Arthur and Sons NY Italian — Restaurant in New York

I’m not a waiting list person, but with all the buzz around Michelin-star Joe Isidori’s new Italian joint I decided to throw my name onto the month-long Resy queue and damn it was SOOO worth it. The energy and vibe was so electric…every table was filled….layers and layers of conversations bounced all around. I mean hip-hop with Frank Sinatra; Nonna’s dining room just a few feet away with some well-curated graffiti…who does that? Oh yeah, Chef Joe.

Let’s start with the perfectly crusty on-the-outside-and-soft-on-the-inside bread that was paired with a lump of some garlic concoction that I’m just gonna call “pot.” Like really good pot, the more you have it the better it gets. I don’t know what’s in it, but if there’s an opportunity to buy jars and jars of it, I totally would. Hint, Hint.

Some would consider me a minor foodie and not full-fledged because I have a laundry list of things I won’t eat. Apparently, you have to like foie gras and uni and cilantro to be a foodie…so whatever. I’m also in the habit of front-loading my meals so I don’t think I’ve ever had any full-courses of anything. I honestly did have every intention to get to the chicken parm, but that didn’t happen, because I front-loaded with the Meatballs and Ricotta; Little Gem Caesar Salad; AND Eggplant Stack alla Arturo’s.

The meatballs with heaping dollops of ricotta was served swimming in a rich and perfectly balanced “gravy.” Pro tip: ask for more bread and dredge the meatball across the sauce WITH the ricotta and eat it with the bread and “pot.” Your mouth won’t be mad at you.

Th Little Gem Caesar salad is a misnomer. There is nothing little about it. Layers and layers of crisp romaine lettuce seemingly coated individually with dressing and cheese. There may have been anchovy, but so can’t remember because I was 2 glasses of Prosecco into the meal.

Chef Freddie came out and with the Eggplant Stack Alla Arturo’s. The literal eggplant stack was thinly sliced and lightly battered with a knife piercing through all the layers. Chef Freddie pours something over it (maybe I heard balsamic something) and then walks away. I wasn’t quite sure what the protocol was, so hacked away a few of the layers and put it on, the bread and the pot, of course. You’re onto my pattern now, right?

I really should have stopped there, but I never pass up an opportunity to eat truffles, plus I’m a fat kid and no fat kid is a quitter. The Macaroni Alla Tartufo was the siren song that refused to be ignored. Holy. Sh*t. Don’t tell my boyfriend, but it was the best thing I put in my mouth that day. When the richness of the creamy truffle sauce absorbs into every single one of your tastebuds, the word orgasm comes to mind. And then I was done. I didn’t want to eat anything else. I didn’t want anything else to bastardize that exquisite moment. I don’t ever skip dessert. This place made me skip dessert.

Everything is served family-style and the portions are enormous which leads me to my only gripe and that’s that the tables are too small.

Painstakingly following family recipes, Chef Joe got it right. It’s Sunday dinner at your Nonna’s, but without the incessant judgement of weight gain, hairstyles, relationships, and kids.

Get your name on the list....

Arthur & Sons: A Love Letter to Old-School Italian with Big Flavor and Even Bigger Vibes

Walking into Arthur & Sons on 8th Ave in the West Village feels like stepping into a time machine—one that transports you straight into the golden era of red sauce joints, mob movie aesthetics, and unapologetically bold Italian-American flavors. From the second you walk in, the energy is electric. The walls are lined with nostalgia, the music sets the tone, and the aroma of garlic, simmering tomatoes, and fresh basil instantly pulls you in.

But let’s talk about the food—because this is where Arthur & Sons truly shines. Every dish is a masterpiece of Italian-American comfort with a no-holds-barred approach to flavor. The Spicy Vodka Rigatoni is rich, creamy, and hits with just the right kick, while the Chicken Parm is exactly what you dream about when you crave the perfect crispy, cheesy, saucy bite. And let’s not forget their garlicky, buttery, out-of-this-world garlic bread—it’s the kind of side that could easily steal the show.

Artie’s Chopped Salad is a closely guarded family secret, a signature dish at Arthur & Sons that embodies the heart and soul of classic Italian-American flavors. Crafted with care and tradition, this salad is more than just a dish—it’s a legacy passed down through generations. With fresh, high-quality ingredients, a perfect balance.

The Meatballs with Ricotta are another standout, offering tender, flavorful meatballs paired with creamy ricotta, embodying the essence of Italian-American comfort food.

For a touch of indulgence, the Macaroni alla Tartufo features a luxurious mushroom truffle cream sauce paired with Parmigiano Reggiano, creating a harmonious blend of earthy and savory flavors.

Sole Francese is a masterful take on the beloved Italian-American classic, featuring delicately egg-battered filet of sole, pan-seared to a perfect golden brown. The fish is then bathed in a luscious lemon-butter white wine sauce, infusing it with a rich, velvety texture and a bright citrusy zing.

The portions? Massive. The atmosphere? Loud, lively, and full of character. This isn’t just a restaurant—it’s an experience. Whether you’re here for a date night, a celebration, or just a craving that only serious Italian comfort food can fix, Arthur & Sons delivers in a way that makes you feel like family.

Bottom line? Arthur & Sons isn’t just one of the best Italian spots in NYC—it’s a love letter to the kind of food that never goes out of style. Bring your appetite, bring your crew, and get ready for a meal you...

Food: 2/5 Service: 1/5 Ambiance: 5/5

We arrived without reservations at 6pm. We were able to get seated at 9pm. What I found most frustrating about the wait was that there were many tables that went unoccupied the entire time and it made me wonder what motivation they had to keep us frustrated with high anticipation the whole time.

Everyone in our group ordered the spicy rigatoni with veal added. The veal was really dry for all of us and some plates had a lot of sauce to make up for it while others didn’t. It did take what felt like about 45 minutes to deliver the pasta plates which felt odd in an empty restaurant and knowing we all ordered the same thing. We also got calamari and the burrata. The burrata was ok, bread was good but the burrata itself didn’t impress. Tasted a bit dry. The calamari was 50/50. The sauce was excellent but the calamari itself was just ok.

The service was pretty terrible. Our waitress didn’t necessarily check up on us much at all throughout the entire meal. Our brief interactions felt standoffish which is an odd feeling to have with someone who is supposed to be representing the team that put our meal together. It could’ve been an off night or maybe it was busier than we could see. The restaurant seemed at less than 50% capacity so maybe their time was divided by their other space on the side (seemed like they had two restaurants side by side under the same name and a hostess did send us from the main location to the second to wait at the bar and get drinks while we were waiting for a table).

$370 meal and $75 for tip. The machine starts at 20% so if you want to give less you really have to work for it so I hit the default 20% and left it at that, we saw our waitress a total of 4 times: 1) introduction, 2) take orders, 3) to tell us that it’s her job to take drink orders rather than the bus team (since we tried to put in a drink order with a bus boy taking dirty plates because our server was elusive), 4) charge my card.

Final verdict: this place is truly overhyped and I do not believe the quality of food and delivery of service justifies even half of what was charged on this bill. Cocktails were on point and the bartender knew what he was doing. I highly recommend the Mai Thai though - this cocktail had a great balance of flavor...