Arno — Restaurant in New York

Please read this entire review.

Let me begin by saying I have never written a negative review on any restaurant in the past. My expectations from a NYC restaurant are high but not unrealistic.

We had a reservation at 8:00 but our table was not ready. No big deal we will have a drink at the bar. The bartender was lovely. Our table became available and the waiter brought our drinks from the bar to the table. Fine. So far so good. We sat without a waiter for about 5 minutes. No big deal. After about 10 minutes they brought us a menu. Then approximately 10 more minutes I had to ask for a wine menu. We sat there with no interaction for another 10 minutes and were quite fed up. We decided this was unacceptable for New York City and decided to leave. We got up and I went to the coat check to retrieve our coats ( the coat check lady was wonderful). I went back to the bar where my wife was and asked to talk to the manager, Carlos. Carlos was anything but a manager. I could not believe how rude he was initially to my wife and then to me. I am honestly very cordial and laid back. I would not leave a negative posting if it really doesn’t deserve it. Carlos could not have cared less that we were leaving. I told him the service was terrible and he told us that in 32 years he has never heard this in the past? Seriously? Never in 32 years. There was no attempt to placate us at all. He basically said “just leave”. We are not high maintenance at all but his attitude was disgraceful for a NYC restaurant. I sincerely hope this restaurant fails as I cannot imagine people will tolerate this horrible service for long. Unfortunately we didn’t get to taste the food. The way this experience began we were not going to tolerate it. By contrast we had dinner at another restaurant last night but I will not mention it out of respect but you have many other choices in NYC than this place. I hope you choose a better restaurant for your dollars. I wasn’t going to...

This is, hands down, the best Italian food I ever had the pleasure of indulging in. This is coming from a guy who has spent time in Italy and knows many restaurants with true Italian roots. The staff was incredibly attentive and ensured our dinner party of six had a truly wonderful night. The pasta was clearly made in house with love purposely put into every bite. The servers perfectly spaced our courses to allow us ample time to cherish the experience, yet I never once felt unattended to. I regret eating anything over the course of the day before dinner, because I left with the only regret being that I did not have room for more. The shrimp could not have been from the Atlantic or pacific. My suspension is that it caught was off the shores of heaven. I wish the world modeled its ways off this restaurant, as we would all be better for it. Our group had the honor of meeting the owner, who told us he opened the restaurant nearly 40 years ago. Over that time, this hidden gem has clearly become more Italian that Italy itself. If you do not read this review and instantly decide to treat yourself to the finer things in life this establishment has to offer, then you clearly want to live life at something shorter than its fullest. Arno screams old Italy with a twist of edge and daringness to create a better future. For romance, celebration, business, or no reason at all, Arno would elevate your occasion to the status it deserves. Now stop reading this review, make your reservation, and indulge. Cheers...

My mom & I visited NYC this week (first time for both of us). One night we went to Arno for dinner. We both loved it so much we ended up going back 2 more times!

The first night I got the Fettuccine Alla Panna and she got a pasta dish with clams. We both fell in love with our dinner. I am a huge pasta fan and while alfredo dishes are my favorite, usually places are heavy handed with the sauce. Arno lightly coats the pasta in sauce so it isn't too much, and the sauce itself is dynamite. We got a Baked Alaska for dessert which was also delicious.

Our second time there I got the Pollo Alla Scarpariello, which is a yummy chicken with lemon, garlic, and balsamic vinegar. It was great.

We went our third and final time right before we had to head to the airport on our way back home. My mom got the Fettuccine Alla Panna. She normally isn't even an alfredo fan but mine (from our first visit) was so good she was craving it! I got a special they had (penne with vodka sauce and shrimp) and surprise, it was yummy!!

Their food isn't the only good thing here. The service is spectacular. Every gentleman there makes sure you are well taken care of. Your water glass will never run empty, the cocktails are delicious, and the bread is so good. This place could get away with charging so much more than they do!

We already miss this place and it will be our first stop on our second NYC trip!

Edit: As promise it was the first...and last stop on our...