Insider Pages Reviews for Palma

5 Stars: Romantic, Warm and Genuine (by Santorini)

Santorini — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 01:00:00 GMT

If you want to fall in love go to Palma's. The chef is really from Italy so the food is made with care and is fresh and delicious. The Zuppe de Pesce is to die for and can be shared. The pasta is fresh and the fish is superb. I celebrated my birthday in the 1810 Carriage House in the rear of the Garden. Everyone is still talking about it. How about warm chocolate souffle or Panna Cotta to dream in. The Carriage House is like a Farm House in Tuscany or France with Candles and family photos. I loved it!!

3 Stars: Disappointing (by bchbumnyc)

bchbumnyc — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 02:00:00 GMT

We finally decided to eat here one evening after a few years of saying, "we should eat here one evening." Food was fine but not memorable. Service was inconsistent - we probably had 4 different servers through the evening which is fine however they apparently don't speak to one another. We were asked if we were ready to order drinks twice, said yes, but then the servers would leave without taking an order. We asked what the specials were, which seemed to be an imposition. One of the persons in our party order a special and raved about it, the remaining 3 of us ordered from the menu and were not wowed. Dessert was wonderful! I might give this place another try because it may have been an off night but I wouldn't rush back.

5 Stars: Best little Italian Place! (by mbrook)

mbrook — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 02:00:00 GMT

This place is just like dining in Tuscany! We've passed it by for years and now we wish we had gone in earlier. The garden in the back is to die for... just like being in Europe! The food was amazing and the chef even came out to check on us. We felt very taken care of and very charmed. We will definately be back for our anniversary!

5 Stars: Best Kept Italian Secret in Town (by BillyMae)

BillyMae — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 02:00:00 GMT

While the food is wonderful, the atmosphere is relaxing, magical and very European.

5 Stars: Homey Yet Elegant: Perfect place for a date, or taking family (by PrimroseGirl)

PrimroseGirl — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 01:00:00 GMT

I have lived in the neighborhood for ages, and when I finally found Palma, I knew I'd just found my FAVORITE neighborhood place. The combination of homeyness, hipness, truly tasty food, and just..NICE. people,was lovely. I'm always looking for a place that I can bring friends and family, where I'll feel really at home, but at the same time, it's a bit upscale,. I love the fried artichoke chips as a starter. The best thing is the Mediterranean Sea Bass, which I've had wrapped in paper (!?)and is delicious!! Someone else mentioned thye tours that come through once in a while on a Sunday (in the garden) , but , as a longtime Village resident, I love that people get to see this pretty place with it's 1810 carriagehouse...it makes them feel protective of the Village's beauty!! We do Sunday brunch in the garden all the time in the summer. Support little, homey, artisanal restaurants like Palma...they survived 9/11 with their joyous spirit intact, which is when I firsdt started going there. Go support 'em and find your new cozy place. And when I was there last night, there was an Olson twin and the guy from "S*x and the City!" (not together)

4 Stars: Elegant italian (by Melissa W.)

Melissa W. — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 13:17:00 GMT

This restaurant in the West Village offers a mellow Italian experience with fine Italian cuisine and wines.Decor is simple and soulful, with chestnut tables and a stone-tile floor. Well-chosen music and soft-voiced, olive-skinned servers help the restaurant dance to a sultry undertow. Oh, and the food and wines are great. Great for a date night!

3 Stars: It was okay. (by ShnnnS)

ShnnnS — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 01:00:00 GMT

The rucola salad was good but the other dishes were all very salty. The wine list wasn't very impressive either.

The service was good but they were definitely in a hurry to clear my plate. (Nothing annoys me more than trying to clear my plates when I'm still eating)

I had a good time but I credit that to my dinner companion. Probably won't be back.

3 Stars: Nice for weekend brunch, but didn't like tacky practice the restaurant has.... (by yippee)

yippee — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 02:00:00 GMT

I've come here for weekend brunch twice. The food was excellent. The ambiance (particularly the outdoor garden out back) is very nice.

But I had a very big problem with the fact that....at least on the weekends (on both my dining occasions there)...I saw that the restaurant apparently allows private tour groups to traipse through the entire restaurant in order to visit the historic carriage house in the back of their garden property. During my last brunch there, four separate tour groups, each with approximately 15 people, came in through the front door (on a very chilly day mind you, which resulted in a drafty feeling) over the course of about 1.5 hours. They walked to the back of the property and when they were done a few minutes later, they all came walking back through the restaurant, (discreetly) looking at the customers, what they were eating, etc..

I can only surmise that the restaurant either gets a "cut" from the tour company, and/or that they are hoping that the tourists who visited the carriage house out back might return to their restaurant one night for dinner...

I find this to be EXTREMELY tacky and inconsiderate on the restaurant's part, and as a result, and on principle only, I will never eat there again.

4 Stars: I love it! (by Moniq77)

Moniq77 — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 02:00:00 GMT

The food is very flavorful, the menu has a lot to offer and I can go there with my vegetarian friends. Absolutely looooove the aragosta salad!!!!!!!! Its my favorite thing to eat there... Its huge and great!! My friend gets the gamberoni , which he loves! The pappardelle ragu d'agnello is sooo good and its hard to stop eating then once youve started!! I love coming here with friends.

2 Stars: Good Food, questionable service? (by secretagentman469)

secretagentman469 — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 02:00:00 GMT

I?ve eaten here a number of times and usually it?s a pleasant experience. Palma has always been talked about for their quality food and service. Just found it odd on a weekend night when there were 7 tables outside with one server. With one person serving 7 tables, it is obvious there is only so much 1 person can do.
With a single server, a host who is standing around looking jovial, I was questioning the management of the establishment especially on a weekend. Since I?ve eaten here a handful of times, I know things are not run like this all the time.

I

5 Stars: Best crispy calamari in town! (by carolineshine)

carolineshine — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 02:00:00 GMT

I have been dining at Palma since it's opening in 2001. I am happy to say that I consider it one of my top 5 "regular" places to go when I want a meal that I know will be exactly what I am in the mood for. Although there have been some evenings, when it is crowded, the service may be somewhat delayed but I have never experienced any one being outwardly rude. The calamari is some of the best I have eaten anywhere, the zuppa fragrant and so fun to eat! Fresh branzino and some very fine specials created by Chef Elena that I have never found anywhere else. Eating in the garden in the summer is so delightful, at lunchtime I just want to stay for hours! My only gripe is that I wish they would bring back the "di mare", a dish with assorted grilled seafood - clams, mussels, calamari, shrimp, lobster - I miss it!! I always enjoy the cuisine here and will continue to dine here year round!

5 Stars: One of the best West Village restaurants AND on the Cutest street! (by lauranal)

lauranal — Tue, 20 May 2008 02:00:00 GMT

First of all, Cornelia Street is one of the best streets in NYC, right in the middle of the West Village, so quaint! Second, Palma is on this street and it is truly a "find"! My friend introduced me to this restaurant because she rented the back "house" portion of the restaurant for a private birthday dinner. The food was excellent. Lots of seafood on the menu with fresh pastas. Great wine and the whole ambience made you feel like you in were in a rustic home in Italy. Fabulous!

5 Stars: Elegant Italian Dining (by ornswayl)

ornswayl — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 01:00:00 GMT

We had our wedding dinner in the carriage house and couldn't have asked for a more intimate and romantic dining experience. The food was unique and very tasteful. The wine was excellent and the service was superior! An unexpected was the cake, hands down, the wedding cake was the best cake I have ever tasted period. It will most certainly be a destination every trip to New York!

1 Stars: Terrible experience (by DavidandSusan)

DavidandSusan — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 01:00:00 GMT

Interesting to see two such sharply divided opinions about this place. While one group has been treated horribly, the other has had wonderful times there. Sadly, we?re in the former. We live nearby, and were hoping to make this one of our haunts, because ? admittedly ? the food is very good. We?re very patient, and have a high tolerance for the occasional restaurant snafu when things get busy. We always make an effort to be pleasant, because we feel that human interaction is an enjoyable part of the dining experience. We gave Palma a couple of tries in the hope that their rudeness was just a glitch. For some reason, the staff behaved each time as if they preferred we drop dead. Each of the negative reviews reflect some aspect of our treatment there, including being ignored, lied to about reservations, and treated with such cold disdain, I wondered if I had forgotten to shower. We had been planning to book their house in the back for our daughter?s wedding party, but that became unthinkable. Too bad. I?m going to miss that calamari.

5 Stars: An Excellent Choice (by linda_lukas)

linda_lukas — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 02:00:00 GMT

As a resident of the West Village and someone who likes to cook I have the choice to dine in a lot of restaurants and know good food. After two visits to Palma I can't wait for my next visit. Arriving on a busy summer Saurday evening we were warmly welcomed and enjoyed fabulous strawberry mojitos at the lovely bar while we waited for a table in the enchanting garden. Before we finished our drinks we were escorted to our table. We chose from an abundant and interesting menu. Both the calamari and grilled baby artichoke stuffed with ricotta were perfect starters. Crispy, succulent and pefectly prepared. Not to mention unbelieveably generous portions. For our second course we shared an unusual lamb ravioli with a very noteworthy spicy, plump marinara sauce. We shared a superbly prepared swordfish in caper and lemon sauce. Our waitress was delightful and very pleased to hear our comments about recipe experiences. The charming host stopped by the table periodically to see how we were doing. In spite of how busy the restaurant was we were never rushed and when we left the staff including the chef bid us goodbye as though we were family. Eating at Palma feels like being in an Italian country home surrounded by happy people in a sparkling courtyard, intimate, festive and absolutely delicious.

5 Stars: New York Flava' (by boygreen)

boygreen — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 02:00:00 GMT

Alright, coming from the west coast and dining at places such as the famed IVY, ORSO, PASTIS, CHOCOLAT and so on, I think I know a thing or two about some fine dinin'. Palma, is definitely now my new favorite place. I completely forgot I was in the nations largest city and my god was the food amazing! I do highly recommend the sea bass with artichokes accompanied by a white sangria. If you have a huge appetite you have to have lamb over pasta for starters. To finish off or maybe if you're itchen' for some sensual sweetness, a must is the dark chocolate sorbet; it is absolutely sinful but oh so heavenly.

Along with the exquisite food, the service was absolutely charming. It's unfortunate that the previous reviewer carried a sense of entitlement prominent in the Blondie hazed glitz of LA LA land. I found the eccentric & entertaining New York personalities refreshing leaving me definitely wanting more.

4 Stars: My dining touch of love........ (by rock4ya)

rock4ya — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 02:00:00 GMT

Amazing, outstanding and a touch of love is how I will explain my dining experience at this restaurant. I was told to dine here from an elite group of friends. Let me say, they were right about everything from the service to the food. We were greeted by the manager who seated us quickly on what seemed to be a busy night. I love him, by the way, he was easy on the eyes. The sea bass course was delightful, while friends enjoyed the zupa and homemade gnocchi.....The lovely waitress was so right in her wine choice. Everything was right about this place, just a bit loud at times. Anyway, I will definitely come again and send my friends but next time I want the beautiful garden. See you next time in New York..........

1 Stars: Dispicable customer service! (by budur1)

budur1 — Sat, 18 Aug 2007 02:00:00 GMT

Beware of the nasty bartender/manager who insists on a self-imposed assumption that he is God's gift to this Earth. Even though the food is good, we will not be returning as we just don't feel like in New York City, where there are thousands of fabulous restaurants, we should have to be subjected to mood swings of badly-mannered staff. I'd much rather walk the extra block and enjoy the splendor of BABBO where the staff is actually happy to see you!

5 Stars: Adorable (by tennis19)

tennis19 — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 02:00:00 GMT

I've been to Palma several times and it is cozy and friendly and delicious. I hesitate writing this because I don't want it to become to trendy or popular, but the management is lovey and the food is great (have them filet the sea bass for you!) and I just can't get enough of the outside patio. They have an amazing menu of cocktails (strawberry mojito - yum!) and it makes New York feel like a neighborhood instead of a huge city you can never get to know. Palma deserves the good reviews. I will continue to go back!

3 Stars: Atmosphere is the Best Feature (by nbdysfool22)

nbdysfool22 — Sat, 07 Jul 2007 02:00:00 GMT

The atmosphere of Palma is alluring. However, be forewarned before choosing Palma, there may be trade-offs in your dining experience. There is a trend in NYC restaurants where the staff/ownership feels they are doing you a favor by allowing you the privilege of dining at their establishment. Palma enthusiastically toes the party line on that one. While not overtly rude, our waitress was neither pleasant nor attentive. Tradeoff one?be prepared to be treated as if you are a bit a nuisance for entering the front door.

Far from being a sommelier, I am an average person who enjoys drinking wine. As such I have a hard time dropping $50 on a bottle of wine that will be undescernable from a $30 bottle of wine, which is often quite good in its own right. Trade-off two?there are few wines on their wine list under $40, and if you are bold enough to choose one you will be met with a dismissiveness that subtely whispers, ?we know you are a wine amateur, and we don?t like it.?

We ordered friend calamari, a ?dish? that is whipped up on a regular basis at most local pizzerias. However, the friend calamari at Palma comes without a side of sauce. When we asked for it we were told that we could not have any. It wasn?t like we wanted to put ketchup on a steak. Now perhaps to a Sicilian this is the equivalent of ketchup on a steak, but this is New York and I like sauce on my fried calamari. As such I found their refusal to grant our request to be an interesting take on customer service. Additionally, there was no high end twist to this calamari that would preclude the employment of marinara. In fact, (unlike the rest of our meal?which was quite good), the calamari was strikingly similar to what you might get from your aforementioned local pizza place.

We were a party of 4, and while everyone was exceedingly happy with their entree, we all agreed that in a city with so many options the cons outweigh the pros and we would not go back there.

5 Stars: Feels more like the Mediterranean than NYC (by zeecee)

zeecee — Tue, 22 May 2007 02:00:00 GMT

From the moment you walk in, you find respite as the warm glow of the walls, the lavish twigs and flowers, the pottery and olives on the table welcome you and invite you to hang back. We had a bottle of Proseco ($40), a huge appetizer of salted, fried, baby artichokes, an eggplant, tomato and fresh ricotta appetizer, then two pastas (a truly yummy gnocci), in a pleasant setting. There was no room in the outdoor garden but the interior was quite and inviting, and we were delighted to be there. This is a special setting with delicious food, priced reasonably for New York. Service was professional, pleasant, eager to please.

5 Stars: In the know place for NYC folk (by darleenthecat)

darleenthecat — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 02:00:00 GMT

Such a relaxed atmosphere, great menu, rich food and professional service. I can't wait for the good weather to experience the garden again this year. After spending time in midtown, it's always great to come down to Cornelia Street, which is just too far off the popular streets for our out of town visitors. It's just filled with us in the know, you know?

5 Stars: Little Italian Gem in West Village (by mlangnyc)

mlangnyc — Mon, 19 Feb 2007 01:00:00 GMT

I have been here a number of times, and my experience has always been very good. Like the physical space, the menu might seem small, but it's quality over quantity. They do an excellent job with their pastas and meats--freshly prepapred and quality ingredients. And the prices are reasonable. I have found the staff to be very friendly . Overall, this is great place to go, especially for those who love the West Village.

5 Stars: An Italian Gem (by ljs611)

ljs611 — Sat, 10 Feb 2007 01:00:00 GMT

I never write reviews for restaurant but I had an amazing evening at Palma. The restaurant itself is beautiful, a welcomed departure from the new trend of "bigger is better". The low lighting and intimate space provided the perfect romantic setting for me and my wife. The service was great. They were very friendly and accomadating. I highly recommend the branzino, which is filleted for you at the table. I will definitely be returning.

1 Stars: Awful Experience - Mediocre Food (by crpatter)

crpatter — Sat, 03 Feb 2007 01:00:00 GMT

Not only were we given awful service, but we were rushed out so that they could used the table. We weren't offered the dessert menu and after asking and ordering a dessert, it arrived cold w/ the condition that we eat it fast. Given the expense of our food this was awful treatment along side mediocre food. Would definitely never return let alone offer this as a recommendation.

4 Stars: Love this place (by nyfabu)

nyfabu — Sun, 05 Nov 2006 01:00:00 GMT

I love the food at Palma. We went right after a trip to Tuscany. So, while it wasn't as good as the real thing, it was pretty close. Plus, the staff is so friendly. You really feel like you are dining at someone's house. In the summer, the back patio is a romantic spot to have a glass of wine and a great Italian meal. The only thing bad about the restaurant is the quality of the furniture on the back patio. We had to try three different tables before we found one that wasn't broken.

5 Stars: Great service, great food!!! (by pleyades)

pleyades — Sat, 07 Oct 2006 02:00:00 GMT

I went to Palma last thursday, I seat at the bar and the femele bartender kindly gave me a great dining experience, she recommend not only a few dishes and appetizers, but also she describe and let me try some wines. I got Carchofi and Vongole Linguini.... so good!!!
I will go back with friends and try more things, and definitely say hi! to this nice bartender again!

4 Stars: Still think this is worth a visit... (by 358224)

358224 — Wed, 16 Aug 2006 02:00:00 GMT

...even though the proprietor acted a bit stressed last Saturday.

I took a friend to Palma since we wanted to dine outside. The garden in the back is very pretty/romantic and definitely worth a shot. To make sure that everything goes well I called 2 days earlier and made a reservation adding that we would like to be seated outside. The request was noted and I was told that it would not be a problem.
My friend and I arrived on time on Saturday but have been told that we needed to wait for about 30-45 minutes to get a table in the garden. I am pretty easy when it comes to situations like this, however, I was disappointed by the fact that nobody at Palma was apologetic. The least would have been a "I am sorry" and maybe a drink on the house. But rather than that (which costs a restaurant nothing) I have been lectured that reservations for tables in the garden are not being taken.
In the end we got our table and enjoyed our stay. The starter and main courses were very delicious and our waiter had a good attitude.
Would I go back there? Yes, but I would hope that the proprietor has a better day...

4 Stars: "welcome, please order something expensive, slam it down, pay, leave...thank you!" (by hads)

hads — Thu, 10 Aug 2006 02:00:00 GMT

Very rushed service! I would not want to be "squeezed in" to this mediocre establishment again. I barely got down my so so entree before being pointed to the door. No time to relax. In my day, we used to say: New York, New York..so nice they named it twice...Now it must be New York, too rushed to be nice". Lots of other options in the W. Village.

5 Stars: great food & atmosphere (by hfgv)

hfgv — Thu, 10 Aug 2006 02:00:00 GMT

I had dinner last night in the outdoor garden. The food was just terrific, the atmospher was, of course, wonderful. We were not rushed; only pampered. Beware of reviewers who gripe. They may have some other motive. I have also held parties in the back farmhouse to raves by all the invitees. Many thumbs up.

4 Stars: Great customer service and italian food (by aross)

aross — Thu, 10 Aug 2006 02:00:00 GMT

Have been at this restaurant many times.To say that Billy is rude is not only false but a patent lie. Could it be that this customer drank too much prior to going there in bereavement for the death of his mother? I suspect this to be the case.Highly reccomended

4 Stars: RUDE RUDE RUDE- AND BURNT FOOD! (by fordl)

fordl — Wed, 09 Aug 2006 02:00:00 GMT

Something has changed at Palma. A former regular customer, I recently went and was shuffled around by the staff to "turn tables". I wrote a letter to complain, received a voicemail from the owner I think, returned her call two times and never heard back! Thumbs down. Very bad experience. I imagine they will turn tables for some time, but not for me nor any of my friends. BOOH! Bronx cheer!

5 Stars: AMAZING FOOD, GREAT AMBIANCE, AND THE FRIENDLIEST M'AITRE-D AROUND (by dmaldea)

dmaldea — Wed, 09 Aug 2006 02:00:00 GMT

This restaurant is fabulous. I live in the neighborhood and probably eat there at least once a week. Billy is both friendly and attentive. I was personally present when the woman who wrote the nasty "EVIL M'AITRE-D" review, had her 'incident'. While I understand that this customer suffered a personal loss that day, her emotional state caused her to be both unreasable and profane. The entire restaurant staff handled the situation professionally, and with appropriate sympathy. No reader of CitySearch should allow this unfortunate incident to cloud their judgement - you will delighted with Palma. All of the friends I have sent there have absolutely raved about it. It's the neighborhood place that everyone in Manhattan wishes to know.

5 Stars: Hidden Gem in the city (by noelliiie)

noelliiie — Mon, 24 Jul 2006 02:00:00 GMT

I have been to sooo many restaurants in NYC. Out of all of them Palma is hands down the best. The dining experience is like no other. The restaurant has such an amazing Mediteranean aura to it that you completely forget that you are in NYC. I reccomend trying to sit outside in the garden surrounded by all the gorgeous flowers. The food is to die for. Do try the *** Zuppe di Pesce***, Lobster salad, and the Calamari (out of all my trips to Italy never had better!) The owner and her husband are wonderful people who seem to create a home-like feel to their guests. They have a carriage house in the back for private parties and you shouldn't be surprised if you see very well known faces coming out of there. I really can't reccomend a restaurant more then Palma. If you haven't been there yet then you are missing out. All my friends I have reccomended it to have echoed my response- that it's the best restaurant in nyc. Definitely a 10 +!!!

5 Stars: Palma! Your Resturant is the Best in NYC. (by djohnny)

djohnny — Wed, 12 Jul 2006 02:00:00 GMT

I enjoy great Restaurants! Palma is the BEST! I live uptown, when I want to have that special dining, I go downtown to Palma! The food and the service is fantastic!
I think the Restaurant is special for my dining needs, when i'm alone or with a friend, I enjoy sitting in the window & fealing cozy in the corner, when my party is 4 or more the garden great! On a clear night looking up at the stars in the sky is beautiful.
The Carrage House, I always take my partys there, it has a VIP fealing that says to my guest, You are all so special to me!
The best thing is fealing like I'm home. Hi Palma what's for Dinner!

4 Stars: Great food, whiny bartender (by rebek)

rebek — Mon, 10 Jul 2006 02:00:00 GMT

Overall, Palma was a great dining experience. Went there this past weekend with a group of four at 8 with a reservation and had the chance to sit in the absolutely wonderful backyard dining patio.
We shared the lobster salad, the caprese salad, the artichoke, and rice and cheese appetizers. The rice and cheese was a bit plain, but yummy and the caprese salad was standard. The lobster salad, while good, was small and the artichoke had been fried and tasted slightly like french fries.

For entrees, we ordered the lamb chop (great, with potatoes and on a bed of greens sauteed in olive oil and garlic), the swordfish, and the gnocchi. It was apparent to all that our friend who had ordered the zuppa di pesce had certainly won the ordering contest! His entree was a dramatic huge puffy pastry surrounding a dish with scallops, shrimp, clams, mussels, and other seafood inside cooked in a savory red broth. Absolutely delicious! For any seafood lover, it's a must try!
Wine was delicious and service (despite the other posts) at the table wasn't too bad.

The only downfall of the whole night happened in the very beginning when we asked the bartender if we could put the drinks on our table's tab. He insisted, "No, you must pay at the bar here." My friend and I went to split the $50 bill and he looked at both of us, said, "UGHHH!" and took our money. He was INCREDIBLY rude.

4 Stars: EXCELLENT FOOD, Charmless waiter. (by cpomykal)

cpomykal — Wed, 21 Jun 2006 02:00:00 GMT

Everything we ordered tasted great from the apps, drinks, meal and all. The artichoke was a great treat as were their magaritas!!! Too bad our tip couldn't reflect it, we didn't feel comfortable leaving our worthless waiter any regard. The garden is ideal for seating, but it's all good!

5 Stars: Worth the Wait (by greentree)

greentree — Tue, 30 May 2006 02:00:00 GMT

I finally went over to Palma last weekend. The front room was bustling with activity, and (as a New Yorker) I was not surprised that I'd have to wait for my table. I rather appreciated the host tell me honestly how long I could expect to be waiting, rather than having him hand me a lie and a smile (like some other places in this ever-changing city would have done). So I settled in at the bar, and chatted with others there while we waited. Very communal, very fun, very New York. When I had my dinner, the appetizers were flawless (try the carciofi and the polpettini), the entree was succulent (and fun having the branzino fileted at the table), and the tiramisu....well, you'll have to try it yourself! All in all, a very positive experience that reminded me of why I've never left New York.

4 Stars: Nice place (by yukster11)

yukster11 — Wed, 17 May 2006 02:00:00 GMT

The food here is good although my chicken had a little too much sauce on it, and reasonably priced compared to any Manhattan Restaurants. We had a 7:30 reservation and were seated inside right away, it would have been about a 20 minute wait for the outdoor garden. The server was friendly and apologized for not being more responsive to our table. The wine list is okay although some of the drinks offered are really more ports than glasses to be served during the meal, which the menu doesn't really distinguish. Other than that, not bad.

1 Stars: TERRIBLE SERVICE (by slari)

slari — Thu, 11 May 2006 02:00:00 GMT

We went to Palma last Friday night and had the most terrible service I've experienced in years. We arrived on time for our 8:30 pm reservation to be told of a "slight wait" by the maitre d'. This slight wait extended into a TWO HOUR WAIT during which the rude maitre d' told each of the members of our party a different story, seated people who arrived before us first, and was generally both cocky and unpleasant.

When we finally walked away at 10:30 pm and complained about our experience, he did not even apologize. We went around the corner to a great little French bistro where the staff was both pleasant and likeable and the food great (Le Gigot).

This place is DEFINITELY not worth it. Life's too short.

4 Stars: Gotta eat here (by bradyb978)

bradyb978 — Wed, 05 Apr 2006 02:00:00 GMT

Great food, great ambience. Must make reservations though. Cool outdoor dining

1 Stars: Maitre'd Must Go --AGREED!!!! (by juniorpug)

juniorpug — Mon, 13 Mar 2006 01:00:00 GMT

Arriving at the restaurant 10 minutes late, my friends and I were informed that our reservation was already given away. We gladly offered to wait for the next available table. However, the Maitre'd obnixously informed us that no additional tables will be opening up for the evening. Since it was barely 10 o'clock on a saturday night and many patrons looked ready to leave, I was completely shocked that I had to ask again what he meant by "we will not be seating any more people for the evening." I don't know if this was his pathetic tactic to make this tiny restaurant a bit more exclusive or that he was just on some sort of bizarre power trip. All in all, the food is not even good enough to justify for that type of rude attitude.

4 Stars: Nice place for drinks (by huie)

huie — Sat, 04 Mar 2006 01:00:00 GMT

I stopped by Palma last night and had drinks but no food so can't comment on that. Wine and coffee were both great. My friend and I stayed at the bar for almost 2 hrs and were not rushed but was serviced well... the ambience of this place is small and rustic but quaint. May come back here to try the food out!

5 Stars: Excellent Experience (by dtbrady77)

dtbrady77 — Thu, 29 Sep 2005 02:00:00 GMT

Dinner for four at Palma. Promptly seated and provided drinks in a hurry. For apps - calamari and shrimp. Very fresh and flavorful. Arugla salad with fennel, oranges and olives was nice, but nothing special. Entrees were out of site. Perfectly cooked lamb, well accompanied by rabe and potatoes. Swordfish and spinach ravioli were spot on. The star of the show was the fish stew. A thin, crusty dome of bread covered a large bowl of seafood, fresh herbs and an exquisite broth. When the server cuts the dome and folds it back, the scent that escapes burns itself into your memory. The taste makes you reconsider dinner plans forever. With the back gardens casual atmosphere and the attentive wait staff, and you have a go-to restaurant. Only negative was the wait for the food perhaps the smallish kitchen? but it didnt sour the overall excellent experience.

5 Stars: My Favorite After Babbo (by catstyle)

catstyle — Mon, 12 Sep 2005 02:00:00 GMT

My husband and I happened to stumble upon it as we were strolling through the village and ended up having a really fantastic time dining in the garden out back. It was very romantic and the food was excellent. My husband had the lamb which was very tasty and I had the zuppa di pesce which has gained the reputation of being their signature dish. It was just fantastic and a deal for $23 given the abundance of seafood in the dish. Our waitstaff was very friendly and quite attentive. The food took awhile, but the ambiance was so lovely that we didn't care. I'm definitely going back for the zuppa.

5 Stars: Superior Italian Cuisine (by frgpilot)

frgpilot — Fri, 26 Aug 2005 02:00:00 GMT

I have had very few better Italian dining experiences in NY. Palma has great food and an excellent wine selection. My girlfriend said she's never had better fettecini, even in Italy!

5 Stars: Great time!! (by donovt)

donovt — Thu, 25 Aug 2005 02:00:00 GMT

My wife threw me a surprise birthday party at Palma last night and it was one of the best times I've ever had at a restaurant. The food was incredible, the space was beautiful andthe service was exceptional. The party was held in the back "farmhouse" which really looked like you were in someones country kitchen. We had our own personal server who attended to us all night and was a pleasure to have around. There was never an empty glass on our table which is saying something since our group likes to have a drink or two.

I don't even know what to say about the food...from start to finish everything was simply amazing.

1 Stars: Not Good for Private Parties (by hoppi)

hoppi — Mon, 11 Jul 2005 02:00:00 GMT

45 standing staff not frindley vat all 65 min to get food food cold

5 Stars: Great Place for Dinner! (by gallery_girl)

gallery_girl — Mon, 27 Jun 2005 02:00:00 GMT

I have eaten at Palma twice now, and both times have had excellent service. The waiters and waitresses have always been lovely, but the bar staff can be a bit of a mixed bag. Other than that, the space is very nice and very versatile - romantic, cozy, relaxing, warm. The outdoor patio is perfect for larger groups, weather permitting. The food is top-notch, and reasonably priced.

2 Stars: Maitre d' must go (by wilsonnyc)

wilsonnyc — Mon, 20 Jun 2005 02:00:00 GMT

If it wasn't for the maitre d', this would be a perfect little place. Great
ambiance and perfect food, however the maitre d' MUST GO. Even with a
couple of open tables it was clear this ungrateful host wanted to 'flip'
our table in less than an hour. We ordered wine, starters, entrees, coffee
and dessert When we offered to have our coffee in the garden following a
down pour (so he could use our table!) he told us he did not have enough
dry table cloths but 2 minutes later he seated other couples in the
garden. The wait staff was very friendly and hard working, but they did
seem a little afraid of the pain-in-the-ass maitre d....

4 Stars: gia0007 (by gia45678)

gia45678 — Thu, 04 Nov 2004 01:00:00 GMT

What a hidden treasure. The food was excellent as well as the decor. Although the bartender had major attitude issues. Luckily, the manager sat us quickly and saved us from the misery. I highly recommend this place, but I would asked to be seated immediatedly and not have an cocktail at the bar.

5 Stars: Excellent (by stacey4848)

stacey4848 — Sat, 30 Oct 2004 02:00:00 GMT

Having dined at many Italian restaurants in the city, this one is a true gem. The food was delicious (the artichoke and lamb was A+) and the staff was truly a pleasure. Our waiter, Ian, was very attentive and I must admit we are high maintenance eaters (on the side etc.). The garden is beautiful and the decor brings you back to Europe. This is a definite must go.

5 Stars: fiona t (by fiona_t)

fiona_t — Mon, 25 Oct 2004 02:00:00 GMT

Highly recommend. What a beautiful place, my husband and I felt like we were Italy again...The food was very good and the manager was more than accomodating. He actually took the time to explain the menu at length, we were pleasantly surprised. If you want take a trip to the Mediterranean in NYC, this is the place...

5 Stars: A RARE GEM (by nyroast)

nyroast — Sun, 26 Sep 2004 02:00:00 GMT

Maybe they were having a bad day for the other guy, but our experience was completely different. A charming restaurant , with great innovative food and friendly service. They have small intimate seating in front, an inner private courtyard with tables and umbrellas and a very private house behind the courtyard set up like a Tuscan kitchen for special small group parties. Very romantic "Village secret"place. Service a step slow , but who notices

5 Stars: the best time (by dgmtc)

dgmtc — Sat, 25 Sep 2004 02:00:00 GMT

Maybe some folks came on a bad day, but our gruop had the a great meal, in what has to be one of the charming restaurants in NYC. Its located on a Village brownstone street . They have a inner private courtyard and if you want they also have a a small house in the courtyard set up like a kitchen in Tuscany for more private parties. The foods was just wonderful and the service, friendly and welcoming albeit a bit slow (who really noticed ). A rare gem GO there , but reserve in advance

1 Stars: Horrible experience (by stephen22)

stephen22 — Wed, 15 Sep 2004 02:00:00 GMT

The staff was non-existent, the food was bad, not just taste but freshness. The clams were'nt even open. I can't believe I stayed in that place for as long as I did. The worst resturant experience I've ever had.

1 Stars: not worth it folks (by frankie)

frankie — Tue, 14 Sep 2004 02:00:00 GMT

sorry to say- i know it's a cute little place with a gardenin the west village bla bla bla... but it ain't worth it. i sooo wanted to like it. i love places with outdoor gardens. but this place blew it. the service was so non-existant. the waiter came by once and returned-no joke-45 minutes later. but the worst part was the food. not only did it take over an hour & half for it to arrive, it was unedible. seafood was terrible. you know, when sea food smells like seafood-it ain't fresh. oh, and the manager was rude. he could have been nicer and offered to give us something else or something but nope. all in all-it was a very dissapointing dinner.

frankie m.

5 Stars: Magical! (by franni)

franni — Sun, 01 Aug 2004 02:00:00 GMT

I celebrated my birthday at Palma with drinks in the garden and a spectacular private dinner in the farmhouse! The ambiance, service and food were outstanding. My guests were thrilled with the entire evening and I recommend this "experience" to all.

1 Stars: HORRIBLE! (by merrittwest)

merrittwest — Mon, 28 Jun 2004 02:00:00 GMT

I recently went with a group of 10 for a friend's birthday dinner. We ordered mozzarella with tomatoes to start and it took over an hour to get that. When we complained, they said they were having some problems in the kitchen and we would have to be patient. We asked for more bread in the mean time and never even got that. Dinner was further delayed and the entrees were bad. Undercooked pasta (still crunchy), luke warm lamb, and overdone fish. We arrived at 8:30 and didn't leave until 11:30 (not because we were having fun). AND THEY DID NOT EVEN TAKE ANYTHING OFF OUR BILL as a thanks for being patient.
Stay away from this place!

5 Stars: Perfectly Palma (by wynot30)

wynot30 — Tue, 08 Jun 2004 02:00:00 GMT

June 5, 2004. I hosted a business dinner. We enjoyed our meals. The halibut was simply perfect. Really sweet!! Guests loved the sea bass. The wines were different but tasty. Not too expensive..

1 Stars: terrible Evening for a Perfect couple (by mariuxidavid22)

mariuxidavid22 — Thu, 03 Jun 2004 02:00:00 GMT

My Boyfriend and I stoped by Palma last weekend it had been a while since we were in town we are from atlantic city and we love coming up for shows . It was truly dissapointing experience; our palates had a party last time we were here but things have changed .the delicious rabbit with parpadele noodles i had it was not on the menu anymore , the hot chocolate souflee also was gone. it was a less inspired effort . what happened to the pillow soft gnocci with mascarpone and gorgonzola ???? i dont get all these positives reviews the whole experience left alot to be desired.i was very sad now we have to find a different place to visit

4 Stars: good food-bad service (by sassy0123)

sassy0123 — Mon, 03 May 2004 02:00:00 GMT

this restaurant is very cute and quiet and romantic. it had very good food. the lobster salad was stupendous and the lamb chops and the halibut were delicious. Our waitress, on the other hand, was less than satisfactory. The garden was lovely and it's got a nice room for private parties.

5 Stars: A Standout! (by saramonaco)

saramonaco — Mon, 26 Apr 2004 02:00:00 GMT

I went to Palma last Saturday with my Fiance and a group of friends and had a fantastic evening. Everything from the drinks to the dessert was incredible. The chef (I believe his name is Amed) came over to our table throughout the evening to make sure everything was to our liking. The service, quality of food, and atmosphere were all top-notch. We will defintely be returning.

4 Stars: Great Setting, OK food (by cherrybomb23)

cherrybomb23 — Fri, 09 Apr 2004 02:00:00 GMT

The ambience in this restaurant is really quite nice -- very warm and cozy and comfortable. My husband and I had dinner here the other night with a friend, and while none of us were blown away by our meals, we still had a wonderful time because of the setting and because of the friendly and attentive staff. Don't get me wrong, the food is fine - but it doesn't have that "wow" factor. My bufala mozarella was a little too salty and the seafood risotto was a tad too "al dente." My husband had the seabass and it didn't leave much of an impression on him, but he says the lobster salad was worth another try. All in all, it's still worth the visit if you just want to have a nice, romantic night but aren't too concerned with eating average food.

5 Stars: Mediterranean Haven (by jacqueline140)

jacqueline140 — Sat, 28 Feb 2004 01:00:00 GMT

Wandering Cornelia Street we were lured by the buttery warmth and unpretentious charm of Palma. I had gnocchi with gorgonzola cream, then lamb. My fiancee had calamari and the house specialty Zuppa di Pesce. It was magic! The gnocchi floated off the plate and I stole half my fiancees calamari. I couldnt stop eating it!! The Sicilian wine was perfect. They opened the Zuppa just like the "fairytale pie, all the flavors steaming out. I was jealous until I tasted my lamb, then I got busy with my spoon and enjoyed the Zuppa too! The table next to us ooohed and aahhed over an amazing chocolate souffle that we'll go back to try. We give Palma ten stars! But recommend you go somewhere else, we want to keep this Mediterranean haven all to ourselves.

5 Stars: Excellent Private Party (by potus8)

potus8 — Mon, 24 Nov 2003 01:00:00 GMT

I've eaten in the restaraunt twice and really liked it. Upon my last visit, I discoverd the carraige house and knew it was a perfect place for my bf's suprise 30th. We had 16 people for a full sit down and it was perfect. The staff becomes like family for the day and let's you be as involved or hands off as you like. There were personal touches for him everywhere, and THE FOOD WAS INCREDIBLE. Even though the party was in September, we still talk about the sea bass, the jumbo spicy prawns and especially the homemade mushroom raviolis. Palma herself was delightful and the staff was as accomodating as I could ever imagine in NYC. We even survived the hurricane happening outdoors!!!

3 Stars: Not Good for Private Parties (by mhinonan)

mhinonan — Sun, 10 Aug 2003 02:00:00 GMT

Attended a birthday party here at the back of the restaurant. The ambiance was nice, but our group did not have privacy. We kept getting interrupted by various people walking in the kitchen and the owner's dog was noisy. The waiter racked up our bill by charging us a cutting fee or a plating fee for the cake (we could have cut it ourselves!). Completely overpriced and overrated. Have your party somewhere else.

5 Stars: Baci Palmas (by martiret)

martiret — Sat, 15 Mar 2003 01:00:00 GMT

I haven't had food this good-primi or secondi-since
Taormina Sicilia. Friendly and Intimate - JUST RIGHT!!

1 Stars: waste of time (by garycoleman)

garycoleman — Sun, 09 Mar 2003 01:00:00 GMT

food is wonderful but not worth waiting for 45 minutes past your reservation to get seated. also not worth being told after your entrees come that they're out of the appetizer you ordered. also not worth being offered free desserts for the inconvenience but still getting charged for the appetizer you never got.

4 Stars: Fantastic Find (by kkittine)

kkittine — Mon, 17 Feb 2003 01:00:00 GMT

I have now eaten at Palma 3 times and have enjoyed it more each time. A couple weeks ago I was there and the service was slow as they had a large party in the back-they made up for it with a round of free drinks and a free order of lamb chops. The food is exceptional and very reasonably priced for the area. It is small, but comfortable. The artichoke appetizer is phenominal. This is the kind of place I will eat at frequently and probably never tire of it.

5 Stars: Best NYC secret (by ambermia)

ambermia — Wed, 22 Jan 2003 01:00:00 GMT

Had dinner there the other night and it was a true delight. I loved the rigatoni bolognese, it tasted just like being in Italy. They also had tiny Maine shrimp that tasted like nothing I tasted before. What a treat. My friend had the Orata and he said that it was the best he has had in the city. The staff was friendly and relaxed and the atmosphere was cool.I have a feeling that before long this place is going to be hard getting into!

5 Stars: Italy in NY (by jenene)

jenene — Mon, 25 Nov 2002 01:00:00 GMT

Francheso the chef should be WORLD FAMOUS! The food is so delicious, try the fried artichokes and you will be back for more!! The fish soupm lamb chops and everything I tried is always topnotch. The street is crowded with many other restaurants but none shine as bright as Palma.

5 Stars: Palma is perfect (by fifis)

fifis — Thu, 07 Nov 2002 01:00:00 GMT

Palma, is the type of restuarant I love to discover in NYC. It'a appeal goes far beyond the obvious ultra cool clientele. The food is outstanding. The staff is friendly and professional. The ambiance is more Mediterranean island than West Village. Palma, is the perfect addition to a neighborhood full of so so restuarants serving uninspired food.

4 Stars: Very good food, but austere (by jdavidc54)

jdavidc54 — Mon, 04 Nov 2002 01:00:00 GMT

Interesting and somewhat hard-to-find restuarant in the East Village. The not-so-great; Small, very dark and inexpensively decorated with a potential for winter chill when the single door opens. The good; interesting and wholesome types of Italian, with seafood feature (try the fish stew), friendly (a bit raw) wait staff, and reasonable prices in a great area to just wander after a delightful dinner.

3 Stars: Worth Stopping By (by nyc_girl)

nyc_girl — Tue, 22 Oct 2002 02:00:00 GMT

A friend and I came here after trying to grab a seat at Pearl Oyster Bar down the street to no avail. We were seated at Palma right away, and even though the service was slow, it was friendly. Branzino here was just ok - I spent half my time trying to pick the bones out of the fish - it was much better at Raoul's in my opinion, but my friend's lobster linguini was delicioso. Aesthetic is pretty bare bones, but dim and candle lit. Restaurant itself is pretty intimate, if only b/c it's so small.

4 Stars: Very Fresh (by manhattanite)

manhattanite — Mon, 23 Sep 2002 02:00:00 GMT

The house speciality Branzino (whole or fillet) fish is excellent. Everyone ordered it! Very fresh. It was a little tough trying to get the bill at the end of a very nice meal.

5 Stars: Amazing Private Parties!!! (by janetebeaver)

janetebeaver — Tue, 17 Sep 2002 02:00:00 GMT

I threw my sister's bridal dinner at Palma and was so pleased with every aspect. The food, the service, the ambiance, and the people at Palma are incredible! I picked the restaurant off this site and can tell you that the pictures shown do not do the restaurant justice. I was initially nervous planning a dinner in NYC from San Francisco, but after speaking to Jacqueline (terrific in-house party planner) was more comfortable with my choice.... that comfort moved to amazement when I saw the place in person. We had drinks in the courtyard and moved into the little cottage/kitchen at the back for an incredible meal. The room was brimming with flowers and what seemed to be a hundred candles... it was so beautiful! Everyone had such a great time!

PS Order the berries and meringue! DELICIOUS!!!

5 Stars: Top Notch (by lindros2)

lindros2 — Wed, 31 Jul 2002 02:00:00 GMT

On a busy street (for French restaurants), Palma sticks out as probably the best one (and that's saying a lot with PO and Home within feet of the front door). Definitely worth checking out for between 2 and 6 people, but I'd be concerned with a larger group...

4 Stars: Feels like you are on an Island (by Angela)

Angela — Thu, 11 Jul 2002 02:00:00 GMT

Nice atmosphere with a great airy feel to the place. Service was helpful and not pretentious at all. Seafood is terrifc and the pasta dishes were good too. Try the spicy seafood antipasta or the mixed seafood platter.

5 Stars: Perfect Little Gem (by bluegrass)

bluegrass — Thu, 11 Jul 2002 02:00:00 GMT

The things I love the most about eating at Palma are the homey atmosphere, the exceptional service, and the big bowl of cherries on the bar. My eight year old daughter made fast friends with Palma's beautiful daughter and her friend, who were playing in the courtyard out back. Not only did my husband and I appreciate the quiet, but we also adored the food. We highly recommend the grilled meat platter, which is fabulously prepared and portioned generously. And try the spicy shrimp -- excellent. This is truly an escape to another place ...

5 Stars: Great Village dining (by xela92)

xela92 — Fri, 28 Jun 2002 02:00:00 GMT

I had a great dining experience here recently after locating thier website on Citysearch. Strongly recommend heading out to this location and trying it out. ALL good. Good food, service and ambience especially when shared with good friends.

5 Stars: A hidden gem (by ilovetoeatanddrink)

ilovetoeatanddrink — Thu, 27 Jun 2002 02:00:00 GMT

Hidden away in the W. Village Palma looks low key but packs an excellent food punch!! All the food is hand picked, start your meal with a glass of wine and a nice bruscetta. I have had the spicy pasta with seafood!! YUMMY. Crispy eggplant bites as an app were a new idea and great. Our server was honest and attentive. I think we stayed 3 hours and didn't even realize it, chatting, drinking wine. No pretentiousness - just good food and a great atmosphere.

5 Stars: The New Favorite, Amazing! (by lucky)

lucky — Sat, 25 May 2002 02:00:00 GMT

Palma is famous in the fashion world for their catering and now we're all lucky that they opened a cute restaurant in the West Village. My favorite is the spicy seafood pasta, it's the best that I've ever had! All of the seafood is exquisitly prepared and all of the ingredients are of fine quality. Every person that I've sent there can't beleive how wonder everey dish is. Try the boulibase and the fried calamari (lightly fried with fresh calamari).

4 Stars: good, but better can be had for the pric (by elixir)

elixir — Wed, 22 May 2002 02:00:00 GMT

Overall, my experience at Palma was good, but I was a little disappointed considering all the shining reviews here. Bruschetta was chewy (bread was not toasted) The cavatelli with veal ragu and mushrooms was hardly different from your run-of-the-mill bolognese. Seafood, however, was excellent, and is definitely the restaurant's strongpoint. The seafood stew and grilled branzino were excellent. But priced between $22 and $28, there are better restaurants around. Desserts were uninspired.

5 Stars: Fantastic food and service (by Jason)

Jason — Thu, 16 May 2002 02:00:00 GMT

This was my second time to dine at Palma and the food and experience only got better. To begin, my friend and I started off with the fried calamari and a chased it down with a nice glass of red wine. For my main I had the ongelet steak, hanger steak, which was grilled to medium rare perfection. My friend ordered the scallops which were served in a light red sauce that was complemented very nicely with atichoke palms. Very nice meal which was prepared exactly to our expectations.
However, the best part of the meal came in the form of service. Troy, our waiter, was prompt - friendly and extremely professional. Because of the service and quality of food I will be returning again and again.