To say that I have eaten here at least 40 times since they have opened is not an exaggeration. The food has always been good, price point is fair considering the location and the quality you get, and service has always been great, until recently. I am not sure if it is an impact from the pandemic and staffing issues, or greed, but on our recent visit, we made a reservation for 7:30pm well over 2 weeks in advance for an outside table. When we arrived, we were told that it would be 35-40 minutes to get the table we reserved, or we can have an inside table and be seated immediately. It took just about 30 minutes to get the table we reserved, and another 15 for the waiter to come over an offer us water and take our drinks order. While the waiter was very competent, it seems that he was never told we were there, and the table next to us seemed to have a similar issue waiting nearly 20 minutes to get a menu.
The drinks came out a bit slow, but within a fair amount of time along with a bread basket and our order was taken. The appetizers came out in a good cadence, but was told that the kitchen was backed up and our entrees would take a while, which they did. About 20 minutes from the time the first plates were cleared to when our dinner came out.
Overall the food continues to be very good, but it seems that they are taking advantage of the increased foot traffic on the street and trying to handle more walkins than they can handle in the night, at the expense of their reservation holders and regulars.
We have been travelling to Naples for 25 years, and have seen too many good restaurants on 5th Avenue and 3rd Street fall into the trap of taking on more than they can handle, and really hope this was just an off night and not a trend of things to come. A reservation should be honored within a few minutes of the stated time. If that means they cannot handle a walkin 30 minutes before with an empty table waiting for its designated...
Read moreI recently had the pleasure of dining at Alberto's on Fifth, and I must say, it was an absolute culinary delight that deserves every bit of its five-star rating. I visited with a girlfriend and we were pleasantly surprised to see they offer Veuve Clicquot by the glass- a great way to start our culinary journey...
The Lobster Salad with Fresh Shrimp was a work of art – a creative masterpiece that showcased the chef's ingenuity. The lobster was perfectly cooked, tender, and paired harmoniously with a medley of arugula, watermelon and citrus. The flavors danced on my palate, creating a symphony of taste that left me craving more.
The Lobster-topped Tortellini were nothing short of perfection. The homemade pasta was a testament to the restaurant's commitment to quality, and the sweet corn and leeks filling was generously portioned and incredibly succulent. Each bite was a burst of flavor, and the accompanying sauce elevated the dish to new heights of culinary excellence.
Beyond the outstanding cuisine, the ambiance of the restaurant transported me to Italy. The warm and welcoming atmosphere, coupled with attentive service, made the entire dining experience memorable. The staff's knowledge of the menu and their passion for the cuisine further enhanced the overall enjoyment of the meal.
Alberto's on Fifth has undoubtedly mastered the art of crafting exceptional Italian dishes, and their focus on using fresh, high-quality ingredients is evident in every bite. Whether you're a lobster enthusiast or simply someone who appreciates gourmet dining, this restaurant is a must-visit.
In conclusion, if you're looking for an authentic taste of Italy with a creative twist, Alberto's on Fifth is the place to be. The combination of inventive lobster dishes, homemade pasta, and a welcoming atmosphere make it a five-star dining experience that I can't recommend enough. I'll be returning soon to savor more of their...
Read more"Meh" would be the easiest and quickest way to describe Alberto's on Fifth. The interior of the restaurant was nice and festive but very noisy. Our server Dante, did the best he could given how busy it was in the restaurant. The biggest letdown is the food. The portions are quite small for the price. Obviously this is 5th Avenue so you can't expect giant portions but still, the portions seemed very petite. Ordered the chicken dish and it was very disappointing. The chicken was a thin breast that had been blackened. It was okay but nothing to "write home about". It was topped with a small portion of onions that were quite sour and seemed steamed instead of sauteed. The fingerling potatoes were flavorless and too chewy because they had been overcooked. The carrots were flavorless as well and tasted as of they had been steamed. There was no sign of the cremini mushrooms or lemon butter sauce as described in the menu. I've had roasted chicken dishes at many nice restaurants before. Normally they serve a half roasted chicken that is nicely seasoned and juicy. Typically is served with potatoes roasted with garlic or onion and oven roasted savory vegetables (heirloom carrots). Alberto's chicken dish was nothing like the others and not in a good way. We also ordered the Caprese salad and the tomatoes were unripe and flavorless. Alberto's is an Italian restaurant but there is no olive oil for the bread that they bring to the table. Our table ordered a bottle of Meiomi Pinot Noir. On a good day, you can pick this bottle up at any grocery or liquor store for about $16. So you know the restaurant is paying even less but they're charging $65 a bottle. I can understand pricing the bottle anywhere up to even $50, but $65 seems excessive. There are plenty of better dining options on 5th Avenue such as Caffe Milano, Trulucks, Bistro 821 and Pazzo! if you are looking for similar cuisine...
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