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Ballaró Caffé Prosciutteria
Categories: Restaurants Italian Food Coffee & Tea Restaurants Sandwiches Italian, Coffee & Tea, Sandwiches [Edit]
77 2nd Ave(between 4th St & 5th St)
New York, NY 10003
Neighborhood: East Village
(212) 228-2969
- Nearest Transit:
-
2 Av (F)
Astor Pl (4, 6, 6X)
Bleecker St (4, 6, 6X)
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual, Intimate
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
62 reviews for Ballaró Caffé Prosciutteria
Review Highlights
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"Cute wine bar with super hot bartender." In 8 reviews -
"Warning--- It is CASH ONLY, so hit the ATM before you go." In 9 reviews -
"An almost perfect spot to catch up with friends." In 5 reviews
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62 reviews in English
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Review from Ryan D.
3/3/2012 1 Check-in Here
Where did this place come from? Has it always been here?
Whenever, wherever it came from... it's amazing.
I dragged Scott B. into the east village for a night of debauchery, but it was Thursday post-work and I kind of needed to concede to his demands for noshing. Since we were headed to the Boiler Room, I agreed to his terms as long as we found a place that was in the proximity to said local homosexual drinking establishment. Two things drew me into Ballaro from the street. They were (in order):
1) Practically no one was in there. Maybe 4 or 5 people, tops.
2) IT'S F@#$*ng GORGEOUS inside!
So in we went. I ordered some kind of meatBEEFloaf and Scott got something I both don't remember and couldn't care less about. Our waitress was a peach. I loved her. My food was pretty okay, but the wine was spectacular. I easily could have spent the entire night here. Then a live band started to play here randomly, and it was actually an ENJOYABLE EXPERIENCE.
Not only would I recommend going here, I cannot wait until I get the chance to go back. -
Review from Tony C.
Queens, NY
2/25/2012
Nice small friendly restaurant. On the day we went (Thursday), they had live music so it was a plus and it helped create a lively mood. But music was a little bit too loud if you were looking for a peaceful meal.
Being not really that hungry that night, we just wanted to try out some meats and cheeses so we had the Piatto della Casa ($20.00) which consisted of 7 items from their Sottolii menu. We went with 4 meats and 3 cheeses. I have no knowledge on even a single item on that menu so the waitress recommended that we try out the choices of the chef. It was a good decision. Everything tasted great and we left satisfied. -
Review from Tara L.
2/3/2012 1 Check-in Here
Eric and I went here for dinner and had a wonderful time. The food was excellent, the wines were fantastic and our waitress was so nice and sweet. All of the food tasted homemade...not just like homemade but really homemade. The meatballs were almost as good as my mom makes which is really high praise and the Sicilian ring pasta was how I think Chef Boyardee ring pasta should taste :)
The waitress suggested wine to go with our food and each glass we had was better than the one before and I swear it wasn't just because we were getting tipsy.
I had been here once before with my dad and just had a glass of wine at the bar but now that I've eaten dinner there, I would definitely go back although it is a bummer that it's cash only. -
Review from Rico R.
PECK SLIP, NY
5/5/2012 1 Check-in Here
What a nice place! Very friendly staff (or were the two gentlemen the owners?) they probably need a third person to assist them, but otherwise, they were nice enough that you ignore the bit of wait for orders.
The porchetta was unbeleivably delicious as was the prosciutto and cheese platter.
The overall ambience in the small place was great.
This is going to be a favorite! -
Review from Mark J.
San Francisco, CA
5/7/2012
Warm, welcoming, authentic place with terrific food & wine. Sandro took great care of us, and made a chilly, rainy evening in the East Village memorable. Can't wait to go back.
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Review from Anne H.
5/14/2012
Good wines and free little Italian snacks during happy hour.
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Review from Valerie G.
1/28/2012
Oh this is great, now I can say that I know how to get to Italy while in NY. The hubby and I were not having the best of days yesterday, first a really bad lunch experience which sapped us of our enthusiasm and some bucks, then it rained like the sky had just broken up with a fave boyfriend and was crying her eyes out, then we tried and missed on our second attempt to seek out a new hot spot.
The truth is we were just so afraid to pick wrong again we just couldn't see to commit to any place. Then we came upon Ballaro's, there were two seat in the window and two seats at the bar. The place is tiny Pullman space. Brick walls all around and as this was later evening the candle light gave the room a warm glow.
The bars was now full and only one table for two remains by the window. We studied the decor while we settle in and slowly the nervous energy we were feeling slid away, leaving us hopeful and relaxed.
This place is perfect for anyone who has or wants to visit Italy, they offer panninis, carpaccio's, amazing desserts, and the best smelling Lasagna ) and what we chose, was the antipasto comprised of a choice of 7 items for 20$, on a cutting board (they also offer 3 items for 9$, and 5 for 15$), but this was going to replace a meal. Our choices were white pickled anchovies, roasted red peppers, Asiago cheese, drunken goat cheese, Pecorino de Tuscana, Prosciutto DI Parma, and Sopressata.
see pic, here is the menu http://www.ballaronyc..... All the cheeses were good although the drunken goat while creamy was milder than I like.
The meats were so perfect, not too salty, good fat content, and sliced to read through. I love white anchovies and we can't find them in Montreal.
With this we ordered a bottle of wine, a glass of prosseco, a moretti beer, and an extra glass of red. total cost 91$ plus a very generous tip, the service is extremely fun and friendly, and they are pros in hospitality Italian style.
While we were there I had a ratatouille moment when I got a whiff of something cooking ..it has red sauce and Parmesan I remembered, probably the lasagna but the smell brought me back to my Nonna's house when I has a kid. Must go back and try this
So as you can see I highly recommend it come here and try it out often with lots of people, just save me two bar stools.
Gracie -
Review from Louis R.
Updated - 11/28/2011
This is my go-to Italian spot when I want to chill with my non-American Italian friends.
The bartenders/waiters are straight-up off the boat from Italy and speak with dope accents.
The wine options, the cold Birra Moretti, the paninis, the meats and cheese plates, the decor, the cleanliness...in the east village? hell yea....its MONEY.
You can sit here for hours drinking coffee and they won't bug you...just like in Italy.
Dayum, I am a meatball at heart.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/6/2011
I've been to Rome, Florence, Bologna and Venice, Italy.
I've eaten/drank at the best "local" restos… Read more »
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Review from Zach S.
2/4/2012
I fell in love with this cafe the second I walked in for happy hour.
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Review from Jess L.
6/1/2011 1 Check-in Here
I came here with a ScoutMob discount. Their Milanese-like happy hour is a big perk: with the purchase of a drink, you have access to free appetizers and finger food, like mini sandwiches, olives, and slabs of meat. Yum.
My friend and I ended up getting paninis, as well, and they were pretty hefty and flavorful ($11+ each). Also, there were a ton of great looking options -- with a lot of ingredients we didn't know how to pronounce...
I will say, our waitress was surprisingly cold for the first 30 minutes we were there. She made us feel sheepish for not knowing how to pronounce a wine and was reluctant to offer a suggestion when we asked for advice on what to order. (I think she suspected we wouldn't order anything after the free appetizers.) Once we got her to chuckle, however, she was warmer with us for the rest of the time we were there.
The outdoor seating option is a big plus, especially if you like watching the people of the East Village. -
Review from A A.
Hempstead, NY
Who: A non-hipsta BK girl and a half-hipsta designer in Billyberg
What: Sicilian Heaven
When: A humid night in June
Where : East Village
Why : This girl has a coupon
How: Romantically, provocatively, and... Whatever, ya name it.
"I am always late" he said.
"You are, but I don't care, you are a hard worker." She replied.
His BMW was not working, so for the first time in years he had to take L train from Billyberg.
She chose this Italian joint because his train ride will be shorter with no transfer, and she has a coupon for it.
Catching up a bit, they arrived at this joint.
Luckily, they got a table way in a back.
Far from everything.
A bit intimate, but a bit awkward, could be.
Ambience was really mellow and romantic:
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
"I am SO stressed out, I need to drink. You?" said he.
"I don't know... Ya know I don't drink"
"C'mon, let's drink together! They have a wine tasting menu. You can choose 5 wines from their wine list. Not bad, right?"
"But hun, I hardly know about wine"
"Okay, you pick two, and I pick three. Deal?"
"Alrighty"
When the waiter came, he said...
"Okay, I'd like to get Chiant..."
"WHY?! That was what I wanted too!! Chianti! Dammit!"
She saw the waiter grinned a bit. She had to choose another one again.
Ask her, she didn't remember what she ordered to drink.
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
All wine was good. But nothing is perfect in this world;
She has been here before and she knows that the service over here is VERY slow.
All they need is a place to sit, to chitchat, and possibly a good food, so they didn't care even their complimentary bread was arrived right before their order came.
Panini-
MONDELLO * marinated anchovies, eggplant, cacio cavallo
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
"I have no idea why Italian makes the best anchovies. Is it some sort of Italian Black Magic? If so, why haven't I found a nice Italian guy? Are they all casanova? Supa nova? I dunno."
"...." He had nothing to say in return.
LASAGNA BOLOGNESE *Classic meat lasagna
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
"The sauce is so good, I gotta lick the plate"
"LICK IT!!!!!! For meee!"
"....." This time she had nothing to say in return.
ANELLETTI ALLA PALERMITANA *Traditional Sicilian ring pasta oven-baked with beef ragù, peas, eggplant, basil, and primosale cheese
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
"It's like, all of a sudden you got a Sicilian mom and she made it just for you. Gnome sayin'?"
"Right. It's very homemade style"
Finishing up 5 glasses of wine, this fat ass chick was still hungry even after those.
So she ordered 2 desserts:
Tiramisu:
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
"WOW. Not watery."
Chocolate Mascarpone Cake:
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
"What is this? It's very scone-ish texture, but I still can taste chocolate and mascarpone cheese."
They really enjoyed the meal, and the bill was only $35.
Why? Is she la bruja that uses a black magic?
When it comes money, she is BETTA than ANYBODY.Listed in: Cheezy My Neezy
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Review from Haiku-Project H.
Los Angeles, CA
6/19/2011
If you're walking by
For aperitivo time
Stuff your face and leave. -
Review from Dave H.
2/13/2011 4 photos
An almost perfect spot to catch up with friends.
Appreciated the subdued ambiance, personal service, and our sparkly glasses Lambrusco Venturini Baldini - which kept me pleasantly buzzed[1] - and their stock of coffee, meats, and cheeses. Didn't appreciate their cash only-ness. I expect that in Chinatown, but at a wine bar and gourmet market? Sadly that makes it tough to see myself as a regular[2]. Then again, it's a nice change to hear the people you're drinking with.
Though I'm on the fence about Ballaro, I'd like to thank divine intervention for playing a role in getting us there. Or the biting weather.
[1] Depending on who you ask. I still insist I was buzzed.
[2] I guess I need to hit up ATMs more often.Listed in: NYC Drinkeries
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Review from sandy c.
New York, NY
1/26/2011
Lobster Fighting & Italians.... I am HOME.
Ballaro Caffe Prosciutteria is a cute little wine bar in the East Village. Most of the staff and patrons are Italian, and in this winter snow, I couldn't think of a better place to stop and warm me up.
There's a lobster tank in the front of the bar that temporarily houses a couple lobsters for the restaurant across the street. When we got there, they stopped serving food, so we ordered a bottle of wine and watched the lobsters fight while the Italian staff roared in amusement.
If I lived in this neighborhood, this would definitely be one of my stomping grounds....nothing sounds better than Italian to my ears....
Arrivederci alla prossima!Listed in: NYC "Eat, Pray, Love", NYC Limelight, NYC East Village
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Review from Linda M.
Manhattan, NY
10/21/2011
I like this little cafe because it's SO Italian. It's really like checking into a European haunt for a few minutes. I get to eavesdrop on the regulars and pick up a few words in the mix. There are a few non Italians who work there, like the stoned-out waiter dude who makes me feel like he ought to be cast in Workaholics. The coffee and little sandwiches are excellent. European portions too (it's a snack for a gluttonous American)! I can't eat much there, as a vegetarian, but in lieu of my beloved, evicted Bean, formerly on First Ave, it'll do.
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Review from Jon L.
2/19/2011
Came here after dinner with a friend, and loved it so much that I took my sister here a couple nights after.
It has all the components of a great intimate chilling spot:
+Understated decor with exposed brick and warm but not too harsh lighting
+Never really crowded, but always has a good amount of people in it
+Friendly and nice bartenders
+You can sit as long as you want and no one tries to push you out
+Free wifi
+Great selection of yummy fingerish food, as well as both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. I am a big fan of the decadently rich hot chocolate, as well as the mascarpone tart..mmm. Also tried out some of their crostinis (tuna one, and mushroom one), as well as the lasagna, and they were all delicious.
The music seems somewhat hit and miss, and heavily depends on the pandora station preference of whoever happens to be operating the music at the time. One night there was sort of chill indie rock, and another night it was sort of like euro semi-club music. The cash only aspect is somewhat annoying, but not really that big a deal.
If I lived in the area, i would be here like every day. -
Review from Erica T.
5/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
I came here last night with some girlfriends of mine. We all got paninis and a drinks. Service was incredibly slow. We had to ask three times for glasses of water, we had to request bread. We had to ask for second glasses of wine. The paninis were ok, I'd much rather get one from a place that seemed used to having customers, rather than inconvenienced by them.
It was ok, I won't be returning though. -
Review from Madhu R.
1/28/2011
One of the last of the dying casual coffee shops in New York. Don't get me wrong, the coffee is great, but this is a phenomenal 'sit-down with a friend and catch up' place. (Unlike the noisy, overcrowded but amazing coffee places around...like Bluebird, 3rd Rail, etc).
Cozy, woody, old world feel.
They also have tons of small Italian cookies on display for cheaps! Super casual and friendly barristas who have zero attitude. So refreshing. You need to go to here if you haven't been. -
Review from Elizabeth B.
Brooklyn, NY
3/24/2011
A very good wine list with a deep focus on Italian wines and actually interesting by-the-glass selections -- they had a Chardonnay that I liked and I'm soo over Chardonnay (boyfriend ordered it), great music if you like Death Cab and Peter Bjorn and John (which I do). Good food in moderately sized portions at very reasonable prices -- $9 for lasagne Bolognese -- not a huge portion but good -- and $9! Good paninis too, that come with a house salad that Boyfriend said was remarkably good.
But cash only? Seriously? I have a little teeny tiny toy and gift business and I take credit cards even though I only process one every six months.
Well these days there are ATMs all over the East Village, so if you're choosing between Ballaro and the seemingly similar Wine Bar down the block, Ballaro is three hundred times more likeable, with a way better wine list and much more pleasant vibe. -
Review from Jim M.
New York, NY
1/8/2012
One of my favorite spots. Alicia, the pretty Sicilian waitress is sweet and charming.
She is a true addition the the place. -
Review from Valerie G.
New York, NY
5/13/2011 1 Check-in Here
A gf and I came here with Scoop St. deals for wine tasting. We arrived a bit too late for the free spread during HH but from the looks of it on surrounding table plates, it looked very substantial!
Our wWaitress was very knowledgable on what type of wine and cheese we should get to cater to our palates. Overall a quaint little spot, perfect to catch up or take a date -
Review from Mark V.
Millburn, NJ
1/9/2011
If you are looking for a taste of Italy in the East Village, this is the place to try. Ballaro Caffe Prosciutteria is, as my father would say, "right out of old country". I cannot comment on the beer or wine as I did not partake, but I stopped in looking for a simple, fresh snack and found exactly what I was looking for.
All patrons have the opportunity to make their own antipasti plate choosing the sliced meats, cheeses and marinated vegetables they prefer (all served with toasted artesian bread). Being that I have the pleasure of enjoying fine Italian cold cuts for every major holiday, I opted for selections that strayed from my typical repertoire (with a little help from the counter staff).
Tried the following:
Finocchiona - Cured pork, kind of a mix between Soppressata and Prosciutto di Parma. As you can imagine from the name, lots of fennel seeds.
Bresaola - Thinly sliced lean beef tenderloin cured to perfection.
Gorgonzola Piccante - Nothing like I have ever had before. A creamy blue cheese with a saly bite and a spicy vinegar finish.
Caciocavallo Ragusano - a sheeps milk cheese similar in texture and taste to a Spanish manchego, but not as brittle.
Next time I go back I will definitely sample more of the menu and have a robust Italian red wine to compliment my bovine and porcine delights. -
Review from Frozan S.
New York, NY
2/18/2011
It is a charming cozy coffee/wine bar I wish we had more of it in NYC.
It's also a great place for lunch and snacks.
I would love to stop by here when I am in the neighborhood. -
Review from Athena C.
3/27/2011 3 Check-ins Here
I don't know why I am giving Prociutteria a 5 star but it is possibly due to the fact that it reminds me so much of the paninis in Italy. The cafe is intimate and has tons of wines to choose from. The menu is simple; it has mostly paninis and cold cuts.
For appetizers, we got some cheese and salume and prociutto di parma. They are fresh and melting in my mouth. I ordered a panini with sopressata, cheese and dried tomato. I chose roseta whole wheat bread for my panini. It comes with a big spring mix salad. The sandwich is warm pressed, and delicious.
I was full after having half a panini and all the cold cuts we got. However, we decided to try out the homemade tiramisu nonetheless. It was so good! They gave us a gigantic piece too.
A lot of people were coming into the shop to get coffee to go or just sit at the bar and read newspaper! I love the feel of a neighborhood cafe/restaurant.
I am definitely coming back for some $10 paninis! -
Review from Chie T.
Fountain Valley, CA
Updated - 4/29/2011 5 photos
I wanted to reiterate how much I like it here. I spent a LOT of time here last summer and I enjoy it every time. The staff is incredibly nice (everyone really) and no matter how short or long I stay, it's always a great experience.
I still usually duck out when the happy hour starts and the lights go low but I've spent many a sunny, overcast, and rainy morning and afternoon here and absolutely adore it. It's my go-to cafe.Listed in: Manhattan Food Faves
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/19/2010
I've only been here a few times because I live uptown but I absolutely love it every time I'm here.… Read more »
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Review from Rob P.
New York, NY
6/3/2011
Went here recently on a summer evening... was looking forward to some nice wine as this place not only emphasizes their prosciutto, but their selection of Italian wine. However, when I asked our waitress for a recommendation from their list of white wine, she had an immediate response that she had no recommendation because she doesn't drink white. Sorry, but if you're selling it, you should be able to help patrons make a choice that they'll be happy with. If the waitress couldn't make a recommendation, she should have gone to the bartender, but didn't bother to do that.
The food was okay. I had a panini and my friend had the lasagna. I thought the panini was decent, but far from mind-blowing. My friend said his lasagna was good.
I don't think I'll be returning... -
Review from Jin C.
New York, NY
5/13/2011
I came here for dinner with a Scoutmob deal, and the food sucked balls. The hot food tasted like it was a frozen TV dinner, the cold food was pretty much deli-style.
Prosciutto e melone: Considering that it was $10, I sort of expected them to wrap the prosciutto around the melon for me but they didn't. Meh.
Mushrooms/fontina/truffle oil crostini: Mushrooms were kind of bland, cheese was not melty enough, wish the toast was warm.
Tuna carpacio: Simply paper thin slices of tuna doily-ing up the plate with big slices of tomato laid on it and with little wedges of avocado on the edges of the plate. No cookery/skill whatsoever.
ANELLETTI ALLA PALERMITANA, or ring-shaped pasta with beef and veggies in red sauce: Temperature tepid, not saucey enough, tasted/looked like SpaghettiOs.
Veal meatballs: most definitely microwaved, meatballs reminds me of chinese frozen meat balls where the meat has been ground so fine and have mysterious fillers that you can't even feel the texture of the meat anymore.
In other words: Don't come here to eat. But it is a nice looking place, dim enough that your partner will look good so perhaps good for a date night. -
Review from Katie C.
San Jose, CA
Cute wine bar with super hot bartender. It was a perfect day outside so me and my friends decided to eat outside for brunch. We pushed some tables together and sat directly in the sun. Loved it! This place is a cute Italian restaurant with all authentic paninis and salads. The owners/workers are definitely Italian. They had a hard time speaking and communicating in English. But they were nice and sweet. They open at 8am which is quite surprising. It seems like people come here for coffee and cookies and probably for some glasses of wine with cheese. If only I was 21. They have a whole page full of cheese!
I ordered the caprese (mozzarella, tomato, basil) panini on whole wheat. My other two friends both ordered the prema? It came with mozzarella, prosciutto, and basil. All the sandwiches came with a side salad with two slices of tomatoes. My caprese was delicious. It was 7 dollars and the other two were 8 dollars. Great price for the portion you get! My friend had a Groupon for $30 and the bill came out to be $25. Inside, they were baking cookies so we decided to spend the extra 5 dollars on cookies. They were right from the oven. Warm and delicious. It was like shortbread cookies with chocolate or strawberry jam in the middle. So good! $1.25 each!
All in all it was a great experience! I would come back when I'm craving a caprese. Good price, great lunch, great people! -
Review from Stacy T.
Elmhurst, NY
12/7/2010 1 Check-in Here
Sangria was made right - there was fruit sitting in the sangria all day. And they poured the sangria from that jar of goodness. The sangria itself was sweet and the fruit was alcoholic greatness. The best part is that on Fridays before 7:30 pm, you get a plate of food with a glass of sangria. The buffet of snacks included an assortment of cheeses, some bread, olives, and a variety of hams. They refill the food all the way up to the end of the service period, which is great and generous!
The restaurant/bar is on the smaller side. I would say the bar takes up half the restaurant with about a 12 seater. The bartender was nice and very helpful when we were trying to decide on what to drink.
Great place! -
Review from Andrew S.
New York, NY
4/6/2011
Came here last night with a friend to catch up and unwind after a long day at work. We both really enjoyed it here. The atmosphere was very cosy and reminded me of many of the cafe's in Europe that I have been to. This is a great neighborhood place to just come relax and chill out and enjoy some great food and wine.
The prices were very reasonable. We did the cheese and meat combo (The one with 5 different selections) and even ended up ordering another side of the Prosciutto di Parma, mozzarella and olives because it was so amazing! We both had two glasses of wine each and the total bill was $72 which was very reasonable.
I highly recommend this place and will certainly go back there soon! -
Review from Corinne M.
San Francisco, CA
11/21/2010
One of my Italian friends who prides himself on finding the best Italian spots in the city took me here for lunch. He especially liked that he could chat with all of the Italian staff who were cute and friendly.
It was a charming little spot for lunch, not too crowded. I enjoyed my Panino, as I found the prosciutto to be quite good. Also, had a nice Prosecco and a great coffee.
I definitely need to get back for lunch sometime soon. -
Review from Anna B.
Brooklyn, NY
4/9/2011
LOVE!!!! Authentic Italian wine bar....rustic, with a great wine list and a fantastic array of cheeses and meats. They slice their meats right in front of you paper thin (as they should be) and give you a fair amount for the price (we opted for 7 pieces of meat and cheese= $20 i think). My only disappointment was the bread, it was a little dry and tasteless and could have used olive oil but the bartender was too busy with other customers and to be fair, I was too busy stuffing my mouth with food so I never got to ask him for it. I fully forgive him though, because he was VERY cute and spoke Italian.
Next time I'll definitely be coming back to visit during happy hour...they do an aperitivo just like back home!! A glass of wine gets you a small plate of delectable snacks! Very excited about this... -
Review from Jewel Y.
Updated - 8/11/2010 2 Check-ins Here
Coffee is still good but the panini are cosi cosi..... I'm sorry but I was not impressed. But I still like this place.... it's inexpensive, hip, cozy, and offers complimentary appetizers if you order a glass of wine. You feel like you are in Italy because many employees as well as the regulars are real Italian. Good place to stop by after work to meet up with friends.
P.S. - CASH ONLY!!!!Listed in: My favorite cafes
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/16/2009
Avete il miglior cappuccino a New York! E buonissimo!! With the thick and almost cream-like perfect… Read more »
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Review from Christine X.
Jersey City, NJ
3/17/2011
Pros: great atmosphere (intimate and not too loud), great wine list, quality food for a low price
Cons: Cash only
I decided to check this place out after purchasing a coupon from one of those daily deals websites and very glad I did. From the first step inside, it didn't disappoint. The atmosphere was very casual, but nice, and felt as if I were sitting in a European cafe. Definitely a great place for a small group of friends to catch up or a date where you actually want to talk since there is no music or TVs.
In terms of drink, we went with the wine tasting. For $20 you get to choose 5 wines from any glass wine offered (you end up with about 1/2 glass of each). Very much worth the price as the wines to choose from were not your standard merlots and cabs.
The food is simple, but you can tell that the ingredients were quality. We ordered paninis which ranged from $9-$13. They were a generous portion size great for lunch or a simple dinner. Also, you can see the person making them behind the bar so you know exactly what your getting. Also, for happy hour they have a tapas buffet with crostinis, cheeses and meets that's free with your drink order.
The only negative is that it's cash only. If you happen to forget there is an ATM next door and a bank of america across the street. Not really a big deal, just annoying if you're not a cash carrier.
Overall, I highly recommend this place if you're looking for an intimate setting that's casual. -
Review from GarGuPi L.
Flushing, NY
7/4/2011
It's the last day to use my Scoutmob discount code! Gotta take advantage of this awesome deal! But you know what? Even without the discount, I would revisit this homey caffe within a heartbeat. Here's why.
Firstly, it's not pretentious like nearby wine bars, yet not dumpy like the corner deli. Here, you can totally get that European atmosphere with its rustic, wooden decor and furniture, high ceilings with shelves lined with wine bottles, imported sparkling and mineral water bottles. Most of the seats are high chairs and tables, perfect for a munchy meal with friends along with some vino and cheese. But for a sit down meal, there's a corner table in the back. It's very enclosed, but I like to step out of the spotlight. Besides, I needed to rest my back.
Perhaps I came on a holiday or the fact that I came for lunch and not for dinner, service was attentive. My server, also the bartender was a friendly Italian. Not only attractive, but very patient with my poor understanding of Italian words on the menu. He described the tastes and ingredients to me with his best English and I really appreciated his effort. Mom and I ended up ordering a gamut of items, but the sum was not too overwhelming. Mom drank the watermelon mojito soda (freshly made with the actual fruit), which she claimed was refreshing and not overly sweet. She was tired of eating bread (she did eat five sliders yesterday), so she chose the vegetarian lasagna. It arrived in a small one handle ceramic pan, with thin pasta sheet layered between some frozen peas and carrots and diced squash, adorned with a few leaves of basil on top and a drizzle of olive oil. For $9, it was just the perfect to wade one's appetite without that overstuffed feeling as you would from family style version. Surprising that there's no red sauce, but just a lite touch of cheese, so it's the 'dry' version of lasagna. Good for mom and light eater, but not for Garfield. I had the simple salad, which was also fresh and well cleaned. For the finale, instead of her usual tiramisu, she tried the chocolate souffle. Unfortunately, Ballaro failed in this course. The souffle, more like a molten cake was overbaked, so no lava of chocolate sauce leaking from the innard. It was similar to eating a chocolate cupcake really. Luckily, the 'cupcake' also wasn't very sweet and was paired with a shot of espresso, plus another Italian cookie. Yea. Mom went into town with that discount.I had an iced coffee, without that residue remenant often at the bottom of the cup.
Ballaro is the perfect place to chill and relax because the service is on the slow side, but is not that what European cafe style is all about?
PS Cash only, so be prepared.
PPS Lots of affordable paninis and cheese and meat selections. Great for sharing or allowing yourself to try different Italian foods. -
Review from Andrew D.
11/6/2010
My wife and I stopped in here before a show on Friday night, for their happy hour. I was immediately charmed by the atmosphere. The restaurant has high tables made of dark wood, a long bar, and soft lighting that makes their brick-walled space really cozy. Hunks of meat and cheese hang from the ceiling on hooks, and the walls are somewhat crowded with authentic-looking photos, art, mirrors, and other effects that make you think of a great old pub nestled in a venerable New York neighborhood... wait, yeah, it's pretty much that. But Ballaro's is not that old.
The wine list is heavily Italian, as are the proprietors. Not that the proprietors are heavy, but they're all Italian. Actual Italians with accents who have to think a little about what to say in English if you ask a question.
Happy hour consists of free snacks--bruschetta, salume, olives, cheeses and little sandwiches. They ask that you limit yourself to two plates, please, but two plates is a pretty good pile of food. Everything I ate was delicious.
I also got a small antipasto-type plate, reminded me of a tapas, of sausage, potatoes, and broccoli that said it was "in wine sauce." The truth was, sadly, that some of it had been pre-cooked in wine sauce, but the end result was a plate of food that was re-heated in the microwave. The sausage was kind of cold.
The bar does have a panini press, so if you get food here, I'd stick to the sandwiches. My wife's prosciutto and mozz sandwich was good.
Oh, and the bathroom was clean. That's always a good sign.
So, 3.5 stars, if I could. -
Review from Jeanette M.
New York, NY
1/30/2012
WORST service! Everytime! Used to like their tiramisu, until I got it frozen one time...unfortunate.
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Review from Allison W.
New York, NY
2/4/2012
It's OK if you want to sit and chat with friends over some wine. If you want to eat, go somewhere else: the service and the food are really, really bad. I've been here twice and had the same waitress. She's friendly enough but oblivious to the fact that she works in a restaurant. Last night with my friend, it took 30 min between a request for...a menu...our order...dessert...etc. (We skipped dessert.) When we asked for the receipt, she actually said, "Really?!"
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Review from Karin G.
3/13/2010
I've never seen a happy hour like this. Not only good, inexpensive wine~plus some really excellent high quality varieties off the list(show an interest in wine, and the great bartender will have some suggestions for you)~but an incredible cheese and cured meat app buffet freshly carved up every night.
Small but cozy and comfortable, Ballaro is apparently an Italian market during the day, but turns into the neighborhood after work place to be.
The app spread was so good, I could easily see coming here for dinner every night.
Service was prompt, crowd was very welcoming, Lovely spot. -
Review from Amy Y.
White Plains, NY
7/15/2011
Meh, I was sadly quite disappointed by this place, as I had read all the good reviews and was eager to try their paninis and wine. I got the parma cotto and a wine flight, as my boyfriend got Young's Chocolate Stout (they do get points for having a decent beer selection for a wine place). Unfortunately, while the wine flight was fun (hits and misses though, to be expected), I can't even call the panini decent. It was very lightly charred, and barely even warm (I'm the kind of person who likes my hot foods served... well, hot). It was basically a sad limp sandwich, with my mozzarella/prosciutto/panini innards simply COLD. I kept eating, hoping it might get better, but it sadly did not, and I was left with a full stomach but unsatisfied tastebuds. Luckily I still had my wine to make me feel a little better.
