La Ginestra Restaurant

What a treat … Wanted to go to a different restaurant but couldn’t get s reservation. Called a friend who suggested this establishment. Service over the top fantastic. Mix that in with the food and a prefect dining experience. I had the swordfish rollentini which I thought would be odd but just blew me away. Don’t miss this place. Wine just right.

Not even worth one star! Bad attitude … Just called to cancel a reservation due to inclement weather. The host gave me an argument and hung up on me !! What a rude individual who will never see my business again. Need to learn some hospitality in the hospitality business!!! Food wasn’t even that great last time I was there …

First disclaimer — we were a party of 24. Second disclaimer — the server making so many mistakes it might have skewed my review. The chef came to talk to us and he was a character but unshaven and slovenly.
Sausages — these delicious morsels saved this review from being only 1 star. I would probably go here again to just order grilled, perfectly seasoned, Italian sausages. Better yet — if I could buy them in bulk and ship them to CA! Probably the most perfect Italian sausage I have ever had.
Appetizers — nothing really special — we tried most of them. Entrees were nothing really special and I was disappointed in mine as the server had swayed me away from the sausage to get Chicken Saltimboca. Desserts were overly sweet.
The waiter brought everyone’s cocktail except mine! I made do with water until wine was served with dinner. The assistant server did not know what kind of wine they were serving beyond red or white! At the end of the meal, they brought out a wonderful — my quibble is that when she asked me if I wanted any (I was the last person to be served) and I said only if there was some left in the bottle — no sense in opening a new bottle when we were about to leave — I glanced up and she was opening a new bottle that we did not finish and I am sure we paid for the entire bottle!
Also the cardinal sin of servers — my water glass was empty more than it was full!

We were in from out of town and this restaurant was recommended by the hotel we were staying at.
It was awful and would never recommend it! I ordered the grilled eggplant for an app which was ok. I will say the positive was the waiter; he was courteous and fairly attentive although he forgot to bring a glass with ice for my wine when he insisted he would be right back with it. It never came but he overall was good.
I ordered a chicken dish with potatoes. I can’t remember the name. It was awful, it was smaller pieces of chicken with the bone in it!!! They were small enough pieces so when I bit into the first piece I was surprised.
When the second and third were the same I was disgusted. When I told the waiter, he was not surprised and said he told me me it was always prepared that way and that he had informed me of that. (Which he did not because I would never have ordered it then). I asked for something else that was very small as I had lost my appetite.
The wine was $ 10 a glass for Sutter Home and $ 10 for a small piece of Napoleon, which he said they were known for. But, the dessert was very dry and not very good.
So if I lived in the area I most definitely would not go back. The two stars are for the waiter replacing my dish. Very expensive and was not satisfied at all with the experience

Recently had dinner here with a group of friends. The cuisine was absolutely delicious. I appreciated how everyone received a rather large portion for their main course. The service was very good, as well; our waiter was very attentive to our needs. Minus one star for the extreme noise in the dining room; it’s too many tables in too small an area. But other than that, excellent. Will be back.

I can’t even begin to say how bad the service was tonight!
Not only did our table wait and hour and a half to get our appetizers, the waiter and the manager were unapologetic! Not a «sorry» or a round of drinks or coffee! The food was ok at best and this is not the first time we have been here. We will never go back and will tell everyone not to go to such a place that feels they are above service when charging top dollar for average food. This is the first time I have ever written a review, bad or good but felt so compelled and so dissed by an establishment. Avoid this place at all costs!

Good part– food is consistently great– fish, veal and pastas are always winners!
Bad part– very small, tables too close together and a nightmare for someone very tall
Worst part– the crowd on a fir or sat night– horrible obnoxious and loud so pick your days!
Best part– the Napoleon

Much louder than expected, I could barely hear the people at my table. The calarmari app and sauce was mediocre. I ordered a veal entrée and the sauce was very syrupy. The meat was just ok. I didnt enjoy anything here except for the tiramisu. I would not recommend it.

I can say only good things about this restaurant. The menu is excellent and service is very good. This is the place to get meatballs and only on Sundays.

start with the carciofi. They were doing these way before they were poplular in other places, and they are the best I ever had. Dont eat the bread, stick with the homemade breadsticks. Other appetizers are good, the papparedelle are yummy, the entrees are spotty, some are great, others just so so. If you eat veal, the grilled chop topped with salad is delightful. The desserts are great, home made and really good, but almost all of them have expresso in them, so beware. I see someone posted that their decaf was caffienated — I bet they had dessert. Took me years to figure it out. The staff is very enthusiastic and friendly, but service is slow, intentionally. Dine, relax, drink wine, converse, enjoy. The staff will not rush you; don’t rush them…

Manhattan prices for decent Italian food served in a house. I dont think so. Not going back.

really great home cooked food. they make the best baby artichoke appetizer. almost tastes like crispy gourmet vegetable chips. fresh, flavorful, savory yet light pasta dishes. my favorites are capallini primavera, paperdelle with wild mushrooms, and penne with escarole.

I’m proud to be the first one to review this establishment.
First off, I’d like the start this review by saying that the owners, waiters, valets, etc. here have become like family to me. My family has been coming here for about 4 years and we still receive the same great/​quick service and familiar smiling faces each time we go out for family dinner.
This place, in short, is a neighborhood establishment. Every Sunday (and only on Sundays), the chefs prepare only around 70 meatballs and a traditional Italian marinara. I personally order it with spaghetti because I’m still young at heart, but it can be prepared with any type of pasta available. These meatballs in particular have become very famous to those living in the area and they commonly do run out before dinner service is even half way over. For this in particular, get there early.
As for the regular menu, I don’t think that there’s even a need to open it. It’s certainly not that the things featured on the menu aren’t good. On the contrary, the food on the menu is incredible, but if you’ve eaten fine Italian food before, then I’m sure you’d already be familiar with what is featured, with the exception of a few innovative dishes. Instead, just wait for your server to come over and he will tell you all about the very original and new takes on traditional plates that they have daily. If you can’t find something incredible from the daily specials, I’d be rather shocked.
In short, this is a small, beautiful little restaurant that should not be overlooked. After becoming such a staple for my neighborhood and it’s residents, I can’t possibly imagine my life without it anymore.
Recommendations:
Zucchini Flowers (when in season)
Mozzarella della casa
Pasta primavera (white)
Ossobuco (when they have it)
Branzino
Veal Marsala