Fratelli Italian Restaurant — Restaurant in New York

I've been an infrequent customer of Fratelli for over 20 years if not longer. The food is almost always good. The staff is competent if not exceptionally friendly. Service is quite slow. We were a party of 17. It took well over an hour from appetizer to main course. When it finally came, my Chicken Scarpariello, on the bone, an increasing rarity these days, was very good. Unfortunately one in my party ordered a steak for $39 and it arrived well done when it was ordered medium rare. He told the waiter it was not as he ordered and wished to send it back and have it remade The steak was not even an inch thick and would take a professional kitchen perhaps 10 minutes to remake.

This was a first for me and everyone else in our party. The chef REFUSED to remake a steak. I ask you, have you ever experienced that in any restaurant? I've eaten in hundreds of places in my over half century on this earth and that has never occurred. It wasn't because they disputed it was ordered medium rare and was well done. It was because the chef has gotten too big for his ladle. They did take it off the check, but that left one member of our party, after waiting well in excess of an hour for the dishes, with nothing to eat other than to share with some others.

That in essence deserves no stars and I will never eat...

usually reliable but its been hit or miss the last few years. on Father's Day I doubled down and ordered the paella. It looked out of place leading off the entree specials and it was experimental to be kind. Biohazard salty would be a safer signage.

I felt my blood pressure rise in protest following one forkful. My dad agreed. this was proof that the extra salt was unimaginably extra. I wanted to return both dishes and order something else. My father insisted on suffering in silence as is his way.

"thank you sir - may I have another?"

the mantra silently spoken to center myself while enduring duress. As my lips pursed the salinity rose rapidly within. I quieted my exterior reacting less with each forkful swallowed. Gathering a size-able mouthful on the tines, gulped in a tasteless clump. Each lobster claw to salty to enjoy was one less to go before I closed this chapter. Happiness is suffering with the...

My husband and I have eaten at Fratelli dozens of times and we plan on eating there dozens more. The servers, bartender/manager and head chef/owner have always been courteous, attentive and accommodating. The establishment is clean and has a warm, friendly atmosphere. The portions are generous (we've never left hungry). 'Dinner menu' prices are about the same as comparable sit-down Italian restaurants in the Baychester - Williamsbridge - Morris Park area. We've called in orders to go numerous times as well (take-out style) and have never been disappointed. Our orders were always complete and ready for pick-up at the promised time, even on New Year's Eve when they were packed to the hilt. Our only complaint is the small size of their parking lot, but there is ample street parking within a walking distance of one to two blocks so this is a very minor complaint that doesn't detract from my...