Gino's Pizzeria & Restaurant
Contact Info:
Address: 345 E 83rd St (1st & 2nd Ave)
City: New York, NY
Zip: 10028
map: View the Map
Phone: (212) 717-5336
Food Info:
Menu: View the Menu
Cuisine:
Pizza
2nd Cuisine:
Italian
Takeout:
Yes
Delivery:
Yes
Catering:
Yes
Payment:
Cash only
Cititour Review:
If you want a slice of pizza (or whole pie to share) or a fairly classic dish of spaghetti with tomato sauce or homemade lasagna, Gino's Pizzeria & Restaurant might be a good bet. There are tables with actual tablecloths and "linen" napkins as well as waiters--actually more busboys with one of the owners taking orders. The restaurant is small, bustling and gives off the vibe of locals who have dropped in for their favorite pie like the whole primavera with mozzarella, peppers, onions, mushrooms, broccoli and tomatoes ($19) or a slice of plain cheese ($2.50.) Plenty of families eat her on a regular basis which can add to the noise level but most people don't linger overlong so any din is pretty transitory.
If you're eating here, I suggest you skip the various veal entrees if my Marsala is any guide-- soggy and bland. The chicken Francese at my table was pronounced "delicious" (although I thought it looked peaked and pale); the meatballs in a typical red sauce with a glop of melted mozzarella came with an ample plate of ziti (that could have been spaghetti or possibly linguini ) looked standard Italian and perfectly OK. All around eaters were tearing through large platefuls of chicken parm and hot heroes like eggplant parm ($7.00) and Philly cheese steak with onions, same price. Instead of pasta, I asked for veggies, chose broccoli and got a large portion, boiled (but crisp) with cloves of garlic. No fancy business here.
There are a bunch of salads to start such as the Tri Colori with a decent dressing that benefitted from a sprinkle of balsamic from the container on the table. I'd steer clear of the insalata di mare as well as fish entrees because this is such a casual spot the catch might be less than super-pristine.
The bread, right out of the oven, gets high marks. Service is rushed and a tad gruff but gets the job done. If you want coffee, understand that the choices are espresso and cappuccino--no regular coffee. I asked for (and got) a decafe cappuccino but no bets as to whether it was as advertised. Desserts run to cannoli and tiramisu.
Beer such as Bud, Heineken and Corona are available as are a few red and white wines by the glass at an incredibly affordable $6. Gino's "caters" and does a booming delivery business in the 'hood. If you go, ignore the attitude and concentrate on the pizza, salads and calzones with sausage, peppers and cheese; eggplant or spinach with cheese. Some swear by the garlic knots. And know that this is an all cash deal which is probably why the prices are so low, especially in the UES.
Review By: Mari Gold
Comments:
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