Pepolino - New York

I had one of the best dining experiences I've ever encountered. It's rare for me to leave a restaurant thinking, "This is a new favorite," but everything about this place was exceptional, from the food to the service. Considering we're in the midst of a pandemic, I am genuinely amazed by the level of service here. Our server was outstanding, offering perfect recommendations for drinks, dinner, and dessert. He guided us through the entire process, and every dish we tried was exquisite. Two items you absolutely must order are the mussels and the cheesecake—they were true highlights of the meal. While everything was flawless, I will definitely be ordering both of these dishes again on my next visit. If you're seeking a delightful dining experience, look no further!

I had a mixed experience at this restaurant. The service was excellent, and the fresh pasta was a highlight. However, I was really disappointed with the Maltagliati Al Ragu Di Vitella I ordered; it lacked flavor and for $27, I expected much more. While the Tagliolini Gratinati and Antipasto Toscano were quite good, I was surprised to find that I was charged for the Antipasto as a special order, and I suspect it wasn’t worth the extra cost. Overall, dinner turned out to be quite expensive, and to add to my frustration, they requested a 20% tip even though their receipt stated that was only for parties of six or more—we were just two. I found that really inconsiderate.

Most of our group chose the Insalata Mista con Pachino e Scaglie di Parmigiano. Dan Cole selected the Antipasto Toscano, which included an assortment of Italian cold cuts, bruschette, cheeses, and olives. I opted for the Insalata Dei Medici, a refreshing mix of cubed beets, carrots, zucchini, and potatoes dressed with basil and balsamic. For the main course, we had a wide variety of choices. Annette ordered the Branzino al Forno, featuring imported sea bass with oven-roasted vegetables. Dan went for the Polpettini Di Vitella E Ricotta, which consisted of veal and ricotta meatballs in a tomato and basil coulis. Cole enjoyed the Petto Di Pollo ai Porcini con Fontina, chicken breast sautéed with porcini mushrooms and Fontina cheese. Arlee chose the Pappardelle al Pepolino, which came with a tomato sauce and fresh thyme. I selected the Cinghiale, homemade pappardelle served with a wild boar ragout. Everyone was ecstatically pleased with their main dishes. For dessert, we had three options: Torta Ricotta (ricotta cheesecake), Torta Di Cioccolato Amaro (bittersweet chocolate cake), and Panna Cotta Toscana con Salsa Di Fragole (Tuscan panna cotta with fresh strawberry sauce). Everyone except for me chose the bittersweet chocolate cake, while I opted for the panna cotta with strawberry sauce. It was so delicious that everyone wanted a taste, leaving me with very little! I did manage to sample a bite of the chocolate cake, which was quite rich. The trip to Tribeca was definitely worth it, and I wholeheartedly recommend Pepolino Ristorante, which boasts two floors of indoor dining as well as outdoor sidewalk seating.

The food is decent, but the menu prices listed on TripAdvisor are not current. The actual prices are almost 50 percent higher, and a 20 percent gratuity is included in the bill.

This restaurant offered an authentic NYC Italian experience. The food was exceptionally tasty, and our waiter made excellent wine recommendations that complemented our dishes and preferences perfectly. We tried the wild boar pasta and the spinach soufflé with pork belly gnocchi. If I could dine here every day, I absolutely would!