Sfoglia Restaurant

Great ambiance, interior. Rustic. romantic.
antipasti della casa: 3 dishes: cabbage salad with nuts, it was good, out of the three my least favorite though. Chickpea bowl with salmon: I thought this was a pretty good dish. My favorite was the goat cheese toast with a raspberry sauce.
pappardelle alla Bolognese: Enjoyed this very much. The smaller size is pretty small, but it is good.
flat iron steak: the spring onions and the marble potatoes were good. I don’t recollect the black garlic though. They recommend rare, we got it medium. In hindsight, we’d get it rare, the steak was great, but I could see it being tastier with less cooking.
We got the flourless chocolate cake with a whipped topping. I enjoyed it very much and topped that off with a cup of coffee.
Overall, the food was excellent. The staff was excellent, but there was a problem I would not like to mention Unilocal,but I thought based on the situation, they’d comp something, but they did not. I was not happy with that. Otherwise, it was a great evening. Start to near finish.

I came in with a ex professor of mine, we both enjoyed each others conversation however, the food seemed to be lacking.
We started by ordering drinks, margaritas to be exact because we are rebellious like that lol. Those were awesome, tasty and they did not hold back on the tequila.
For our entrees she requested something vegan so she had rigatoni pasta with the tomato sauce, she thought it was just ok.
I had the fusilli with pesto, corn, lemon, and ricotta. I felt it was really lacking pesto flavor like something was missing for me there and the lemon was just a tiny bit too tangy. I kinda wished it was a tiny bit more creamy as opposed to oily and it could’ve used some salt. I also had to throw a bunch of chili in there because there was no spice whats so ever. It was a bit one noted in my opinion.
Would I go back… Maybe if I was in the area to try something else. However, I wouldn’t go out of my way. But thats just me.
Oh btw, the customer service was awesome so thats a plus, however my date asked for more bread and I think he forgot. Not a big deal but someone may care.

First time there with some family members and had a very good dinner. Nice atmosphere and service was great, Had several small plates (half entrée’s) that were all real good, and different. Especially the Gnocci. Wine list and beer list were both a good selection and reasonable. Good spot to check out when in that neighborhood.

Heaven on the UES… I love the atmosphere at Sfoglia — rustic and elegant, low key, authentic. The bar is perfect place to meet for a glass of wine and antipasti. The food is solid, their bread is amazing.

Always solid and worth the price… Especially for a special occasion.

Good service, an ok wine list, nice simple interior design, a bit uncomfortable table tops (specially the 2 tops by the door) but very over priced for almost mediocre food.

It was my first time there with my GF and the staff was friendly, professional and knowledgeable.
I will definitively go back there.

UES neighborhood restaurant. Friendly service and excellent pasta.
Dana seems to be an efficient wine sommelier to replace the very missed Maria.
Comfortable room and great atmosphere.

A fantasy dinner for my birthday (a week late). I discovered Sfoglia in 2012 when at 92^nd Y to see Camille Paglia’s Glittering Images book launch. I got there early as the lady on the phone told me I needed to arrive 45 minutes before the lecture. Of course then she said they were not seating people, not even those with preferred seating. It was pouring and I jammed to get there on time and therefore didn’t have a drink before.
So I asked the 100-​year-​old usher what I could get to drink. «We have drinks,» she said,“You can have coffee or tea.” Ugh. I clarified the definition of a drink and she told me about Sfoglia, across the street. It was packed and I took the only seat at the bar next to a woman who would become a good friend, also there for Paglia.
With Open Table, it’s not hard to reserve. But back then, the reservations system was farkakte. You had to email an imperious woman and when, invariably, she couldn’t find you a table, she wasn’t even faux apologetic. Also they close the restaurant for private parties. So all this time, I’d never been back.
All I can say is that it was worth the 3.5 year wait.
1. Food: Italian food of its kind as good as I’ve eaten anywhere in New York or Los Angeles. Simply exquisite. The menu is limited: 6 or 7 entrees, appetizers, and desserts. They had a few specials, but this is not a long or elaborate menu. My tagliatelle with squid, saffron, and chili was delicious. You can order half or full portions. If I had no plans after dinner, I would definitely get the full-​order of pasta and reheat for lunch the next day. My friend’s Bolognese paparrdelle was rich and decadent. The side potatoes a must with meat.
We shared the short ribs (though that was really his entrée). So tender! The burrata with pistachio and beet jam was not quite as I expected. The excellent burrata sits atop two cups, or so, of pistachio. The bread is wonderful and now that The Writing Room (which replaced the legendary Elaine’s) removed their signature appetizer due to a new chef who wants, presumably, to mark his territory, this will be my new UES burrata appetizer pick. Nothing beats Obica for burrata, but the location closest to me (57/​Mad) is not open for dinner because it caters to nearby offices. That’s a great place for lunch, but not an option at 8PM.
2. Service: In a word, perfect. The front room had a party of 50. When my friend and I walked in before the people arrived, we glanced at each other thinking, hmm, this might be a disaster. They led us into the most charming room in the back and seated us at a table twice the size of your average table for two in New York.
We should not have been concerned. Our server was efficient and friendly but did not hover. The manager, David Fisk, circulated unobtrusively but picked up any slack he saw at the surrounding tables. He recommended a Pinot to go with my pasta (La Kirva, it says on the business card) and it was the best glass of wine I’ve had in ages. With two rents right now, my wine budget is very low. I’ve taken to drinking vodka at home because even Grey Goose is cheaper than wine in the quantities I consume it, and I’ve had a string of bad luck with my 12 or 13 buck bottles at the corner store. Wines by the glass are crazy in the city (it’s much better to order a bottle as bottle prices are comparable to LA and other cities). 16 is average at good restaurants now and for 20, this was wow.
3. Décor: I’ve never been to Italy (or Continental Europe), but my friend has. This really is rustic Tuscan elegance and we were both stunned by the size of the tables and space between them. It’s quiet. The four attractive UES matrons next to us, casually but elegantly dressed in black and all extremely fit, were having a birthday party without their husbands. It was a middle-​aged (meaning 50-​something) girl night. Noise level is on the low side, which makes Sfoglia a perfect choice either for a romantic dinner or a catch-​up with an old friend. The Panna Cotta was great but I’ve had better. We didn’t much interact with them but did talk about the dessert and I said I loved the Panna Cotta at Franny’s in Park Slope. The youngest of the women, late 40s perhaps, said, «I love Franny’s!» Park Slope is the part of Brooklyn Manhattanites who never go to Brooklyn go because when their city friends «make the move,» they go to PS.
4. Cocktails: My friend doesn’t drink so we didn’t order a bottle of wine. I had one Why 92: vodka, citrus, Elderflower. The citrus cut the sweetness and it was a refreshing, delicious drink with enough vodka. These specialty cocktails are like virgin drinks often, so I usually just order martinis. I loved this drink, though, and want to make it at home.
5. Price: Totally reasonable. If you get the half-​order of pasta (I even brought some of mine home) for 17 or 18 and an appetizer for 16, you’re not looking at a very expensive evening, depending upon how you drink.
It was a perfect night from start to finish.

Came here for my birthday with my parents and bf. It had been on my list to get to and I’m so glad I finally made it. We had Andre as a waiter and he was excellent. Great wine recommendations! We started with the romaine and burrata. The burrata was like no burrata I’ve had before. It sounded amazing on the menu and it was fantastic! I will definitely be back for just that and the wine and be a happy camper. I had the Bolognese which I thought was wonderful especially with the recommended Valpolicella. Others ordered fussiloni, tagliatelle, and the chicken. All was very good but I preferred mine still. We had a side of duck fat potatoes which had this perfect spiced aioli on top. The only thing that was not as impressive as others say was the bread pudding, however, I’ve never been much of a bread pudding fan anyway.

A classic whimsical approach to fine dining… never a miss. Too bad it’s so far away. Not a detail left behind.

Caught Sfoglia on New Years Eve for a late reservation with my girlfriend. Our New Years was the definition of low-​key and Sfoglia was perfect. They even threw in a glass of champagne at midnight which was nice of them. The atmosphere is intimate and homey… just how you want to enjoy Italian food. The wine list is expensive but fair enough for the quality you’re ordering. Overall, I thought the food was good right down to the bread pudding (the alcohol is still present and it tastes like an undercooked popover, which is awesome). That said, everyone says get the pappardelle… I thought it was pretty mediocre. It just didn’t have a ton a flavor and could use salt (maybe my experience is isolated); I ate some of my gf’s pennoni and thought it was way better.
Sfoglia is definitely an upscale meal and it was an enjoyable experience. I think we will definitely be back, but I’ll try some of their other options and skip the pappardelle.

Sfoglia is our favorite restaurant Upper East side! It is our go to place for date night with my husband. There is no place like this is in all of NY. The food is amazing, my favorite Italian restaurant. There pappardelle bolognese are out of this world. There menu changes often but the pasta is always a good bet! The chicken is also great (a little spicy & perfectly moist). For desert you HAVE to try the bread pudding. I crave this every day. The wine list is great: lots of good Italian wines to pick from. I recommend trying their beers as well, great selection! Our favorite is the Lagunitas Little Sumpin. Make a reservation now! You will not regret it.

My husband and I ate here tonight. Nice place and friendly. We had the antipasto which was two small salads and a small piece of bread with cheese and onions. This was priced at $ 22 which was outrageous for what we received. We ordered a pasta half portion which was inedible. When we left it the response of the busboy was to bring it back packed up to go. We were laughing. The waiter brought us the chicken which was delicious. The only side was a piece of lemon. Half a chicken was $ 28.
The waiter took the pasta off the check. I went home and ate a chocolate bar since I felt really deprived. The place was jammed so maybe they know more then me. I’d never eat here agin.

Great service and attentive staff (I went on my own, it was a Monday night and I was alone) — amazing bread but I was underwhelmed by the parpadelle. I’m was impressed by the fact it was hand made but the serving for the $ 18 I paid was ting! It was also quite salty. I have to admit the sauce is very rich and filling so I was satiated after the small plate of food. I like the food at Bianca (Noho) better tbh.

Holy cow. We went here with a party of eight, and were extremely lucky — they were able to seat us immediately. Things just got better from there.
The food is fantastic, from the antipasti to the paparadelle, to the specially made dessert. The wine selection is respectable and the staff are knowledgeable, friendly, and fun. I ate so much food, and regret none of it.
Our party (8) each had an entrée, we ordered 5 appetizers, and two desserts, and bill was only around $ 400. If I get to come back to NYC, I’ll be happy because I get to come back to Sfoglia

One of the Best Restaurants I have been to in NYC! The Ambiance was Beautiful! The Food was Amazing!!! Absolutely Delicious! I felt like I was in Italy!

Overpriced.
Drinks served in dirty glasses.
Surly management.
Need I go on?

Don’t get me wrong. .. I liked Sfoglia a whole bunch. Delicious poached oysters followed up with a simple but absolutely perfectly made Caesar salad. Truly excellent house-​made pasta dishes and an unusually tasty, marinated, crispy skinned chicken mattone, with the best bread pudding I’ve ever had for dessert. So, as Granny would ask, «What’s not to like?»
And the answer, Granny, is. .. that if you don’t mind spending 10−20% more than the perceived value for each item, then nothing’s «not to like.» Me? I will absolutely return just to get another chance to eat that amazing dessert. But does it make me happy to spend $ 16 for 3 oysters. No.
Am I being petty, small-​minded and mean spirited? Yes.
Does that understanding change my review? No.
Am I leaving you now? Yes.

This place would have gotten 4 stars if our waiter was nicer. Everyone was great– from the maitre’d who gracefully took my coat when I came in, to the other waiter who cleared our dishes, topped up our water etc. But the main waiter was not very good. In fact, he had a little of an attitude.
I was there to celebrate my birthday, and realized that 2 other tables were celebrating birthdays too. Since I had an after party planned with huge mega bottles of wine, my friends and I decided to hold off an the alcohol. The waiter didn’t look too happy because he knew he would get less of a tip. Also, we had a party of 6 and for any parties with 6 people or more, an automatic 2% gratuity would be charged, therefore he knew he would get a 20% tip no matter how lousy he was. We waited at least 25 min before the waiter even came to take our orders. I had to ask a different waiter to call my waiter everytime I needed my waiter.
Food wise, the food was delicious. Let me start with the bread. My friends and I ate that thing, carb-​loading as if we were going to run a marathon the next day. Seriously, the bread is to die for! We shared the cheese platter for our appetizer. It was good, but not killer good.
For pasta dishes, they have 2 sizes and 2 prices. I would recommend going with the bigger size of course. I had the bucatini, a pasta dish with shrimp, and a bit of chili flakes for some flavor.
Since we had eaten way too much bread, we didn’t have room for desert.
I really like the ambiance of the place, its very cozy, perfect for a wintry day. As much as I would like to return, I hate waiters who give you attitude for not ordering alcohol. Just because I am eating dinner doesn’t mean I need to drink alcohol. Your job is to make the customer happy and let me order whatever I like instead of making me feel pressured to order more just so you can get a bigger tip.
I wish I knew the waiter’s name so I can request NOT to have him if I were to return.