Arté — Restaurant in New York

I originally dined at Arte 4 years ago and left a 5 star review. Unfortunately I have to update my review based on last night's experience. My partner and I came in for a date night on Saturday May-17 at 7pm and we had booked a reservation in advance. No one greeted us at the door, a frazzled server just came and pointed at a table without speaking to us, and it was probably the worst table in the restaurant with a full view of the bathroom area. We waited for a server to come to our table so we could ask to switch tables but no one came and we had no food menus either. After 25 minutes, the bartender came over and dropped off menus. About 10 minutes later a server rudely took our order -- she barely talked to us, didn't introduce herself, and did not make us aware that there were multiple off-menu specials being served. Our entrees (penne alla vodka and steak) came out at 8:20pm, almost an hour and a half after being seated. We never saw the server again, decided to pass on dessert, and I had to flag the bartender down to bring us our check. The food was good, but overall this is the most disappointing dining experience I've had. I've never been treated so poorly at a restaurant before and definitely urge you to reconsider...

The people and the service here are the best. No request is too much and they really took the time to assist us in our requests. Everyone was really nice to us. Plus the restaurant is quiet! You can have a conversation in there without screaming! How refreshing in NYC. The place was cozy maybe a little dated but that’s ok. I’ve been here several times over the years but this time we were not happy with the food. I asked for pasta and vegetables which is on the menu. This time I asked that the vegetables be well cooked. Well they also well cooked the pasta which came out mushy! This is an Italian restaurant how can the pasta not be cooked right? They well cooked the vegetables with the pasta! I felt embarrassed to say anything as I was with company but then they told me that their chicken parm was dried out and tough. I tasted it and it was My wife’s salmon was fine. I also had the calamari special that they told me was fresh. Maybe it was but it tasted like hard rubber with an off taste. We wanted to tell you all of this when we were there but felt awkward about doing so but am telling you now. Please go and support them and maybe they had an off night. Unfortunately at these prices we...

The biggest disappointment from our April two-week trip to NYC. Everything about this place was wrong. We were seated and as a waiter came by, we asked for a menu. She responded that first she will take orders for drinks. We politely asked for the menu again - we wanted some wine and without knowing what we eat, did not want to choose it. She responded that first she takes orders for drinks as “this is how they do it”. We insisted on getting the menu and then she agreed to bring it. Staff were walking by and we were waiting for couple more minutes before we finally got the menu. We chose some pasta. And then ordered the glass of wine! When the food arrived, this was the simplest thing you cook when at home and in a hurry: just pasta, canned tomato sause (no chunks in it) and a piece of mozzarella. Given the price of $28 we were expecting something more. Our waiter was aloof throughout the dinner. Maybe there is a lit of pressure on them but as a customer you don’t care. The owner was nice though, when she stopped by. Given all the other restaurants we ate at were far superior to this one, we will avoid this...