Erminia Ristorante

We stopped in at Erminia one rainy night and what a nice surprise. It's so cozy and beautiful and has the best lighting in NYC!! Everything we ordered was delicious and when I complemented the waiter on the biscotti he brought me a whole plate to take home. I also said I would get the Zabaglione next time and he brought me a little sample to try. I'm sad I waited so long to go but will definitely be going back soon and so should you!! You won't be disappointed. Not a scene, but a nice sweet Italian place to spend a lovely evening.

Pros: Small, cozy, romantic beautiful room, food, service

Cons: Far from my apartment

Posted 10/28/09

I went there for my anniversary and wanted to switch my table and the waiter and manager were nasty arrogant and rude. The tables are SO close that u are ON TOP of the other person. There are SO MANY other great restaurants in the area with service that warrants spending $100 per person. STAY AWAY

Posted 10/17/09

Italian restaurants are always the top, this one expecially!!

Posted 09/20/09

They ordered 2 extra items to our bill that we never ordered.
We discovered the first, and then after they took that off the bill, we discovered another.
The difference was over $30.
They did nothing to make it better. They weren't even that apologetic.

Pros: the food is good

Cons: They are cheats

Posted 06/24/09

This is a good business-dinner spot as well as a special-occassion place. The crowd (both times I've been there) has been a bit stuffy.
It's more of a place to take your parents than to mingle with some eligible bachelors, if you catch my drift. NOT that every meal should be about getting your flirt on rather than chowing down, but you must admit a good ambiance and crowd is in order!

Pros: ambiance,food

Cons: ---

Posted 11/13/08

Amazing food, ambiance and service! this is the MOST romantic place I have ever been to in New York City! Candlesticks, beautiful fresh floral arrangements...so cozy!

Girls- the lighting in here makes us look amazing....

Pros: Ambiance, wonderful food, excellent service

Cons: None- would not change a thing...

Posted 01/05/08

like being in some farmhouse north of Rome and feeling as if only you and your special person are there.. Its completly candle light and soft sounds. I was introduced to this place from Shula at newnewyorker com I was so pleased to be there. Yes it was costly but so special and memorable. the food was of top quality. You must be sure to have a reservation. its a tiny place.

Pros: very romantic

Cons: very small

Posted 06/13/07

If your looking to romance that special someone this is your place. Not really a first date type of restaurant, but definitely a place you should bring a loved one to enjoy some pasta or steak and maybe a brunello. There's about 7 tables max so make a reservation. The wine list is stellar and the food is outstanding. Service is great considering that you're being served by the owner himself... at least thats what it feels like. You're sure to impress at this small masterpiece, but start saving cause it's gonna cost you.

Pros: Intimate, Romantic, Service, Food, Wine

Cons: Pricey... but worth it

Posted 04/12/07

I loved the place! We got there at 6:30 and were the only couple in the place so I got a little nervous. After 7:10 the place picked up and the atmophere was very enjoyable. The food was excellent and the service was even better. I cannot complain one bit, it was amazing. There is only 12 tables in the entire resturant. Great Experience.....A+

Pros: Food/Service

Cons: A little pricey!

Posted 01/24/07

I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCE SUCH TERRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE. NOT ONLY WAS MY RESERVATION BUMPED AN HOUR AFTER I HAD MADE THE ORIGINAL TIME, NOT ONE PERSON WAS WILLING TO HELP REMEDY THE SITUATION. WILL NEVER GO BACK, TOO MANY RESTAURANTS IN THIS TOWN TO BE TREATED WITH SUCH DISRESPECT. DONT WASTE YOUR TIME OR $.

Pros: NOTHING

Cons: THE WORST CUSTOMER SERVICE IN NYC.

Posted 12/01/06

The only thing keeping the ratings on this restaurant so high are the probably the loyal customers who haven't bothered to go anywhere else for ITALIAN. With so much competition in NYC, especially SPIGOLO so close by in proximity, ERMINIA falls short of a great ITALIAN experience, with your wallet leaving the most disappointed. While the space is undeniably cozy, and the small atmosphere gives it a very "homey" "old world" feel, unfortunately the food is just average at best, and not what you expect given the high prices.

Pros: Ambience

Cons: Food, very high prices

Posted 06/17/06

This very romantic Italian restaurant is the greatest!! The food is very authentic and tasty. The staff were very warm and gracious. I would stop in if you desire a fabulous meal at a resonable price.

Pros: Romantic, Great Food, Inexpensive

Posted 04/18/06

Erminia's is the best kept secret in Manhatten and Nick and his staff do an excellent job with all the amentities. We have been going to Erminia's for over 10 years and actually were engaged there and it gets better and better each time. Small, cozy and quaint atmosphere with excellent food and superb wine list.

Pros: Romantic, Great Ambience, Hospitable

Posted 01/16/06

Our favorite place in Manhattan. Unbelievably romantic. Don't wait for a special occasion. Nick is the best. Food & Wine are incrediable. NO CELL PHONES PLEASE!
You have to try this one you won't be dissapointed

Pros: Very Romantic

Cons: use of cell phones

Posted 12/01/05

This place is fantastic!! I went with my husband for my birthday and it was top notch. The food is delicious and the service and atmosphere was wonderful. Don't let the size of the restaurant fool you; great things definitly come in small packages!

Pros: Food, Service, Decor

Posted 11/06/05

I took my wife to Erminia for her birthday dinner and wasn't expecting something this good. We loved it! Ambience is incredible and very romantic. Dimmed lights, candles... Food is good and reasonably priced. They have a long list of wines which are pricy but worth the buck. There are only 8-10 tables, so you receive a lot of attention from the waiters, which is good. The Albanian guys (could be the owners of the place) were very friendly (one's name is Nicholas, nice guy). I strongly recommend this restaurants for dates and romantic occasions. Oh, by the way you should definitely make a reservation and don't forget to give yourself enough time to find parking around the restaurant.

Posted 09/29/05

My boyfriend and I shared our anniversary dinner here. It was amazing, the food was fantastic and reasonably priced for what you get, service was great. The ambience was sexy, although it wasn't quite as dark as some of the other reviews stated. Also, it was a bit louder than the other reviews and people were using cell phones! Please don't ruin a good thing--- leave the cell at home or silence it!!! Preserve this unique find!

Pros: Ambience, Food, Service

Posted 08/08/05

IF YOU ARE LUCKY ENOUGH TO FIND OUT ABOUT ERMINIA I CAN ASSURE YOU IT WILL BE YOUR NEW FAVORITE SPOT. I HAVE BEEN HERE THREE TIMES AND IT HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT AMAZING EVERY TIME. THE RESTAURANT IS QUIET AND COZY WITH BREAD BASKETS AND WINE BOTTLES LINING THE WALLS, WITH ONLY A DIM LIGHT ON YOUR TABLE THE SEX APPEAL GETS KICKED UP TO 10!!! THE FOOD FROM THE FRESH MOZZARELLA APPETIZER DOWN TO THE TARTUFO DESSERTS ARE AS AUTHENTIC ITALIAN AS YOU CAN GET IN THE CITY. THE BEST PART OF THE ENTIRE DINNER IS THE WAITSTAFF. THEY ARE UNREAL , SO ATTENTIVE WITHOUT BEING OVERBEARING AND AS POLITE AS YOU CAN ASK FOR. EVERY RESTAURANT IN THE CITY SHOULD MODEL AFTER THIS ONE. I WILL GO BACK FOR YEARS TO COME, AND AS A TESTAMENT THERE ARE NO OTHER BAD REVIEWS. THANK YOU ERMINIA.

Pros: PERFECT FOOD, GREAT WINE LIST, DATE SPOT

Cons: NONE, NONE, NONE

Posted 07/12/05

my now fiance and i went to dinner here the night we got engaged. very romantic, candlelite setting. service is very attentive, but acted as if tthey did us the favor. overalll....would def. recommend it, but save upp for a special occassion... it is bit pricey

Pros: pastas, romantic, small

Posted 01/14/05

This is a warm, intimate, romantic room, with wooden walls and flattering lighting. The best ravioli I've ever had. The staff is efficient but with an edge.

Pros: atmosphere, ravioli

Cons: a little attitude, to expensive

Posted 12/01/03

Cozy ambiance. Candle and small flower dish on every one of the small, intimate tables. Biggest complaint is the noise. Small space makes it a little more noisy than I would like. Leave your cell phone at home!!! Jerk at the other table brought his and talked loudly all 3 times it rang! There are signs on the wall saying, "No Cell Phones." You should have seen the look from the Maitre d'!

Pros: Ambiance, Professional staff, Quaint

Cons: Noise, Small size

Posted 06/09/03

I took a chance on this place based on the great user reviews and was most certainly pleased when there in person. It was the best dinner of my recent visit to NY. The ambience was incredible, and the food was great too. If there are 2 of you, ask for a 2 seat table against the wall. Service was great, and they were very polite.

Pros: candle lit dining, honor reservations, excellent food

Posted 05/20/03

I heard some rave reviews about this place. Heres my scoop. Ambiance- absolutely fantatic, great place for date. Small quaint, quiet. Perfect. I had Grilled calamari for appetizer and Lobster Ravioli and they were both fantastic. My Fiancee had the rolled checken for dinner. It was very disappointing. I love food and this dish I found tasted horrible. The desserts were great, and the s service was hit or miss as they forgot my port wine. Maybe It was a bad night, but I would try again.

Posted 02/20/03

The best dining experience ever! I took my fiance here for dinner right after we got engaged and we weren't disappointed. She's a vegetarian and despite that, they had plenty of tasty options on the menu. The service was professional and friendly and the food was extraordianry. Definately the place to go for a romantic night out.

Pros: excellent service, excellent food, very romantic

Posted 01/26/03

This small and quaint restaurant has now become my favorite one in the city. The service was outstanding as well as the food. The ambience is one that is rare to find with its romantic feel.

Pros: romantic, quiet

Cons: expensive, small

Posted 12/27/02

This is absolutely the best Italian I've had! Not much of Northern Italian fan, but the food really hit the spot. Desert was fantastic, and service was impecable. A candle-lit table in the corner was reasdy upon our arrival. A must visit before it becomes mainstream. Any date would be incredibly impressed!

Pros: Service, Quaint, Romantic

Posted 12/18/02

I took my wife here for a candlelit romantic evening
meal and Erminia's didn't disappoint.
The setting is probably one of the most intimate, romantic places in the city and by my guess one of the best kept secrets. The restaurant only holds 35-40 people which adds to the romantic atmosphere.
The food was some of the best we ever tasted. The fresh ingrediants were obvious, giving the food that extra flare which made for a perfect meal. This place should be FIRST on any couples list who wants fine dining and a romantic evening.

Pros: romantic, food, service

Cons: tough to find, reservations a must

Posted 09/01/02

My fiance took me here on my birthday and it was the perfect choice. The food was outstanding and the ambiance was so romatic with the entire restaurant candlelit and not crowded...If you want a romantic evening this restaurant is a perfect choice.

Posted 08/21/02

It was my birthday dinner with a new beau and I had no idea what to expect. I was glowing from the romantic setting and the courteous and unpretentious staff who knew exactly when to approach and when to leave us alone at the table. The food was superb - flavorful and authentic Italian with mouth-watering desserts. Who knew that little dark facade would lead to such an enchanting eatery....now I understand why this is the spot for engagements and anniversaries!

Posted 08/07/02

Eliza does not hate this. Here is why: Like so many people I know, I just want to escape a "scene", eat exquisite food, and not be agitated by another stranger's presence. At Erminia, the impossible is possible. Erminia is a mystical illusion that begins when the owners turn on the music, and dim the lights. The waiters are really Italian, and the food is too. The home-made pasta is killer. Just loose the cell, check the tude at the door, and sit in the dark with the one you love. This is romance without the glitz. Like old money knows, bigger is never bettER. Erminia makes Elio's look like a Vegas showgirl.

Pros: pleasantly crowded, lovely wine list, dark and sexy

Cons: almost too small

Posted 07/28/02