Genio’s Trattoria

Always loved their take out and finally decided to sit in one day… The food was delicious… the chef sent over a bottle of wine owwwweeee do I love customer service… Anyway shrimp was decadent…

I have been going to this place for years, as long as I can remember.
They have THE BEST Penne Vodka hands down! That is my favorite pasta and any time I eat it any where else it gets compared to Genio’s. I have never EVER tasted any better (but when I make it at home with a recipe I altered it does come very close).
My family and I pretty much love all their food, even the salad dressing we end up craving! The appetizers are scrumptious and light (bruschetta is my favorite!). Their food looks and smalls amazing! Simple and delicious. They isn’t much on elegant design or garnishing but its looks ready to be dug into and once it hits your mouth you don’t really miss the little things like that. Food could be all jazzed up but doesn’t mean it’s going to taste very good. Another favorite of mine is their potato croquettes, this is one of the first places I’ve had one and like the vodka sauce, any time I try it else where it has to add up to this one. Their chicken dishes are great, love the shrimp scampi (which I don’t usually like in many other places), all of the extra appetizers we’ve tried have always been great, from the calamari, to the stuffed mushrooms, artichokes, and their fried zucchini sticks, all are my favorite!
And yes, the place is small. Its very intimate. Not every restaurant needs to be huge. Some of the smallest restaurants are amazing and this one is one of them. And some nights its crowded and loud and sometimes its relaxing. Most of the regulars are really friendly (and yes, mostly Italian).
The workers are all great, friendly and attentive. And the atmosphere is intimate and simple. Not overwhelming.
We have also gone here with children and the staff has always been friendly and accommodating. And the kids loved their food.
As for the person who asked, Trattoria means «an Italian restaurant serving simple food». A restaurant in general is not defined by size, there are many hole in the wall places that a small with delicious food.

I pass by this place every day and noticed it was closed for a few day. Then I saw a dumpster outside and some workers bringing tons of garbage out of the basement into the dumpster. I know for a fact that that’s the same basement they keep a lot of their restaurant stock in. A few days later they appeared to be open again and their rating from the DOMHH was changed from an A to a B. Why? Read the link. 62 violation points.
Violations recorded in the following area (s), a Notice of Violation issued and establishment ordered closed by the Department of Health at the initial operational cycle inspection conducted on 01/​17/​2013.
«Critical» violations are displayed in red.
Violation points: 62
Sanitary Violations
1) Cold food item held above 41º F (smoked fish and reduced oxygen packaged foods above 38 ºF) except during necessary preparation.
2) Food Protection Certificate not held by supervisor of food operations.
3) Evidence of rats or live rats present in facility’s food and/​or non-​food areas.
4) Evidence of mice or live mice present in facility’s food and/​or non-​food areas.
5) Food not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display or service.
6) Facility not vermin proof. Harborage or conditions conducive to attracting vermin to the premises and/​or allowing vermin to exist.
7) Accurate thermometer not provided in refrigerated or hot holding equipment.
8) Single service item reused, improperly stored, dispensed; not used when required.

Went for dinner and it was great! I had the clams appetizer, soup, and Ravioli for entrée. My wife had veal parm. Everything was delicious. The staff was always watching out if you needed anything. By the way the portions were more than i see in most restaurants. Definitely stop in and try it.
Rich B
Bronx
1÷11÷13

I just had to write a review about this spot. I was planning a weekday luncheon for about 13 people and needed a local restaurant that had good food, a comfortable atmosphere and great service. I never tried Genio’s before, but after reading the reviews and speaking on the phone with their host «Paul», I was convinced that this was the spot to go to. I informed Paul that my lunch party needed to be in and out within an hour. he assured me that it would not be a problem. he stuck to his word! the luncheon was AWESOME!!! all of the dishes were DELICIOUS and they give you a great portion for the price. We are definitaely going back and I encourage everyone to try it… you will be VERY PLEASED! :-)

small intimate setting very friendly staff fresh warm bread and great Italian food, worth the trip every time

I am not sure what the exact Trattoria is, but I think that it may mean «small room.» If that’s the case, then this is a perfect description for this authentic «social club» restaurant in the Bronx, where I went for dinner last night. It was a single room, filled with an Italian crowd, and the noise level was overwhelming. The décor was very uninspired and the food looked like it could have been featured on Chef Ramsey’s nightmare TV show where he rehabs a restaurant. The Veal Oscar I ordered sounded good (veal cutlets topped with crab meat), but I could tell right away that the crab was reheated and greasy. When the crowds emptied out, it got worse– you could hear the radio playing IN THE KITCHEN. You could do better.