Lunetta
New York, NY 10010
Phone: (212) 533-3663
- Price:
- $$$
- Cross Street:
- 21st Street
- Directions:
- R, W at 23rd St; 6 at 23rd St
- Hours:
- Sun-Thu 11am-11pm, Fri-Sat 11am-12am
Editorial Review for Lunetta – by Jane Lerner
The Scene
This Brooklyn favorite has made the trip across the bridge, settling in nicely to its stylish Flatiron digs. The space recalls a mid-century tropical lounge, as if Indochine started serving spaghetti. Cool-to-the-touch marble tabletops, roomy black banquettes and flickering candles create a dim, sexy atmosphere, though the service feels like a leftover from former tenant, Mayrose diner.
The Food
The Italian small-plate concept is similar to the Brooklyn outpost, but the kitchen's quality control didn't make the trip. A wintry escarole salad with crisp apple, pomegranate and pistachio is too powerfully puckering, and the pile of crisp-fried artichoke leaves seems sad without a sauce. Grilled tuna arrives in a heady but salty sauce of capers, olives and saba, while the signature meatballs are served in a garlicky tomato sauce that's disappointingly thin. Across the flavor spectrum is mezzaluna, a dessert-like ravioli filled with pumpkin and almond cookies, and a jiggly buttermilk panna cotta.
Hits: Located just down the block from the 19th Street movie theater, the stylish decor is worthy of a Hollywood period film.
Misses: The food and flavors don't shine as brightly as at the Brooklyn location, and the diner-like service doesn't do justice to the sophisticated surroundings.
(Photo by Noah Kalina; courtesy of Lunetta)
Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. Any expenses are paid for by Citysearch.
Insider Tips
What to DrinkA Lacrima di Morro, from Luciano Landi, is a berry-rich, not-too-sweet glass of red at $11. An impressive selection of exclusively Italian dessert wines are priced from $40 to $180 a bottle.
Lunch SpotThe restaurant opens at 11am and serves a lunch that differs slightly from the regular evening menu: various panini, minestrone and a truffled egg toast are excellent early-in-the-day choices.
The ExtrasA more limited intermzzo menu is served from 3pm to 5pm.
User Reviews for Lunetta
06/23/2008 Posted by arielefara
We miss Mayrose! So sourly disappointed with this restaurant - overpriced food and the portions are not priced for sharing. Wine starts at $11 a glass - such a joke!!!!!! Never again.
Pros: Location
Cons: Price $$$
04/04/2008 Posted by lauden
Was there last night for a friends birthday party, absolutely love this place. Everything I had was amazing, they did a buratta with fresh brussel sprouts that was just incredible, we had a mix bruschette which were just awesome (the ricotta with honey was my fav) and my entree, which was a lamb stew with spinach dumpling, was the best thing I've had in a New York City restaurant in the six last six months. Hard to believe it used to be Mayrose. Cool room, love the chandeliers, a little noisy, a light tight where we were, but cozy none the less. Great wine list, highly recommended.
Pros: Food, Wine, Service, Decor
Cons: A little noisey.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful
Users Like You Also Viewed
The Smith
55 3rd Ave
New York, NY 10003
Allen & Delancey
115 Allen St
New York, NY 10002
