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Home > Restaurants > Da Umberto

All Reader Reviews of...

Da Umberto

107 W. 17th St., New York, NY, 10011
nr. Sixth Ave.
212-989-0303

7.0 "Recommended"
Average Reader Rating
on a Scale of 10		 Write Your Own Review
60% Would you go back?
60% Would you take a date?
0% Would you take kids?
60% Would you go on business?
60% Would you go on a special occasion?
Food: 6.8
Service: 7.0
Décor: 8.0
Value: 5.8
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  • Showing reviews 1 through 5 of 5

The opposite of an Italian experience

lgaudio from 22066 | Posted on 1/22/08

Overall Rating: 3 (Not Recommended)
Would you go back? No
Would you take a date? No
Would you take kids? No
Would you go on business? No
Would you go on a special occasion? No
Food: 3
Service: 3
Décor: 7
Value: 2

The staff was pushy to the point of rudeness, suggesting several times that we should order before the kitchen became busy - while the restaurant remained fairly empty. An assortment of appetizers that ended up costing $125 ranged from mediocre grilled vegetables to terrible chewy calamari and slimy shrimp. The appetizers, two servings of pasta (very good), two deserts (unimaginative), and a $65 bottle of wine ran $315 without the tip. Overall, I'd have to say Da Umberto was the worst dining experience I've had in decades. A very far cry from an 'Italian' restaurant.

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68 out of 151 people found this review helpful.

A NYC Treasure

milo_ny from 10003 | Posted on 12/18/06

Overall Rating: 10 (Highly Recommended)
Would you go back? Yes
Would you take a date? Yes
Would you take kids? No
Would you go on business? Yes
Would you go on a special occasion? Yes
Food: 10
Service: 10
Décor: 10
Value: 10

This is a what-makes-New-York-special restaurant. The food is wonderful, the staff is gracious, the tabless are spaced very far apart, what's not to love. OK - it's expensive. You get what you pay for.

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258 out of 481 people found this review helpful.

DINE ELSEWHERE!

Eckstrom from 10007 | Posted on 11/15/06

Overall Rating: 3 (Not Recommended)
Would you go back? No
Would you take a date? No
Would you take kids? No
Would you go on business? No
Would you go on a special occasion? No
Food: 2
Service: 3
Décor: 5
Value: 1

When food alchemy exists on every corner in NYC, it would seem imperative that Da Umberto have great atmosphere, service, prices AND food to justify coming to such a trite Italian venue. Not true. Da Umberto should have closed years ago! Mediocre food (skip the “crispy” promoted yet actually soggy sweetbreads), cavalier service and high prices will keep this diner away permanently. With so many terrific Italian restaurants to patronize in NYC—any establishment of chef Mario Batali; Bar Pitti; ROC; Il Mulino; Il Cantinori; and even the “Disneyland” branding circus that is now Da Silvano—each Italian restaurant that I love are far SUPERIOR restaurants to Da Umberto. Da Umberto is an inferior (not even “ordinary”) Chelsea “has been” Italian. Dine elsewhere!

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286 out of 562 people found this review helpful.

Come hungry and stay late

rscottp | Posted on 1/29/05

Overall Rating: 9 (Highly Recommended)
Would you go back? Yes
Would you take a date? Yes
Would you take kids? No
Would you go on business? Yes
Would you go on a special occasion? Yes
Food: 9
Service: 9
Décor: 8
Value: 8

Don't let the outward appearances of this incredible Chelsea trattoria put you off. It's what's inside that counts. Simply fantastic food, a great (pricey but hey, this is New York, get over it!), outstanding service, and when you're in, you're in. Plan to eat, laugh, and enjoy the locals as well as the outa-towners. Go. Pick up the phone and make a reservation.

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273 out of 527 people found this review helpful.

da Umberto wins again!

ChefD | Posted on 3/27/04

Overall Rating: 10 (Highly Recommended)
Would you go back? Yes
Would you take a date? Yes
Would you take kids? No
Would you go on business? Yes
Would you go on a special occasion? Yes
Food: 10
Service: 10
Décor: 10
Value: 8

da Umberto is owned my Umberto Assante and the general manager is Paulie. I have been here on three different occasions and each time I find it to be superb! It is a little bit pricy, but the ambience, service, and food more than make up for it. It is a business casual to somewhat dressy restaurant that seats up to 86 people. Their wine list is extensive, mostly including wines from Italy, it incorporates over 115 wines ranging from $40 a bottle to $4,000 a bottle. The food specials each night are always a good bet, but for your favorites the menu keeps much of the same style year round, changing with the seasons for product availability and quality. Make sure you have reservations, and leave room to sample something from the exquisite dessert cart. Or, if you just want some cocktails before a show, the bar is fully stocked with supplies to make anything from a Bocci Ball to a Sour Apple Martini. Good luck, and bon apetite! P.S. make sure you have the address for your cabbie, as there is no sign outside.

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270 out of 511 people found this review helpful.

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