A Mano — Restaurant in Town of Southold

VERY disappointing, only mediocre…

My family and I have eaten at ‘A Mano’ a number of times over the past several years. Our most recent dinner there was Saturday June 3rd. This used to be one of our favorite places to have a great dinner at, but this time it failed in every area. There were just too many problems to be excusable….

We made a reservation and were asked if we wanted to sit inside or outside. We said INSIDE, but when we arrived and they sat us on the outside patio which had plastic walls/tarps and heaters to sort of protect us from the cold and wind. It was poorly sealed, not warm enough - the heaters did not throw enough heat, and the cold wind kept blowing through onto us through openings that they had not bothered to seal. Good service is about many things including details and communication. (They failed). So we asked to be moved inside, which they did.

Once seated service was spotty form that point on. Took too long to get water and menus. And there was no water service after the first time until we asked them for it. Our waiter forgot to tell us the specials, so I reminded him to do so.

Bread given to our table was ok, but the olive oil they provide at each table is the cheap light type with little flavor, etc. The meals…. My daughter ordered “Tom’s Carbonara” which she has had there before. The Duck in it was a little overcooked, and someone in the kitchen had a heavy hand with the pepper for this dish this time! My wife had the “Sautéed Spaghetti Squash” with shrimp, tomato and broccoli rabe. Presentation on the plate was ok, but not impressive. The vegetables were seasoned and cooked decently, but the shrimp was VERY overcooked. My entrée was where they really failed - TWO times. I order the “Chicken Burrata.” Presentation again was ok, but the chicken was VERY overcooked. Very tough or close to impossible to cut with a knife and certainly difficult to chew. I sent it back. And since my wife & daughter already had their main courses I didn’t want to wait long, so I ordered the Bronzino (fish) which I knew would/should be prepared and served quickly. It was. Presentation on the plate was only equal to a diner. The fish was slightly overcooked, but not by too much. Seasoning and sauce was bland, weak, just not good.

The overall attention and service to our table was poor, and overall the food was simply lousy. To sum up the food… Seasoning was basic and poorly done, they did not know how to properly cook any seafood or poultry.

The only positive notes are that, we have had worse meals, and they did comp me on my second drink to try to make up for the problem with the chicken.

To us, it seemed as though they have either lost their chef, or he had a really bad day there, or someone was filling in for him, and doing a VERY POOR job of it. But that only explains the food. The service has also gone downhill and not at all as good as it used to be.

Looking at various (positive) reviews I have read about ‘A Mano,’ it appears that many people don’t know what really good food is, or about serving & attention to details, or they may have had more than enough alcohol or wine to drink which has influenced their perceptions and memories.

We go out to restaurants to have a nice time, enjoy the entire dining experience, not to get aggravated, disappointed and feel that we have thrown away our money.

Suffice it to say, we are sadly crossing ‘A Mano’ off our list - we will not be going back or...

If you’re in Mattituck, NY, and craving an authentic Italian dining experience, A Mano Italian Restaurant should be at the top of your list. From the moment you step in, the warm, welcoming atmosphere makes you feel right at home.

Start your meal with their mussels appetizer, which is absolutely delicious—each mussel is perfectly cooked and served in a rich, flavorful sauce that sets the tone for the rest of your meal. The Sunday Special is always a treat, showcasing the chef’s creativity and dedication to fresh, seasonal ingredients. I highly recommend the pan-seared cod, which was a standout dish with its perfectly crisp exterior and tender, flaky interior, complemented by a beautifully balanced sauce.

No meal is complete without dessert, and A Mano’s cannolis are not to be missed. They are filled with a creamy, sweet ricotta filling that is both indulgent and satisfying.

Overall, A Mano offers an exceptional dining experience with its authentic flavors and inviting ambiance. It’s a place where every detail, from the food to the atmosphere, reflects a true appreciation for Italian cuisine. Whether you’re a local or just passing through, A Mano is a gem that...

Yikes. Certainly overrated. Unsure why so many stars. Food and service was not good at all, let’s start with the table cube bread? Hard as a rock, tasteless with no side like butter or any oil etc, just dry, hard bread.

We ordered ginger ale soda and a sangria. it was house soda, it tasted like bleach water? The sangria was extremely strong and mix was horrible and gave me a stomachache. We left both drinks full on the table.

We also ordered the meat ball starter, it was served on soggy bread like a slider. Meatball had no seasoning whatsoever, it had the texture of mush baby food.

In terms of the service, forget it. When we first sat down, we waited 15 min for the waiter to bring us water and take our drinks order. The drinks too another 15min to get to us and when they finally arrived, the waiter spilled it on the table and some got on my clothe…a minimal apology came with this mistake.

After waiting about 15 mins, we decided to ask for a check and leave.

To summarize, $35 we received dog food service. This is NOT Italian cuisine. I hope management see this and learn from it. I don’t write bad reviews but when I do, It had to be something serious....