very people who made it successful in the first place. Instead of a warm, flexible dining experience, it's now an inflexible, overpriced, social media-fueled operation with a one-size-fits-all model that doesn't reflect how people actually want to dine. I rarely write one-star reviews, but this experience genuinely warranted it. The food was decent, but the service model, lack of allergy accommodations, and refusal to take care of loyal customers made it an incredibly frustrating and disappointing night. Nonna Dora's may still be coasting on its reputation, but if this is the direction they're going, they won't be for long. read more
Appetizers: PANZEROTTI Baby calzones, stuffed with San Marzano tomato & mozzarella (best one but needed to be dipped in the polpette sauce - so good!!) BURRATA Creamy mozzarella of Puglia, with Dora's giardiniera POLPETTE Dora's Sunday meatballs Pasta: RAVIOLI PER OLIVIA Stuffed with ricotta, in a Sicilian pistachio pesto (so delicous and light, named after Nonna Doras granddaughter) MALLOREDDUS Saffron-seasoned, with sausage & tomato (good flavor, a little too al dente, would skip) DORA'S LASAGNA (SOOOOO GOOOOOD! Thin delicious layers with amazing sauce and perfect ratios) Layered with meat sauce & béchamel Dolci: TORTA DI RICOTTA dora's cheesecake (would skip - good but not phenomenal) SEMIFREDDO 'half-frozen' chocolate mousse with praline (BEST ONE SOOOOOOOOOO GOOD! Amazing textures) PANNA COTTA vanilla bean, with berry compote (So tasty and light) The service was the best part. The son of the owner welcomed us and wanted to know who made the reservation.( we have a looong Italian last name) My daughter raised her hand and he wanted to know if she knew so and so. A lawyer in Brooklyn with the same last name. She said no, but we are probably related somehow down the line as it is an unusual last name. Only in NYC! I don't usually go to Italian restaurants, but this one was a delight. And a great bargain for the city! There were 3 of us so we each got the 3 course option and shared. Great wine with complimentary focaccia bread! read more
Made a reservation for weeknight dinner day of. My boyfriend and I each did the 3 courses for $54 option and ordered: + Frangipani cocktail + Baked eggplant + Sunday meatballs + Dora's lasagne + Mezzelune + Tiramisu + cheesecake The cocktails were awesome, and my favorite bite was the eggplant. Pastas were also great. Overall I thought it was good, but I expected more given the NYT review and hype. Also wish they had an option to order a la carte, because I personally don't need that many apps or dessert (and would have tried more pastas)! read more
8 months ago
Excellent! Cozy interior with nice artwork and interesting lamps. We were seated at the bar which was quite an experience given we got to watch them cook! Service was good, we received both sparkling and still and some fluffy focaccia start. My husband and I started off with sharing mini calzones and kale and pine nut salad. I ordered the bees knees, which was refreshing and just the right amount of citrus plus sweet. I ordered the checkered-colored pasta with clams. My husband's ordered the duck pasta. Both dishes were beautiful and savory - just divine. read more
We sat at the end of the bar in front of the open cook station and while it was really cool to see the well oiled machine that it was, with the lightning fast prep of each dish, it left a little more to be desired. The dishes felt rushed and maybe a majority of restaurants are like this but seeing it just made me think there was no soul in the dish. I feel like I was expecting a bit more from this dining experience since it's in house made pasta. The service was okay, we had to wait a while to flag our waiter down for the check. We weren't interacted with as much as the duo next to us that wasn't in front of the cook station so I would suggest asking for a seat in front of the bartender if you want more interaction. The food tasted just alright there was nothing that really stood out to me, I would say it was neither amazing nor bad just very average, but for the price I expected just a little more. I was looking forward to trying their restaurant week since it was listed on their website but when we got there they said they don't do that anymore which was a bummer. read more
6 months ago
Sat at the bar on a busy night but still had great service from the bartender. The drinks were perfect and pasta Devine. Make a reservation read more
So glad to finally try Nonna Dora's which has been on my must try list. I did the vegetarian tasting. First I came in and there was free sparkling water. LOVE! The staff was so friendly and made my birthday feel special. The food itself was a mixed bag. Somethings were amazing and stood out like the pasta with fried pasta and chickpeas. And then some things were just average. All in all I had a lovely meal and would gladly eat here again! Maybe next time I will try the price fixe to compare. And I wanna meet Nonna so it might have to be for lunch! read more
What a gem! The staff was warm and helpful from the start. We ordered a couple of negronis (both delicious) and went with the price fixe menu as per our waiter's recommendation. The kale salad was super fresh, and we enjoyed the mini calzones though they were mostly air (they are puffed, not dense like a typical calzone). We both loved our pasta dishes, particularly the lasagne, and the tiramisu was sooo yummy. The price fixe for $54 is well worth it; I recommend coming here hungry and having a feast! You definitely need a reservation here. There is also no sign outside, so make sure to check for the address. Can't wait to come back! read more
I really liked the pre fixe menu style here ($54 for app main and dessert). the sauces were incredible, and the baked eggplant appetizer was also the best eggplant dish I think I've ever had! The pastas were also very good, and very tasty (the burnt wheat with duck confit had a unique earth flavor). The atmosphere itself was very lively, although the bar was very cramped, and the espresso martini tasted a bit like drinking black coffee. Overall great experience! read more
Adorable, romantic spot right by the AMC movie theatre, came here before seeing a movie. Loved the Paglia e Fieno, a ricotta and tomato pasta and the crunchy bread that they give you for the table. The owner and everyone who works there is so sweet and helpful too. 5 stars!!!! read more
10 months ago
2 years ago
Although this restaurant doesn't have a sign out front, it doesn't need one. What you do need, however, is a reservation because it's always buzzing with activity! The pasta? Absolutely OUTSTANDING! As an avid lover of Italian cuisine, I can confidently say this is the best Italian restaurant I've ever visited. We sampled a variety of dishes, and every single one was exceptional--cooked to perfection, with that ideal al dente texture you expect from authentic Italian pasta. Plus, each pasta is made by hand. **Drinks:** Their Negronis are iconic, and they offer a full menu dedicated to variations of this classic cocktail. I had the Negroni Satsumato, which I highly recommend. **Appetizers:** Do not miss the Panzerotti (mini calzones) and the Polpette (meatballs). Both were great, but the Panzerotti stole the show for me. **Entrées:** Every dish was so incredible that I can't pick just one favorite. We tried the Ravioli per Olivia, Orecchiette in rabbit ragù, Pappardelle del Ristoro in wild boar ragù, and Malloreddus. Each was executed to perfection. **Desserts:** We sampled the tiramisu, panna cotta, semifreddo, and Panzerotti Dolci. The semifreddo was my favorite--I could eat endless amounts of it! read more
2 years ago
What an experience! I love how this place is set up, you can be sat on the main dining floor or right at the bar. Honestly, sitting at the bar was so intimate and amazing to watch the bartenders and the food be made. Everything made and prepared so beautifully. We went for restaurant week and that included an appetizer, entree, and desert. All of the food from the appetizer down to the desert and drinks were all delicious. It could not have been a better experience for an NYC restaurant week! read more
I really wanted to love this place but even after one visit, I felt that most of the soul of this place is gone. From looking at other reviews, it seems that the change to a prefix menu is a recent change and not necessarily a welcome one. The food comes out too quickly which means one thing - it is not being cooked to order and most likely precooked and sitting in a warmer. The flavors are there but everything almost feels factory-like. As an example, the focaccia flavor was delicious but was served cold. The meatball flavor was delicious but the meatballs came out lukewarm when they should have been piping hot. Same thing with the mezzaluna and papardelle - solid flavors and great handmade pasta but once again lukewarm. Tiramisu comes in a cup and cheescake tasted like packaged cheescake. There likely used to be more soul when nonna dora initially opened this place but now that it has become so popular with instagram, promotion from jacksdiningroom, and a prefix menu, the priority has likely shifted toward how can we turn over tables and make the biggest profit as opposed to how can we give the customer a soulful dish of pasta. It's not too late to re-evaluate and return to your roots. read more
Nonna Dora's is a wonderful place for an intimate dinner date - I happened to be there for a Valentine's day date and loved every minute of it. My date and I were seated at the bar and I must say, I loved the closeness and romance that the bar seating offered. The tasting menu had a ton of vegetarian options and was very reasonably priced; it offered a main course, appetizer, and dessert for $54, which is quite a steal in new york. The portions were very satisfying and the pastas themselves were fresh and tasty! I would go back again more for the ambience than the actual food itself, but would recommend this to anyone looking for a romantic night out read more
This could not have been much better. They do a two course set menu for $48- you choose one appetizer and one homemade pasta (made during the day by Nonna, of course!). We shared the kale salad with pine nuts and Parmesan and our waiter convinced us to get the panzarotti (baby fried calzones with mozzarella and a little tomato). They were both delicious and honestly I didn't feel like the panzarotti was so deeply fried that you could taste the filling inside. We both loved our pastas too- my wife had the linguine with clams and I had burnt wheat pasta with duck confit and peas. Portions were generous for the price- I've seen smaller pastas elsewhere in NYC that cost $35 alone. By the end, we were already planning to come back sometime soon and try some of the other pastas. Ambiance was nice- I made a reservation at the bar by accident but it was fun to watch the staff prepare and plate everything. read more
Loved this restaurant! Homemade pasta made by Nonna- Authentic and made with love. We had the pasta tasting menu which was so creative and just the right amount to try each style and flavor. Highly recommend visit if you are a pasta lover. Service was excellent too! read more
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More info about Nonna Dora's 2nd Avenue
Ask the Community - Nonna Dora's 2nd Avenue
For family of 4, does everyone need to partake in tasting menu?
I believe that everyone has to order a tasting menu, but not the same one as everyone else. The other night, my friend ordered the vegetarian tasting menu and I had the seafood one. (Unless you are VERY committed to seafood, I don't recommend the…
I see high tops and bar seats. What's better for a couple?
It was me and my friend , Those high tops were comfortable.
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