Ristorante Tello

TELLOS MOVED FROM 19 STREET TO 8 AVE & 20 ST.THE PLACE IS ALOT BIGGER AND STILL COZY.THE BAR IS TWICE THE SIZE.WE WENT ON A TUESDAY NIGHT AND THE PLACE WAS HOPPING.WE HAD TO WAIT AT THE BAR.{NOT TO LONG} THE FOOD WAS SO GOOD.THE SERVICE WAS PRO.I WILL KEEP COMING BACK FOR MORE.

Pros: BEST ITALIAN IN CHELSEA

Cons: NOW I CAN T GET A TABLE

Posted 11/15/09

Wine was not important to the dinner. Order vintage and get another, and the waiters neither know not care.

Pros: Great location and atmosphere

Cons: Food not as good as average

Posted 10/18/09

I USE TO GO TO TELLO S WHEN IT WAS ON 19TH STREET.THEY NOW MOVED TO A NEW LARGER SPACE ON 8 AVE. AT 20 STREET.I WAS AFRAID IT WILL LOSE IT OLD WORLD CHARM BUT IT DID NOT.THE PLACE IS BIGGER AND BETTER.THE FOOD IS AS GREAT AS IT WAS BEFORE.THE MENU HAS CHANGED WITH A RAW BAR SELECTION AND A SALUMI AND FORMAGGI BOARD SELECTION.WINES BY THE GLASS ARE NOW OFFERED IN CARAFES AS WELL..ALONSO TELLO IS AT THE HELM COOKING UP A STORM.

Pros: BEST ITALIAN FOOD ON THE STRIP

Posted 08/21/09

Brunch at Tello is one of the few things that gets me out of bed on a Saturday. The food is so so good and the staff is lovely.

Posted 04/18/09

I have never had a tastier italian meal in chelsea! The penne and meatballs were so good! The garlic bread was crispy and flavorful with out a huge smelly blast of garlic! I HIGHLY reccomend this place! its cute cozy and TASTY!

Pros: DELICIOUS SAUCE

Cons: What are the drawbacks?

Posted 04/13/09

Great atmosphere and fine food and drinks.
Their dishes are entertaining to your eyes and mouth.
I just feel good to be there and eat!
Just, don't make us wait too long, please?

Pros: food,drink.ambiance

Posted 12/02/08

My husband & I chose to eat at Tello on a cold November night, after leaving a nearby movie theater.
Hungry, cold & in need of a hot meal & a good drink, we were immediately drawn to Tello's inviting warmth & cozy atmosphere. As an Italian-American, I have a discerning palate when it comes to Italian food & I am happy to say that Tello measured up. Our dishes - Linguine Di Mare & Chicken Tello - were terrific.
The Italian bread was crusty, soft & fresh, albeit accompanied by rock-hard, cold butter.
Wines by the glass were good as well, but cocktails were sub-par: a cosmo was overly sweet & a martini far too 'wet'.
Service was adequate - I've had worse & I've certainly had far better.
Our server was more concerning with increasing the cost of our dinner than attending to our immediate needs. However, given the quality of the dishes & cost, I would certainly return for another meal at Tello.

Pros: cozy atmosphere, good food, convenient location

Cons: so-so service, cocktails need improvement

Posted 11/29/08

The food here is very good with ok sized portions, and not what I've grown to expect from Italian restaurants (I don't remember seeing manacotti or lasagna on the menu). The people I dined with all enjoyed their meals, and I LOVED their chocolate mousse. I chose this restaurant as the location for my birthday dinner after reading many glowing reviews on the location. I booked a table for 12 for a 7:30 dinner on a Saturday night. I was dissappointed to see that we were seated as 2 tables of 6. I didn't say anything about it since the restaurant was crowded (and they had another party of 10+ at the front of the restaurant seated together). Our party ended up being 2 people short at the last minute, and our waiter complained about it for the better part of our meal. So, I'd say skip Tello for groups of 6 or more, unless you make your reservation for the time they open. The food is good, with ample servings, but if I had known we'd be seated separetly, I would have made reservations else where.

Pros: inexpensive, cute spot for dining

Cons: cramped

Posted 10/22/08

This is my favorite neighborhood Italian. We bring friends and out-of-towners here regularly. My partner's brother-in-law practically swooned over his meal. They do a mean penne and meatballs in a delicious, velvety ragout that I have a hard time resisting. The place can get cramped when it's full, but the food's worth it.

Pros: Yummy food, good service, cozy atmosphere

Cons: Little cramped

Posted 07/01/08

This is the FIRST review I have given on a restaurant but had to make note of my experience at Tello?s! This was an example of amazing service and care. I made last minute reservations at Tello tonight (a Monday) for a group of friends before going to see a 7pm show nearby at the Metropolitan. A friend from out of town had done some research on local restaurants to the theatre and Tello?s website, menu and online reviews looked good so this was the spot we settled on. We had 5:15 reservations for 10 - I can?t recall the last time I ate before 7pm (!!) ? and I felt that Tello would offer food that would satisfy most palettes. The atmosphere looked cozy and not too formal so if our group couldn?t stay and linger, it would be just fine. Half of the group was late by 10-20 minutes and by the time we had all arrived, we realized our group had suddenly grown to 15. I immediately became worried as 15 people was such a large group and the chances of getting out of the restaurant in the 45 minutes (the restaurant was starting to fill up) in order to get to the show was a major feat!? We politely mentioned to our waiter, Santos (!) that we were in a rush to see a show at 7 and from there, he took charge, ordered all of our appetizers, and entrees and while we waited, refilled our drink orders. The staff was cool and collected and we even joked about how it could be ?hell?s kitchen? in the back trying to put together such a big order in such a short amount of time. YET ? the food amazingly all arrived in a very timely manner and all of the dishes were great! They even passed around a large dish of biscotti as we paid the bill! We were just too pleased and appreciative of all the effort that the restaurant chefs and waiters put in to give us a great meal in the short time we had ? this normally would have been a 2+ hour dinner! A special thank you again to Santos and company ? it was a delicious meal and we were all in our seats just before the curtains went up!

Pros: Service, Food, Price, Good for large parties

Cons: Can't think of any...

Posted 05/11/08

Great and inexpensiveitalian restaurant. Food is always great, very courteous wait staff. I am a huge fan of seafood and fish and their Salmon dish is very delicious. I brought many people to the restaurant and every time we had great experience. It is pretty popular, judging by the fact that all the tables are always taken.

Cons: none

Posted 04/24/08

This is our favorite restaurant in the city which we eat out at once a month. The food is excellent! We usually start off with a bottle of Chianti and the steamed mussels, which are amazing. We literally go through 2 loafs of bread dipping up the "liquid goodness" broth of the mussel dish. You must order this.
I usually get the signature Chicken Tello dish and my girlfriend gets the Linguine di Mare. We are usually too stuffed to have dessert and just take a biscotti. The restaurant has a very warm, comfortable, friendly ambience and the the wait staff is exceptional, especially Greg. We always leave satisfied and feel that we definitely got our moneys worth. I highly recommend this restaurant.

Pros: mussels appetizer, friendly wait staff, every dish is amazing, great value.

Cons: None.

Posted 02/10/08

This is the 2nd time I've eaten at Tello. I came across it a few months ago on my way to a bar to meet a friend. Because it's on a side street, you either have to fall over it or have someone tell you about it. As a person of of Italian decent who grew up eating home cooked Italian food, this place matches my grandma's cooking. On Tuesday night, I had the mussels in white wine sauce & garlic as an appetizer - big bowl full of succulent mussels steamed just right. The main course was the veal with shrimp. The veal was tender & the shrimp were yummy. Tello has a friendly wait staff & the place just draws you in. The water & bread is brought to the table almost immediately. The prices are very reasonable considering the size of the portions, the quality of the cooking, & the neighborhood. The 1st time I ate there, I had the veal w/ eggplant & it was delicious. On Tuesday evening, Santos was our waiter - a real friendly guy who's just as quick with a joke & conversation as he is in making sure your dinner needs are being met to your satisfaction. **The only suggestion I would make is that the bread be heated.**

Pros: Authentic Italian cooking; reasonable prices; nice size portions; friendly staff

Cons: None

Posted 09/25/07

Tello's is a great place to take a date. The atmosphere is perfect and romantic. The food is awesome.
Santos was our server and he was great, friendly and knowledgeable. He really made the experience perfect...Thanks Santos!! The next time I am in New York I will definetly go back.

Posted 07/10/07

My boy friend and I had a complete dinner at Tellos and it was affordable.The food and service was better then I would have expected for a less expensive restaurant.Tellos is a great find.

Pros: afforable with great food and service {ask for Gregg}

Cons: gets busy,bar jammed

Posted 04/23/07

Tellos has the atmosphere of the movie "GOODFELLAS".A great mix of people,everyone from gay to mob.Once in Tellos your transported to the 40s.The decor is really out of a movie.The food is to die for.We had the linguine with seafood and the chicken Tello.As we were finishing up our dinner one of the actors from OZ walked in.If you want to have a part in a movie,this is the place to be.

Pros: everyone is a goodfella here

Cons: The bar gets full

Posted 03/27/07

Tello s is a real Italian ristorante.Not Albanians or Yugos posing as Italians like most restaurants.The minute you walk in you could tell by the smell of food and the decor.

Pros: GOOD ITALIAN FOOD

Posted 03/15/07

Viva Italia!!!!! This place is absolutely wonderful. Everything about Tello is great. The food, the service, the atmosphere, EVERYTHING!!! and best of all it is super affordable for NYC standards. A must go if you enjoy Italian food.

Pros: Food, romantic, charming.

Cons: NONE

Posted 03/11/07

The review is right.Tello s is right out of a movie.Even before you enter,the outside of tellos looks like the front of a 1930s restaurant.Once inside the movie begins.The old juke box is playing my way by Frank Sinatra.The vintage chandeliers and wall sconces,old photos of actors,singers,gangsters,etc.Even the menu seems like it was from the good old days.Our waiter Gregg made the night when he heard a song playing and started to sing.The food was outstanding and the service is to rave about.If you want to go see an old movie,go to Tellos all the charactors are there.This is one movie set I could come to every nite.

Pros: Like being in a movie

Cons: gets very busy

Posted 03/09/07

I walk past Tellos all the time and look in and always find the place very busy.Last nite I decided to have dinner there.I was greeted by a big smile hostess.I sat down and ordered the rigatoni tello.It was very good,the pasta was cooked aldente the way I like it and the sausage was the best I ever had.I ordered a glass of chianti and then another one.The wine was very good to,for a pouring wine by the glass.Now I know why this place is always busy.

Pros: GOOD PASTAS AND ALWAYS BUSY

Cons: SMALL BUT COZY

Posted 03/08/07

I read the past review and made me mad.I have been going to Tellos every week for Three years.This is one of the best Italian restaurant in Chelsea.The food and service cannot be matched! This past reviewer was more concerned with what was going on around her then paying attention to what was in front of her.People having a good time,laughing,romantic,holding hands,waiters saying good nite to their customers,whats wrong with that? I truly think this person should stay home and eat in front of the television.I enjoy going out and watching the scene and having a great dinner.Tellos is just the restaurant for that.

Pros: BUSY,ROMANTIC,EVERYONE HAVING A GREAT TIME

Cons: NOT FOR LONELY PEOPLE

Posted 03/04/07

We had the pleasure of dining at Tello s the other nite.The place is small and cozy,and very busy.We were seated next to the door,but the tables next to the doors are the best tables to be because of the blazing fire place.We had a very good dinner,if not great! And the best of all was when our waiter Gregg heard a song he liked and started singing.The service is outstanding.You really feel welcomed.Im going to make Tellos my new hangout.

Pros: BEST PLACE TO BE ON A WINTER NITE

Posted 02/23/07

I was walking around Chelsea and happened to find Tello s hidden on a side street.The place looks like its been around since the 50s.I stepped inside and what a surprise! the place was full,people waiting at the bar.I postioned myself at the bar and was greeted by a smiling bartender.I was seated and the real party began.I started with a half order of gnocci and then the veal Pacino.The waiter said that Al Pacino asked one nite if we could make what he wanted and then we named it after him.That dish could win an oscar.The place was so filled with fun and ambiance.I can t wait to invite my friends to Tello s

Pros: HIDDEN AWAY

Cons: none

Posted 01/15/07

I read the past review and I had to try tellos for myself.being that I heard so many good things about it.I had to start with the antipasti,let me tell you,It was the best I ever had! and yes there was prosciutto! again I had to try the gnocci-it was great! The cheesecake was very good to.Tellos was very,very busy and it was a Monday night! This person who wrote the past review sounds like he eats at home with his mother too much and doesn t know anything else but her lousy cooking! I highly suggest that this unfortunate man go out on his own and eat out more and learn about cooking and taste.Cut the apron strings at home.

Pros: good food,low prices

Posted 01/15/07

Greg was our server, he was friendly, funny and knowledgeable. The food was presented nicely and was delicious. We were tempted to sit outside, but it was a bit humid. The old style jukebox along with the old pictures were a nice touch.

Pros: Great service, nice venue

Cons: street parking

Posted 08/16/06

Tellos is one of those little restaurants that you just happen to run into by accident.Im glad we did.Once inside it was like one big happy family.Everbody gets to know you.In ten minutes we already felt like we were regulars.The table next to us recommended that share because the portions are big(we split two entrees)The food was so good I wish that there was some left over to take home for the next day.When we were ready to leave the waiter came with a big jar of biscotti and said you can t leave until you have one.We each had two! Tello is a real good find.

Pros: Great food for low price

Posted 08/02/06

The food is so amazing. Huge portions, great and attentive service, and pretty good prices. Great for a date, or for a nice dinner with friends.

Pros: Ambience, great food, service

Cons: Small, not for HUGE groups

Posted 06/28/06

I came into the restaurant on a busy Saturday night and was hit first by 20 minutes wait and the small wine bar was full. Not a great start but I had heard great things about Tello`s. The Brazilian bartender who greeted us was exceptionally kind and attentive and we had the most delicious cosmo I`ve ever tried. The food was great the shrimp fradivolo was fab and the gnocchi was delicious they were decent in size (not huge which is fine by me). The price doesnt necessarily reflect the rustic ambience but the food most certainly is worth it. What more could you ask for?!? Thanks Pedro, see you next time!

Posted 04/01/06

Been going to Tello's for years and tonight was the last night I will go back. We made reservations but ended up in the worst table. It was next to a garbage bin by the bar. We were in the middle of the busy aisle and got bumped by wait staff several times; had to stop eating everytime they pass so we won't choke. The garbage bin was awful. I pointed this out to the hostess who said that it was a busy night. I informed her it was not fair as we made reservations but given the worst table while walk-ins got better She just shrugged and walked away. It ruined a wonderful evening planned and embarassed as I recommended this place. The food is good but dinner at a hefty price is meant to be enjoyable. True, customers come and go but a loyal customer leaving is disappointing

Posted 12/03/05

I celebrated a friend's birthday here last night and had a great time. Greg, our server, was so helpful, especially since we had a large party. Food was fantastic, inexpensive and portions are huge. Great for parties, but romantic, too. What a gem this place is!

Pros: Service, Food

Posted 09/04/03

We're kicking ourselves for not going here sooner. This is what I think of when I think of a New York Italian restaurtant. Lovely warm ambiance, great food. Both times I've had the "Chicken Tello" which is chicken in a sauce with olives, sausage and mushrooms. Yum. Portions are big, prices aren't. Loved the watercress salad with bleu cheese and toasted walnuts. Carpaccio and mozarella salad as well. Wine list doesn't have any years on it, which bugs wine lovers, and we struck out with thewaiter-recommended bottle we ordered. But the carafe of house wine I had the on next visit was actually better and cheaper.

Pros: Atmosphere, Price

Cons: Undetailed wine list

Posted 08/09/03