It's been a long time since I'd last visited Orso; it had long been my husband's and my favorite after-theatre restaurant, until his worsening Parkinson's made such outings extremely difficult. So, it was with a lot of sentiment and some melancholy that I returned last night with a friend for the first time in five years. The ambiance was as lively and "theatrical" as ever -- theatrical, in the sense that everyone was either involved in the theatre and talking shop; or had just come from a show, and were discussing it; and ofttimes, both. The food, which had always been extremely solid, was even better than I remembered; the Spaghettini dish wasn't billed as such, but it was essentially a take on an Amatriciana, and very good it was, too. The service was beyond excellent; more on that in a moment. In all, every element of the experience was wonderful, EXCEPT for the presence of the rudest, huffiest, most attitude-y host/manager I've encountered in YEARS. I don't know what was going on in his life yesterday, but from the moment we walked in, this unpleasant fellow had a chip on his shoulder that could've been spotted by Artemis, and an axe to grind that was bigger than Paul Bunyan's. Despite the excellence of the food and atmosphere, my return visit would have been completely colored and spoilt by this behavior were it not for the exceptional hospitality provided by our server, Teri (sp?). I recognized her immediately from my past visits, and she's always been wonderful; but as I told her last night, seeing her smiling, familiar face when I was returning for the first time without my husband was of great comfort. SHE turned the evening around for me, when it could've been extremely upsetting. Moral of the story: Come for the ambiance, food and especially the service, and ignore the surly gatekeeper. It would've been a 5 star experience were it not for him, which is why I'm docking one star. read more

My wife, son and I had a late night dinner after a Broadway show. Upon entering the underground restaurant, you are stunned by the beautiful simplicity of their layout. Warm tones, simple tables that created an extremely pleasant environment. You are immediately served bread and a hummus type dip. The bread was fresh, slightly dense, with a outstanding flavor. For appetizer, we selected the antipasti. There was enough food there for five or six people. It included extremely fresh salami, prosciutto, mortadella, finocchiona , assorted olives, marcona almonds, sheep's milk ricotta-spicy honey, grilled bread. All the meats were so extremely fresh and thinly sliced. It was outstanding. We knew we had an entrée coming so we didn't want to only fill ourselves up with antipasti We wound up taking the leftovers to go. For our main course, my wife and I both had RIGATONI BOLOGNESE meat sauce, and parmesan for my wife. I have a dairy allergy and they prepared mine with no Parmesan and no butter. The rigatoni was perfectly cooked al dente with a succulent meat sauce that was seasoned delicately with salt, pepper, garlic, and tomato paste. my son had the COSTOLETTE DI MAIALE, oven roasted pork chop, roasted potatoes, black mission fig marsala sauce. The succulent chop could've easily fed two people. The roasted potatoes were perfectly cooked with salt pepper, some garlic, nestled in the fig marsala sauce. My son said that the pork chop was so tender, He barely needed a knife to cut it and the potatoes were creamy on the inside with beautifully crusted exterior. For the wine, my son and wife ordered uva di troia Botromagno, 2020, from puglia. They started with a quarter bottle and finished off with another order because of it's wonderful taste and complexity Our server Robert was a gem. He asked us about our trip, the show we saw, and established an immediate rapport with the three of us. His knowledge of the offerings was outstanding. He was able to help me with my allergy issue, recommended the perfect wine for my son and wife and checked in with us frequently to make sure there wasn't anything else we needed. The meal was not just fabulous because of the food, but the atmosphere, the attention to detail, and the friendliness, of the staff, made this a wonderful dining experience. read more

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My brother-in-law, sister and nieces took my daughter and I to Orso! It was a fun NYC experience as a fun Italian traditional restaurant tucked away like a speakeasy. Tracy our server was great, friendly and very attentive. The atmosphere was friendly, we saw a Broadway star and enjoyed the appetizers, fresh pasta, pizza, tiramisu and wine. Just a fun great pre-Christmas restaurant! read more

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Another great dinner at Orso. Nice restaurant in the theater district. Always try to get there when in the city. From the wine selection to the appetizers to the entrees, impeccable quality food. read more

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As good as always. Perfect for pre, post theatre or just if you want a top notch Italian meal without fuss or pretense. An institution for a reason! read more

Even more wonderful than the Delicious food at Orso are the people who work there. Whether you're greeted by Glenn or one of his colleagues, you're Always welcomed and served with genuine warmth. Every visit is a memorable experience -- Orso is truly one of the best restaurants in New York City. read more

My friend and I were going to be in town for one night only to see Hell's Kitchen. I had searched on the net prior for what I hoped to be a non touristy trap type, quality food, but within a manageable walking distance spot. I have standards for food and drink. I wasn't looking for a life changing dining experience but something solid. They start you with bread and a white bean dip. The bread was AMAZING. It tasted like Balthazar's. We had no bread plates. I saw none on other tables either. It was messy and I did not like that. My girlfriend ordered Rigatoni Bolognese and a Kir. She asked for a Riesling which they did not have. The Kir was recommended. I personally did not understand that recommendation, but, she accepted it. I don't think she enjoyed it. She barely drank any of it. She loved her Rigatoni though. I ordered the Risotto Gambero - arborio rice, shrimp, tomato, zucchini, lemon zest, parmesan. The shrimp were cut into small pieces, the rice was a touch too al dente for my taste. The dish overall didn't wow me but flavor was ok. I tasted no lemon zest. I expected whole shrimp perhaps with a grill crust on them. I don't like diced shrimp in a dish because I am not a child. That just sends a message they are trying to hide the quantity of the protein. Servings were on the petite side but I did not take issue with that because I felt full when done. I did not want to have leftovers given we were headed to the theater. The interior was petite. We were seated in the middle of the room at a four top sandwiched up against at least three other tables. Our table had to be slid out so we could sit in the seats for the table to be slid back. I felt like I was in the lap of the people behind us. We were near a stairwell that went to the basement that I assumed led to restrooms as diners were going down there. There was a faint septic smell that wafted at me several times during dinner. That was off putting. Our server was there at the beginning and our entrees came out efficiently. We didn't see her after that and had a time lag with getting dessert ordered. We started dinner at 5:15 and almost didn't make our show start of 7pm. Theater was a 5 minute walk away. We literally sat in our theater seats five minutes before curtain having no time to hit the bar or the ladies room. Entrees range @ $30 each. I did notice there was a four top in the corner near the half wall to the bar that remained open our entire time there. I would have much preferred to be sat there and be tucked away rather than out in the middle of traffic with the back of my chair slapped up against the table behind me. This was a special birthday in the city night for me. I feel I could have made a better decision. I don't feel the need to do a repeat. read more

Orso - Quartino Of Sangiovese And Kir - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

I walked pass this restaurant many times when I go to restaurant on 46 street I have been to the one in London and I've been to it many years ago but I must say it was beyond my expectations. Small restaurant small menu but the food was delicious. I had the salmon. We also had a pasta dish and we had the softshell crab. Excellent. Waite Remember staff was excellent. Everybody was well trained, professional, and helpful. They brought us a little ice cream with a candle on it make us feel special for our birthday !!moderate price New York standards I will definitely return !!! It been way too long and now I know the reason it's been in business since 1983 is because it's a little gem of a restaurant read more

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We came here before a Broadway show and they were very accommodating without a reservation. We were a little worried when we sat down because the menu is small. Ended up being the best meal we've had in NYC. The Burrata appetizer was very good. The roasted chicken, pizza, and rigatoni were also delicious! It's a small cozy place with very friendly people. Glad we stopped in on a whim!! read more

This restaurant has figured out what makes places successful. The portion size is well-calculated. This place has visual charm and genuine human warmth. Making customers feel known creates comfort. This restaurant created complete satisfaction. read more

Great pre Broadway spot to grab some Italian food. Delicious wine menu and fantastic dishes. We enjoyed everything we ate! Our server was friendly, knowledgeable and left us to ourselves to enjoy a private dinner as a family. Quaint atmosphere with good music and Italian vibe decor. We enjoyed our meal! read more

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Charming, cozy spot for a pre-theater meal ... this is a lovely (throw back -- in a good way!!) restaurant ... excellent, thoughtful, and personable service will make you feel very well-cared for before your show (and no worries about making your theater time) ... the food is delicious -- all serviced on whimsical Italian pottery -- the black sea bass and penne bolognese were particular standouts ... as well as the house-made white bean dip they serve with warm crusty bread. Great reasonable wine choices and elegant cocktails... Can't wait to go back!! read more

It's a cute family spot for Italian food on a street packed with tourist traps, a recommended place if you're thinking about going to a show nearby. The restaurant is small and cozy, nothing splashy and the service is very attentive and friendly. The menu is extremely small and limited, so make sure you check it before you go so you have options. The food is nothing to write home about but it's okay, you will most likely enjoy it, just won't be impressed. I have to highlight the mussels appetizer, they were juicy and the sauce was absolutely tasty (I mopped it out with the bread). The bolognese pasta was cooked perfectly al dente and the sauce is also pretty good. If you're a fan of calf liver (like I am) I can assure you you'll like this flavorful and tender one (it's hard to find a place that does it justice). In an area that is flocked with tourists and people going to theaters, it's a place good enough to have an okay dinner at a reasonable price. read more

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Great ambiance, service, and food. They have pre-theater dining down to a science. Would also be a great spot for special occasion dining.

We visited Orso before attending a Broadway show. The service was wonderful and the food was delicious. However, it is very pricey. Nice for a two people. We had five and it was a big bill for us. read more

A friend recommended this restaurant to us and Joe Allen. We dined here first and the host was so incredible nice. He was telling us that people were leaving soon and our table would be ready soon. The lady bartender was amazing. We got a glass of champagne. Once we got to our table, we were greeted by a really nice waiter. We loved our different animal plates (kids loved it too). We ordered the following: Burrata - Delicious. Tuna tartare - Delicious Lamb chops - exceptional Branzino alla piastra - Yummy. Great flavors. Crispy skin and moist fish. Rigatoni alla Bolognese - kids ate this entire dish up!!! My daughter's favorite food is Bolognese and you guys nailed it! Pistachio biscotti - crunchy and delicious Overall, the service was amazing and the food was exceptional. I would highly recommend this restaurant. We're so glad we tried this restaurant on our first night in NYC read more

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The food is wonderful and fresh at Orso. The service is friendly as is the whole vibe. I can't say enough about this elegant restaurant. I have risotto often and the dish at Orso's is the best I ever had. The wine is always good and I think the pricing is really reasonable. read more

Just want to add a few thing - came here again for brunch. -shrimp and polenta- how creative is this??? Polenta on bottom cooked in a lobster consommé surrounded by shrimp and Cajun sausage. A poached egg on top. Just amazing. - my mom and brother both had lamb meatballs over a breaded portobello mushroom Mozzarella cheese and red sauce on top. They both loved it. - the most delicious vanilla/chocolate tartufo ever. Covered in coco with chocolate cookie pieces inside. -Raspberry sorbet was the best I ever tasted. This place never ever disappoints. Great service. Gorgeous dishes. read more

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I have lived part of my life here and only now am posting about this amazing place. Why? This time, even more than before, made me feel like family and a queen all at the same time. The food was amazing and, unlike so many others, did not give me heartburn from the meat sauce. read more

Great food, backed up by impeccable service, can not be denied! What a great experience, intimate and relaxing, a must ! Amazing appetizers, sautéed artichokes, grilled octopus both superbly prepared. Unbelievably fresh pasta ! Deliciously grilled fish, and the deserts was delightful, don't miss the tiramisu! A slice of Italy A special shout out to the madre, great job ! read more

Delightful spot on 46 St - we had an amazing swordfish, tender and good sized entree. Also the calf's liver was surprisingly tender and seasoned to perfection. My friend enjoyed the pasta bolognese, and their desserts deserve you saving some room in your belly. One other note, the latte and cappuccino are noteworthy. read more

Went here for dinner during the business holiday season. I was part of a pretty large group and though we all fit the tables are tight and we needed to be at two tables to accommodate us all. That in itself is not a problem but when you add the table tightness to it this was less than ideal. Service was good, they had a nice selection of bottled beer, and I had the lamb chops scottadito with eggplant-mint purée, green beans, radish, arugula. They were good but I still left with the feeling that the value just wasn't there for what I just ate. Yes, this is Manhattan and considering the location it probably should not be surprising. read more

Orso is a GREAT Pre-Theatre Spot We were Orso "regulars" pre-pandemic, but with much more limited hours (no more pre matinee lunches, now closed on Sundays, etc.) it's now even MORE difficult to snag a last minute reservation than it once was. Plan WELL ahead if you wish to dine at Orso, as it's well worth it. While the menu is quite limited, there are appealing gluten free, vegetarian and healthy options. We enjoyed a mixed salad (fresh, crispy, well dressed) and rosemary bread to start. (The house bread with dip is also yummy). We then enjoyed the penne pasta in a delicious tomato cream sauce and the fettuccine in a tasty pomodoro sauce. The salmon with mushrooms was delectable and perfectly prepared. We were satiated from dinner so just had cappuccino and cafe americanos and skipped the very appealing looking desserts. (We all wished they had dairy free milk for the Cappucinos). To add to the truly good food and civilized ambiance, our server, James, was so attentive, professional and lovely. The host was also charming and accommodating. Orso, we have missed you SO, and can't wait to dine with you again SOON! read more

Probably the best meal I had in NYC. I was disappointed when I saw that they were not offering Pizza. My partner and I ordered Branzino and Papperdelle. I left thinking that the not having the pizza oven was a blessing in disguise. The service was outstanding. read more

4-star prices, 2-star food, ambiance, & service. Disappointing from start to finish. There are many better options on restaurant row--Sicily, for one, if you're craving Italian with wonderful service & cozy ambiance, comparable prices. read more

I had stopped by one day recently to look over their menu and was intrigued by the fig pizza. I couldn't stop that day but went yesterday. It was after the matinee but before the evening rush. I did't think it would be a problem to get a table at this time but they were expecting a larger crowd but were able to seat me. I received a glass of tap water and some Italian bread with a delicious white bean spread. After checking the menu again, I ordered the fichi pizza, a decent sized pizza with black mission figs, gorgonzola cheese, arugula, prosciutto and walnuts. It was very good and filling. At the end of my meal, I ordered a double espresso which was great as well. The restroom was clean and well maintained. The waitress was very accommodating and attentive. I would recommend and return. read more

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Super nice staff and excellent food. Quiet away from the bustle even though in midtown

My wife and I dined here prior to a show. It's a nice cozy atmosphere. Our service was prompt, attentive, and mindful that we were attending a show, but never felt rushed. My Italian old fashioned cocktail was lovely. Menu is small but good options. My wife had a linguini and I had sea bass. We each enjoyed our meal and flavors were well-balanced. Tiramisu for dessert was phenomenal, and cappuccino was perfect. read more

Lovely service, food was terrific. If you like liver and onions, this is the place to splurge.

Absolutely wonderful dining experience at Orso's! The moment we walked in we were greeted warmly and helped with our coats and umbrella's on a very rainy night. The service was impeccable and the food was delicious. Seating is very comfortable and the noise level was low where we could easily converse. As a New Yorker, I'm wondering why I'd never been there previously as it's in the heart of the theater district. We'll certainly return. read more

The place is cozy but sitting is a bit tight There are vegetarian options along with gluten free available It's a try read more

Orso - Risotto - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

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Nice comfortable restaurant off the beaten path of tourists and tourist trap restaurants. Small and intimate. Authentic Italian cuisine from start to finish. We started with cocktails and very generous I might add. Appetizers of tuna tartare and prosciutto, pear and arugula; very delicious. I usually do not order pasta but I did and was pleasantly surprised at how good it was. Pasta with sausage and broccoli; a nice portion and not overwhelming. We shared a dessert as the finishing touch. read more

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A spectacular dinner !! The chicken was the best. The service was amazing in truly a delicious place

My friend, who works in Midtown, met me here for dinner, and the waiter was thoughtful to ask if we were on our way to a show so that he could help manage our time. We were not, so we didn't have to rush. I had the pappardelle with tomato sauce, and she had the lamb chops - and outordered me. While the pasta was delicious, the sauce was so simple (I get it - it's supposed to be a simple Pomodoro sauce), while the lamb was seasoned so nicely and served with a gorgeous veggie side. We each enjoyed the hosue wine, which was a great $ deal as well. Overall a nice dinner in a lovely spot! read more

Very good Italian restaurant. Prices are good. Wine list is still weak. Good for lunch, dinner and after theater.

I went to Orso for lunch before a matinee show, and it was an amazing experience! First off, the waiter started off by asking if we were seeing a 2pm show. I'm sure it's common for that restaurant to get a lot of theatre goers, but still loved that he asked. He was very attentive and overall a very good waiter. The food was absolutely delicious. My mom and I shared the pan fried baby artichokes which were my favorite dish of the entire meal. It was sautéed artichoke hearts with shaved Parmesan on top, with a lemon on the side. For our entrees I got the scallops and my mom got the penne eggplant, again both of which were absolutely delicious. My scallops were a small dish, as they usually are, and they were seared to perfection. They were a little small but I didn't mind, displayed in a circle with a lightly dressed salad in the middle. I absolutely loved this restaurant and definitely plan on returning again! read more

On "Restaurant Row" (46 St., Theater District), we had lunch at Orso before seeing a Broadway Show. My wife enjoyed the mussels in a tomato sauce and I ordered the spagetti with marinara sauce and eggplant (without the burrata it's offered with), but it was only about 10% eggplant - otherwise very good. What stole the show, however, was dessert. I can't recall having a better tiramisu, so soft in the middle it was almost dripping wet and razor thin strips of chocolate on top. My wife ordered the fresh fruit and it was red grapes, strawberries, honeydew and pineapple - all perfectly ripe. Both desserts were large enough to split four ways. I also enjoyed my double-shot capuccino. It was expensive, but not crazy. Nice atmosphere too. read more

For my experience last Sunday, I always believed the Yelp and I just founded this restaurant. Food was not super surprised but it was ok... Big thing was I swiped my credit card and I paid tip for cash but the next day, my credit card statement had extra charged $17.40 (tip) from Orso!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Extremely super super disappointed and I called the bank and they got fund back to me!!!!! In my opinion, don't go there but if you want to go there, please be careful!!! read more

Orso - I paid credit card and paid tip for cash but they got charged me extra!!!!!! This is so ridiculous!!!!! - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

The ambiance of the place is nice, the inside is charming and the dishes are pretty. I came here because I saw the reviews on yelp were up there. Around 5:15 the place was packed but I was the youngest person in there. The crowd is on the older side (maybe because I was there for an early dinner). The Caprese appetizer was my favorite part - the mozzarella cheese was extremely fresh. I got the fra diavolo pizza and it was just okay. I was expecting the sauce to have more spice, it sort of tasted like regular pizza sauce. I liked the thin crust and it wasn't greasy at all. The wait staff was very nice and accommodating. If I were to go back I'd try the pasta. Overall, there was nothing bad about my experience but there was nothing to make me want to run back here so quickly. read more

Orso - Caprese appetizer - really fresh mozzarella it's delicious - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

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This is a perfect restaurant for a pre-theatre dinner. The food is delicious, the portions are ideal (filling but not overbearing), and the atmosphere is lovely. The restaurant is small but it is quaint, peaceful, and has the most beautiful plates and cups. Seriously though, I plan on buying the same brand for my own kitchen! As for the actual meal itself, the food is really fantastic. They start you off with some bread and white bean dip, which is incredibly addicting. I challenge you not to get seconds... and thirds. For my main dish, I order the large maltagliata pasta dish. The pasta was well-cooked and the mushrooms really tasty and not overbearing at all. I hate when pasta dishes are too heavy and I feel immobile afterwards; that's not the case here. It's a nice, light pasta dish you will surely enjoy. Beyond the pasta, I also shared the margherita pizze and that was also delicious, shockingly good even. It may have been the best pizza I've had when dining in at an Italian restaurant. The ingredients were very fresh, the crust was light and crisp, and it had a lovely balance between the cheese and sauce. Definitely a nice option for sharing with the table! On top of that, the service is great and the coffee is awesome. You can't go wrong with dinner at orso. read more

Orso - Margherita Pizze - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

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