TLDR
An iconic, old-school red sauce joint in Nolita known for its romantic vintage ambiance and celebrity-studded atmosphere.
Instagram Posts References
Emilio's Ballato is an old-school Italian restaurant located in Soho. The author visited for a late birthday dinner with their mother and had a highly positive experience. They started with pizza bread and focaccia, followed by fried calamari and meatballs, which were described as amazing. The main courses included the famous chicken parm and pasta arrabiata. To conclude the meal, they enjoyed tiramisu, deemed the best the author has ever had, and an espresso martini. The overall sentiment is that of a great, authentic Italian dining experience.
Emilio's Ballato is an Italian restaurant in New York City that is highly recommended for its pasta dishes, particularly the Penne alla vodka, which is an off-menu item. The post suggests that this dish is a must-try for anyone seeking authentic Italian flavors in the city. The restaurant appears to be a popular spot for locals and visitors alike, fitting into a foodie guide for NYC.
The reviewer discusses their experience at Emilio's Ballato, an iconic NYC restaurant. They had to wait over two hours to dine there and noted that it is a celebrity hotspot, with sightings of famous personalities. Despite the long wait and the fact that it's not a cheap eat, the reviewer found the food to be delicious and the overall vibe to be amazing, concluding it was a great meal.
Emilio’s Ballato is an old-school Italian restaurant in SoHo, highly favored by celebrities for its no-reservations policy and classic red sauce dishes.
Emilio's Ballato in Nolita offers a throwback dining experience with a romantic ambiance, serving generous portions of veal parm, sausage and broccoli rabe, and pasta.
Details
A timeless Nolita staple serving authentic Italian-American classics in a romantic, vintage setting [1]. While long celebrated as an old-school neighborhood icon, its recent surge in popularity has transformed it into a high-demand "clubstaurant" with persistent wait times [2]. Despite debates over its modern pricing and accessibility, many diners continue to praise the genuine hospitality and hearty, traditional fare [3].
Food Overview
This establishment is widely praised for its hearty, traditional Italian-American comfort food, with chicken parm being a standout recommendation [5], [6]. Other frequently lauded dishes include the meatballs, veal parm, and various pasta offerings like penne alla vodka [1], [5], [7]. While most find the food delicious, some critics have noted inconsistencies, reporting rare instances of cold or bland meals [8].
Highlights / Recommended
"Diners consistently rave about the chicken parmesan and the veal parm [5], [6]. The meatballs and signature pasta dishes like penne alla vodka are also highly recommended [5], [7]."
Mentioned Dishes:
- •veal parm(8)
- •chicken parm(5)
- •veal antonio(5)
- •tagliatelle bolognese(4)
- •meatballs(3)
- •vitello antonio(2)
- •linguine vongole(2)
- •caesar salad(2)
- •broccoli rabe(2)
- •shrimp scampi(2)
- •scarpariello wings(2)
Caveats
The restaurant does not take reservations for smaller groups, often resulting in long wait times [1], [2]. Some visitors have criticized the high price point, with reports of significant bills for modest meals [4].
Reddit Opinions & Reviews
Top Reddit Posts About BALLATO
Recent Reddit Mentions
From post: Bamontes Vs Johns Of 12th For Sunday Night Dinner
"Recommended as a classic spot with a specific vibe, excellent red sauces, chicken parm, and large pasta portions."
PositiveFrom post: Looking For Simple Delicious Meatballs Of Any
"Considered a spot that serves a serious classic meatball."
PositiveFrom post: Looking For Simple Delicious Meatballs Of Any
"Describes their meatballs as spectacular."
PositiveFrom post: What Are Some Restaurants And Bars That Tony
"Suggested in the thread."
NeutralFrom post: Best Restaurant To Try To Get Into This Weekend
"The user was able to walk into this restaurant at 8 PM with no wait."
PositiveFrom post: How Is Il Buco Alimentari Good For Out Of Town
"Emilio's Balato was previously a favorite for impressing visitors, but due to recent popularity (amplified by Taylor Swift), the long lines make it unjustifiable to wait for, leading the user to avoid it."
NegativeFrom post: Best Chicken Parmesean In Nyc Recommendation
"Emilios Ballato is recommended for chicken parmesan."
PositiveFrom post: These Nyc Tables Are Impossible To Get Except
"This commenter recalls Ballato's being a neighborhood joint where the chef would send out the entire menu for free, contrasting it with its current status as a difficult-to-get-into 'clubstaurant'."
NeutralFrom post: These Nyc Tables Are Impossible To Get Except
"This commenter notes that Ballato's adopted a business model similar to Carbone, significantly increasing its prices. They observed this change from when it was a more casual neighborhood spot."
NegativeFrom post: What Is The Single Best Restaurant Dish In Nyc In
"The chicken parm at Emilio's Ballato was mentioned as a notable dish."
PositiveFrom post: Where Is The Best Chicken Francese In Nyc
"This user also recommended Elio's (likely referring to Emilio's)."
PositiveFrom post: Where Is The Best Chicken Francese In Nyc
"This user agreed with the recommendation for Emilio's."
PositiveFrom post: Where Is The Best Chicken Francese In Nyc
"This user recommended Emilio's for chicken francese."
PositiveFrom post: Meatball Recommendations
"This user suggested Emilio's Ballato for its good meatballs and generally for Italian cuisine."
PositiveFrom post: Whats A Fancy Spot With Cheese Ravioli On The Menu
"The original poster responded to the Emilio's Ballato suggestion, stating that 'fancy' is not a strict requirement and that they are primarily craving cheese ravioli."
NeutralFrom post: Whats A Fancy Spot With Cheese Ravioli On The Menu
"This user suggested Emilio's Ballato, questioning if it fits the definition of 'fancy' but confirming it has cheese ravioli."
NeutralFrom post: Monkey Bar Vibes
"This user suggested Emilio's Ballato for its private area, typically reserved for celebrities, requiring a set $200 per person food menu for reservations."
PositiveFrom post: Birthday Dinner In Nyc Italianamerican Recs
"Emilio's Ballato was recommended, with the caveat that reservations cannot be made and one must go in person to wait."
PositiveFrom post: Red Sauce Italian
"Emilio's Ballato is described as very old school, classic, and authentically Italian, with a noted sighting of a gangster."
PositiveFrom post: Red Sauce Italian
"Emilio's Ballato is recommended for its authentic atmosphere, with a mention of seeing a gangster there."
Positive