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Scalinatella
$$$$ · Italian

201 E 61st St, New York, NY 10065
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ZipPicks Awards

Best Date Night Italian in Upper East Side

Vibe Check this spot

Food Quality 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5
Consistency 5
Cultural Relevance 5

0 / 5 selected

Master Critic Review

Scalinatella 8.3
Upper East Side-Lenox Hill-Roosevelt Island
Vibes: Date Night Magic Luxury Dining Elite Birthday & Celebration Central Trendy Table Hotspots
Scalinatella is the splurge option in 10065: a downstairs grotto where off-menu pastas, truffle-laced specials, and seafood plates are recited at the table. It’s a choice for couples who want a throwback, high-touch Italian evening with big flavors, big spending, and a room that feels insider-y rather than polished corporate.
Must-Try Dishes: Linguine with clams, White truffle pasta specials, Beef carpaccio
Scores:
Value: 6.1 Service: 8.2 Consistency: 8.3 Food Quality: 9 Atmosphere: 9.1 Cultural Relevance: 8.4
What makes it special: Basement-level Italian that feels like a private club, with showman servers and nightly blackboard specials.
Who should go: Couples ready for a splurge-y, old-school Italian night out.
When to visit: Prime weekend dinner hours for maximum grotto energy and people-watching.
What to order: Linguine with clams, a truffle pasta special, beef carpaccio starter.
Insider tip: Confirm prices on verbally described specials if you’re watching the spend—they can run far higher than the printed menu.