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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Within the theater district it is usually a pretty safe bet to get mediocre food with rushed service, and Orso was a nice change from that. The service was great, and fast, but not rushed, and the food was fresh and tasty, although some items were definitely better than others. The breadbasket came along with a side of white bean spread, and I have to say the spread might have been my favorite part of the meal. Very similar to hummus, the spread was flavorful with delicious olive oil and and tons of herbs. For my entree I ordered the derosa pizza with prosciutto, burrata, tomato sauce and mozzarella. My least favorite part of the pizza had to be the crust, which was pretty bland and lackluster. The toppings were delicious though, with thinly sliced pieces of salty prosciutto. The burrata was also an added bonus of fresh, cold cheese that blended perfectly with the hot mozzarella. I also had the chance to try my mothers spaghetti with roasted eggplant, burrata and tomato sauce and I have to say, I was a bit jealous I didn't order it for myself. There are a lot of very mediocre places to go in the theater district, but Orso provides a nice homey vibe, from the decor to the painted plates with animals on it. read more

I would give Orso somewhere between 3-4 stars, but only because of previous reviews claiming this was their best meal in the city and my expectations were raised but not necessarily met. The food is solid but nothing to write home about. I was slightly disappointed since it seems like they're still going through some sort of utility check up/renovation and have a more limited menu (ie no pizza options). I had the linguine and mussels (w red sauce btw) which was good. Shared the buffalo mozzarella and arugula salad as appetizers, and the mozz was my favorite. If you're in the area for a show, Orso is a decent choice for a convenient meal close by but I wouldn't recommend coming out of your way for it. Service was great though, from coat check to waiters. They provided a complimentary scoop of gelato with a candle for a birthday in our party which was very sweet. read more

We just left a very nice supper at Orso. Pasta cooked to perfection, all the food was delicious. We had a great bottle of red. But the server was a little surly. The restaurant was only 30% full and we waited 10-15 minutes just to get water and a menu. But we were there for the food and the food was worth coming back for. read more

I would like to say its old school Italian; but it's not. It's more a tried tourist pre-theater spot. Limited menus, abrupt service - order a bottle of wine and are told that "its casual service, so pour yourself" - and very standard Italian fare. My microwaved penne was served on a cold plate with the top portion cool and the bottom warm, not exactly what you would expect for $23. read more

Made reservations through open table for a late after show dinner. We had to change our reservation time to accommodate autographs at the Theater Door, Orso was very understanding. We were seated right away with water and bread. Appetizers were good and our entrees generous. The decor was cozy and pleasant and the food delicious. I will dine here again post show. read more

Orso - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

A very solid choice on restaurant row. We went after the theater crowd had left, and as expected across the row, the food & service pick up nicely. We started with the garlic pizza bread, which is not exactly as expected...more of a garlic pappadam than a pizza crust, but very tasty. Main course was the thinly sliced calf liver with pancetta, excellent flavor with no tough spots to be found anywhere. The side dish was brussels sprouts, which were perfectly crispy and quite tasty. The raspberry sorbet to finish was quite good as well. Wine selection is minimal, but the bottle of nebbiolo was priced right and tasted just fine. Overall price is right in line with expectations (for post-theater seating), and the ambience of the space is quite good. Conversations can be had without having to tune out loud music or patrons. Service is a just average. Our waiter, while making decent recommendations, alternated between just polite enough and just averagely attentive. read more

I learned something: Don't trust 5-star reviews for restaurants in the Theater District. Mostly given by well-meaning out-of-towners excited to be in New York. More reliable rule: automatically deduct 0.75 stars from Theater District rating and it will be comparable to less touristy areas. Yes, I know this will be tough on truly great restaurants there. Show me one and I will weep. Service cordial. Food . . . better than Chef Boyardee. read more

This is quickly becoming my favorite post-theater dinner place. We first came here about 1.5 months ago, after Annie, and had a great meal, and then returned last Thursday, after Matilda. The menu changes pretty frequently from what I understand; we looked for the tasty braised short ribs entree that we'd enjoyed our first trip there, but it wasn't on the menu (bummer, but it served as the impetus to try other dishes). Given the time we sat down to dinner, I wasn't super-hungry, so I opted to have the Polpo Ai Ferri (grilled Portuguese octopus with shaved fennel, lemon & chickpeas) as my main dish, which was appropriately sized as an appetizer, and allowed me to save room for dessert! The octopus was cooked perfectly, tender without being too chewy, and lightly spiced so that there was no need for anything except the lemon juice to bring out the flavors. My friend had the Pappardelle Alla Bolognese, which he said was some of the best he'd had in a long time. Since I had room, I ordered the tiramisu with a snifter of almond grappa; the tiramisu was light and not overly sweet (just the way I like it). The server had forgotten my grappa, and when I asked for it a second time, he rushed back with it, and said that it was on the house (totally unnecessary, but appreciated). We've consistently had good service, and this was just the icing on the cake. Like many New Yorkers, I try to stay out of the way when it comes to heavily tourist-trafficked places; the fact that the entrance is under most people's radars, I would imagine that helps keep the crowds manageable. And I'm perfectly okay with that, because once you get inside, be prepared for an enjoyable evening! Probably the reason that both times, we had some celebrity/TV & movie personality sightings, and no one batted an eye...granted the first time, we saw Taylor Negron (I'm a trivia freak/child of the 80s) and Fisher Stevens dining together. But we truly had a Broadway royalty sighting last Thursday, when we ate 3 tables away from none other than Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick. We played it New Yorker-cool, but of course had some quiet giggles at the table. Good food, nice atmosphere, good service, and random celebrity sightings. Definitely adding Orso to my go-to dependable list. read more

Whoever thinks that Orso is not the best... Just start with the artichokes, and the crudo and along with it have the fresh verduras and the homemade carta de musica pizza bread next the fresh pasta with burrata and the angel hair and shiitake mushrooms, there's only one thing left to have to compliment the great lunch... Chocolate lava cake and their homemade Cherry gelato... Superb Chef Victor!!! read more

This is actually our second time at Orso, and I am absolutely ashamed that I didn't get around to reviewing it before now. Perhaps subconsciously I don't want it to get overrun with folks flocking there due to their STELLAR food and service....and did I mention that I don't share well? This time, we started with the Trevisano Salad: apples, grapes, goat cheese and walnuts. It was a great melding of flavors and started the meal out beautifully. Next, I decided to forgo the typical fish I normally order and went with the rigatoni alla Bolognese. I love a good Bolognese and this one exceeded my expectations. Paired with the slight chewiness of the rigatoni, it was perfect. So much so that I continued eating after I was full, as there was no way I was going to let any of that meaty goodness go to waste. To finish, we ordered the caramel gelato. It had a nice toasty caramel flavor and was a great ending to our meal. Orso is on our short list of places we'll return to again and again. read more

My friend was in town on business and her hotel was on 46th, so we didn't want to wander far from the area.. which brought us to restaurant row. After checking out a few menus she says "o what is that place" pointing to Orso's small entrance across the street. One glance at the menu outside was good enough for us. Led to the back room, there was a couple at a table near the kitchen and one guy sitting at a larger table in the corner. We are seated next to the couple and I glance over at the gentleman seated by himself. Then I glance again. Then I do another glance (making this a triple-take I guess). Yep, hello Ferris Bueller. Well that was enough for 3 stars right there! Luckily Orso lives up to those 3 stars and earns the 4th. My friend and I were deciding between 2 bottles of wine- one of which was also served by the glass. The waitress offered us a taste of that one to help us decide. My friend and I split a caprese salad, good mozzarella. I had the ravioli, which I enjoyed and my friend had the short ribs, which she said were good but the best part of her dish (which i sampled) was the potato & ricotta gnocchi. Do they serve that as a meal itself? I didn't see it but I wish they did! We followed up with the chocolate bread pudding. I'm very particular about desserts and this was average to me. All and all though it was a good experience and I would definitely revisit Orso the next time I need a place to dine in midtown. read more

I have little new to add, except that they make terrific quail that I must recommend! Having tasted the meals of my fellow diners, I shall also add that the halibut too was supreme; I recommend the clam linguini and the pork chops slightly less, however. They also serve their drinks very elegantly, with a glass of wine coming in a small carafe alongside an empty wine glass for the guest to self-serve (to aerate the red wines, I guess?). A grand celebratory spot, and I bet they'd love you even more if you didn't join the 6pm pre-theater rush and waited until 7:30 or later to enjoy your food. read more

Walked in after reading about it here without reservations and figured if I could get a seat on a Thursday at 6 for 2, then it was meant to be. Started with the house red, which was very nice, as well as the tuna tartar. The flavor was amazing and it was absolutely fresh. Perfect use of capers, onions and sundried tomatos. For entrees we had the quail and the halibut which were both cooked very nicely and accompanied with adequate and delicious sides. The quail was stuffed with Italian sausage and was one of the better restaurant proteins I have ever enjoyed. The halibut had a sweet and sour sauce that really complimented the meal, especially if you have a taste for things sweet. We also ordered the 3-veggie plate consisting of broccoli rabe, asparagus and cauliflower. The broccoli rabe was nothing spectacular but the cauliflower was awesome. This is a perfect restaurant pre or post theater, expect to pay for the quality of food that you get. The atmosphere was very comfortable and relaxing, even for being seated right next to the kitchen. The service was fast, adequate and helpful. I would definitely return with friends but being new to the NY restaurant scene, I want to explore a little more! read more

There's a book on how we make decisions, and this street demonstrates the point exactly: when there are too many choices, you can't decide what to get. Orso is located on Restaurant Row, where there are literally 30 restaurants located right next to each other within the span of a small NYC block. After 30 minutes of not being able to decide and bumping into a cute couple with their pet rat Garland who say they've been living in the area for years but were unable to give us a definitive answer on what's the best restaurant in the neighborhood, we finally settled on this demure-looking little restaurant. We could have easily missed it if we weren't walking so slow. My friend and I decided to share the fusili with mushrooms and a pizza with goat cheese. The fusili with mushrooms sauteed in a slightly spicy red sauce was absolutely delicious. Then we moved onto the thin sliced goat cheese pizza that was drenched in olive oil. After eating half the pizza, we decided that it was not going to get any better. The dessert menu didn't seem very appetizing, so we just decided to get dessert elsewhere. read more

Maybe you could quibble with a 4 or 4 1/2 but I'm sticking with a 5 because I find it hard to believe anyone would leave disappointed. The place is very comfortable and low key, with friendly attentive service throughout the meal. The wine list has some nice values (we had the very solid Montepulciano D'Abruzzo for $40 -- $30 would have been more fair but $40 isn't terrible for where the restaurant is). We shared the calamari and mussels and two pizzas (one with sausage and chopped tomatoes and one fra diavolo style). The calamari were crispy on the outside but tender to chew with two dipping sauces. Mussels were tender in a delicate wine, butter, shallot sauce. The pizzas were pretty unique. Neapolitan in appearance, but with a much firmer, chewier dough and crust. Our table loved them but don't expect a classic Neapolitan pie. The bucatini pasta was as good a pasta dish as I've had. Nothing extraordinary, just pasta, sauce, onion, pancetta but so very tasty. The rigatoni was excellent, but just a notch below the bucatini. The salmon with risotto was devoured before I could taste it but I'm assuming it was delicious. The chicken was nicely done for tamer appetites as was the pork chop (could have used a little more salt IMO). For dessert, we just shared two of the house-made apple crostatas with vanilla gelato. After a full meal, one order easily feeds two (or even three to be honest). For six of us with a 20% tip included (a bottle of wine, four apps, six entrees, two desserts, two sodas and four coffees), the meal came out to $380 -- not a terrible value at all. read more

I was our 8th Wedding Anniversary and we saw Kinky Boots for the first time. In fact it was our first NYC theater experience. I searched for a place that would be open after our show, walkable and not far from our hotel...stayed at the Marriott Marque and Orso fit the bill. I made the reservation here on Yelp.com through OpenTable. Which is great because you don't have to go to another site. In the special comment section I told the staff we were celebrating our Anniversary. when we arrived the Outside looked impressive with its front entrance that is done with steps down and beautiful hand railings. As with most NYC establishments space is limited but Orso does a good job with the flow. No bar stools at the bar so it doesn't get crowed with too many people. Although we were there at 10:45pm so it may be a different story at 8:30pm. The Manager had our reservation and asked how to say our name which is nice. They sat us promptly but asked if we would like to wait a few minutes there was a cozier table opening up. We decided to stay at the table they sat us at and watch all the lovely people coming in and out. Service was great! They acknowledged our anniversary...Which meant they read the notes! They brought us a complementary basket of pizza bread to the table. It was very thin and crispy with rosemary and garlic. Very good start to the meal. Its an Italian Restaurant and so are the wines. I am more familiar with California Wines than anything else but the staff made sure we could pick a favorite from their selection. Just tell them what you like! I love Red Wine Vinegar Dressing and their house salad was simple and yummy. The greens was very chilled which says its not sitting out in a bowl somewhere in the back of the house. They also brought us some crusty Italian bread and olive oil but on request brought some lovely unsalted butter (which is its own food group in my opinion!). Dinner for us was simple, a Rigatoni and an Orecchiette with Sweet Italian Sausage Ragu. Orso is making all their own pastas and the menu is updated daily. Dinner was followed by their lovely flourless chocolate cake with raspberry sauce. The kitchen may have lost our dinner ticket because our meals were a little slow in arriving. However, I am still giving 5 stars because they over came it and acknowledged it and made our night even better. Do try the flourless chocolate cake...it is heaven if you love really dense dark chocolate that leaves you with that bold chocolate sense and none of the crazy sweet after taste. By all means if you live or are visiting NYC and are in the Theater District put Orso in you bucket list you wont be disappointed. read more

Orso was recommended by a local friend, but when we asked the concierge at our hotel, he recommended against it. We should have listened to the concierge! My dining companion and I both ordered pasta dishes. We ordered half portions, because normally that means the full portions are really large, right? Who knows, but our half portions were tiny. We were not offered parmesan, so I had to flag down the waitress to get some. In the end my pasta was mediocre, and I didn't even finish. Disappointing. Meanwhile, the waitress was unpleasant and seemed exasperated even though we had minimal contact with her. Will not go back. read more

I recently dined pre-theater at Orso and must say it was outstanding. First off, I wasn't even sure I could get a reservation for a Friday night since they are packed with theater crowds, but as luck would have it there was a cancellation and we got a table about a week before the show. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but what I discovered was fantastic Italian food complemented by a friendly and knowledgeable staff. And since they knew we had tickets for an 8pm show, they were very conscientious about time and had our meals out with plenty of time to walk to the theater. The atmosphere is cozy, some might say cramped, but as long as you don't mind the tight quarters, you won't have any problem with the seating. Although we did have to scoot out of the way a few times for our waiter to get to another table. Meals are served in pretty hand painted dishes, each of them different which I found charming. Our waiter was quite helpful in suggesting wines and brought me tastes from two different bottles after he listened to me describe the kind of wine we wanted. His choices were spot on and the wine we chose was fantastic. For dinner I had the chicken, spinach and ricotta stuffed ravioli in a tomato basil sauce that was quite possibly the best ravioli I've had in recent memory. The noodles were cooked to perfection, not chewy and not mushy, but just right. My dining companions also agreed that their meals were fantastic. One thing that was odd (at least it was to me) was that we had our waiter who took orders for food and drinks, but the maitre d' brought out our meals and another server took our plates and gave us the check. There is a line for maitre d' tip on the bill in addition to the regular tip, but I was unclear as to how or if I should tip the third person. Seemed a bit unnecessary to me, but it didn't take away from the experience. For the quality of food and service, I think the prices are more than fair. I wouldn't hesitate to go again and will happily recommend it to others in the future. read more

Absolutely wonderful! Food was perfect and the wine was lovely! This is like a comfy upgrade from eating at your Italian grandma's house...very sweet and cozy with wonders food...service was nothing exciting but altogether wonderful!! read more

After being raved about and recommended to come, I was just a little underwhelmed. There are so many amazing options in the theater district, and I know Orso is one of the top go-to spots for many, and I'm glad I finally made my way. I came here on a quiet Tuesday night at 7pm, just missing the theater goers was probably a wise move. We started with a bottle of the Pinot Nero which was very, very light. Wouldn't have been my #1 choice, but I went with the table. I had the Fra Diavlo pizza which was good, but I wasn't a big fan of the crust. It was thin crust but not your typical brick oven pizza. We also had the orecchiette which was great, flavorful with sweet italian sausage and broccoli rabe. The service was good, nothing outstanding, but our table was able to sit, relax and enjoy without being rushed or pressured. It was an enjoyable meal and I would come back, but would order differently. I think I'd skip the pizza and go for an appetizer instead! read more

Orso is an excellent option for great Italian pre or post theater. I love this place and would come here to eat for just the wonderful authentic Italian food and friendly and attentive service -- the convenient location for the theater is a wonderful plus. Whenever I'm in the neighborhood, I think of alternate options to dine, and they all are overpriced tourist traps. Why would you ever eat anywhere else?! The gnocchi and pastas here are incredible. The desserts are equally delicious. And the waitstaff is divine. I've shown up multiple times, and they've always been able to squeeze me in. Not only that, but they're incredibly warm and helpful -- making sure to get me out in time to catch my show, or offering tastes of different wines or gelatos to help indecisive me decide what to order. It's definitely an older crowd though, so don't go if you don't like eating with a room full of retirees. But, on the positive side, oftentimes the cast of theater productions will come here after their evening shows. Martin Short was dining at the table next to us last May! read more

I usually stay away from this area like the black plague. I had an Uncle in from out of town who was staying in Times Sq and on a rough time difference. Anyways the food was great and the service was also just as great! If you are taking people out that are from out of town and are picky about food, you can not go wrong with Italian. If you are going to see a show this is also a nice place to come before or after the show! Little hidden, which I like. Friendly atmosphere, great food, and decent wine menu. read more

Am writing this as I sit here enjoying the peaceful atmosphere and not being rushed out by the waitstaff although I finished eating a while ago. I didn't have a full meal here; I just was in the area and wanted to sit and enjoy a snack, so I can't comment on main dishes (although sounds like from other reviews that they have delicious housemade pastas). I walked in around 4:15 and let them know I was just here for coffee & dessert. I was promptly seated (there were only a few people in the restaurant at this hour) & ordered a cappuccino and the apple crostata (based on the waiter's recommendation, who said all desserts are made in-house). Cappuccino was delicious & I was glad to find the crostata not dry as is the case in many places (and what's not to like about apples, walnuts, caramel & flaky pastry topped by vanilla icecream?) and both were served on adorable, very colorful plates. The couple next to me was finishing their meal with a tiramisu & it was their anniversary, so the waiter brought it out with a candle and let them know it was on the house--which I thought was lovely. Good customer service is so important! Here service is attentive & polite, ambiance is pleasant & fairly quiet with soft background music. I'd come here again to try the pasta. Oh just got the bill--under the tip area there's a space for "captain's tip"? Interesting---never seen that before! read more

Orso - Apple crostata - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

This is a lovely restaurant near my home, and I decided to give it a try on a recent night. I was seated immediately without a reservation after the theater crowd had left, and the service was warm and attentive throughout my experience. I was dressed casually, and I think I would dress up a bit more for future visits. The wine per glass is on the pricey side at $12-14 per glass, but my Primitivo was outstanding. I chose to try the stuffed quail which turned out to be the right decision and perhaps one of the five best meals I've had in 2012. The quail is stuffed with a sweet sausage and other spices then covered in marsala sauce. Every bite was pure heaven. I was on a no carb diet when I visited, but the flat breads looked incredible. I stuck to protein on this evening, but there were many other enticing options. If I were visiting town and wanted an upscale meal before the theater, this restaurant would be high on the list. read more

The pizza portions are shockingly large and possibly the best deal in the restaurant! We ordered the prosciutto and basil pizza which I highly recommend. I'll be honest: the stretch of 46th street between 8th and 9th is somehow known as Hell's Kitchen's Restaurant Row, but I find most of the offerings rather overpriced and mediocre. Orso and maybe two others stand out as the only true finds on the block (Becco is another, for the absolute pasta fans). read more

For those searching for a reliable theater district meal -- keep looking. Orso is an average restaurant boasting higher prices than the food or service supports. Mediocre food pairs appropriately with an uninspiring drink / wine list. The appetizers are swiming in cheese to mask the true flavors of the dishes, the portions of which are probably 20% too small to justify their prices. Main dishes are likewise disappointing. The Black Spaghetti should be a home run but instead is coated in pungent film. The pasta, crab, and hot oil should blend together. Instead, they seem to be fighting each other. The smell is unappetizing and evokes images of picnicking beside the Gowanus Canal. The skirt steak is wet with some type of coating that renders the steak useless and unrecognizable. Saving the restaurant from one star is the service, which is professional and pleasant. read more

I came here post-Motown Musical, which was phenomenal by the way. It is tucked in and was quiet upon our arrival. I am going to have to say that the highlight of my meal were those delicious, pan-seared artichokes aaahhhh oooh babyyyy. The perfect amount and just the right thing to get you warmed up for the meal. I believe I had the trout, which was decent. I also nibbled on a caprese salad and some flat bread pizza. Hey, you might even have a celeb sighting. Wallace Shawn was a table behind me! (Think Cyrus from Gossip Girl) read more

I'm a New Yorker and choose Orso regularly as our pre or post theatre dinner destination. If you are looking for impeccable hospitality, fresh delicious food, superb desserts- then look no further. Their grilled octopus app is amazing! Also all of the pasta dishes are wonderful but the gnocchi is off the charts: fluffy, flavorful. I would also be amiss not to mention the fabulous people watching ;) read more

We had an excellent pre-show meal here. We started with the Carciofini (pan fried baby artichokes, garlic, pecorino Romano, lemon), really enjoyed the Pollo (pan roasted free-range chicken, roasted cauliflower) and Cavoletti (fried Brussels sprouts, lemon), and finished with an amazing chocolate Budino. I would probably skip the Pizze (go to John's instead) and Gelato. Next time, I'll probably try the Rigatoni. Great service, too! read more

Orso - Chocolate Budino - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

A solid choice for sure with prices that are not over the top, but the kitchen was not as great as I had hoped. Pizza's were very thin crust, pretty nice especially the funghi which was interesting and delicious. The scallops I had just wasn't the best mix of flavors, it came out rather "cold" even though the searing on the scallops was very good, and the portion was excellent and well presented. This is a solid choice. Especially since you can get large 1 litre carafe's of wine either primitivo or pinot grigio for $30. That's pretty good in a city that can cost you a lot more for alcohol on the table. The service and ambience are also good. Again not great or memorable, but very nice for a date or a business group meal. read more

I think my wife nailed it when she commented on the "Golden Girls" atmosphere. It's an older crowd - no doubt. I would say if you need some good food in this part of this, Orso is a solid option (as long as you prepare yourself for the crowd). Recommend the Grilled Octopus & Shrimp, Bolognese and Caprese. Only miss was the service. Brutal. read more

Orso is a a little gem of times square (found using Yelp!) that you will walk by three times before realizing it, the entrance is stealthy compared to the surrounding places. The interior is like stepping into a Williams Sonoma catalog and the service is understated elegant. The spaghetti carbona was perfect and laced with bits of delicious bacon. I had the Mozzarella Tomato Basil appetizer - the basil was not very fresh, but it was the dead of winter so I don't know if I can hold that against them. In short, this is an Italian treat worth trying more than once. read more

Worst food experience in midtown... ever. If you like your scallops to smack you in the face with the scent of ammonia, eat here. If you like your "house made pasta" to have the exact same texture as pasta from a box, eat here. The only saving grace of this establishment was the gentleman that, I assume, was a manager. He offered to rectify the spoiled scallops. I chose to decline. As we were leaving, he apologized again. He handled the situation gracefully. read more

Not a bad experience but I would probably not come back. The food was decent but lacked flavor. Menu is small and lacks choices, changes daily so they didn't have what we expecting from previous pictures. I ended up settling on the margarita pizza. Service was mediocre, at best, other servers seemed to have personality. read more

Orso - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

I'm a native New Yorker and choose Orso regularly as a post theatre dinner spot because the service is stellar, the restaurant is welcoming and "home-like" and the food is fresh and always delicious. You have try the grilled octopus and believe me, the gnocchi is off the hook. This is a great place to bring "your babe" and is exceptional if you are in to people watching. The menu changes so often that recommending one particular dish would probably be worthless but not matter what is being served, you will love Orso read more

Met my family here for dinner last week and my mother had said - "Oh I was able to get reservations!" which made me think it was hard to get in or something... The place was half empty but I guess it is more of a pre-theater crowd. The service was good - but there were no specials? And the pasta I ordered came in a sauce that was watery and more like a soup - I was grossed out (how do you f up pasta?)... I got a pizza instead - it was decent. The best part of my meal was the Burratta and tomato salad I shared with my mother and the bread and bean dip. read more

We are from out of town and wanted to have a nice Italian meal. Orso did not disappointment. The manager and coat check lady were super friendly and helpful. We came at a shift change for wait staff so that is always a little hard. Now for the food. They serve complimentary bread with a white bean sauce. Delicious! We ordered the margharita pizza, rigatoni pasta with meat sauce, and chicken with brussel sprouts. The rigatoni was so yummy al dente and perfect sauce. The chicken was probably one of the top five I have ever eaten. If we ever come back to NYC, we will definitely come back! read more

After being rained on all day at the US Open, my mom and I headed back to the city to find some warm, filling pasta. Will yelped Italian restaurants in the Theatre District and came up with Orso for us. We snuck in at about 8pm, after all the shows had started. The host was very accomodating, giving us a choice of two-tops - but giving us a friendly heads up that come 10:30, the post-theatre rush would hit. The tables were set up at a comfortable distance from each other and even when full, the restaurant was not noisy. The waitstaff was friendly and fast. The decor is relatively simple - dark tan walls and plain tablesets - but there are beautiful black and white photos of Italy around the walls. My mom ordered a white bean soup with prosciutto which was substantial and delicious. I ordered the margherita pizza - which had really delicious mozzerella, fresh chunks of tomatoes and a bunch of basil - I took down half of it (at least 10") in minutes. For main courses, my mom had the rigatoni bolognese, which was ok - and I had the bucatini all'amatriciana, which was very tasty but not very spicy. I agree with the previous review - the dessert menu was just "eh" (and we were stuffed at this point) - so we passed on it. I am a bit confused by previous reviews because I do not believe any homemade pasta dishes were available - which was a disappointment. All that said, my mom is taking my grandma to Orso Wednesday for lunch - so it has at least one new fan. read more

Dinner update- also had a great time. We got a pizza appetizer, which was very good. I think I pissed the chefs off, forgetting they don't substitutions, hopefully they didn't remove the arugula and switch it with spit. For the main course I had the pappardelle with wild boar ragout. I was wildly impressed with the home made pasta; it was so wide and smooth and felt absolutely amazing in my mouth. The service here is good... but a little strange, its hard to put my finger on it. Everyone is maybe too friendly- pulling your table out when its not always necessary, too many people greeting at the door, I don't know... Also a little on the pricey side, but it is restaurant row. Still, its a really great restaurant for all times of day. read more