Ribalta — Restaurant in New York

We had reservations for 3:30 pm and arrived at 2:45. The bar area was busy with a few seats available and the area to the right was all open with servers cleaning tables and setting up plates and silverware for diners after some game that had just finished. The hostess told us “we will need to wait not here but outside for 30 min as she would call us” - we said we would wait by the bar and she said, ‘it’s full’ when it definitely wasn’t -There happened to be couple of seats so we sat down. My husband asked the bartender if he had a Sancerre for me and my daughter - we were rudely told this is an Italian restaurant and they only have Italian wine. We asked what kind of Italian rose he had to which he said- sparkling rose - that’s the kind……as he said this (all of this took 5-7 min) the rude hostess told us now suddenly a table was now available. (!) She takes us to a 4 seater right next to the entrance - I pointed o another 4 seater a little away and she tells me “ that’s reserved for 5 people!!! The tables were half empty! I just stared at her and said “ really”!! Then she says…”whaaaat? Why are you angry?? ………..really? I told her she has been very unwelcoming so far….. then she seats us at the table I had requested. This restaurant needs to realize they are not doing us a favor serving us….very obnoxious and rude service. On top of this - as we sit down, the bartender walks over and says ( looking at the sparkling rose we now have been served…) you didn’t order the Sancerre ?? …………. What!! My husband and he got into a little back and forth and my husband told him that he had just finished telling they didn’t serve Sancerre. To which he says - you have a good memory ……. ( crazy place) we have actually never had such obnoxious and rude service ever. After that our actual server was fine and food was good but this whole experience left such a bad taste for us I would not recommend this place. In addition to this - there was someone really loudly on a mike or something announcing some sports related messages...

I’ve been told by native Italians, this pizza comes the closest to their homeland. Ribalta is not just another New York pizzeria. It's where Neapolitan tradition meets the manic energy of Manhattan, a junction of the old world and the new.

As you walk in, the aroma hits you – that intoxicating blend of charred wood, bubbling cheese, and the age-old promise of authentic pizza. The interior? An inviting melange of rustic Italian charm and NYC chic. But let's not get lost in aesthetics. The real art here? It's on the plate.

The Pizzas: Thin crust, with a tender heart and blistered, charred edges. The Margherita sings a simple, timeless song of San Marzano tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and basil. The Diavola? It's a fiery tango of spicy salami that reminds you, with every bite, of Napoli's spirit and sass.

The Pastas: They don't play second fiddle. The Spaghetti Carbonara is an ode to Roman kitchens - creamy, rich, with the seductive crunch of guanciale. It's comfort in a dish, evoking memories of Italian grandmothers and their timeless culinary wizardry.

The Wines: Handpicked, they're the silent narrators of Italy's rich vinicultural tapestry. From robust reds to crisp whites, every sip tells a story.

And then there's the ambiance. A low hum of conversations, clinking glasses, and the melodic cadence of Italian mingling with English. It's not just dining; it's an experience. It's being transported to a bustling eatery in the heart of Naples while still feeling the unmistakable pulse of New York.

To dine at Ribalta is to take a journey. A journey through flavors, traditions, and the sheer magic that happens when food is crafted with passion, love, and an unwavering dedication to authenticity. So here's to...

I’m a waiter myself, with experience in fine dining and some à la carte service. I wasn’t in a bad mood upon entering—only when leaving.

Ambience: 4/5. Service: 3/5. Food: 2/5. Lighting was quaint; music, forgettable.

I’ve been here before. On my first visit, I entered quietly and was completely ignored by the hostess. It led me to believe I needed to be assertive just to get noticed—so I left. On my next visit, I did exactly that and quickly got a table with my son.

Service was slow, despite it being a slow day. While the staff was kind and polite, they lacked urgency. Also, it’s odd for a restaurant to have communal salt, pepper, and oil like a pizzeria. It’s not a huge issue, just a questionable choice.

The burrata came with an overwhelming amount of cherry tomatoes—far more than anyone would eat, most of which were wasted. It still tasted decent, but the ratio made no sense.

I ordered the gnocchi with black truffle for $35 and added chicken. The portion was shockingly small—more of an appetizer—and the chicken was burnt and tough. That dish alone needs a serious reevaluation in either portion size or pricing.

I had hopes for the pizza, but it too was burnt. Maybe that’s their style, and I was simply unaware. It was soft and edible, but nothing better than a typical slice from a local corner spot.

To top it off, when I used the first bathroom on the right, the faucet barely worked. It took 2–3 minutes just to wash my hands because of the poor water pressure.

I paid the bill and left a 20% tip. I say all this as a man of sound mind and body, speaking reasonably and respectfully. No blame should fall on the kind servers, but rather on ownership or upper management for overseeing a poorly...