Masseria Dei Vini — Restaurant in New York

Masseria dei Vini (The farmhouse of wines) as twisted as the name sounds, the memory of the food here will stick to your heart like seeing a beautiful girl in Italy on your vacation. It ll keep coming back to you when you close your eyes and you cant help but just chuckle thinking about it. I came in hungry and grumpy and left the place with all of my dopamine centers saturated with happiness. The waiter was passionate and knowledgeable about the food and the specials of the day. Very friendly and all smiles. Impeccable service with attention tsmall details. All the staffs were working in harmony without any chaos. Lets talk about food. Before ordering, the bread basket was on the table with EVOO olive oil and lentils. They ll give you an extra basket but be careful as the actual food portion size is very appropriate. I munched on the breads and oil and couldn’t eat my pizza, which I am relishing now while typing this out. Started out with mixed salad with balsamic vinegar and artichoke salad. The artichoke salad was creamy, nutty and citrusy. Even the mix salad was fresh and crisp. I tried vegetarian mushroom soup, which was earthy and flavorful. If you eat meat, you can enjoy it with bacon bits. Then arrived the deliciousness on the plate. I heavily judge a place by the quality of Margherita pizza it makes. MDV hit it out of the park. Delicious Italian tomato sauce with excellent mozzarella and basil flavor. Each bite was exhilarating. Same for black truffle pizza, the flavors of which were accentuated by freshly ground black pepper . The pastas were cooked to perfection and covered with DOP italian tomatoes sauce and fresh basil. Squid ink pasta with clams had a perfect bite with each flavors shining brightly. The drinks were top notch excellent. We tried 3 different drinks and our friends jumped in ecstasy calling it one of the best cocktail ever. I dont have a sweet tooth but boy oh boy! Coffee tiramisu pastry and cherry panacotta was appropriately sweet and heightened our already delightful experience to a notch up!! I enjoyed it with my eyes closed and smile on my face. TLDR- highest quality ingredients with each flavors standing out. Excellent service and dining experience. Must visit. Expensive...

I visited during the end of July. As the weather was warm, my party chose to sit outside. We went inside, checked in for our reservation, and were seated promptly by the host.

I noticed that all of the restaurant personnel were very attentive. In my reservation, I had noted that I had certain food allergies. Once we were seated, the host confirmed my food allergies and notified the chef to prevent any cross contamination. While we were placing our orders, our server confirmed that none of the items that I had ordered had anything that I would be allergic to. I was thoroughly impressed by his knowledge of the ingredients in all of the items I had chosen.

We had ordered calamari as the appetizer, and two pastas for the entrée. Our first pasta was the minchiarieddhi te farru alla crudaiola (served warm), which was whole wheat ziti pasta with tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil, basil, and mozzarella. Our second pasta was gnocchi di patate al tartufo nero, which was potato gnocchi served with a black truffle sauce.

We asked the server to split the entrées so we can both have half of each pasta. The chef was wonderful enough to accommodate our request. While I'm not a fan of any tomato-based sauce, the ziti pasta was very good. The gnocchi on the other hand, well, it was phenomenal. If I was going to die and I had to choose one last meal, it would, hands down, be the gnocchi from this place.

I don't think I can rave enough about the service here. We were checked on often and thankfully, I did not have an awkward mouth full of food each time our server swung by. Our glasses were never empty (we had sparkling water). The personnel showed perfect manners and were gracious throughout our visit.

If you're thinking about coming here, stop thinking. Just do it. For reference, we had the calamari, 2 pasta entrees, and 2 bottles of sparkling water. Our bill came out to $115 and we paid a cash tip. I can't wait...

Neighborhood Favorite: Masseria dei Vini Living in the neighborhood, I've been hitting up Masseria dei Vini for years, and it never disappoints. This place nails that perfect mix of classic Italian vibes with a modern twist. From the moment you step in, the cozy farmhouse decor makes you feel right at home. Plus, it’s more spacious than your average NYC restaurant, so you can actually enjoy your meal without feeling cramped.

The menu? Packed with deliciousness! We kicked things off with some mouth-watering appetizers. The grilled octopus is a must-try – tender, perfectly charred, and served with a bean puree so tasty it makes you want to lick the plate.

For the main event, I had the Pork Chop Milanese – juicy and full of flavor. The Tomato Spaghetti was another win, with a rich sauce that tasted like it came straight from some Italian grandma's kitchen.

The service is usually spot on, though sometimes it feels a tad rushed when the place is hopping. But hey, the staff are always friendly and make sure you're taken care of.

Now, about that bread basket – it used to be epic with a bunch of options. Nowadays, it’s a bit more basic, but those addictive breadsticks and the tasty giardiniera still make it a treat.

We wrapped up our meal with the cheesecake, and it was the perfect sweet finish – creamy, rich, and just the right amount of tangy.

Sure, the prices are a bit higher than your average Italian joint, but the portion sizes are generous and the quality is there. The food is really good, but nothing that'll blow your mind. It’s a solid spot with a great atmosphere, even if it might not be the most unforgettable meal you’ve ever had.

All in all, Masseria dei Vini is a fantastic choice if you’re craving some hearty Italian food in a charming setting. Whether you’re a regular like me or a first-timer, you’re in for...