Servers are trying to scam tourists by not bringing out menus and then confronting about the tip they get
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 1
Fienna Burton
This restaurant is a scam trying to catch tourists. Ensure you check prices before ordering as they will upcharge you if they believe they can get away with it.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Holly Fitzsimons-Shaw
Awful service!!
Refused menus on entry and repeatedly turned down and forced to order “specialty” dishes without seeing the price.
This servers in this place really need retraining or a kick up the A$$ if they think its acceptable to treat paying customers the way they do!! They should be ashamed!!
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 5
Service: 1
Sonja
Pricey poopy
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Niamh Tuite
Staff overcharged as they heard we were British. Refused to give menus at the beginning and verbally listed prices l a lot higher that was a lie when we finally saw the menu. They try to up charge tourists and demand a massive tip. Outrageous!
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Daphney M.
Staff refused to give us menus or prices, insisting we ordered off the specials list which was $150+ per dish. When we finally got the menus, they were mostly dishes under $60.
At the end, I had a nearly $400 bill (handwritten I might add) for just two people and was bullied into leaving a $70 tip.
Would not recommend and it’s incredible they keep getting away with this!!!
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
rishi bnsl
Great upscale family style Italian restaurant. Can’t recommend it enough.
Great dining experience ? ?- the food is amazing, and the service is excellent ?... from A to Z,- they will do everything to make sure that you enjoy your dinner!! Highly recommend!!!! Thank you, guys!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Donie Wiley
Exceptional cuisine, amazing staff focussed on the customer, wonderful wine list, can’t wait to revisit NYC and this superb establishment.
Nourah G
One of New York’s liveliest basements and a favourite Italian for many locals and visitors. The food is great, but large portions. Engaging waiters and crowded, intimate seating. Always busy - make sure to reserve!
Scalinatella is the epitome of upscale, old-school Italian dining. Tucked away on the Upper East Side, this intimate spot oozes class with its white tablecloths, soft lighting, and impeccable service. The menu is rich with traditional favorites, from decadent pasta dishes to perfectly cooked seafood. Every bite feels like a step into a luxurious Italian experience.
However, be prepared—those incredible flavors come at a premium. Prices are steep, but if you’re looking for a memorable, sophisticated night out, Scalinatella delivers in spades. Definitely a 5-star spot for special occasions!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Octopus
mariavittoria cusumano
As someone of Italian origin living in New York, I know what real Italian food is supposed to taste like. Unfortunately, tonight I had one of the worst dining experiences at a restaurant trying to pass itself off as authentic.
The food was anything but genuine: a beef carpaccio and a lobster pasta that was far from the quality you’d expect from Italian cuisine. The staff was not friendly at all. The waiter listed a long series of off-menu dishes without mentioning the prices, leaving us to believe they were in line with those on the menu. Instead, the "specials" turned out to be much more expensive.
The final bill was a staggering $509 for a carpaccio, a lobster pasta, and a dessert we ordered as zabaglione but turned out to be fruit with whipped cream—completely different from what we asked for.
Horrible experience, absolutely not recommended.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 1
Matthew Leto
One of the best Italian restaurants in NYC. Authentic, delicious, and incredible service. They really make you feel like you are in Italy.
Truly an experience every food connoisseur should enjoy. Ambiance felt warm and exclusive. Service was beyond anything else on the City. Food was unique and boasted some of the best flavors I’ve ever tried.
Servers are trying to scam tourists by not bringing out menus and then confronting about the tip they get
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 1
This restaurant is a scam trying to catch tourists. Ensure you check prices before ordering as they will upcharge you if they believe they can get away with it.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Awful service!!
Refused menus on entry and repeatedly turned down and forced to order “specialty” dishes without seeing the price.
This servers in this place really need retraining or a kick up the A$$ if they think its acceptable to treat paying customers the way they do!! They should be ashamed!!
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 5
Service: 1
Pricey poopy
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Staff overcharged as they heard we were British. Refused to give menus at the beginning and verbally listed prices l a lot higher that was a lie when we finally saw the menu. They try to up charge tourists and demand a massive tip. Outrageous!
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Staff refused to give us menus or prices, insisting we ordered off the specials list which was $150+ per dish. When we finally got the menus, they were mostly dishes under $60.
At the end, I had a nearly $400 bill (handwritten I might add) for just two people and was bullied into leaving a $70 tip.
Would not recommend and it’s incredible they keep getting away with this!!!
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Great upscale family style Italian restaurant. Can’t recommend it enough.
Go there, but expect to spend a pretty penny.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Octopus, Truffle Mushroom Ravioli, Tuna Tartare, Roasted Potatoes
Great dining experience ? ?- the food is amazing, and the service is excellent ?... from A to Z,- they will do everything to make sure that you enjoy your dinner!!
Highly recommend!!!!
Thank you, guys!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Exceptional cuisine, amazing staff focussed on the customer, wonderful wine list, can’t wait to revisit NYC and this superb establishment.
One of New York’s liveliest basements and a favourite Italian for many locals and visitors. The food is great, but large portions. Engaging waiters and crowded, intimate seating. Always busy - make sure to reserve!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
Restaurantji Recommends
Scalinatella is the epitome of upscale, old-school Italian dining. Tucked away on the Upper East Side, this intimate spot oozes class with its white tablecloths, soft lighting, and impeccable service. The menu is rich with traditional favorites, from decadent pasta dishes to perfectly cooked seafood. Every bite feels like a step into a luxurious Italian experience.
However, be prepared—those incredible flavors come at a premium. Prices are steep, but if you’re looking for a memorable, sophisticated night out, Scalinatella delivers in spades. Definitely a 5-star spot for special occasions!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Octopus
As someone of Italian origin living in New York, I know what real Italian food is supposed to taste like. Unfortunately, tonight I had one of the worst dining experiences at a restaurant trying to pass itself off as authentic.
The food was anything but genuine: a beef carpaccio and a lobster pasta that was far from the quality you’d expect from Italian cuisine. The staff was not friendly at all. The waiter listed a long series of off-menu dishes without mentioning the prices, leaving us to believe they were in line with those on the menu. Instead, the "specials" turned out to be much more expensive.
The final bill was a staggering $509 for a carpaccio, a lobster pasta, and a dessert we ordered as zabaglione but turned out to be fruit with whipped cream—completely different from what we asked for.
Horrible experience, absolutely not recommended.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 1
One of the best Italian restaurants in NYC. Authentic, delicious, and incredible service. They really make you feel like you are in Italy.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Octopus, Truffle Mushroom Ravioli, Gnocchi, Eggplant Parmesan, Tuna Tartare, Grilled Lamb Chops
A consistent top high end Italian restaurant on the upper East Side.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tiramisu, Dover Sole, Octopus, Swordfish Piccata, Eggplant Parmesan
Truly an experience every food connoisseur should enjoy. Ambiance felt warm and exclusive. Service was beyond anything else on the City. Food was unique and boasted some of the best flavors I’ve ever tried.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tiramisu, Dover Sole, Gnocchi, Grilled Lamb Chops
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