Il Melograno — Restaurant in New York

This is, without question, the best Italian food that I have ever had! Gregory and Lino, the owners, were so warm and welcoming and you can tell that they put their heart and soul into this restaurant and its food. Lino told me that the recipes that he uses are his grandmother's recipes from when he was younger in Sicily. He must have been one lucky grandson because the flavor and quality of this food is absolutely superb!

We got the Polpo Alla Grigia for the Antipasi and it was absolutely superb. The octopus was soft and perfect. Ot was not fishy and it melted in my mouth. I have no idea how they cook it in such a way that it does not get chewy but I was amazed. The greens and orange fruit mix below are the absolute perfect flavoring combination with the octopus and of optimum freshness.

I ordered the Ravioli Di Vitello Al Burro E Salvia and my wife got the Pappardelle Al Ragout Di Salsiccia. I am usually not that impressed with restaurant ravioli for the price but this was the best dish I have ever had in any Italian restaurant. The handmade ravioli melted in my mouth and the cream sauce was the makings of a food magician. My wife's Pappardelle was also one of those dishes that doesn't tend to stand out from restaurant to restaurant but oh boy was that not the case here! The sauce was so fresh and brilliant in flavor and the noodles perfectly cooked down to the second! I have no idea how they made Pappardelle taste like a magical experience like this but my wife stuffed herself until she could not eat another bite.

Then came the dessert! The Cannoli Siciliani was also a tastebud party of the finest kind. The perfectly crisp canoli paired with the perfectly balanced and vibrant filling flavor was... perfect! The finishing touch was the candied carmelized orange strip on top that was something straight out of Willy Wonka's magical flavor factory. It was amaaaazing! I was stuffed, my wife was stuffed, and yet we devouered this dessert!

The ambiance is absolutely perfect as well. They have these clear window booths decorated with real live potted plants so guests can easily hear their own conversations but have nothing taken from the peaceful decor and ambiance of the restaurant as a whole. You can tell that every last decorative item in this restaurant was hand selected and placed with care.

The service was unbeatable. Gregory and Lino were never far off, ensuring that guests received the best. The wait staff was on top of everything: not overly intrusive yet magically knowing when to check in and top off drinks. They were all well groomed and professional.

The neighborhood is also pleasant with the restaurant being snuggled within a trendy and upscale part of the edge Hell's Kitchen. It couldn't be placed in a better area of Manhattan.

My wife and I will stop here EVERY time that we visit NYC...

I recently celebrated my 40th birthday at Il Melograno, and I must say, it was nothing short of spectacular! From the moment we started planning the event to the evening itself, the proprietors, Lino and Gregory, went above and beyond to ensure everything was perfect.

The ambiance of Il Melograno is both cozy and chic, providing the ideal backdrop for a memorable evening with friends. We opted for a pre-fixe menu, which was expertly curated to cater to a variety of dietary preferences, including vegetarian and pescatarian options. Each dish, from the shared appetizers to the delectable desserts, was beautifully presented and delicious.

What truly set this experience apart was the exceptional service. Lino and Gregory’s attention to detail, accommodating nature, and warm hospitality made us feel truly special. They even surprised me with a stunning bouquet – a gesture that touched my heart deeply.

For anyone looking for a venue that offers not only exquisite Italian cuisine but also personalized and caring service, Il Melograno is the place to go. I am already looking forward to my next visit!

Thank you, Lino and Gregory, for making my 40th birthday an evening to remember. I cannot recommend Il Melograno...

As someone who always supports neighborhood restaurants, I try to always like this place and be supportive, but every single time, bar none, that I have tried to eat here or get takeaway, the rude staff always put me off. Maybe they prefer to cater to a certain type of clientele more than others, I am of a different ethnicity. Their behavior is very condescending, and each time I give them preference for italian food, I regret it. The last time I went is really going to be my last, I can’t go spend money where I feel unwelcome. The bruschetta I ordered was below par, no flavour at all, in the summer when it’s tomato season! They keep reminding us, two of us went for dinner, that since we showed up without reservations, we would need to vacate the table at a certain time. They kept repeating that throughout dinner, to the point that when we went to order our mains, they repeated it! We were like, should we not order then? I think they only welcome people who make super advance reservations, and who drink a lot. We were not drinking that night and they seemed really displeased about it. Unfortunately, this rushed attitude and nasty smirks ensure this neighborhood restaurant does not...