Cucina Alba — Restaurant in New York

My fiancé and I really wanted to like this place as we came across it from mutual referrals. We opted to book this restaurant to celebrate the Q1 success of my fiancé’s businesses. However, the racial prejudice that accompanied our experience leaves little room to label this establishment as noteworthy.

My fiancé booked a 10pm reservation for the dining area. Upon promptly checking in the racist hostess informed that we would have to wait at the bar until an available table opened. No problem. 10 minutes into waiting she comes over to inform us that our reservation is for the, “chef’s counter,” and not the, “dining area.” She then proceeds to tell us that she’d be happy to accommodate us at a table but warns that the kitchen is to close shortly. My fiancé pulls up the reservation to which blatantly states, “dining area.” We ask the server to bring back the hostess to where we’re seated to clarify and she informs that the “chef’s counter,” is the dining area.

For clarification purposes:

If a booking site offers you multiple options for seating arrangements it’s because there are various areas to sit. If your chosen area could be substituted for other areas there’d be no need to list out the various seating assignments to begin with.

Not only did the hostess BLATANTLY LIE to us about a reservation that we (clearly) made but she then proceeded to try to recover from her first lie by lying AGAIN about what the option of seating that we selected meant.

To make matters worse, patrons of a different racial background sitting beside us had no reservation but were able to move to a table before we were during this entire ordeal.

Note to Owner: If you’re going to open an establishment in NYC in 2023, have enough common sense to understand that your crowd will encompass the melting pot that is NYC and NOT just your racist ideology of what you consider to be “perfect ambiance.”

0 STARS! WOULD NOT RECOMMEND! & we’ll be sending this out to family, friends, & followers.

Silver Lining: The servers are out of this world....

I had the pleasure of dining at Cucina Alba last night, and can’t speak highly enough of my experience—so much so that I was compelled to write my second-ever Google review.

Where do I even start? As soon as I walked in, I was struck by the beautiful decor. The service added to the experience and elevated the ambiance further by being so attentive, friendly, and accessible. Samuel was particularly warm and made the vibe very engaging and relaxed.

Now, onto the food: incredible. I wish I had taken pictures, but every dish was so amazing that I couldn’t wait to just dig in. The standouts for me were the focaccia della casa, the raviolo fonografia, the best zucchini flowers I’ve ever had, and the orecchiette arrabbiata with fresh burrata. Truthfully, I think the burrata trend is a little played out, so I was hesitant to order it (especially at $70), but I am delighted to say it was worth every penny, and then some. The tableside presentation is a sure crowd pleaser and actually eating the dish is even better. This dish walks the walk as well as it talks the talk. I also enjoyed a seasonal tomato and strawberry salad that perfectly encapsulated the feeling of summer. The fried artichokes and fennel gratin side dishes were also standouts. Even though we were stuffed to the gills, we ended up ordering not one, but three (!) desserts, and despite still being full today, I have zero regrets. Their tiramisu bianco is a lesser seen version of the Italian staple, so I knew I had to try it. It was utter perfection. The pistachio gelato rivaled (even exceeded?) Lilia and Misi, which is a very high bar.

Lastly, if you love wine, you’re going to LOVE this place. If you know about wine, you’re going to love it even more. I can’t wait to come back to explore their expansive bottle list. It’s truly one of the best I’ve ever seen.

TL;DR: Italian spots in NYC are a dime a dozen, but this one really checks all the boxes, and then some! Thank you to the Alba team for an unforgettable...

Cucina Alba in NYC offers a truly enchanting dining experience that transports you to a night in Capri. From the moment you step inside, the ambiance captivates you, setting the stage for an extraordinary culinary journey. The food here is simply amazing, and the best focaccia in New York City is just the beginning.

Having explored the menu extensively, I can confidently say that Cucina Alba's offerings are exceptional. One standout dish is the branzino, served whole and cooked under a salt crust. The presentation alone is awe-inspiring, and the flavors are absolutely delightful. It's one of the best whole fish preparations I've ever had.

The Truffle burrata is another gem on the menu, with its irresistible combination of flavors. And let's not forget about the Agnolotti with truffle—it's truly a culinary masterpiece, leaving you craving each delectable bite.

Service is also top notch the manager is okie of the friendliest managers I’ve ever met.

While getting a reservation may be a challenge due to the restaurant's popularity, it is undoubtedly worth the effort. Cucina Alba exudes one of the best vibes in New York City, creating an atmosphere that enhances the overall dining experience.

In summary, Cucina Alba is a culinary gem that brings a slice of Capri to NYC. From the amazing food and the best focaccia in town to the fantastic drinks and impeccable presentation, every aspect is meticulously crafted. Be prepared for a remarkable dining experience that is hard to forget—just be sure to secure that coveted...