John’s of 12th Street

Food was not great, which I was surprised about considering the reviews raving about how this place is «authentic». I ordered basic spagehetti with meatballs which no half-​decent Italian place should be able to mess up. But the pasta was overcooked (nowhere near al dente), the meatballs seemed to be just basic ground beef, and there was hardly any sauce (I brought it home and had it add my own). It actually tasted like something I would’ve made in college. Pretty surprising for a place with this kind of reputation.

Went there on Valentine’s Day, one of their busiest nights of the year. Even though we were late for our reservation, the host greeted us with a smile and sat us to a nice table. Being vegan this place is a gold mine. They have the biggest vegan menu compared to other vegan-​friendly places I ate at. Ravioli was good, seitan osso buco was terrific. I love that they keep the traditional Italian vibe in the vegan dishes. They are very hospitable, from the friendly and helpful waiters to the really nice manager that took the time, again — on a busy night, to ask how was the food and chat with us. I would definitely dine there again and recommend to friends about it.

Old east village gem. Simple classic red sauce Italian at its best, the veal parm is out of this world.

I will start this a review by saying my friends and I immediately felt out of place when we walked in. We had no idea it was more of a casual place, so we came in very regular laid back clothes. I’m talking sweats and oversized shirt. So if you like you can take this with a grain of salt.
When we stopped in we were told to go wait by the bar and then we would be seated. After a minute or two they sat us in a corner table. We were then given water and for the next five minutes nothing. After at least five minutes we were asked if someone told us the specials and took our drink orders. After he tells us the specials and leaves we are left alone for about another ten minutes. Then our order was taken.
I ordered the vegan ravioli with Alfredo sauce it was good but overall flavorless. My sister ordered spaghetti with tomato sauce she felt her pasta was bland and undercooked. Which we didn’t get to tell anybody because we were never checked on. Not one person came by to even just say hey how’s the food? I then got the vegan cannoli to go which was one of the main reasons we went. It was so small and just tasted like cinnamon in my opinion.
I was so excited to try an authentic Italian place, but the service and food was lacking.

Once again Johns does not disappoint. As you walk in the door you are greeted by the smell of garlic in the air. You glance around & at what an Italian restaurant that’s been open for over 100 years should look like. By the time your head turns again you are met by a friendly host.
My wife (girlfriend at the time) & I found Johns about 30 years ago, before carbs were a bad word. The dishes do not disappoint. The Spedino Mozzarella is a must to start out with. Mozzarella & bread baked with an anchovies sauce on top. My daughters had the vegan meatballs & said they were delicious.
For the main course the girls had the Pollo Mimosa & I had the shrimp & calamari over linguini. I could tell everyone loved their meals because no one was talking during dinner. This is all being served by a wait staff that does not let your cup run dry.
I do remember the garlic bread used to drip oil & garlic as you picked it up from the tin foiled bowl. The recipe must have changed slightly because that no longer happens. Over all I have this as on of my favorite places to eat when I’m back in the area. Not a tourist trap, not too fancy but an authentic Italian restaurant.

The manager/​host spent the entire time sitting at a table with friends. When customers would walk in to be seated, he would eventually glance over and get up and seat them. We asked to wait for a booth that was about to get up, he said no, told us it was too small for our party of 2 (?) then sat the next walk in party there.
The server didn’t give a crap. Wasn’t rude, but just didn’t care. Asked how the food was when it was too late to do anything about it. If the manager hadn’t been sitting with his friends and had been checked in to the dining room, he would have seen our mediocre experience and perhaps done his job?
Food was very bland.
So tired of restaurants where the staff don’t care.

I though the restauarnt was really cool, a very old school Italian restaurant with great service.
I ordered the Tuscan Ragu papardelle. I saw it on diners, drive ins and dives and that’s what made me decide to come here in the first place. It was good, not amazing but mainly I felt the portion was small and over priced. Everything felt that way here.
The service was very good, highly attentive waiters. And great atmosphere and ambiance in the restaurant. I was expecting more from the food, but overall enjoyed the experience.

After reading Unilocal reviews we decided to bundle up and try it. The restaurant was crowded, which we thought was another good sign. Because it was busy we came home and ordered lasagna, chicken carbonara and garlic bread to be delivered. I’m giving them the benefit is the doubt and assume it was an off night.
I don’t understand why everyone raves about the garlic bread. The garlic spread is orange (posted photo) and even though bread is a personal weakness I couldn’t eat more than one piece. Awful! Carbonara had no flavor with minimal thin sauce with bacon you’d have at breakfast vs. traditional pancetta. Chicken was moist and flavorless. (Photo) Carbonara wasn’t as bad after popping in skillet and melting my own Parmigiano-​Reggiano. Red sauce on lasagna was extremely sweet and meat was your basic ground round. (Photo) After some Ms Dash Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes the lasagna was good.
If this is a favorite place my recommendation is save some cash and check out Olive Garden. I immediately had flashbacks to my server days and actually believe it was better.
Summary: Happy we ordered delivery and have the opportunity to repair the food. Definitely won’t be back.

The wine was cheap and the pasta was great. I ordered the Ragu and I loved it. The wait was short and the food amazing. I would suggest you order the Ragu or the ravioli if they have it on their special. Had a great experience. I highly recommend it if you’re in the area.

Would have loved to write a review of the food here, but alas– they wouldn’t seat us.
My party of four walked in on Saturday around 5:30. There were a plethora of empty tables. It took approx 5 minutes for a waiter to come over and even address me, although plenty of them noticed me standing awkwardly by the front door. My party then entered behind me to see what the holdup was.
Now, we’re not your «typical family style» looking group; I have pastel pink hair, we all have some form of facial jewelry, and were all in black. But none of us were exposed in any way, we were not in any sort of outfit that went against any relevant restaurant dress code, especially not for a NY East Village Restaurant that supposedly serves vegan food.
Finally the host came over. The waiters were literally all whispering about us in the most obvious fashion, and some even pointed. He asked how he could help us. When I said we wanted a table for four, he said «Without a reservation? Wow.» And said nothing else. I asked if that was possible, and he eyed us up and down and then said he would «see what he could do.» After an awkward minute in which we decided we couldn’t stand the scrutiny by these strangers, we decided we would tell him to never mind. As he came back another party entered, and were not only greeted right away but warmly welcomed. He asked us if we could wait in the back corner. Literally.
We went to S’Mac and had a great time there.
Sorry, but snobbery really makes me lose my appetite.
Edit: someone from management reached out to me regarding this review. Their email amounted to saying that it gets busy on weekends and the reservations fill up right away, and it can take a while to be seated. Basically all the things the host or even a waiter should have said. And apparently there is a waiter there with a Mohawk but frankly whether or not our appearance was the reason for the poor service is irrelevant to me. Seem like nice people doesn’t change my original bad time.

Solid red sauce Italian. Been here a bunch, but not in quite awhile and glad to see that it’s pretty much still the same. Excellent pours from the bartender as well.
Baked clams were tasty as usual, and I had the Chicken Parm entrée with spaghetti which always was good and delivered this time as well. I left stuffed.

I saw this place on the Food Network and was intrigued by the bit, so I made a trek across town to give it a try. It is a «classic red sauce joint», and the food is authentic and good. I think the garlic bread everyone raves about was just so/​so, and more importantly comes in a bucket to feed 4 – 6. The red sauce is great, pasta is cooked properly, and the prices are fair.
I’d absolutely go back if I was in the area, but at the same time I don’t think it was really worth the trek across Manhattan I made to get to it.

Yes, I love places that have a history (see my review of the White Horse Tavern). John’s of 12^th Street was a former speakeasy during the 1920s, and there are candles that have been burning to celebrate the end of prohibition.
But there is much more to John’s than it’s history.
For an appetizer, I like to go for the veal meatballs. These meatballs are big, but light, and taste wonderful.
The Tuscan ragu over homemade pappardelle is wonderful. I also love their homemade manicotti and ravioli. Generally, you cannot go wrong with their pasta, which is cooked perfectly.
I never had anything from their vegan menu, but I like that they do offer vegan dishes.
The prices, while not cheap, are typical for this area, and you do get a lot of food for your money.
And I just love the décor and atmosphere here. If you want great Italian food and to experience an old-​style Italian restaurant, John’s of 12^th Street is the place to go!!!

You can’t help but have a strong affection for this Italian institution, which has occupied the same space since 1908. Nostalgia abounds in the old speakeasy, where they serve up solid italian classics and monster sized portions. It’s solid marinara, perfectly cooked spaghetti, white table cloth traditional, garlic bread at the table, old school italian. Oh, and the huge, ever growing candle is still going strong, worry not your little wicks…
When I say large portions, there are no exceptions, as I discovered when we ordered a carafe of wine — Now THAT’S a carafe! It’s actually an entire bottle of wine, folks, but they put it in a nice glass vessel for you which serves 6 folks with no problem. The goat cheese and spinach ravioli was flavorful and toothy. The chicken parmesan is juicy, smothered in sauce and mozzarella. My sole remark is that I would have enjoyed freshly grated parmesan and freshly cracked pepper. I was missing the flourish of freshly cut basil and other herbs. I’m afraid Arthur Avenue in the Bronx has my heart when it comes to satisfying my gluten monster.
It’s cash only, folks. The ATM at the entrance warns those looking for credit card points that they won’t earn any Capital One miles here. Reservations are appreciated, but not necessary if you go before the typical dinner rush which starts at 6pm. They offer vegan options, which is no doubt a nod to their neighbor, Angelika Kitchen so there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Went with the family for my wife’s birthday. The meatballs were excellent, as was the Tuscan Ragu. Service was excellent thanks to our waiter Bob. We were seated within minutes of our reservation. The one downside is the lack of parking nearby.