Gelso & Grand — Restaurant in New York

As a native New Yorker, I pride myself on knowing good food and exceptional service. Unfortunately, my recent visit to Gelso & Grand was, without a doubt, one of the worst dining experiences I've ever had. From tasteless food to terrible service, this restaurant managed to fail on every front.

First and foremost, the food was utterly disappointing. I ordered a pasta dish that was bland and lacked any discernible flavor. The sauce tasted as if it came straight out of a can, and the pasta was overcooked to the point of being mushy. My girlfriend’s pizza was equally unimpressive, with a soggy crust and insipid toppings that did nothing to elevate the dish. For a restaurant that claims to offer authentic Italian cuisine, the execution was abysmal.

However, the poor food was just the beginning of our woes. The service was a complete disaster. At one point during the meal, our server accidentally knocked over a glass of wine, spilling it all over me. Not only did this ruin my clothes, but the server's response was shockingly indifferent. There was no genuine apology or attempt to rectify the situation. Instead, it was brushed off as if it were a minor inconvenience.

Adding insult to injury, another server managed to spill sauce on my girlfriend. It was clear that the staff lacked proper training and coordination, which contributed to an overall chaotic and unpleasant atmosphere. Such carelessness and lack of professionalism are unacceptable in any dining establishment, let alone one that positions itself as a higher-end restaurant.

The final nail in the coffin was the rude waiter who attended to our table. His attitude was curt and dismissive from the moment we sat down. When we pointed out the issues with our food, he seemed irritated rather than concerned, making us feel like we were the problem for expecting a decent meal and basic courtesy. His unprofessionalism and lack of customer service skills were staggering and only served to exacerbate an already dreadful experience.

To top it all off, they almost refused to give us a discount after the horrible experience. I am never one to ask for discounts, but this situation was so bad that the cost of dry cleaning will be more expensive than the dinner itself. The management's reluctance to acknowledge the severity of our experience and offer appropriate compensation was incredibly frustrating.

Overall, my experience at Gelso & Grand was nothing short of terrible. The combination of tasteless food, clumsy servers, and a rude waiter made for an evening I wish I could forget. I would not recommend this restaurant to anyone and certainly will not be returning. If you're looking for an enjoyable dining experience, look elsewhere. This place is not worth your...

Unfortunately, I’m going to have to rate this a 1 out of 5 stars! This was my first time dinning here, the overall customer service was horrible. I was dinning with a friend. After we paid our bill, and left the restaurant, my friend realized he accidentally left his cell phone behind at the restaurant. We went back to the restaurant to look for it, and we were given such a hard time. Our waiter by the name of Daniil A. acted like he didn’t know anything, and he disappeared as we spoke to the manager on duty. The manager, which was a women, was so rude instead of being helpful. The manager failed to properly look at the footage from the camera accordingly leading up to the incident. Luckily, there were two other customers dinning next to our table that gave us a heads up it was our waiter Daniil A. that was last seen. That’s why we confronted Daniil A. first. The whole thing was sketchy! We looked around our table, and we noticed another employee was going back, and forth, then offered to help us. While this employee was “helping us”, he suggested the phone would be at the front door of the facility on the floor……..we walked back towards the front, and the phone mysteriously was there…..the phone was planted there by the restaurant employees! It wasn’t there when we returned to the restaurant to look for it! The last thing we remember was the cell phone on the table, and the waiter Daniil A. placed our napkins a certain way, and picked up our plates. My friends cell phone was swiped by this employee. Please be very careful with your personal items. Their own employees steal from their own consumers! This is extremely disappointing, and I would never step foot in this restaurant again.

-As to the owner, my name is Miguel Santiago, I was in the restaurant, and I paid with my card! I have my receipt. That’s how I have the name of the waiter that served me that night. I was dinning with a friend that was in town visiting. The footage was established at the restaurant, we were given the run around over the footage, and mistreated by management, and the conclusion made absolutely no sense. The waiter that suggested the phone was on the floor outside….if he saw it there initially why didn’t he just grab it, and bring to us? Or even bother turning it into managements hands that night? You might want to check your video surveillance outside of your restaurant. The cell phone wasn’t on the floor outside, when we walked back in to inquire. I don’t take being lied to likely, especially when I’m paying for a dinning experience. Tammy is my partner, this is our account to leave any reviews, as we please. I will not remove my review. Don’t worry, we won’t be returning, or recommending your location. Best of...

My family and I recently had the pleasure of dining at Gelso and Grand, and it was an unforgettable experience from start to finish. Despite arriving late due to unexpected traffic, the staff couldn’t have been more accommodating. They welcomed us warmly, reassuring us that our timing was no issue, which instantly put us at ease and set the tone for a relaxing evening.

The atmosphere was inviting, with contemporary music playing in the background, adding a modern twist to the traditional Italian dining experience. The vibe was laid-back making it a perfect spot for both casual family dinners and celebrating special occasions.

The food was nothing short of exceptional. We started with the crispy octopus and meatballs as appetizers. The octopus was perfectly cooked, tender on the inside with a satisfying crisp on the outside, and seasoned to perfection. The meatballs were rich and flavorful, with a hearty sauce that complemented them beautifully. For the main course, we ordered two pizzas and two pastas. The pizzas were perfectly baked, with a crispy yet chewy crust that had just the right amount of char. The toppings were fresh and flavorful. The pastas were equally impressive, cooked to al dente perfection and generously coated with rich, savory sauces. It was evident that each dish was prepared with care and a true passion for the food.

To top it all off, the drinks were excellent. The cocktail menu was creative and well-executed, our drinks were perfectly balanced and refreshing in this summer heat.

What made the experience even better was the generous portion sizes. We left the restaurant feeling completely satisfied.  Considering the quality and quantity of the food, the price point was just right—offering excellent value for our money.

The service was also top-notch, with friendly and attentive staff who made sure we had everything we needed. The combination of delicious food, a welcoming atmosphere, and reasonable prices makes Gelso and Grand a must-visit for anyone craving Italian with a modern twist. We can’t wait to come back and try other things...