Mangia e Bevi

We were seated at 6:30 saturday night, without a reservation. The place was about 3/4 full. Nice inside, nothing fancy but a cute place. The staff was very friendly. The random balsting of the music and handing out of tambourines was a bit corney though. I thought that would be fun, but they just hand them out and stand there. no one quite knew what to do, if we were waiting for the staf to do something...then when the song is over they walk around and collect them. A little random. The prices were decent, but a pre-fix menu would be nice. I had a chicken dish with fresh mozz, tom, and basil. It was delicious. Good portion sizes, too.

Pros: good food, convienant for shows, nice staff, cute inside

Cons: random periods with blasting music and staff pushing a tambourine in your face, then standing around confused looking!

Posted 10/12/08

I went here for a bachlorette party...
The plus: Their fried appetizers, salads, and Penne a la Vodka were amazing and the music and dancing on tables was a fun experience
Their Downfall: When we got to our table, two of our friends left to run to the ATM to get cash and the host asked us where they were. When we told him, he gave us an attitude and literally reprimanded us for them not doing it earlier. Random. Then when dinner was finished, instead of the waiter asking us if we wanted tea or coffee (which was included in our dinner package), he just dropped off our check. Of course we didn't have much time to even pass the check around because once we looked at the bill, the bus boys and our waiter began cleaning off our table and flipping it for the next party. I get that they have a fast turn-around because it's such a busy place, but they rushed us out of our seats which I think is completely rude. My friend and I, who paid with our credit cards, were even left standing in the doorway waiting to give our signatures. It was so awkward. I guess though with an automatic 20% gratuity included in every bill, the servers do not feel the need to live up to their tips.

Conclusion: A fun and upbeat atmosphere, but I'd take a low-key restaurant with a wait staff that doesn't make you feel like a burden over Mangia E. Bevi any day.

Pros: Ambience, Food

Cons: Customer Service, crowded

Posted 07/09/08

We went there for a birthday party and had a great time. The staff came out and sang happy birthday and danced for the birthday girl!! Lots of fun the food was like a taste of Italy.

Posted 05/31/08

I went for dinner last Friday to meet friends outside of my neighborhood comfort zone (I generally stay downtown). I was seemingly unimpressed with the decor but the dimmed lighting and warm service were enough to overlook it. It was busy but not crazy and I had the quatro formaggi pizza with gorgonzola (AWESOME) and a fantastic cabernet by the glass. It's rare that you see such obvious job satisfaction in such a small restaurant. A few times they turned up the music and had people dancing on chairs with tamborines which sounds crazy but you can't help getting into it while singing happy birthday to some stranger! DEFINITELY reccommend

Pros: service, staff, pizza

Cons: the tamborines could be overwhelming, better stick with weekday calm

Posted 03/09/08

We were a group of 15 women attending a bachelorette party. We had made the reservations at least a week in advance and someone from our party even stopped by the restaurant a few days prior to confirm with the manager that they would be able to handle our party. Our reservation was at 930 and we arrived at 845 like the manager had asked. At 1045 we still were not seated. The manager had triple booked the restaurant and there were 2 other large parties waiting to be seated. There was no room to wait in the restaurant so we were told to wait in the 18 degree weather outside. When we asked how long our wait would be, the manager was rude and hostile. We were told our wait would be indefinite. I WOULD NEVER EAT THERE!!!!!!!!!

Pros: There are none

Cons: Rudest people i ever met

Posted 01/21/08

Ended up there almost by coincidence and could not believe the great prices, good food, excellent service. It may not be as colorful during the day as other "tourist-oriented" places but, believe me, after paying enough over-priced unworthy meals in other restaurants, this one was exactly what they doctor ordered.

Pros: Everything

Cons: Nothing

Posted 01/18/08

Had reservations on a Saturday night with 4 girls. It wasn't a batch. party or anyone's bday, but we had just come back from trying on bridesmaids dresses with a soon-to-be-bride who had been here many times before and loved it. We were late about 20 minutes for our 7:15 reservation, and had to wait outside while our host made our table ready. 5 mintues later we were in and seated. About 6 girls in faux veils were dancing on chairs with tamborines and singing to the music. The waiters (if you can really call them that) are definately "hands on" with the customers as they dance, grind, and do body shots with these girls. Sounds aweful, but it's really funny and everyone was having a blast. Service was really good for a place like this and I was surprised. We had a good pitcher of sangria and the waiters were really attentive with drinks and everything. I'm sure it didn't hurt that we were cute and participating, too! I had the Penne Vodka, which was average, but still good and the prices I felt were very good for this location. This is definately not the place for a quiet, romantic night out or with the kids, unless your kids like places like H**ters or something. Saw a couple of families come in, look around wide-eyed and leave. It's just not that kind of place. However, NOTE: IF YOU ARE A SINGLE 20-30-SOMETHING MALE LOOKING FOR SINGLE, CUTE, FUN GIRLS THIS IS YOUR PLACE!!! Seriously the girl-to-guy ratio was probably 20-to-1 and nearly all the girls were cute and young-ish. We were here early and I would think that later in the evening things really get heated up in this place. I would definately come back. Not for a good meal, but for a good time out with the girls!

Pros: Different, Fun, Lively, Entertaining, Great Value food, drinks, etc.

Cons: Loud if you don't like dancing, laughing half-drunk batchelorettes. Average food.

Posted 08/26/07

I went here for my friends bachelorette party. The food was good, the sangria was also good. The service was great. There is alot action when you go into this restaurant you will see people dancing on the chairs.
You also have dancing servers.

Pros: Lively place, great servers, good for bachelorette parties

Cons: Long wait to get a seat

Posted 07/03/07

The food was great and tha ambiance was excelent. Its a good place to go on Friday or Saturday night to go eat, drink and enjoy with your friends a great time. The servers were very polite and attentive. This is one of the best night spots that I have been to in NYC. Watch out for the tamborines!!!!!!!!

Pros: Great time

Cons: Even with reservations you may to wait.

Posted 06/08/07

We have been to MANGIA e BEVI too many times to count, and for good reasons: Excellent Food, Generous Portions, Wonderful Service and a Great Atmosphere. A great (and reasonably priced) dinner for two, or bring a group for a fun night out! Here's where you'll find that home style Italian cooking that's missing from the restaurant scene, as well as a fun time almost every night of the week. There's a reason we keep coming back for more! I really recomended.........as for the waiting or on time reservations well.....Hey you can have it all !!!!!!!! But I thing is worth it.

Posted 06/08/07

For the best Italian food and a good time ever, you have to go MANGIA E BEVI, you will find original homemade Italian food, their "ragu" sauce is outstanding.... the antipasti are great as well, every time i go there i have a lot of fun with .....REAL FOOD for real people at great prices. good selection of italian wines as well......... i just love Mangia E Bevi....

Posted 06/08/07

When my friend came back from New York she said this was a great place to visit. So much so that we had to go back to NYC! The atmosphere was fun with dancing and singing! Not to mention the food! Best Italian I Ihave ever had! I would highly recommend this restaurant if your visiting NYC! The waitstaff is great and customer service is exceptional! Will always go back when I am in New York!

Pros: Great customer service!

Cons: Too far away!

Posted 02/02/07

Mangia e Bevi was such a great experience on my last trip to New York City! The food and drinks are great! I had never had calamari and it was really good! My friend was introduced to the restaurant on her last trip and she said we had to go...We danced and had a great time...We will definitely return to Mangia e Bevi the next time we are in NYC! Thanks to the staff of Mangia e Bevi for adding to our unforgettable girls weekend in New York City!!!

Pros: Drinks, food and entertainment

Cons: tooo far from where I live

Posted 02/02/07

i moved to nyc three months ago from northern california and stumbled onto mangia e bevi my first night in town...there's nothing quite like good ol' italian comfort food, which in addition to the friendly staff and fun-loving crowd keeps me coming back - sometimes a couple of times a week. i usually pull up a seat at the bar, where i'm greeted and treated like an old friend - what a refreshing treat in this big city.

the food is consistently delicous and the kitchen is always accommodating when i ask for something special (not on the menu) like gnocchi with a gongonzola cream sauce, which incidentally was perfect last night. most nights (and especially on weekends), the party gets started around 9pm. honestly, i have to say that i didn't quite know what to make of the place the first time the staff started passing out tambourines and encouraging the patrons to get up in their chairs and dance. i bring my family and friends here and i can't tell you how many times i've heard, "next time i'm in town, let's go back to mangia e bevi. we had so much fun there."

definitely make this a group dinner, especially if you're celebrating a fun occassion like a birthday. the portions are generous and you'll definitely want to sample a bit of everything...it's the perfect place to enjoy your meal family style. still, i love the place even when i'm all alone and often stop in for a bowl of the pasta e fagiole soup, a glass of wine and i almost always get a fresh canoli to go - i'm hooked!

Enjoy and I'll see you there!

Pros: generous portions, friendly staff, always fun

Cons: i can get a little loud

Posted 02/02/07

Mangia e Bevi is without a doubt a hidden treasure. My first experience at Mangia e Bevi back in December was so unforgettable I had to return in January all the way from Dallas! Not only is the food exceptional but the entire ambiance is stimulating. It is the perfect spot for a date or a night out with the girls. My girlfriends and I love it and will return every time we are in New York. The best part is the dancing and the hot staff! They really showed us Texans a great time! This is the perfect place to get your night started right.

Pros: Great service & food, fun and energetic environment

Cons: too far from Dallas

Posted 01/31/07

This is, by far, my most absolute favorite restaurant in NYC. I was first introduced to Mangia e Bevi a few years ago and have been back everytime I have returned to NYC since (referring and bringing many friends!). I love the food (have not tried a dish that I didn't enjoy) and the environment is wonderful (from fun and high-energy on Saturday nights to cozy and intimate on Sunday nights). Obviously a "hot spot" as noted by the crowds, I think they do a wonderful job of accomodating, serving, and overall offering a great dining experience to their customers. Highly recommended... and I can't wait until my next trip!

Pros: unique experience - not your "run of the mill" restaurant

Cons: more than a thousand miles away!

Posted 01/31/07

Come on - this place has good food, the portions are large, but the service is abrasive and borders on abusive. From upselling on spirits to snide comments on our pronunciation of the menu, this place is best experienced on an empty stomach with earplugs.

Our waiter also decided he was entitled to an automatic 20% tip for our party (less than six) - nice of him to throw it in on top of the tax (gotta get that last couple dollars). For that we should have at least recieved a "have a nice night" as we walked out the door. I guess return customers aren't what this restaurant strives for. We should have guessed that after we couldn't find a table at the recommended Mexican restaurant up the street while this one was nearly empty.

This place really received a "Best of Citysearch" recommendation? Really?

Pros: Large portions, good food

Cons: Service is abrasive, confrontational.

Posted 01/22/07

I have to say I would never go to this place again. The staff was blatantly staring and whispering about us, the wrong dish came out and we were charged for it anyway, and I never even saw one tambourine, let alone danced on a chair with it. I made the reservation for my friends birthday and was completely mortified by the terrible service (he actually made a rude comment about me choosing an inexpensive wine!) and lack of a "party" atmosphere. We expected to have fun, enjoy a good meal and celebrate, instead we felt like the entire staff disliked us and were out of there asap. I was completely disappointed. NO tambourine, NO loud music, NO friendly waiters, and worst of all, NO birthday cake for my guest of honor.

Posted 01/03/07

I've been working for three years in this area of 9th avenue and 53rd St. I've almost tried each one the restaurant from this neighborhood and they all have their own style and exquisite but nothing compare to Mangia & Bevi. The service is fantantic, each one of Mangia & Bevi's team make sure that you are treated with familiarity and respect; the guys are all very nice and fun. The food is exceptional; the taste, the look, etc. and for me is a wonderful place to keep up my waiste line. They specialize in a big area of steam food and salad. I love the tiramisu, but that, you really have to watch up for; you may get hooked to it. My doughter love to go there and enjoy her brick pizza; thing crust, cheesy, and pepperoni is her favirite. On friday night, after a tirening week, is a wonderful place to go relax with your co-workers, have some drinks, eat dinner or take out.
Sunday, I love to feel pamper; and even though I spend most of my time in that area during the week; my boyfriend take me there and spend a nice romantic momento drinking wine, listening to nice music, enjoying the wonderful food and good time in the big city. The private paties that take place here are a blast, you'll won't imagine how much fun you'll have, even though you may not be part of it.
I do't have enough space to tell you all the nice and wonderful time that I have had at this beatiful, well designed restaurant. You'll have to try for yourself and you won't be disappointed if you do. But all these wonderful aspects are due to the dedication, effort, and hard work of the management. William is the backbone of this place, and thank to him this place run smothly giving to every guess the respect and treat that they deserve. Thank you William and keep up the good work!!!

Pros: located in a convinient area where you can find parking, the service is excellent, and a wonderfull place to enjoy yourself and others

Posted 10/11/06

The atmosphere was so great. The waiters were polite and happy, the food was delicious, and the music made me get up on my chair and dance the night away. I felt the adrenaline pumping with the crowd and the fantastic music from the 80's to the 90's. We were enjoying our fabulous food and awesome music. The waiters danced with us and got us going! I have not had such a great time in a while. Everyone is so friendly and outgoing. Even though there was a little bit of a wait, it was well worth it. I highly recommend coming to Mangia & Bevi Restaurant for a great time and delicious food. The staff is lots of fun too!

Pros: Great food, music, and very friendly staff. Lots of fun.

Cons: Recommended mainly for adults.

Posted 10/11/06

I went here with a group of 5. None of us ate the food.. it was awful. The service was as bad as the food. They only pay attention to you if you have a big group of people (girls). For parties of 5 or more.. be careful. There is a 20% gratutity added in.. which they may not deserve!

Cons: Food, Service

Posted 09/21/06

If you want to have a great time with your family or friends, go to Mangia e Beve. The food is wonderful, the atmosphere feels like I'm in a trattoria in Italy, and the service is great! My favorite part of Mangia e Beve (besides the food of course!) is the dancing! They put the music on loud and hand out tambourines, and tell you to dance on the chairs! It's a great place for everyone and it just might be my favorite restaraunt! I LOVE MANGIA E BEVE!

Pros: FUN FUN FUN for everyone! - and delicious food!

Cons: not for boring people (it brings out the wild side in all of us =) )

Posted 08/22/06

I was there last friday night with some friends ,and at first I was a little upset cose I waited for about 20 minuts, but it was all worth it, since at the moment we were being seated they started passing tamborines and the party began. The food was excellent and the very good concidering the place was jammed packed. I would recomend it and definetly ill be going back

Pros: good food, great fun, and attentive service

Cons: your party must be complete or they wont seat you

Posted 07/11/06

I love the food. On Friday I went there with some friends I had chicken agro dolce, yummy, the best chicken I have ever had juicy and tasty and heavenly good. The atmosphere is great we had a lot of fun we play tambourines and sing and dance. Great time, not expensive, great service we loved our waiter

Pros: good food, great atmosphere, good service

Posted 05/14/06

The service was awful. We had reservations for 6PM and still had to wait even though there were empty tables in the place. They rush you mercilessly. Not only did they bring out my entree before I was finished with my salad, the tried to take the salad bowl away at the same time. The food is pedestrian. I got the feeling that if you are not with a large group, and spending a lot of money on booze, they're mission is to get you out of there as quickly as possible. Do yourself a favor if you want Italian. Walk a few blocks over to Times Square and eat at Olive Garden. The food, service and atmosphere is better!

Pros: None

Cons: You'll feel rushed., The food is so-so., It's noisy and loud.

Posted 05/02/06

We went there a few weeks ago for a 'girls night out' and had a blast! We were a group of 8 recent college grads, and enjoyed the music, the food, and the drinks. Everything was reasonably priced, and there was a good vegetarian selection as well. We would all go back there anytime!

Pros: good music

Posted 04/02/06

I'd heard a lot about Mangia e Bevi, so I made reservations weeks in advance to dine there with my wife and three children. Not only were our reservations not honored, we weren't even allowed to come in, although it was cold, windy and rainy outside. In fact, we were told to go away by the surly goon at the door. The treatment was outrageous!

Posted 03/13/06

This is the 3rd time I have taken a group of out of towners there and the 3rd time it has been a blast! We went last weekend. We had to wait maybe 10 min. after our reservation to be seated and we got 3 free rounds of shots throughout the night! William, the manager, was excellent. He came to our table, got to know us, pulled us out to dance with him, etc. The food was good but it comes in big portions so if you are drinking a lot you could easily share a plate. It's packed but once you keep drinking it really doesn't matter. Thanks William! You rock!

Pros: Great Energy, Great Food, Great People

Cons: Crowded, Small area

Posted 12/14/05

I highly recommend this place. Went there saturday for my b'lorette party with a group of 8 and we had so much fun! We were late for our reservations but we lucked out and got a table pretty quickly. It was the best way to start off the night! The tables are close but it made it more fun cuz everyone ended up talking to other people w/o it being annoying. Everyone seemed to be celebrating something. The food was pretty good and for a city restaurant the prices were very reasonable. If it's a special occasion and you want a fun way to celebrate, this is the place!!

Pros: Fun, Prices, Service

Cons: No bar to wait at

Posted 12/10/05

Although the wait was long, I had a blast. If you are not on a tight schedule, this is the place to go for fun. The food is great, the dancing on the tables is so fun, and you leave there in the mood to party.

Pros: Food, Fun

Posted 09/08/05

I was here two years ago and I had an AWESOME time; food, drink, friends, what more could you want? This year we went back. Same great atmosphere, BUT the food was horrible. I ordered the Swordfish special, which was over-priced, but I figured, 'hey, why not?' What they brought out was not Swordfish, I'm not sure it was even fish. And they wouldn't take it back. And they were rude about it. It totally ruined a nice night. No one liked their food and the drinks were only half full when we received them. I don't know what happened since I was last there, but I won't be going back.

Pros: Atmosphere

Cons: BAD Food, Rude Service

Posted 08/08/05

A buddy and I went there for a drink and a quick eat. The food was good, just ordered two apps. to chew on while drinking. Most of the patrons were women, so that was a plus for me to look at. The staff then passed around tamborines and pumped the sing-along music and people started to stand on chairs, around tables and sang along. It was fun. I'd go back.

Pros: good food, Tamborines

Posted 08/03/05

I was expecting this to be an annoying gimmicky overpriced place but I really ended up enjoying it. I went for a bachelorette party, and like other reviewers said, we were seated very late. But once seated the service was excellent, the food was fantastic and very reasonably priced especially for the city. The brides were able to enjoy being the center of attention without being embarassed in front of a crowd. I would definitely recommend it as a way to kick off a fun night out. Dont go if youre on a schedule.

Pros: Fun Atmospehere, Great Food, Great service

Cons: Very crowded

Posted 05/01/05

My friends and I went to dinner for a bachelorette party,hoping it would be a fun night, and we got the complete oppossite. The person at the door who says to be the manager is so rude and unarticulate,that it's hard to believe he is who he says. We were told that there would be a wait, but not for an hour and a half, and than to be rushed throughout dinner in an hour. The food was pretty good and the atmosphere great,but I would not go back because of the lack of management .
,

Pros: 80's music, Dancing, Good food

Cons: Long wait, Unpleasant staff, Managerless

Posted 03/24/05

This is a nice choice for dinner for those Brides who do not want to do a trans-gender place. They have a moment where the Bride does get the full attention of the room without being motified. It was fun and upbeat. Our Bride stood on her chair danced, was sang to and did a shot. The food was really good. The only problem was they were NOT prompt with seating at all ( 1 hour behind) at 6pm, so allow time. We told the manager that we have to go but he insured us that we would make our next destination and we did. Our food come out within 5 minutes of us ordering. I definatly would go back. Not for Kids!

Pros: fun

Cons: not prompt

Posted 02/21/05

I made reservations for my sister's bachelorette party 6 wks in advance, the website claims it's good for bachelorette parties, and they gave me such an attitude. He told me on the phone I would have to wait a long time, and I couldn't add anymore people to the reservation. I finally called to cancel b/c I wasn't comfortable.

Posted 02/21/05

I was recently there for my sister in law's bachelorette party. I never knew it existing. We all had a great time singing, dancing on the chairs, and just partying. Can't wait to go back.

Pros: food, music, price

Posted 11/11/04

Went last night for my friend's birthday. While I read many negative reviews I thought it was fun. I think sometimes we NYC'rs need to get over ourselves. Yes the crowd was a little touristy, but we had a blast! With 6pm reservations we didn't wait for our table. The food was very good for the price. We shared a bunch of things. The pasta was homemade and I highly recommend it. The pizza was very good as was the seafood antipasto. the one thing I would NOT recommend is the veal. I don't think the pan was hot enough when they put it in and the breading was really mushy and I found it inedible. Service was pretty good in regards to speed however I had issues with certain things for example waiters always handed things acorss the table instead of properly walking around the table to serve.

Pros: fun for a crowd

Posted 10/09/04

i went there with a group of 10 people for my friend bachelorette party. it was saturday night and the place was in the middle of a huge party, and of course, we wanted to be part of it. we had to wait a little bit for our table, even when we had a reservation , but it was nothing that a martini at the bar and the good music could'nt fix right away. Food was exelent , and the service was atentive and fast. After dinner they brought a shot for my friend , with music and dancing. We had a really good time. Ill bring all my friends for they bachelorette party , even mine !!!

Pros: music, inexpensive, food

Cons: , no waitress, no smoking

Posted 10/05/04

Great fun, Excellent food and outstanding service = Mangia E Bevi
My friend suggested Mangia E Bevi to me and my brother, since we are new in the neighborhood. It was a totally chill, fun place to be at which had surprisingly great food. I was expecting an average meal and was really pleased to get an awesome dinner -- and it was pretty inexpensive too. I'm definitely coming back - especially with so many single good looking chicks dinning at one time.

Pros: good prices, full bar, friendly staff

Posted 10/04/04

this restaurant has the perfect mix for a good time. I went with a group of eight friends to celebrate a bachelorette party. we had an awesome time. the food was great, the staff was friendly and efficient and the drinks were perfect. we did have to wait about half an hour to be seated but the wait was worth it, after we were in it was fun all night long!. i've gone back several times and havent been disappointed yet.

Pros: great drinks, frienly staff, good food

Cons: , short wait

Posted 10/01/04

I was there on Saturday night for a bachelorette party. We had 9:00 reservations but we were not seated until 10:15. There's no place inside to wait so we were forced to wait in the cold with the 8 other groups of people that had 9:00 reservations. The manager was obnoxious and continually lied to us about when our table would be ready. Reservations are required but don't expect them to honor them. They pack way too many tables into the room making the place entirely too crowded to relax and enjoy yourself. I would never go back there.

Cons: , Rude Staff, Long wait for a table

Posted 09/18/04

i eat lunch at mangia e bevi almost everyday, i didint know about this web site before, thtas why i want to highly recommend this place, the food its very good and the staff very friendly , they've a lot of choices for lunch , even a lunch special. and if theres a party around be ready, because the music may start at any moment.

Pros: good food, inexpensive, good atmosphere

Posted 06/29/04

my friends and i went there to dinner last saturday, and we had a great time.
At first i was a little upset because we waited for about half hour, but after we sat everything was great.the food was exelent and the service was great.Then the fun began, when tamborines were passed around and people started dancing on chairs.I will definitely come back.

Pros: great food, great food, good service

Cons: , no waitresses, no parking

Posted 06/01/04

Really good food, with a diferent choices of specials dishes of the day, great and loud music, friendly staff and awsome drinks. i can recommend it !!!

Pros: food, drinks, staff

Cons: no smoking, loud, no own parking

Posted 10/27/03

While I had fun, the food was tasteless, the ambiance didn't impress much and service can definitely be improved. I'd suggest eating before hand and sticking to drinks (extensive shots menu).

Posted 07/22/03

I just want to share an unforgettable night that I had when i went to Mangia e bevi with a group of friend celebrating my sisters birthday.
Since we came in, we had to wait a bit , but we stand at the bar trying one and another martini from the list (greats). We've got dinner while we were singing and dancing on the chairs and all over.
After that, everybody sang the happy birthday for her, My sister had such a great party. NO DOUBT We'll be coming back for the next birthday party.

Pros: Music, Drinks, Waiters

Cons: Noisy, wait

Posted 07/10/03