Really 4.5 stars. The only reason I did not give it five stars is because service was a little off, only because it seemed like they were short one server. Our poor waiter looked like he was doing the whole restaurant ( about15-20 tables) And we were a party of 8. Poor guy. I love this place....small,quant brick walls a nice small bar, you know..manageable. The food was excellent. House made Mozzarella , sausages, charcuterie plate, fabulous Gnocchi, great roast chicken, even the plain pasta with a simple tomato sauce was really good. Wines by bottle were A little pricy but good. Dessert and coffees right on. So all in all this is a new favorite of mine and we drove and train'd it in from NJ to eat here. Just 2 blocks from Penn station. You won't be disappointed .
(4)
Liz L.
One word. RAT. RAT RAT RAT RAT RAT. During dinner. MAAAAYYYYBE a large mouse? Maybe. All I know is that I saw a large, four-legged furry creature pop out from a crevice, run across the dining room, and behind the bar. And then! In case I was unsure about what I saw, it popped back out from behind the bar and did another couple laps around the middle of the room. During dinner on a Thursday. With other people dining. HOLY CRAP. NO WORDS. Hold me!
(1)
Jody D.
We absolutely loved this place! Friendly, great service and great food. We will be back.
(5)
Rachel E.
Amazing. Full stop. Literally a gem in a neighborhood that lacks culinary selection - but even amongst culinary giants, Biricchino would stand out. I have had some of the best meals here, and it's always a tough tough decision between the regular favs from the menu or the delectable and oft adventurous specials of the day.
(5)
Jonathan C.
I give it a solid "okay." The bread was okay. The Carbonara was okay. The Tiramisu was standard. It was a little expensive for middle-of-the road Italian. I added the house Chardonnay and a high-ball of Wild Turkey. I also thought the place was a bit cramped... but I guess that's NYC as a whole. It wasn't bad.
(3)
Trudi B.
Wonderful atmosphere. Service was warm and friendly. Food was delicious. Wine list was extensive. We were very pleased and will definitely recommend.
(4)
Yelena S.
We came late for coffee and desert. My husband had cheesecake and it was pretty good. I had profiteroles, which did not impress. But the restaurant is nice and the stuff is friendly.
(4)
Justus E.
Great food and perfect for lunch, as it is surprisingly quiet. They make all their own sausages, so don't miss out on those!
(5)
Nicholas D.
Consistently steady and particularly great before a Ranger or Knick game or any event at Madison Square Garden. Sitting at the bar is a great option in this small and old world feeling restaurant. Good authentic food and nice service. Wine by the glass stink so get a bottle. Nick
(3)
Kimberly M.
I had been skeptical about going to dinner here, as restaurant selection is limited in this part of town. I really liked the brick wall and cozy feel of this place. There's not a lot of space upstairs but it wasn't overly crowded either. We were able to sit at the bar before dinner and order SAUSAGE - which was awesome, tons of flavor - and a meat plate. Overall the food is very good and reasonably priced. The manicotti is definitely homemade!
(4)
quinn d.
Always excellent and memorable for the quality and variety of their up-to-date seasonal menu, fabulous gourmet sausages, fish, chicken or veal dishes. 5 stars but deserves at least 10.
(5)
Lindsay B.
This place is fantastic. I highly recommend it. The decor is wonderful and the food is amazing.
(5)
Emily T.
This place is by far THE BEST to come for italian food. Especially if you like sausage-- this place knows where it's at!! I've been here multiple times and it's aways amazing. My suggestion is to get the sausage appetizer sampler platter- seriously, this place makes THE BEST SAUSAGE. The best. The cured meats are amazing too. The specialty coffees are great, as is the Tiramisu. Pastas are always solid. Have never had a bad experience. Service is great, ambience is great, it's family run and operated and most importantly... DELICIOUS!!!
(5)
Jessica G.
Be sure to stop by and enjoy the warm charm of the silver haired server Matthew. I stumbled upon here by accident and was glad that I did. This place is unique for the hood, has a rustic feel, and a delightful menu.
(5)
Nick C.
This was a wonderful place and a real find in the area around Madison Square Garden which is so heavily populated with fast food chains. The service was excellent, Our waitress was efficient, reading the specials and answering all questions. I had the sausage platter to start-it really was excellent and then I had black and white risotto with diver sea scallops, peas and truffle oil. Delicious. The breads are an assortment from Sullivan Street bakery,. It is reasonably priced and I would return without hesitation.
(5)
Chelsea D.
I took myself here on a date in the middle of the day. The restaurant was mostly empty, but the waitress seemed a little surprised that I was on my own. But she seated me, and service was average so I'm not upset about that. I was able to sit, read my book, drink my water, and enjoy my meal. The food was also pretty average. I had the penne, which was penne. There's not much more to say about it. I followed the entree up with creme brulee, which was absolutely delicious. The sugar crust was perfect, it was delicately creamy inside... except for the area that was singed black. Burned creme brulee is an awful, awful taste that is hard to get out of your mouth, making it difficult to enjoy the rest of the dish.
(3)
Bob Z.
Probably one of the worst meals ever in recent memory. The carbonara sauce was cloyingly thick, pasta was over cooked and was definitely the worst rendition of this dish that I have ever had. My pork chop was way over cooked and dry, which I returned for a poorly done chicken Milanese. Veal ravioli was soggy, over cooked with a burnt flavored tomato sauce. Even heir signature sausages were just so-so. This meal was NOT WORTH THE CALORIES! Will not return. Ever.
(1)
Bill M.
Wow.. What a meal.. I joined my brother for a pre Ranger game meal. He had been there before, I had not. What a find! I am talking about real quality Italian fine dining in a nice clean unpretentious atmosphere with good service. The place is small and by 6:30 on a Thursday there was not a seat to be had, so I would recommend making a reservation. We had a selection of cured meats and a great salad to start, followed by a pasta special, consisting of shells, chicken and Italian bacon in a pesto sauce. It was out of control. For the main course we had a Wagu steak in a skillet with polenta and Brussel sprouts. We washed it down with a couple Italian beers and walked out with a huge smiles on my faces.. Really, really, really good... We will be back.....
(5)
Mike E.
Omg, I always try home made sausage! Clearly the overriding ingredient in their "sausage of the day" was SALT. I'm not a purist but I drank water for hours. I had trouble getting back to my decent house chianti because my pallet was destroyed. Maybe w pasta it would make a difference but don't go it alone.
(2)
Reynold W.
I ordered osso bucco and asked if the roasted potatoes could be replaced by something green, anything at all. Not possible. The waitress said I could order broccoli rabe for $8. How about just a few pieces of lettuce? No way. So, OK, I took it with the roasted potatoes. It also came with 2 little cippolini onions, browned on the outside but raw inside. The osso bucco was delicious and tender, with a nice sauce. However, it was very small and about 25% of it was fat.
(1)
Emily I.
Sadly, I've experienced better here. Last night was one of a dozen times I've frequented Birrichino and unfortunately it has hit an all time low. While my parents, who live out of town and always make a point to go here when visiting, have told me that it was on it's way down, I didn't want to listen. Our dinner last night was a disappointment. The friend ordered the spinach gnocchi. It was bland and verging on raw. The waitress, bless her heart, tried to explain that it's potato. LIttle did she know she was speaking to one person who lived in Italy for some time and another who has eaten gnocchi all over this town and made it several times. If I didn't know better I would have through the chef put warmed mashed potatoes into an icing bag and piped it right onto her plate. The italian speck that was on the plate was rubbery and flavorless. My plate looked promising. I ordered the veal ravioli with a mushroom sauce. Unfortunately it too was disappointing. It was basically triangle of dough loosely folded around some meat. The mushroom sauce? Well cardboard would taste better. And several bites were gritty with sand. Was it an off night? One can only hope so. Just in case, save your money and head to Bocca a few blocks down.
(2)
Laura P.
Never been to a better place. Between the food, the wine and the service, this place made the day. And we had had a really great day.
(5)
Carolyn B.
I hope our experience was just an example of a Saturday off night, because we will not be returning. PROS: delicious home-made sausage and salami, great bread and olive oil. Good crab appetizer CONS: Extremely limited menu, very stingy portions (4-5 paper thin, tiny slices of salami for $5), Slow, indifferent service--only one server or two for the entire restaurant. Our drinks arrived one at a time and one drink never arrived until we asked a second time. Is there any management there? Doubtful, since the place is so unrefined. There were 8 of us and we tried many dishes. Nothing stands out. Salmon (the only fish) cooked properly, but with a tasteless salad, chicken dishes and pasta ok, portions on the small side, Caesar salad with no taste whatsoever of anchovy, canolli and gelato a bit tasteless. The restaurant was half empty and with a VERY high noise level. But here was the last straw--and there is no excuse for this. The person who ordered short ribs was the last to be served. The waitress plunked down a dish that was NOT short ribs and said, "we're out of short ribs; here's lamb". No apology, no asking if it was ok. Not wanting to wait for another new dish to be prepared, we discussed trading dishes and then finally she just ate the lamb, unenthusiastically. Where was the management? How about coming to announce that they were out of the dish and asking what substitution she would like? It's inexcusable. All of this did not come at a cheap price either.
(2)
Joan S.
This restaurant has outstanding Italian food. We had a sampler meat platter and home made mozzarella with pesto sauce which was amazing. The chicken entrees were also delicious. The wait staff is attentive but not hovering. We had early reservations (5pm) and by 6:00 the place was quite crowded. However, we were not rushed and enjoyed a leisurely dinner. I would give this restaurant 10 stars if I could. Will be back for sure.
(5)
A G.
Maybe one of the best hidden spots I've found...super authentic italian gem in the midst of touristy 8th ave...place is super small but absolutely delicious.
(4)
Ronald H.
As many others I walked by this place dozens of times, not paying attention to it. It has been here for over 25 years. The setting inside and ambience is simple but inviting. Service staff is friendly and quiet. The selection of food is generous and you cannot go wrong with their home made sausages which is really their thing. There are many choices on the menu for a very reasonable price which makes this place my new favorite in this part of town. Getting free chocloate balls at check out is absolutely terrific touch!.
(4)
Karin G.
This place is just... baffling. Its all lit up like a diner. Diner furniture, diner decor, diner service... but the food is pretty damn good!! I have walked by for years and one Friday night a close to 9pm, we decided to stop in. Place was pretty empty, some older regulars. Service was fine, pleasant. I had a nice plate of their specialty sausage selections. I am not a sausage eater, but these were really fresh and good. Also, had the the squid ink risotto with shrimp that was damn good. Shrimp was fresh and not overdone, big plate of filling goodness. DH had soup and osso bucco. We were both happy with our dinner. Its just such an odd setting.... Moral: don't let the appearance divert you from coming. You'll have a nice, old world Italian meal, well prepared here.
(4)
Clarence C.
good!
(4)
Brian D.
Grabbed a quick bite before the hockey game. Food was very good, very loud when crowded but the quality of the food made up for the lack of hearing. New destination pre-Ranger game.
(4)
Rob N.
If you wind up here, don't be surprised if/when the food doesn't match the stellar reviews this place receives. Since the food options around Penn are fairly horrible, this is about as good as it gets. However, as an outsider looking in, this place feels more like a diner than an Italian restaurant. Come to think of it, I've likely had better pasta dishes at a diner than I've had here. Everything (food, service, atmosphere) except for the price (~$90 for two people) was just kind of mediocre.
(3)
Andrew B.
Definitely edible, nothing special. Chef seems pretty stingy about using salt and other spices.
(3)
Maria P.
This place was surprisingly delicious. I went with my sister, her husband's grandmother and a good friend of mine and my sisters and we all loved it. Grandma suggested it having eaten there before and it was not a let down by any means at all. My sister and I being of northern Italian descent, we were very excited about the whole meal. We started with the cured salumi plate which came with all our favorites, prosciutto, bresoala, coppa, soppressata and another I believe. We also ordered a bottle of wine for the table, a Montepulciano that was rich and delicious. The main courses came down to the rigatoni, orecchiette, black piemontese risotto and the malfatti for myself. All solid choices and a few excellent for sampling the homemade sausage that the restaurant prides itself on. All of the dishes were delicious. We finsihed off the meal, although already full with a cannoli dessert to share. As a cannoli critic I must say that these cannolis were to die for. An absolutely perfectly crunchy shell and a not too sweet and very smooth cream filling made my mouth water for more. That paired with a deliciously foamed cappuccino, two piping espressos and a regular coffee ended a wonderful meal. The service was on par too, not in your face at all, literally the perfect amount of visits throughout the meal. As for the cost, not 100% sure on how the bill came out but I want to say it ran about $140 tip included. It was a meal worth every penny and this from someone who tries not to go out for Italian when the best Italian food comes form my parents kitchens. I would give it a try if I were you and in the area.
(4)
Nicky R.
Whenever we come here, we are always greeted warmly. The staff is attentive and professional. They recommend good wine to go with your dinner. The ambiance is soft and inviting. Good for a dinner with someone special. We always start with the sausage appetizer. My favorite dinner is their rigatoni with sausage and sun dried tomato sauce. Their steak with red wine sauce is also excellent. The homemade tiramisu is divine as is their ricotta marcapone cheesecake. Give Biricchino a try and you'll definitely return!
(4)
Robert M.
Wow. I don't know what to say here. I would suspect nepotism but it's hard to believe it's the WHOLE STAFF? The hostess and clear matriarch of the restaurant greets me (Just me) and tells me that she has a big party coming in and I couldn't stay long. Let's pause for a moment and think about how incredibly stupid that is. Especially considering that there were AMPLE 2-tops throughout. Luckily, I needed to be out inside of an hour anyway because I had to make a show. So, we're both on the same page right? WELL, I spent the next 30 secs picking a glass of wine and the following 10min sitting and staring at my server gab at the bar with the hostess/queen of the joint. From there the service did not get much better. I was served intermitantly by almost every empoyee in the place. That SOUNDS like great teamwork right? No. The service I got from EVERY person that stopped by was horrible. No question got a clear answer and my plates were cleared before I was done eating without any confirmation. The punchline? THEY ADDED ON GRATUITY! How awesome is that? My god! I was by myself! Wow.
(1)
Wendy S.
I walked around the block last night and this placed looked the most inviting. I grabbed a seat at the bar and was greeted by a very kind bartender. I ordered my usual Captain and Diet and it was strong...just how I like them. Bread and butter were brought to me quickly. I ordered Insalta Mista and the Penne Pasta Dinner Special. Both were delicious and made with care. The price was a bit expensive, but it included my drinks. $50.00 with tip. I think there is a good chance that I will eat here again. The restaurant is small, but the wait staff were friendly and it seemed that several regulars where there for Friday night dinner.
(3)
Mo Riza ..
Over the years Biricchino has my dependable Italian place, where I can get really really good salads specially Caesar and good cleanly prepared pasta. I most often come here for dinner with a couple of occasions of business lunch. The very friendly wait staffs can really take care of you in this small place, and would recommend a glass of good Chianti.
(4)
Tony F.
So I am torn, do I prefer the smaller over the counter shop at the corner or the sit down service on 29th street. I will say that this is a great place to get well prepared Italian dishes whether you need to take out or sit down. This is not gourmet stuff by any means, but it is well prepared and you get what you pay for. Great sauces on all of their products and they sell a lot of other products like sausages and other meats for those who want to take away and prepare at home. Don,t come here to eat pizza, instead come for the pasta dishes, they flavorful meatballs and to see what creative dishes they have prepared as specials for both the sit down and take away crowd. If you need a substantial meal at lunchtime, you cant go wrong.
(4)
Chris W.
We come to Biricchino every month or more because I work at Penn Plaza and this part of the city is a bit void of good sit-down restaurants w/in walking distance. They have a few dishes that are very good (like they have very good black risotto with shrimp) but generally for the money I think there are more memorable dishes to be had elsewhere. With the limited selection, I wouldn't rate the overall quality to be stellar. Also the restaurant is also very small, and the service is only okay. I would recommend going if you're in this part of town and need a new place to eat, but not a place I like to go often.
(3)
Bill R.
If you're going to a MSG event and want a solid meal with a great wait staff this is the place. I found Biricchino to be both delicious and reasonable priced...
(4)
Pierina C.
I really enjoyed my two visits to this restaurant. The first time was with my husband, my daughter and my mother. The second time was with my husband. On the first occasion, it was really crowded and we didn't have a reservation. We sat so close to the table next to us I could follow their whole conversation! The second time, we again didn't have a reservation and we got a nice quiet table at the back. The food was great. Both times, I had the Antipasto Misto for entree - the bruschetta is excellent - probably the best I've ever had. The prosciutto was also excellent - beautifully tender. I passed the funghi salad to my husband and he ate it all - so it must be good. On my first visit I had the Tagiata di Manzo con Arugula - Angus steak on arugula salad. It was excellent - the steak was cooked to my liking - medium rare and tasted great. On my second visit I had the pesto pasta which was also excellent - the pine nuts were nicely roasted - and there was plenty. The Inslata Birrichino was also excellent with fresh vegetables and lovely pinenuts. The meals are generous - I couldn't finish everything. The only reason I haven't given this restaurant five stars is the service - which is OK but not great. Everything is served well enough however the staff aren't friendly - though I guess they're pretty busy. On our second visit, it was difficult to get anyone's attention when we wanted to pay the bill. The only other drawback was the dessert which we shared on our second visit - the Profiterole pastry seemed stale. I found the flavours to be very authentic North Italian. The prices were reasonable - and we were very happy to have found this restaurant.
(4)
Pablo C.
Was a last decision choice and what a great find! I had first the pan fried crab cakes which were Phenomenal! Not fishy or too plain/crabby or soggy. They were a solid consistency with a nice blend of flavors (a small salad included was a nice touch) . I also had the Bucatini Pasta with a nice flavorful red sauce with a hard to pronounce bacon-like meat (which i was told was the cheek of the cow) under the pasta giving it a boost of flavor. Arugula and some Parmesan adorned the top of the pasta and all in all was a filling and balanced meal. I had the tiramisu to finish which was excellent since it was far from too sweet and had a perfect balanced flavor completed by a thin cream sauce around it. The coffee plus the espresso martini were also spot on. The service was quick and informative, the atmosphere was cozy yet smooth and the location very convenient even for a resident of NJ. I will most certainly return
(4)
Tom K.
In search of a pre-Ricky Gervais at MSG Theater location for dinner (Sorry fine purveyors of ice cold beer and pretzels at MSG, my appetite was too great for your wares), I decided to give Biricchino a try. On 29th street and only a few blocks from the Garden, Biricchino is an offshoot of the notorious Salumeria Biellese. What this means to the casual diner is that Biricchino leverages their relationship with Biellese to provide their charcuterie and sausages to the restaurant. Don't let the diner like interior fool you-- this place knows their pasta and serves it up in large bowls at reasonable prices. You'll see the hanging gardens of Biricchino, basically several plants attached to the ceiling. Tables are reasonably spaced and service was ready to refill our water repeatedly. (In fact, for the celebrity look alike enthusiast, our waitress looked like Kirsten Dunst) Since this restaurant is focused on Northern Italian cuisine, you'll find a menu of mushroom risotto, gnocchi with brown butter and sage and other hearty pasta delights. Always one for scandalous food, I tried the pasta del giorno of spaghetti alla puttanesca. And I can report that tradition is honored here-- no re-imagining of this dish, just simple preparation with high quality ingredients that when put together taste great. The sauce was judiciously administered-- my spaghetti wasn't flooded by the red stuff. Olives and capers were plentiful and the spaghetti itself wasn't clumped or too hard. Delicious! Traveling back in time, the appetizer was a 5 sausage platter that was also outstanding. These were thin sausages and perfect to split with another diner. Finally, the dessert choice of a napoleon was also dangerously good. Fresh cream, pastry and strawberries decked in brown sugar was enough to have me reach for my belt in anticipation of having to loosen it. Final cost for 2 was $63, including appetizer, entree, coffee/tea and dessert.
(4)
Barbara S.
Third time there was not a charm. As always, a very limited menu. Friends like their rigatoni with sausage. There's about an eighth of an ounce of sausage in the dish. Special pasta with veal bone--no one was crazy about. Tried the chicken franchese--awful, a thin dry slice, no cheese. Any mediocre neighborhood place can do better. Drinks very pricey for what they are. Hope they improve, since it's very convenient.
(2)
William S.
This was an enjoyable dining experience, somewhere between three and four stars. Portions are enormous, both appetizers and entrees. Two appetizers were excellent" the salami plate and a ziti with house-made sausage. Entrees were somewhat less successful, overwhelmingly large and a bit underseasoned. The chocolate cake for dessert was also average. Service is friendly, skilled and attentive. Our server was especially helpful with the wine list and steered us to a moderately-priced bottle which we very much enjoyed. I will dine here again with enthusiasm, but might have two appetizers and skip the entree.
(3)
Chuck L.
Nice quiet italian restaraunt. Generous bar. Excellent old world italian Caesar salad. I had the bow tie pasta special with their special sausages. Especially good by adding a few red pepper flakes. Great flavor, not too heavy on the sauce. Service was very good. Enjoyed a great meal will be back.
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Tropical T.
Really 4.5 stars. The only reason I did not give it five stars is because service was a little off, only because it seemed like they were short one server. Our poor waiter looked like he was doing the whole restaurant ( about15-20 tables) And we were a party of 8. Poor guy. I love this place....small,quant brick walls a nice small bar, you know..manageable. The food was excellent. House made Mozzarella , sausages, charcuterie plate, fabulous Gnocchi, great roast chicken, even the plain pasta with a simple tomato sauce was really good. Wines by bottle were A little pricy but good. Dessert and coffees right on. So all in all this is a new favorite of mine and we drove and train'd it in from NJ to eat here. Just 2 blocks from Penn station. You won't be disappointed .
(4)Liz L.
One word. RAT. RAT RAT RAT RAT RAT. During dinner. MAAAAYYYYBE a large mouse? Maybe. All I know is that I saw a large, four-legged furry creature pop out from a crevice, run across the dining room, and behind the bar. And then! In case I was unsure about what I saw, it popped back out from behind the bar and did another couple laps around the middle of the room. During dinner on a Thursday. With other people dining. HOLY CRAP. NO WORDS. Hold me!
(1)Jody D.
We absolutely loved this place! Friendly, great service and great food. We will be back.
(5)Rachel E.
Amazing. Full stop. Literally a gem in a neighborhood that lacks culinary selection - but even amongst culinary giants, Biricchino would stand out. I have had some of the best meals here, and it's always a tough tough decision between the regular favs from the menu or the delectable and oft adventurous specials of the day.
(5)Jonathan C.
I give it a solid "okay." The bread was okay. The Carbonara was okay. The Tiramisu was standard. It was a little expensive for middle-of-the road Italian. I added the house Chardonnay and a high-ball of Wild Turkey. I also thought the place was a bit cramped... but I guess that's NYC as a whole. It wasn't bad.
(3)Trudi B.
Wonderful atmosphere. Service was warm and friendly. Food was delicious. Wine list was extensive. We were very pleased and will definitely recommend.
(4)Yelena S.
We came late for coffee and desert. My husband had cheesecake and it was pretty good. I had profiteroles, which did not impress. But the restaurant is nice and the stuff is friendly.
(4)Justus E.
Great food and perfect for lunch, as it is surprisingly quiet. They make all their own sausages, so don't miss out on those!
(5)Nicholas D.
Consistently steady and particularly great before a Ranger or Knick game or any event at Madison Square Garden. Sitting at the bar is a great option in this small and old world feeling restaurant. Good authentic food and nice service. Wine by the glass stink so get a bottle. Nick
(3)Kimberly M.
I had been skeptical about going to dinner here, as restaurant selection is limited in this part of town. I really liked the brick wall and cozy feel of this place. There's not a lot of space upstairs but it wasn't overly crowded either. We were able to sit at the bar before dinner and order SAUSAGE - which was awesome, tons of flavor - and a meat plate. Overall the food is very good and reasonably priced. The manicotti is definitely homemade!
(4)quinn d.
Always excellent and memorable for the quality and variety of their up-to-date seasonal menu, fabulous gourmet sausages, fish, chicken or veal dishes. 5 stars but deserves at least 10.
(5)Lindsay B.
This place is fantastic. I highly recommend it. The decor is wonderful and the food is amazing.
(5)Emily T.
This place is by far THE BEST to come for italian food. Especially if you like sausage-- this place knows where it's at!! I've been here multiple times and it's aways amazing. My suggestion is to get the sausage appetizer sampler platter- seriously, this place makes THE BEST SAUSAGE. The best. The cured meats are amazing too. The specialty coffees are great, as is the Tiramisu. Pastas are always solid. Have never had a bad experience. Service is great, ambience is great, it's family run and operated and most importantly... DELICIOUS!!!
(5)Jessica G.
Be sure to stop by and enjoy the warm charm of the silver haired server Matthew. I stumbled upon here by accident and was glad that I did. This place is unique for the hood, has a rustic feel, and a delightful menu.
(5)Nick C.
This was a wonderful place and a real find in the area around Madison Square Garden which is so heavily populated with fast food chains. The service was excellent, Our waitress was efficient, reading the specials and answering all questions. I had the sausage platter to start-it really was excellent and then I had black and white risotto with diver sea scallops, peas and truffle oil. Delicious. The breads are an assortment from Sullivan Street bakery,. It is reasonably priced and I would return without hesitation.
(5)Chelsea D.
I took myself here on a date in the middle of the day. The restaurant was mostly empty, but the waitress seemed a little surprised that I was on my own. But she seated me, and service was average so I'm not upset about that. I was able to sit, read my book, drink my water, and enjoy my meal. The food was also pretty average. I had the penne, which was penne. There's not much more to say about it. I followed the entree up with creme brulee, which was absolutely delicious. The sugar crust was perfect, it was delicately creamy inside... except for the area that was singed black. Burned creme brulee is an awful, awful taste that is hard to get out of your mouth, making it difficult to enjoy the rest of the dish.
(3)Bob Z.
Probably one of the worst meals ever in recent memory. The carbonara sauce was cloyingly thick, pasta was over cooked and was definitely the worst rendition of this dish that I have ever had. My pork chop was way over cooked and dry, which I returned for a poorly done chicken Milanese. Veal ravioli was soggy, over cooked with a burnt flavored tomato sauce. Even heir signature sausages were just so-so. This meal was NOT WORTH THE CALORIES! Will not return. Ever.
(1)Bill M.
Wow.. What a meal.. I joined my brother for a pre Ranger game meal. He had been there before, I had not. What a find! I am talking about real quality Italian fine dining in a nice clean unpretentious atmosphere with good service. The place is small and by 6:30 on a Thursday there was not a seat to be had, so I would recommend making a reservation. We had a selection of cured meats and a great salad to start, followed by a pasta special, consisting of shells, chicken and Italian bacon in a pesto sauce. It was out of control. For the main course we had a Wagu steak in a skillet with polenta and Brussel sprouts. We washed it down with a couple Italian beers and walked out with a huge smiles on my faces.. Really, really, really good... We will be back.....
(5)Mike E.
Omg, I always try home made sausage! Clearly the overriding ingredient in their "sausage of the day" was SALT. I'm not a purist but I drank water for hours. I had trouble getting back to my decent house chianti because my pallet was destroyed. Maybe w pasta it would make a difference but don't go it alone.
(2)Reynold W.
I ordered osso bucco and asked if the roasted potatoes could be replaced by something green, anything at all. Not possible. The waitress said I could order broccoli rabe for $8. How about just a few pieces of lettuce? No way. So, OK, I took it with the roasted potatoes. It also came with 2 little cippolini onions, browned on the outside but raw inside. The osso bucco was delicious and tender, with a nice sauce. However, it was very small and about 25% of it was fat.
(1)Emily I.
Sadly, I've experienced better here. Last night was one of a dozen times I've frequented Birrichino and unfortunately it has hit an all time low. While my parents, who live out of town and always make a point to go here when visiting, have told me that it was on it's way down, I didn't want to listen. Our dinner last night was a disappointment. The friend ordered the spinach gnocchi. It was bland and verging on raw. The waitress, bless her heart, tried to explain that it's potato. LIttle did she know she was speaking to one person who lived in Italy for some time and another who has eaten gnocchi all over this town and made it several times. If I didn't know better I would have through the chef put warmed mashed potatoes into an icing bag and piped it right onto her plate. The italian speck that was on the plate was rubbery and flavorless. My plate looked promising. I ordered the veal ravioli with a mushroom sauce. Unfortunately it too was disappointing. It was basically triangle of dough loosely folded around some meat. The mushroom sauce? Well cardboard would taste better. And several bites were gritty with sand. Was it an off night? One can only hope so. Just in case, save your money and head to Bocca a few blocks down.
(2)Laura P.
Never been to a better place. Between the food, the wine and the service, this place made the day. And we had had a really great day.
(5)Carolyn B.
I hope our experience was just an example of a Saturday off night, because we will not be returning. PROS: delicious home-made sausage and salami, great bread and olive oil. Good crab appetizer CONS: Extremely limited menu, very stingy portions (4-5 paper thin, tiny slices of salami for $5), Slow, indifferent service--only one server or two for the entire restaurant. Our drinks arrived one at a time and one drink never arrived until we asked a second time. Is there any management there? Doubtful, since the place is so unrefined. There were 8 of us and we tried many dishes. Nothing stands out. Salmon (the only fish) cooked properly, but with a tasteless salad, chicken dishes and pasta ok, portions on the small side, Caesar salad with no taste whatsoever of anchovy, canolli and gelato a bit tasteless. The restaurant was half empty and with a VERY high noise level. But here was the last straw--and there is no excuse for this. The person who ordered short ribs was the last to be served. The waitress plunked down a dish that was NOT short ribs and said, "we're out of short ribs; here's lamb". No apology, no asking if it was ok. Not wanting to wait for another new dish to be prepared, we discussed trading dishes and then finally she just ate the lamb, unenthusiastically. Where was the management? How about coming to announce that they were out of the dish and asking what substitution she would like? It's inexcusable. All of this did not come at a cheap price either.
(2)Joan S.
This restaurant has outstanding Italian food. We had a sampler meat platter and home made mozzarella with pesto sauce which was amazing. The chicken entrees were also delicious. The wait staff is attentive but not hovering. We had early reservations (5pm) and by 6:00 the place was quite crowded. However, we were not rushed and enjoyed a leisurely dinner. I would give this restaurant 10 stars if I could. Will be back for sure.
(5)A G.
Maybe one of the best hidden spots I've found...super authentic italian gem in the midst of touristy 8th ave...place is super small but absolutely delicious.
(4)Ronald H.
As many others I walked by this place dozens of times, not paying attention to it. It has been here for over 25 years. The setting inside and ambience is simple but inviting. Service staff is friendly and quiet. The selection of food is generous and you cannot go wrong with their home made sausages which is really their thing. There are many choices on the menu for a very reasonable price which makes this place my new favorite in this part of town. Getting free chocloate balls at check out is absolutely terrific touch!.
(4)Karin G.
This place is just... baffling. Its all lit up like a diner. Diner furniture, diner decor, diner service... but the food is pretty damn good!! I have walked by for years and one Friday night a close to 9pm, we decided to stop in. Place was pretty empty, some older regulars. Service was fine, pleasant. I had a nice plate of their specialty sausage selections. I am not a sausage eater, but these were really fresh and good. Also, had the the squid ink risotto with shrimp that was damn good. Shrimp was fresh and not overdone, big plate of filling goodness. DH had soup and osso bucco. We were both happy with our dinner. Its just such an odd setting.... Moral: don't let the appearance divert you from coming. You'll have a nice, old world Italian meal, well prepared here.
(4)Clarence C.
good!
(4)Brian D.
Grabbed a quick bite before the hockey game. Food was very good, very loud when crowded but the quality of the food made up for the lack of hearing. New destination pre-Ranger game.
(4)Rob N.
If you wind up here, don't be surprised if/when the food doesn't match the stellar reviews this place receives. Since the food options around Penn are fairly horrible, this is about as good as it gets. However, as an outsider looking in, this place feels more like a diner than an Italian restaurant. Come to think of it, I've likely had better pasta dishes at a diner than I've had here. Everything (food, service, atmosphere) except for the price (~$90 for two people) was just kind of mediocre.
(3)Andrew B.
Definitely edible, nothing special. Chef seems pretty stingy about using salt and other spices.
(3)Maria P.
This place was surprisingly delicious. I went with my sister, her husband's grandmother and a good friend of mine and my sisters and we all loved it. Grandma suggested it having eaten there before and it was not a let down by any means at all. My sister and I being of northern Italian descent, we were very excited about the whole meal. We started with the cured salumi plate which came with all our favorites, prosciutto, bresoala, coppa, soppressata and another I believe. We also ordered a bottle of wine for the table, a Montepulciano that was rich and delicious. The main courses came down to the rigatoni, orecchiette, black piemontese risotto and the malfatti for myself. All solid choices and a few excellent for sampling the homemade sausage that the restaurant prides itself on. All of the dishes were delicious. We finsihed off the meal, although already full with a cannoli dessert to share. As a cannoli critic I must say that these cannolis were to die for. An absolutely perfectly crunchy shell and a not too sweet and very smooth cream filling made my mouth water for more. That paired with a deliciously foamed cappuccino, two piping espressos and a regular coffee ended a wonderful meal. The service was on par too, not in your face at all, literally the perfect amount of visits throughout the meal. As for the cost, not 100% sure on how the bill came out but I want to say it ran about $140 tip included. It was a meal worth every penny and this from someone who tries not to go out for Italian when the best Italian food comes form my parents kitchens. I would give it a try if I were you and in the area.
(4)Nicky R.
Whenever we come here, we are always greeted warmly. The staff is attentive and professional. They recommend good wine to go with your dinner. The ambiance is soft and inviting. Good for a dinner with someone special. We always start with the sausage appetizer. My favorite dinner is their rigatoni with sausage and sun dried tomato sauce. Their steak with red wine sauce is also excellent. The homemade tiramisu is divine as is their ricotta marcapone cheesecake. Give Biricchino a try and you'll definitely return!
(4)Robert M.
Wow. I don't know what to say here. I would suspect nepotism but it's hard to believe it's the WHOLE STAFF? The hostess and clear matriarch of the restaurant greets me (Just me) and tells me that she has a big party coming in and I couldn't stay long. Let's pause for a moment and think about how incredibly stupid that is. Especially considering that there were AMPLE 2-tops throughout. Luckily, I needed to be out inside of an hour anyway because I had to make a show. So, we're both on the same page right? WELL, I spent the next 30 secs picking a glass of wine and the following 10min sitting and staring at my server gab at the bar with the hostess/queen of the joint. From there the service did not get much better. I was served intermitantly by almost every empoyee in the place. That SOUNDS like great teamwork right? No. The service I got from EVERY person that stopped by was horrible. No question got a clear answer and my plates were cleared before I was done eating without any confirmation. The punchline? THEY ADDED ON GRATUITY! How awesome is that? My god! I was by myself! Wow.
(1)Wendy S.
I walked around the block last night and this placed looked the most inviting. I grabbed a seat at the bar and was greeted by a very kind bartender. I ordered my usual Captain and Diet and it was strong...just how I like them. Bread and butter were brought to me quickly. I ordered Insalta Mista and the Penne Pasta Dinner Special. Both were delicious and made with care. The price was a bit expensive, but it included my drinks. $50.00 with tip. I think there is a good chance that I will eat here again. The restaurant is small, but the wait staff were friendly and it seemed that several regulars where there for Friday night dinner.
(3)Mo Riza ..
Over the years Biricchino has my dependable Italian place, where I can get really really good salads specially Caesar and good cleanly prepared pasta. I most often come here for dinner with a couple of occasions of business lunch. The very friendly wait staffs can really take care of you in this small place, and would recommend a glass of good Chianti.
(4)Tony F.
So I am torn, do I prefer the smaller over the counter shop at the corner or the sit down service on 29th street. I will say that this is a great place to get well prepared Italian dishes whether you need to take out or sit down. This is not gourmet stuff by any means, but it is well prepared and you get what you pay for. Great sauces on all of their products and they sell a lot of other products like sausages and other meats for those who want to take away and prepare at home. Don,t come here to eat pizza, instead come for the pasta dishes, they flavorful meatballs and to see what creative dishes they have prepared as specials for both the sit down and take away crowd. If you need a substantial meal at lunchtime, you cant go wrong.
(4)Chris W.
We come to Biricchino every month or more because I work at Penn Plaza and this part of the city is a bit void of good sit-down restaurants w/in walking distance. They have a few dishes that are very good (like they have very good black risotto with shrimp) but generally for the money I think there are more memorable dishes to be had elsewhere. With the limited selection, I wouldn't rate the overall quality to be stellar. Also the restaurant is also very small, and the service is only okay. I would recommend going if you're in this part of town and need a new place to eat, but not a place I like to go often.
(3)Bill R.
If you're going to a MSG event and want a solid meal with a great wait staff this is the place. I found Biricchino to be both delicious and reasonable priced...
(4)Pierina C.
I really enjoyed my two visits to this restaurant. The first time was with my husband, my daughter and my mother. The second time was with my husband. On the first occasion, it was really crowded and we didn't have a reservation. We sat so close to the table next to us I could follow their whole conversation! The second time, we again didn't have a reservation and we got a nice quiet table at the back. The food was great. Both times, I had the Antipasto Misto for entree - the bruschetta is excellent - probably the best I've ever had. The prosciutto was also excellent - beautifully tender. I passed the funghi salad to my husband and he ate it all - so it must be good. On my first visit I had the Tagiata di Manzo con Arugula - Angus steak on arugula salad. It was excellent - the steak was cooked to my liking - medium rare and tasted great. On my second visit I had the pesto pasta which was also excellent - the pine nuts were nicely roasted - and there was plenty. The Inslata Birrichino was also excellent with fresh vegetables and lovely pinenuts. The meals are generous - I couldn't finish everything. The only reason I haven't given this restaurant five stars is the service - which is OK but not great. Everything is served well enough however the staff aren't friendly - though I guess they're pretty busy. On our second visit, it was difficult to get anyone's attention when we wanted to pay the bill. The only other drawback was the dessert which we shared on our second visit - the Profiterole pastry seemed stale. I found the flavours to be very authentic North Italian. The prices were reasonable - and we were very happy to have found this restaurant.
(4)Pablo C.
Was a last decision choice and what a great find! I had first the pan fried crab cakes which were Phenomenal! Not fishy or too plain/crabby or soggy. They were a solid consistency with a nice blend of flavors (a small salad included was a nice touch) . I also had the Bucatini Pasta with a nice flavorful red sauce with a hard to pronounce bacon-like meat (which i was told was the cheek of the cow) under the pasta giving it a boost of flavor. Arugula and some Parmesan adorned the top of the pasta and all in all was a filling and balanced meal. I had the tiramisu to finish which was excellent since it was far from too sweet and had a perfect balanced flavor completed by a thin cream sauce around it. The coffee plus the espresso martini were also spot on. The service was quick and informative, the atmosphere was cozy yet smooth and the location very convenient even for a resident of NJ. I will most certainly return
(4)Tom K.
In search of a pre-Ricky Gervais at MSG Theater location for dinner (Sorry fine purveyors of ice cold beer and pretzels at MSG, my appetite was too great for your wares), I decided to give Biricchino a try. On 29th street and only a few blocks from the Garden, Biricchino is an offshoot of the notorious Salumeria Biellese. What this means to the casual diner is that Biricchino leverages their relationship with Biellese to provide their charcuterie and sausages to the restaurant. Don't let the diner like interior fool you-- this place knows their pasta and serves it up in large bowls at reasonable prices. You'll see the hanging gardens of Biricchino, basically several plants attached to the ceiling. Tables are reasonably spaced and service was ready to refill our water repeatedly. (In fact, for the celebrity look alike enthusiast, our waitress looked like Kirsten Dunst) Since this restaurant is focused on Northern Italian cuisine, you'll find a menu of mushroom risotto, gnocchi with brown butter and sage and other hearty pasta delights. Always one for scandalous food, I tried the pasta del giorno of spaghetti alla puttanesca. And I can report that tradition is honored here-- no re-imagining of this dish, just simple preparation with high quality ingredients that when put together taste great. The sauce was judiciously administered-- my spaghetti wasn't flooded by the red stuff. Olives and capers were plentiful and the spaghetti itself wasn't clumped or too hard. Delicious! Traveling back in time, the appetizer was a 5 sausage platter that was also outstanding. These were thin sausages and perfect to split with another diner. Finally, the dessert choice of a napoleon was also dangerously good. Fresh cream, pastry and strawberries decked in brown sugar was enough to have me reach for my belt in anticipation of having to loosen it. Final cost for 2 was $63, including appetizer, entree, coffee/tea and dessert.
(4)Barbara S.
Third time there was not a charm. As always, a very limited menu. Friends like their rigatoni with sausage. There's about an eighth of an ounce of sausage in the dish. Special pasta with veal bone--no one was crazy about. Tried the chicken franchese--awful, a thin dry slice, no cheese. Any mediocre neighborhood place can do better. Drinks very pricey for what they are. Hope they improve, since it's very convenient.
(2)William S.
This was an enjoyable dining experience, somewhere between three and four stars. Portions are enormous, both appetizers and entrees. Two appetizers were excellent" the salami plate and a ziti with house-made sausage. Entrees were somewhat less successful, overwhelmingly large and a bit underseasoned. The chocolate cake for dessert was also average. Service is friendly, skilled and attentive. Our server was especially helpful with the wine list and steered us to a moderately-priced bottle which we very much enjoyed. I will dine here again with enthusiasm, but might have two appetizers and skip the entree.
(3)Chuck L.
Nice quiet italian restaraunt. Generous bar. Excellent old world italian Caesar salad. I had the bow tie pasta special with their special sausages. Especially good by adding a few red pepper flakes. Great flavor, not too heavy on the sauce. Service was very good. Enjoyed a great meal will be back.
(4)