La Pecora Bianca SoHo — Restaurant in New York

I’m not sure words can fully express how much we enjoyed not only our meal, but also the service at the restaurant. I was able to make a reservation for our group of 3 the same day we arrived in NYC and we were seated at an outdoor table with heated lamps, perfect for people watching, within 10 minutes of arriving even though the restaurant was quite busy. Our waiter Gary gave quite a few recommendations for his favorite appetizers and mains so we decided to order a few different things and share so we’d all have an opportunity to try everything. Thank you Gary for not steering us wrong, everything he recommended was soooo good!!! We started with the whipped ricotta, meatballs, calamari and zucchini fries and everything was delicious. This was my first time having zucchini fries- fried squares of perfection that managed to be crispy and not greasy that were only enhanced by the sauce. Never had whipped ricotta but we ordered it due to the waiter’s suggestion and it DID NOT DISAPPOINT!!! We had to force ourselves to stop eating it so we could eat the remainder of the plates ordered, but it was a perfect combination of sweet and creamy with the most amazing bread. I could imagine devouring a huge bowl of it with the bread in comfy sweats at home on the sofa binging shows/movies and that being a perfect night in. Hope they never take it off the menu, I would order it every time I visit the restaurant. The meatballs were also really good, well seasoned and flavorful. For our mains we decided to share a Toscano salad with salmon, the bucatini (I can never resist cacio e pepe when I see it on the menu), and the garganelli. Kale can sometimes be very bitter, but the flavors of the salad were perfectly balanced with just enough dressing and of course the ricotta was the perfect finishing touch. I’m not a fan of mushrooms, but the garganelli was my favorite pasta dish. The pasta was perfectly al dente and each one coated with the pesto, garlic and pecorino. It was amazing when brought to the table, and the leftovers were even better later that evening. LP and Deanna stopped by the table to check and make sure everything was to our liking. We appreciated that even with so much going on, the managers took the time to stop by our table and inquire as to how we were enjoying our meal. They were engaging and made us feel very welcomed. We mentioned how much we were enjoying our meal due to the great recommendations from our waiter and they were kind enough to send out an olive oil cake for dessert. I’ve eaten in a number of great restaurants both stateside and abroad, but this was one of the best dining experiences I’ve had in a long time. The combination of amazing food, engaged and gracious service were top tier. I can’t recommend La Pecora Bianca SoHo enough, it was a highlight of our trip to experience the Christmas holiday in NYC and will definitely return on my next...

Visiting La Pecora Bianca Soho tonight was a bit of a mixed experience. First, I dine out quite often and typically at AmEx Global Dining and Michelin rated establishments. As luck would have it, I also write plenty of published reviews (not necessarily Google but could not wait to get home and share this with you all)

Upon arrival, we were greeted by a hostess who didn’t exactly set the right tone. She seemed to be in discussion with the manager regarding seating. Another couple arrived along with us and it seemed they were trying to determine where to sit us vs them. The manager looked over at me and my colleague who had just arrived from our office jobs then immediately gave instruction to the hostess. Despite several open tables in the main dining area, we were ushered down to a basement-level area right by the restrooms. It felt as though our table location had more to do with preference than availability, which was disappointing and somewhat uncomfortable. (Images attached) If you were wondering, the other couple were seated in the energy filled main room.

However, our waitress turned things around as best as she could. Friendly, attentive, and always nearby, she went out of her way to make sure we had everything we needed, adding a warm and personable touch to our meal. Her attentive service was truly the highlight of the evening. She walked up and down the stairs numerous times to cater for us and it was appreciated. I believe her name was Elena, Elna, Ellia and apologies for not getting it correct. She seemed to have gotten instruction from the front to mention that folks were normally seated downstairs as the main room filled up but as you can clearly see in the attached images, the cafeteria style seating downstairs not only lacked energy and a vibe but also lacked reservations that allegedly spilled over from the main room.

The food itself was fantastic—each dish exceeded our expectations. I had the Branzino which was cooked and flavored to perfection. From appetizers to entrées, everything else was deliciously prepared, showcasing quality ingredients and skillful cooking. Given the quality, we found the pricing very reasonable, offering great value for the experience.

If it weren’t for the seating and the lukewarm greeting, this would have been an exceptional night out. If you visit, I’d recommend kindly asking to be seated in the main dining area to enjoy the restaurant at its best.

Lastly, if senior management is reading this, there is a huge opportunity for improvement at the hostess booth. I will return once again in the near future with someone else so I can truly determine if this evening was an anomaly or...

We had a wonderful meal, and the food was absolutely delicious. We ordered meatballs, two types of salads, calamari, four different types of pasta, chicken parm, and, to top it off, tiramisu. Our parents had traveled a long distance, and we were excited to treat them to a special meal. Every dish was flavorful, and our main server was nice. However, we were deeply shocked when another server’s assistant came to clear the dishes. The assistant's appearance was disheveled to the point where he looked almost like someone off the street. His clothes were tattered, and he had a rough, unpleasant demeanor that felt completely out of place in such a nice dining setting. What truly alarmed us, though, was the way he handled the dishes. It was as if he had no regard for the delicate items in front of him—he cleared the table with such force and carelessness that it sounded as though he was deliberately trying to break the dishes. Each time he made a loud bang, our elderly parents visibly jumped in alarm. His movements were so abrupt and rough that it felt unsettling, almost as if he were angry or resentful of the task. His overall attitude was not only weary but bordering on depressing, and it was almost frightening to witness. We fully understand that everyone has tough days, but this was a special occasion, and we had hoped for an atmosphere of warmth and respect, especially since we were treating our elderly parents. We’re not suggesting that anyone should lose their job, but perhaps a bit of attention to presentation and attitude could go a long way in creating a more welcoming atmosphere. A little more care in how staff handle their responsibilities, and how they present themselves, would undoubtedly enhance the overall dining experience. Despite this, we did enjoy our meal and hope this feedback helps improve the experience for future guests. With a few adjustments, this restaurant has the potential to be truly...