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Torrisi
Master Critic Reviews (3 Lists)
Torrisi
9.3
Inside the landmark Puck Building, this Michelin-starred Italian-American restaurant from the Major Food Group team delivers inventive takes on NYC culinary traditions. Wood-paneled elegance meets downtown cool with servers in dinner jackets, while the kitchen turns out refined dishes like tortellini pomodoro and Dover sole Francese.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tortellini Pomodoro, Italian & American Hams with Zeppole, Affogato
Scores:
Value: 7.8
Service: 9.2
Consistency: 8.8
Food Quality: 9.5
Atmosphere: 9.4
Cultural Relevance: 9.5
What makes it special: Michelin-starred Italian-American with a nod to NYC's immigrant culinary history in a stunning Puck Building setting
Who should go: Special occasion diners and Italian-American food enthusiasts
When to visit: Lunch for easier reservations, dinner for full experience
What to order: Tortellini pomodoro, Italian hams with zeppole, affogato sundae
Insider tip: Walk-in bar seats available starting at 4:15pm for 5pm seating
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No valet or on-site parking. Nearest garages on Mott Street (~$30+ for 2 hours). Street parking extremely difficult in NoLita; subway (B/D/F/M to Broadway-Lafayette) strongly recommended.
Dress code: Fine dining dress code enforced - guests 'not sufficiently well-presented may be refused entry.' Athletic wear prohibited. Tailored shorts permitted. Lean dressy: collared shirts, dresses, smart separates expected.
Noise level: Varies by room. Dining room can be 'deafening' at peak hours per reviews. Bar area moderately loud but better for conversation. High ceilings don't absorb sound well.
Weekend wait: Reservation required - one of NYC's hardest tables. Walk-in bar seats: arrive 4:15pm for 5pm seating or expect 3-4+ hour wait after 6pm.
Weekday lunch: Easier reservations - book 30 days out at 10am on Resy. Walk-in bar seats more accessible than dinner.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited - menu is meat and seafood focused. Endive salad, vegetable sides, and some pasta dishes can work. Not a destination for vegetarians.
Vegan options: Very limited - not vegan-friendly. Kitchen may accommodate simple requests but no dedicated options.
Gluten-free options: Yes - gluten-free pasta available cooked separately. Many apps and mains can be accommodated. Not a dedicated GF facility; inform server of celiac concerns.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Exceptional for impressing someone - Michelin-starred refinement, servers in dinner jackets, stunning Puck Building setting. Request dining room for romance; bar area is livelier but louder. Expect $150-250+ per person. The effort to secure a reservation signals serious intent.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Dining room: extremely difficult without advance booking. Bar counter: 12 seats reserved for walk-ins only. Arrive by 4:15pm weekdays for 5pm seating. After 6pm expect 3-4+ hour waits. Full menu available at bar. Sign up for Resy notify list for cancellations.
Is it kid-friendly? No - adults-only policy. Children under 3 not accommodated. No strollers, high chairs, or children's menu available. This is an intentionally sophisticated fine dining experience designed for grown-ups.
Best For
Better for: Special occasions requiring NYC culinary prestige. Better than Carbone for: more inventive menu beyond red-sauce classics, grander architectural setting, slightly more availability via bar walk-ins. The tortellini pomodoro, Italian hams with zeppole, and affogato sundae are destination-worthy signatures.
Skip if: You want easy reservations, casual attire, family-friendly dining, or strong vegetarian/vegan options. Also skip if seeking intimate quiet conversation - noise levels run high. Budget-conscious diners should look elsewhere ($150-300+ per person typical).
Torrisi
8.9
Hidden beneath MacDougal Street, Tokyo Record Bar runs a tight, seven-course izakaya-style omakase where guests help pick the vinyl soundtrack. The food leans fun and flavorful rather than ultra-plated, but the combination of tasting menu, music, and intimate basement space makes it one of the area’s more singular night-out options.
Must-Try Dishes:
Vinyl Jukebox Omakase tasting menu, Seasonal sashimi and vegetable courses, Final slice of pizza served as last course
Scores:
Value: 6.5
Service: 8
Consistency: 7.4
Food Quality: 7.8
Atmosphere: 9
Cultural Relevance: 7.9
What makes it special: Underground vinyl-focused omakase where guests curate the playlist while a seven-course izakaya tasting (plus a slice of pizza) rolls out.
Who should go: Music lovers wanting a playful, tasting-menu night out.
When to visit: Later seatings for full party vibe, early for calmer experience.
What to order: Vinyl Jukebox Omakase, sake pairings, stay for upstairs cocktails.
Insider tip: Arrive early to grab a drink upstairs at the Champagne bar before heading down; it helps smooth the tight timing between seatings.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is scarce on MacDougal and surrounding blocks, especially after 6pm; rely on nearby garages along West 3rd or Lafayette.
Dress code: Smart casual with a stylish edge; most guests lean dressy-casual due to the intimate omakase setting.
Noise level: Moderate to lively; conversation is possible but the playlist-driven atmosphere keeps energy high.
Weekend wait: No walk-in availability; seatings run on strict reservations with minimal tolerance for late arrivals.
Weekday lunch: Lunch is not offered; all seatings are dinner-only.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited; the tasting menu can accommodate some swaps with advance notice, but expect modifications rather than a full alternate menu.
Vegan options: Minimal; the format is not well-suited for fully plant-based diners.
Gluten-free options: Possible with advance notice; some courses can be adapted, though cross-contact cannot be fully avoided in the compact kitchen.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes—if you want something memorable and slightly theatrical. The playlist voting and intimate basement setting create built-in conversation starters, but note the communal, timed nature of service leaves little room for a lingering, private meal.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Unlikely. All seatings are pre-booked and timed. Cancellations do pop up, but walk-ins are not a reliable strategy—monitor reservations online instead.
Is it kid-friendly? Not ideal. The basement setting, late seatings, and structured omakase flow cater to adults. Teens with adventurous palates may enjoy it, but it’s not suited for young children.
Best For
Better for: A playful, music-driven tasting experience that blends nightlife energy with izakaya-inspired courses—more personality-forward than traditional fine dining.
Skip if: You want a long, quiet, customizable meal or need extensive dietary flexibility; the tight seating schedule and fixed menu limit modifications.
Torrisi
8.6
This Michelin-starred Nolita dining room frames inventive Italian-leaning cooking with low lighting, polished service, and an extravagant, old-New-York feel. It’s a special-occasion spot where tasting-menu-style dishes and strong cocktails turn a date night into an event.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chopped liver with Manischewitz jelly, Duck alla Mulberry, Spaghetti with lamb amatriciana
Scores:
Value: 6.8
Service: 8.6
Consistency: 8.7
Food Quality: 9
Atmosphere: 8.9
Cultural Relevance: 8.4
What makes it special: High-gloss Nolita dining room serving ambitious, city-inspired Italian cooking.
Who should go: Din ers planning a splurgey, tasting-style date night.
When to visit: Prime-time dinner; book ahead for weekend evenings.
What to order: Chopped liver, duck alla Mulberry, seasonal pasta.
Insider tip: Snag an earlier seating if you prefer a slightly quieter room.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is scarce in Nolita; expect metered spots to be limited after 6pm. Nearest paid garages are on Mott and Lafayette within a 3–5 minute walk.
Dress code: Smart casual leaning dressy—dark denim is acceptable, but most guests opt for elevated outfits suitable for a date-night dining room.
Noise level: Moderate to lively; you can hold a conversation, but the room’s energy and background music create a buzz during peak hours.
Weekend wait: Walk-ins are rarely seated; expect the waitlist to close early. Without a reservation, assume no guaranteed seating.
Weekday lunch: Lunch service is limited and typically reservation-only; if offered, waits are minimal.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Several composed vegetable and pasta dishes can be made vegetarian; options are present but not extensive.
Vegan options: Very limited—dishes are not designed vegan-first, and modifications are few.
Gluten-free options: Strong pasta program means cross-contact risk, but several entrées and small plates are naturally gluten-free; staff is knowledgeable about accommodations.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes—its low lighting, polished service, and elegant pacing create a sophisticated atmosphere that elevates a first date without feeling overly formal.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Unlikely during prime hours; the dining room books out well in advance. Try early-evening walk-in slots at opening or look for late seatings.
Is it kid-friendly? Not ideal for young children—the menu skews adventurous, service is refined, and the room is built for adults celebrating or dining out. Teens comfortable with upscale dining may fit in.
Best For
Better for: A polished, special-occasion Italian experience with fine-dining sensibilities—ideal for guests seeking elevated technique, strong cocktails, and a glamorous Nolita setting.
Skip if: You prefer casual Italian fare, need robust vegan options, or want a quieter, low-key dinner; nearby trattorias offer more relaxed alternatives.