Malatesta

mickel...Malatesta's biggest draws are that it's charming, rustic, near the Hudson river (so nice for walks when the weather is nice), and the prices are extremely reasonable...the food is good/decent, but not-mindblowing...the spaghetti ala chitarra, the rigatoni special, and the lamb chops are some of the best choices imo...some chowhounds expecting more fireworks foodwise have been...+READ mickel...Malatesta's biggest draws are that it's charming, rustic, near the Hudson river (so nice for walks when the weather is nice), and the prices are extremely reasonable...the food is good/decent, but not-mindblowing...the spaghetti ala chitarra, the rigatoni special, and the lamb chops are some of the best choices imo...some chowhounds expecting more fireworks foodwise have been disappointed...

Malatesta is, imo, a fine place for a very casual date...and good for groups who want a local Italian favorite on a budget...i've celebrated friends' birthdays there, and the combo of wine, comforting pasta, and charm has made for more fun evenings than we likely would have had at some other Italian places that cost twice as much...but foodwise, i'll happily admit that it's good but not great...

I'm surprised to hear you have a reservation: i haven't been there in about a year, but i always thought they do not take reservations...

If you do a search here for Malatesta posts, you will get dozens of other opinions...-COLLAPSE / REPLY (15 Replies) (by Simon, created December 24, 2011)

A large group of us were at Malatesta on Friday night. The gnocchi was extremely bland and uninspiring. The steak, however, was delicious and perfectly cooked. The other dishes we ordered were not memorable. The service was excellent (although they were pretty cheap with the bread) and the atmosphere was quite nice. I don't think I would return as I prefer my food to have a lot of flavour. REPLY (7 Replies) (by torontobelly, created November 15, 2011)

how did it go?...(i think i read this too late to chime in before your dinner)...

i love the rigatoni w/ sausage (a sometime pasta special)...i like the lamb chops...grilled squid salad is solid...spaghetti chitarra is popular too...i think Malatesta has great charm, nice location for pre/post-dinner walks by the river, and solid food that's very very reasonably priced...has the food ever...+READ how did it go?...(i think i read this too late to chime in before your dinner)...

i love the rigatoni w/ sausage (a sometime pasta special)...i like the lamb chops...grilled squid salad is solid...spaghetti chitarra is popular too...i think Malatesta has great charm, nice location for pre/post-dinner walks by the river, and solid food that's very very reasonably priced...has the food ever wowed me?...probably not, but the overall experience of dinners there has been consistently outstanding-COLLAPSE / REPLY (7 Replies) (by Simon, created March 16, 2011)

»Simple, good, authentic Italian food served by handsome, authentic Italian waiters

I love their outdoor seating, their handsome Italian waiters (even if they are space cadets), and their bruschetta and spaghetti. The food is kept absolutely simple, but yet it's deliciously authentic! Seriously, the best spaghetti I've had in NYC. (by goodeatsnNYC, created October 14, 2010)

You've got at least one other person who feels the same way. Weird service, very mediocre food. The gnocchi were decently done, but the sauce tasted like it could have come out a jar. No spice to the arrabiatta sauce. There was a pasta special with zucchini, prosciutto, and black olives that sounded good. However, when I asked about the olives, the waiter said he thought they came out of a can. REPLY (33 Replies) (by jaba, created August 30, 2010)

This place has a nice authentic Italian feel to it. (by hyacinth2007, created October 31, 2009)