Intimo

Walking past Intimo early New Years Eve day, we were intrigued and checked the menu for the planned festivities that evening. The prix fixe menu was everything we enjoy in Italian food — all our favorites — and to my husband’s delight a NY Strip was one of the choices. Thus, we made a reservation for 9:30 (first available) with a very friendly host. And we were set to pay $ 140 which include 4 courses and prosecco.
We arrived a bit early (9:15pm) but we were guided to the bar for a before dinner cocktail. The bartender, Michael, was a pleasure and offered up nice suggestions from their Italian wine menu. Around us were both intimate and rather ‘public’ tables (centered in the middle of the dining room just a few feet from the bar) but each donned white table clothes and a single white rose.
Each 15 minutes we were given apologies for our wait — all told 45 minutes. Eventually we spotted a corner booth emptying and requested it. Unfortunately, it was a «4 top» and by the ranting of the (waitress?) it was not a favorable request — we were within earshot of her displeasure, unknown we were the recipient of this table. It was not intimate — just below a TV. But comfortable!
We were given the option to order from their regular dinner menu and after a quick review of the choices, we joyfully accepted. Quick note — the drinks at the bar were GRATIS for our wait. We ordered calamari as an appetizer, a beautiful beet salad, I ordered the penne Ala vodka, and my husband the strip. We finished sharing the best suggestion the waiter offered that evening — tiramisu! The BEST ever!!! They also provided us another round of drinks as well as more prosecco. Perhaps for the wait, or maybe just the holiday spirit. Overall this was an amazing experience, but… the calamari was very tough& chewy (they removed it from the check), our waiter seemed bothered to take our order (often looking around inattentively while he took the order), and we were not offered bread (as other tables were enjoying). Granted it was a busy night and they made up for all the short comings! Before the tip, we paid just over $ 100!!!
We WILL visit again, very soon… more to come.

Nice little date spot.
The boyfriend and I wandered into Intimo on an early Sunday evening. Minus a few ladies at the bar, there were no other patrons to be found. We were seated at a table by the window and greeted by an unenthusiastic server (turns out he had a rough night of drinking the night before and was still recovering).
Like others have said, their wine prices are pretty awesome. Our glasses of house white wine were only 7 dollars. Their food was up to par: We got the Caprese appetizer, boyfriend got a risotto dish, and I got chicken marsala.
Would we go back? Perhaps. But boyfriend and I are trying to try a new place every week for date night. Still, I would say go and try it for yourself.

I had such a great experience here just last night that I wanted to get the word out!
I agree that the wine list price points are amazing for UES. We told the bartender what we wanted to food-​wise and let him recommend a bottle for us to share. He knew his wine and his choice so beautifully complimented our mushroom bruschetta and Italian cheese plate.
We sat at the bar where the other bartender was showing us party tricks– love it!
I gave this place 4 stars because it was perfect for what we were seeking– a nibble, some vino, a little conversation and we didn’t want to drop a ton of cash. Thanks guys, you are our new neighborhood spot!

Wine list was exceptional for the price point. It is the best we have seen here on UES. Jonathan (sommelier) was friendly, very personable and knew his stuff. I was accompanied by 2 of my favorite wine geeks. They enjoyed a trip to the cellar, while my friend and I enjoyed our wine and cheese in a very comfortable and relaxed setting.
I have dined here a few times in the past «on business». The food was consistently high quality and service friendly and attentive.
Nice job.

*2.75* And it pains me to write this review.
The stark contrast from my first few visits to my most recent visit is remarkable.
Let’s start with the good…
I was delighted this past winter to find an Italian restaurant on the UES that was different from most of the rest of ‘em up here… they had an interesting assortment of pastas and salads, mostly classics with a spin… an extensive wine list, both glasses and bottles… a young server who knew his wines and offered most generous tastes and pours…
I enjoyed the pasta with pesto, potatoes, and broccoli (rather than the traditional green beans — it worked nicely).
I also partook in a sublime 2006 Super Tuscan by the glass, which was expensive, but worth it.
There was a romantic feeling, especially at the tables in the back room, and there were usually enough other guests to make it feel comfortable but not crowded.
Now.
I’ll admit it was an off-​day (or, «off-​date») when I went back last week. Things were a little weird with the dude, I was antsy, and this all could have colored my experience. But — the changes to the menu, the wines, and the service were certainly *not* my imagination.
My favorite pasta dish? Gone from the menu. I thought I was losing it, at first, as a lot of the other same dishes were there, and the menu was printed and visually looked just like the old one. But nope.
The Super Tuscan? Also gone. They had a different one by the glass, but it wasn’t as nice, and they’d increased the price.
We ordered a couple of salads and shared a fettucine dish that had some creamy sauce, and it tasted aight, but not exciting.
Perhaps most disappointing was the service. There was one cute French guy who was working the bar (yes, I had to flirt), but our Italian server was lacking, and didn’t speak English well enough to understand the slightest nuance in our questions or requests. A sexy accent quickly becomes unappealing, when you can’t really communicate about your wine.
Also — it was probably pure chance, but the restaurant was empty, and I mean empty, on this last visit. Halfway through our meal, a family of three came in, and I think there was one couple who sat at the bar for a little bit, but it was sort of awkward. The music was sucky and nothing said «romantic».
I might give it another shot. I should. But the bottom line now is: Eh… okay.

Stopped here for Sunday brunch at around 11AM, and the place was almost empty. My friend and I were drawn in by the low prices (all brunch entrees under $ 10 and an additional $ 4 for drinks). The wait service was quiet and attentive, without being overpowering. They serve your standard brunch fare – omelettes, benedicts, pancakes and french toast – along with some pastas and sandwiches.
My friend and I both got the benedict over smoke salmon, which turned out to be alright. The hollandaise sauce was slightly bland, and the eggs were also missing that characteristic runny yolk that makes an eggs benedict. There was a good-​sized portion of salad that came with the meal, and table bread was pretty standard, although it did come with a yummy peach spread.
Food was only okay, but for the price ($ 9 for eggs benedict), who can complain?

I went here for wine and appetizers after a frustrating and long day of work. I went to meet up with my buddy to hang out with what we called «Wino Wednesdays.» She suggested the place since she’s been there before it was Intimo.
Wine selection was pretty good and we ordered the cheese platter and a plate of some wild mushroom and cheese on bruschetta or some other bready substance.
The wine was good, about average for a wine bar.
Food was meh, I’ve had better. The place looked nice. They had a projector playing an old black and white movie on the brike wall with no sound (along with the same playing on a tv if you were more interested in it) and nice dimly lit tables. Service was very good — attentive waiters and waitresses while not being in your face all the time.
What i liked a lot was that during conversation — my wine glass would suddenly refill without me noticing.
TL;DR: It’s a nice place if you are in the area — I only had some appetizers and wine — decent.

I have a pet peeve. despite the fact that 90% of places get it wrong, it is very very simple to understand: Carbonara does NOT have cream. That’s Alfredo.
When i stopped in here, i saw no cream listed on the carbonara description. I thought to myself «Self, maybe we’ve found a place in our very own ‘hood that does it right»
I was wrong.

Great potential but lacking the fundamentals…
** quick update to my review: this place has a bunch of 5-​star ratings from people new to Unilocal and with no reviews in their portfolio — take them at face value! **
My gf and I went for dinner around 9 on a Thursday night and were well served as 1 of only 2 seated tables. The prices were a tad high but the food was good — we had a bottle of wine, calamari, buffalo mozza, lots of bread and a summer salad.
Sign of quality was that they didn’t have the bottle of wine we ordered, but offered us a more expensive bottle at the same price as our order; also, the chef sent us a complimentary tasting platter of some various app’s, which were excellent
The waiter was hard to find at times, although the bus boy was always around, and never asked if we were ready to order dinner, so we decided to forego; besides, we filled up on a non-​stop supply of bread that just kept coming…
Despite having been in the restaurant, I read about the happy hour specials on Unilocal just now (better advertising needed?) and wasn’t impressed with the service, although the bartender was cool and friendly.
Décor was unimpressive but nice. They may be spread a little too broad going for the lounge /​restaurant combo. The bar was big with lots of standing room, surprised they’re not pulling in a packed crowd, esp. on a Thursday. Isn’t the economy coming back?
Suggestions:
*advertise like crazy — this should be a great happy hour place as it’s reasonably nice and has a large area to socialize along the bar
*work on the ambiance — the maitre d’ seemed a bit serious and the earpiece thing seemed awkward
*waiters should be attentive and at least a little pushy — this is new york, if my waiter isn’t at least a little pushy, I’m disappointed
*cut off the bread and push the entrees, we were hungry when we got there, but the waiter was never available to take our order, hence the bread entrees

I haven’t eaten here, but I did come in for some happy hour drinks 5 – 8. A great deal, 2 for 1 of any of their drinks, which include all their specialty cocktails. I had 2 glasses of wine, $ 9, and my roommate had a martini, $ 10 or $ 12 (I don’t remember). The martini was delicious and huge. In addition to cocktail specials, they had a happy hour buffet with roasted veggies, cheese, olives, & crostini. It was very good.
The wait staff was pretty nice. They were a little serious though. I prefer relaxed and less fancy staff.
I wish it wasn’t an Italien restaurant because there are a million on the UES. I probably won’t eat there because I can get Sotto Cinque for cheaper. I definately will go back for happy hour though.

i’ve been here twice and both times the staff were very friendly. it’s a very small and intimate place so not good for groups but nice for a glass of wine at the bar.