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Toscana 49
Master Critic Reviews (3 Lists)
Toscana 49
8.5
Sister restaurant to Café Fiorello delivers homemade pasta made daily in-house using traditional Tuscan methods. The intimate white-tablecloth dining room and private upstairs space host devoted regulars who return for poetic recitations of daily specials.
Must-Try Dishes:
Spinach Lasagna, Spaghetti alla Chitarra e Gamberi, Pappa al Pomodoro
Scores:
Value: 8
Service: 8.8
Consistency: 8.4
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 8.2
Cultural Relevance: 8.3
What makes it special: Daily handmade pasta and servers who describe specials like Italian poetry
Who should go: Pasta purists and couples seeking intimate conversation
When to visit: Early evening pre-theater or leisurely weekend brunch
What to order: Fresh pasta of the day, eggplant parmigiana, Tuscan bread soup
Insider tip: Ask about off-menu requests—they'll make dishes from previous visits
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking limited in Midtown East. No valet. Nearby garages available. Excellent location - stone's throw from Grand Central (4/5/6/7/S) makes subway the easiest option.
Dress code: Smart casual - the white-tablecloth intimate setting creates an air of sophistication. One reviewer noted 'our kids feel the air of sophistication and don't dare pull their phones out.' Jeans acceptable but lean dressy.
Noise level: Variable - some reviewers praise the 'relaxing atmosphere where you can actually hear the people you are dining with,' while others note it can get lively when full. Request a quieter table when booking.
Weekend wait: Reservations strongly recommended - 'packed on a Monday night' per reviews. Book via OpenTable or call (212) 256-0190. Private upstairs space available for groups up to 50.
Weekday lunch: Easier to secure tables. Open daily 12pm-10pm. Pre-theater early dinner slots popular but manageable.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Good options - eggplant parmigiana highlighted as excellent, pasta dishes with vegetable sauces, Pappa al Pomodoro (Tuscan bread soup), salads. Daily specials may include additional vegetarian preparations.
Vegan options: Limited but accommodating - vegetable-based dishes available; speak with server about modifications. Italian cuisine is dairy-heavy but kitchen shows flexibility.
Gluten-free options: Accommodations available on request - proteins and salads naturally GF. Note that daily handmade pasta is the specialty, so GF diners should discuss alternatives with staff.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Excellent choice - the intimate white-tablecloth dining room with low lighting creates perfect romantic conditions. Reviewers describe it as 'feels like you are dining in a family's home' and 'low lights and romantic.' The poetic presentation of daily specials adds memorable charm without pretension.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Possible but risky, especially evenings. One reviewer noted it was 'packed on a Monday night in the pouring rain, full of New Yorkers.' Book ahead via OpenTable for parties up to 10, or call (212) 256-0190 for larger groups. Upstairs private space accommodates up to 50.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes, for well-behaved children who can appreciate fine dining. One family reviewer noted their kids 'feel the air of sophistication' - the setting encourages good behavior. Kitchen is flexible and will accommodate requests. Not ideal for toddlers or those needing kids-menu basics.
Best For
Better for: Pasta devotees who want daily handmade creations using traditional Tuscan methods. Devoted regulars return because staff remembers their preferences - one guest ordered a dish from a year ago and they 'knew what it was and happily prepared it.' Pre-theater convenience near Grand Central. Private events up to 50 in upstairs space.
Skip if: You want trendy scene-making or need strict gluten-free options (fresh pasta is the draw here). Some find it can get noisy when full. Not ideal for quick casual bites - this is a lingering, relationship-building kind of place.
Toscana 49
8.8
Toscana 49 is a polished Midtown East trattoria where the house Lasagna al Forno and other handmade pastas anchor a tight, traditional Tuscan menu. Regulars mix business dinners and low-key date nights here, relying on attentive service, a serious wine list, and consistently well-executed red-sauce classics.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lasagna al Forno, Cacio e Pepe, Tagliatelle alla Bolognese
Scores:
Value: 7
Service: 8.8
Consistency: 9
Food Quality: 9.3
Atmosphere: 8.5
Cultural Relevance: 8.5
What makes it special: Refined Tuscan spot where a deeply layered Lasagna al Forno is a signature alongside housemade pastas.
Who should go: Business diners and couples wanting serious Italian pasta.
When to visit: Weeknight dinners or lingering business lunches.
What to order: Lasagna al Forno, Cacio e Pepe, a seasonal pasta special.
Insider tip: Ask for the daily pasta recommendation; the kitchen often runs off-menu shapes and sauces for regulars.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited on 49th Street; nearby paid garages on 3rd Ave usually have space after 6pm.
Dress code: Smart casual — button-downs, dresses, or polished jeans all fit the room's Midtown business energy.
Noise level: Moderate — you can hold a full conversation, though the room gets livelier during prime dinner hours.
Weekend wait: 20–40 minutes without a reservation depending on convention and theater traffic.
Weekday lunch: Generally no wait, though peak corporate lunch hours may require a short hold.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several pasta dishes and appetizers can be ordered vegetarian.
Vegan options: Limited — most pastas rely on egg or cheese, but a few salads and vegetable starters work.
Gluten-free options: Yes — gluten-free pasta can be accommodated on request, though the kitchen does not operate a separate prep zone.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the polished Tuscan setting, steady service, and comfortable noise level make it ideal for conversation-focused first dates.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often, especially on weeknights, though walk-ins during peak dinner windows may face a short wait. Reservations are recommended for groups.
Is it kid-friendly? Generally yes for older kids who enjoy classic Italian dishes; no dedicated children’s menu, but the staff is accommodating.
Best For
Better for: A refined, traditional Tuscan experience with attentive service and one of the more consistently executed lasagnas in Midtown.
Skip if: You want ultra-casual red-sauce cooking, large family-style portions, or a budget-friendly pasta spot.
Toscana 49
8.6
Vibes:
Family Friendly Favorites
Business Lunch Power Players
Group Dining Gatherings
Comfort Food Classics
A Tuscan-focused trattoria near Lexington where handmade pastas, lamb ragù, and ricotta-filled ravioli anchor relaxed, white-tablecloth family dinners. Portions and pricing make it a practical choice for multi-generation meals near Grand Central without slipping into tourist-trap territory.
Must-Try Dishes:
Fettucini di Agnello (homemade fettuccine with lamb ragù), Ravioli di Ricotta with asparagus and pancetta, Linguini alle Vongole in white clam sauce
Scores:
Value: 8.1
Service: 8.7
Consistency: 8.8
Food Quality: 9
Atmosphere: 7
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: Homemade Tuscan-style pastas in a calm, grown-up room that still welcomes families.
Who should go: Families wanting serious pasta without stuffy fine-dining formality.
When to visit: Early evening weekdays for easier seating and quieter tables.
What to order: Pasta e Fagioli, Fettucini di Agnello, Ravioli di Ricotta.
Insider tip: Ask about daily pasta specials; portions are shareable for kids and adults.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited on 49th Street, especially after 5pm; nearby paid garages on Lexington typically run $25–$35 for evening stays.
Dress code: Smart casual; families in neat jeans are common, but the room leans polished Tuscan trattoria.
Noise level: Moderate; steady conversation hum but easy to hold a family discussion without raising voices.
Weekend wait: 25–45 minutes without a reservation, longer for larger groups.
Weekday lunch: Usually minimal wait, though business tables fill quickly between 12–1pm.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Good options, including pasta e fagioli, ricotta ravioli, and several vegetable-forward starters.
Vegan options: Limited; some salads and simple pasta with tomato sauce may work, but customization is often required.
Gluten-free options: Gluten-free pasta is available on request; many mains can be adapted with minimal changes.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes—its calm, white-tablecloth setting feels grown-up without being formal, though it’s not as intimate as a candlelit trattoria.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes for smaller parties before 6:30pm; groups should book ahead, especially on Fridays.
Is it kid-friendly? Very; staff accommodate young children, portions are shareable, and simple pasta dishes can be customized for picky eaters.
Best For
Better for: Consistently well-executed handmade pastas, gentle pricing, and a relaxed room that works equally well for families and business diners.
Skip if: You want cutting-edge regional Italian, a romantic low-light ambiance, or a wide vegan menu—look to trendier or more specialized spots instead.