Paola Restaurant

First, make a reservation (sometimes they are very full) . THe let the very good service and fatntastic food take you in this beautiful experience

Paola's was a very welcome surprise. We usually go downtown for dinner but we wanted something close on the UES and booked last minute. The decor is a little tacky (fake luxury in earthy tones), the service a little gruff (east europeans pretending to be italians) and the clientele eclectic with a mix of older UES folks and rowdy B&T people but the food was superb. The menu is fairly traditional Italian but the execution was very strong, The pasta is freshly made with the sauces not too overbearing. We had an excellent plate of truffle ravioli and a hearty amatriciana. The appetizers are diverse and well made: the home made mozarella was to die for and the salads were good. The main courses were very good as well. A veal milanese was perfectly executed with the batter being done just right, the scallops were fresh and a veal chop was perfectly cooked and very tender. The desserts were also excellent: a fig ice cream was all about the figs and an apple turnover was good but a little soggy. Highly recommended for the food, if not the ambience.

Pros: Excellent food, Solid italian wine list

Cons: Ambience a little tacky

Paola's has moved to 92nd and Madison. The new space isn't as nice as the old one; it isn't as intimate and it is significantly louder. The food is still good, but the atmosphere has changed a lot. Paola's remains a great neighborhood place but it isn't worth traveling for, especially given that it remains more expensive than most of its direct competitors.

Pros: Nice Neighborhood spot moved out of the neighborhood

Cons: Price

Since i am Indian i did not know of any good places for Italian food, but my italian buddies took me here and i had a blast. awsome service love the food. 9/10

I called to make a reservation, asked if they had a garden and they said yes. The "garden" turned out to be the noisy sidewalk. The staff was aloof, no...make that snotty and the food was quite mediocre. For better (and less expensive) Italian, go to Tiramisu in the same neighborhood, 3rd ave and 80th street.

I went to Paola's for dinner last weekend with a friend. We both knew very little about the restaurant going in, so it was basically an experiment - and we enjoyed a truly exceptional meal. The front dining room was cozy and easy to have a conversation in, despite it becoming more and more packed as the evening went on. (Definitely make reservations!) Appetizers arrived quickly and were delicious, the main dishes were distinctive and memorable, and the desserts were scrumptious. Service was quick, helpful, and friendly throughout the meal. The wine list is extensive, as is the variety on the menu. Summing up, I have only great things to say about Paola's!

Pros: great food, fine service, cozy atmosphere

Cons: reservation taker was, um, a little abrupt, but no big deal

WE ARRIVED AT 6:OOPM SAT NITE. AND WERE PROMPTLY SEATED IN THE COMFORTABLE ,COZY BACK ROOM. WE WERE IMPRESSED WITH THE ITALIAN WINE LIST &HAD A WONDERFUL SANGIOVESE RED FOR $35. THE 1/2 ORDER PRIMI PASTA DISHES "BLEW" US AWAY..TRY THE PAPPARDELLE WITH DUCK SAUCE OR THE LINGUINI BOLOGNESE, THE GRILLED CALAMARI COATED WITH CRISPY BREAD CRUMBS WAS WAS ALSO A WINNER. THE BRONZINI REMINDED ME THAT FISH DID NOT HAVE TO BE BORING. THE DEBONED CORNISH HEN WAS MOIST AND FLAVORFUL . FINALLY , THE RICOTTA CHEESE CAKE WITH AN INTENSELY FLAVORED DECAF ESPRESSO WAS A PERFECT FINALE. THE SERVICE WAS CIVILIZED & INFORMATIVE;WE NEVER FELT RUSHED , EVEN THOUGH PATRONS WERE WAITING TO BE SEATED.BY THE TIME WE FINISHED..... WHAT A GREAT FIND WHICH IS SOMEWHAT UNDERATED BY ZAGAT AT 22. THE TAB WAS $200 FOR 4 PEOPLE. JBARIE

Pros: PASTAS, WINE, SERVICE

Cons: NOISEY FRONT ROOM, CROWDED AFTER 8:00

If you enjoy eye rolling from the waiter, spending tons of money to have horrendous service, and getting average food for your money, then you've found your restaurant. First, I went on Valentine's Day and waiters were running around like chickens with their heads cut off. Not very romantic at all. Second, my waiter (male) obviously has a superiority complex. When i did not want to check my coat, i got an eye roll. Another when I did not feel like wine. No appetizer for my girlfriend, and yet more eye rolls and a gnome-like snort. Our appetizers took an hour to arrive, and I got some excuse as to how the mussels take a long time to cook. They were also growing my salad. Third, the food was average. The wild boar pasta special tasted like beef stew. Not bad, but not great. Overall, a huge disappointment.

Pros: Eh

Cons: Disorganized, Superduper waiter, Average food

I don't think I have received worse service anywhere else. First, it took around 45 minutes for our appetizers to arrive, and this was after we asked them to check with the kitchen why our appetizers (a salad and mussels) were taking so long. Then, the entrees arrived before the appetizers. The waiter was unexcusably rude and blatantly treated customers who were willing to spend more better. We saw his eyes literally lighting up with joy when the table next to us ordered an expensive wine. Guess what? Their salad arrived in 5 minutes. Food is good, but not exceptional enough to redeem service.

Pros: good food, intimate atmosphere

Cons: RUDE service, long wait for food, not enough waitstaff

I thought the food was very good but romantic I wouldnt say that the tables are basically on top of each other I could barley move. The food is very good though and so was the service.

Pros: Good Food, Service good

Cons: Little Pricey, Tables to Close

HAD DINNER THERE RECENTLY WITH SOME FRIENDS, THE MENU HAS CHANGED SOMEWHAT, BUT THE FOOD IS JUST AS GREAT AS EVER. LOTS OF NEW ITEMS TO TRY AND ENJOY. LOVED THE SKIRT STEAK WITH THE BROCCOLI RABE AND THE PORK CHOP SPECIAL. WE WILL BE BACK, THIS RESTAURANT IS A GREAT FIND.

Great homemade italian food just like at Grandma's on Sundays. Try to be seated in the cute little back room for those romantic nights. The papardelle with duck ragout is amazing. The service isn't overly friendly but they get the job done.

Although the food was quite tasty, I cannot understand why anyone would pay so much for the uninspiring food with so little atmosphere. Unless you are deemed worthy enough to dine in the tiny "wine celler" room, you are left to sit in the main front dining room, which is not very romantic and pretty plain (minus the red paint on the walls). The lighting was bad and there was not any music playing. It just did not do it for me, no matter how good the wine and food is.

Pros: Wine, Food, Location

Cons: Price, Ambience, Decor

I was there with a group of ten people and we had the most incredible meal. We spent the entire evening swapping bites of our food and talking about how great everything was. It was without question an awesome dining experience in a charming neighborhood restaurant.

Pros: delicious food, diverse menu, awesome experience

I went to this restaurant a while ago with some friends. The food was good, not extraordinary, but good none the less. The waiter we had wasn't the best, in fact, he was kind of rude when we weren't sure what type of wine we wanted to order with our meal. The restaurant is also a bit small. From the looks of things, the better tables were being given to those who were looking to spend more money.