Daniele ‘s

Great tomato pie!!! A Utica, NY tradition!!! Small place to dine in but great specials great for lunch !!!

Best food around, HANDS DOWN. Prices are great, people are awesome. The experience in general is absolutely pleasing. Must try 5 Stars

If someone gives less than 5 stars, they should have their Internet privileges revoked for life. Probably the best Italian food in the State, and that’s not an exaggeration. In fact, seeing only 6 reviews, some of which are less than 5 stars makes me question the way I use Unilocal to find restaurants in cities I’m unfamiliar with. To believe that Ventura’s or Chesterfields or — unbelievably — Delmonico’s, has anywhere near the level of depth, consistency, and culinary expression as Daniele’s is just laughable. I find it surprisingly reassuring that the dishes here have vivid colors the tomatoes are really really ripe red, the oil is a beautiful sparkling yellow, the artichoke is a fresh green, and on and on. One of those places where those in the know don’t Unilocal and those who do have sadly overlooked what is in my opinion the absolute best in the area, second to Georgio’s.

Waaaay too expensive for the food. An «antipasto» with all iceberg lettuce and 1 slice of cheese and salami for 10 bucks? Very disappointing. Lately they’ve gotten very cheap with the food. Prices have gone up though.
If you’re doing take out, beware of getting hijacked by the prices. Watch out for sticker shock. You can do as well or better around town for much less money.

I have only gotten meals catered by Daniele, but I would like to think that I’d have a better dining experience if I actually ate at the restaurant.
We got a full tray of penne marinara ($ 50) and greens ($ 75) and both were very blah. I can honestly say that I could make a better penne marinara just by using marinara sauce from the grocery store. There was just way too much sauce that my plate ended up with a mountain of it when I was done. The greens were also very sad. There was just nothing great about it, to the point that I only ate one bite. Unfortunately, both were just edible, and nothing more.

My wife and I were on our honeymoon in New York, and we were driving from the Adirondacks to Niagara Falls. Rather than stopping for lunch at a fast food place, we decided to go into Utica and see if we could find something better. After driving through a couple of really sketchy areas, we happened upon this place, and judging by all the cars parked outside, we decided to have lunch here.
Prices were very reasonable, about $ 10 per entrée. I ordered the rigatoni in vodka sauce and she ordered a meatball sub. The bread we got while we waited was perfect — crispy, light, and with just the right mix of cheese and spices on top. The entrees themselves were perfect. Everything was made in-​house, including the meatballs, the pasta, and the sauce. The meatballs were perfectly spiced, the pasta had just the right texture, and the vodka sauce was delicious but not overbearing. A lot of Italian places will make up for a less-​than-​perfect dish by pumping it full of cream and cheese. Not here. The flavor of the sauce was excellent and stood on its own.
The atmosphere of the place is great as well. My wife comes from an Italian family, and all of the people working there reminded us of them.
We bought a bag of homemade Stella D’oro-style Italian breakfast cookies to take with us, and they were spectacular when dunked in hot chocolate the next morning.
Highly recommended! Second to none!

Amazing Italian food. I’ve tried many of their dishes — greens, mushroom stew, hats, meatballs, salads — and it’s all good at Danielle’s. My only complaint is their hours — not open at night — it’s mainly a lunch or brunch kind of place but well worth the time and money. One of my fave restaurants in Utica.

This place is amazing. Anyone who is from the Utica/​New Hartford area already knows that Daniele’s has the best Italian food. However, if you find yourself in the area, maybe for the Boilermaker race or for a tour of the Matt Brewery, and you’re looking for a good meal, definitely come to Daniele’s.
It’s a charming little restaurant with probably only 6 tables. I actually felt like I was eating at someone’s house. The service was great and food was even better. My favorites were the greens, the pork dish, and the tomato pie. The greens are probably the most unhealthy form of green vegetables, because they involve lots of bread crumbs and cheese, but they are incredible.
I don’t go to Utica often, but now that I know about this place, whenever I go, I will always come back.

I grew up in the Utica area, but have since lived in NYC for 4 years. To put this review in context, I’d give most of the places in the Utica area between 1 and 2 stars. (I realize this makes me sound like a complete snob, but I’m willing to sacrifice likeability to give this 5 some oomph!)
Daniele’s is easily a 5. The best Italian Food I have ever had. Every time I make it back upstate, I make the trip into Utica. Last visit I brought my boyfriend who typically doesn’t love Italian but agreed it was amazing.
Try the greens (amazing – perfectly spicy and flavorful) and the chicken riggies.
MMmmm.