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Tanti Baci Caffè - CLOSED
Category: Restaurants Italian Italian [Edit]
31 W 8th St(between 5th Ave & Mac Dougal St)
New York, NY 10011
Neighborhood: Greenwich Village
(212) 647-9651
- Nearest Transit:
-
W 4 St (A, B, C, D, E, F, M)
Christopher St - Sheridan Sq (1, 2)
6 Av (L)
- Parking:
- Street
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
79 reviews for Tanti Baci Caffè
Review Highlights
-
"Fresh homemade pasta and your choice of any sauce..." In 8 reviews -
"pink vodka sauce was really good." In 11 reviews -
"...BEST DATE RESTAURANT on earth; It's so cute and romantic." In 3 reviews
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79 reviews in English
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Review from Jen W.
New York, NY
9/9/2011
My favorite little Italian spot in Greenwich Village - great for dates, dinner with girlfriends, or a big group. The staff is friendly, thoughtful, and very accommodating. The fresh pasta was delicious - we tried the bolognese, pottanesca, and vodka sauces with our pastas - all excellent, but the vodka sauce was probably the best we'd ever had. Also, the wine portions were very generous.
We had a great girls' night out - my friends and I will definitely be returning! -
Review from Drew R.
Roselle Park, NJ
3/22/2012
Did anyone purchase Living Social Deal for Tanti Baci Caffe for greenwich village NY at 31 W8th street? I tried calling too. Is this the correct address or are they closed or moved?
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Review from Vinita H.
New York, NY
10/22/2011
LivingSocial made this seem like the quintessential West Village date spot. I was somewhat taken aback by how small it was inside. Despite the appearance, the ambience was warm and exclusive. I was glad I was able to carry on a conversation without having to raise my voice. There are very few places in the Village that have this level of intimacy, which I appreciate.
However, I was expecting so much more out of the entire meal. The food portions were rather small for the price that its worth. My bf's hanger steak was very delicious, but since it was sliced into cube-like pieces and arranged on a bed of greens, we felt the $22 price tag was better spent on another dish (possibly the seafood? Their choices were pretty enticing). My cubed steak risotto wasn't anything to write home about. The rice tasted hard to my liking and the meat didn't taste as fresh as the hanger steak. I was left to wonder if the steak in my meal was left-overed from the previous day, because it was quite tough to chew.
I felt pity for the waiter, since he was left to cover basically the entire restaurant, running back and forth and forgetting to give the couple sitting in front of us menus for a good few minutes. I'm glad I was able to score the deal from LivingSocial, because I would never spend $62 on a meal for two for sub-par Italian fare. Sorry Tanti Baci, your kisses weren't too sweet to me. -
Review from Caroline L.
New York, NY
10/28/2011
Maybe it was the high expectations that were set for me by several enthusiastic Yelp reviews and (of course) that killer copywriting from LivingSocial...
As much as I wanted to love this meal, it was not what I'd call a screaming deal. The homemade pasta was definitely good, but not great: the appetizers were nice, but I don't even remember what I ordered. I was very disappointed to learn that their "best" sauces were the vodka and alfredo sauces. What?? Those are pretty much going to taste alright everywhere (thanks to the fat), but it pains me to think a good pasta-focused restaurant wouldn't have upped the ante in that area.
Service was well-meaning and enthusiastic and again, you really want to love this restaurant with its sweet demeanor and adorable name. But they either have to bring down the prices, or take the quality up a notch.
This is not a place to be avoided: you will enjoy the food. But this isn't on the level that it could be. -
Review from Ari B.
Brooklyn, NY
10/8/2011
This is my first review. It's with a pained heart that I write it.
The old location of this restaurant on 7th Ave South was super-romantic, cozy and delicious-- actually the food was incredible. I raved about it to everyone.
8th street isn't pretty but it's convenient. Also, the food was fine. Nothing spectacular, but fine.
This restaurant, however, lacks some basic requirements of restaurants.
For one thing, multiple servers. There was literally a grand total of ONE person working the floor. That same person, phone in pocket, was registering take-out orders and reservations as well. There's a chance he was also the chef. This man was definitely pleasant, but I don't care if it was Bill Clinton pouring our wine, no amount of charisma would smooth over the 15 minutes we waited to get menus, water, and an extra place setting. Each subsequent request was very slowly attended to, not because the server was being lazy, he just had way too much to do. We asked if another staff member perhaps called in sick? Nope. He was the only one on call that Saturday night. Just poor planning.
Also, no ice. "The ice machine is broken." Perhaps if there was someone else working there, they could've made a deli run.
Also they played a sort of contemporary whiny pop music that didn't fit the ambiance at all.
Lastly, they were lacking half the wine bottles on the list, and many of the other dishes we inquired about.
I'm sorry, but at about 40 bucks a head, plus tip, this just wasn't worth it.
You broke my heart, Tanti Baci, you broke my heart. -
Review from Alison R.
7/13/2011
Overpriced for an abysmal meal. Undercooked, flavorless beans in our starter. The pasta was overcooked and stuck together. The pesto was gritty.
No thank you! -
Review from Tracey P.
Brooklyn, NY
3/14/2011
Let me start by saying that the old location was simply whimsical. It felt las though, while touring Italy, you suddenly found a long lost relative and they invited you over for dinner. Peeling wallpaper, antique mirrors, mismatched EVERYTHING-chairs, dishes, glasses. Candles were the primary source of lighting and So eclectic. Romantic and perfect! Plus, it just smelled like a mix of marinara, warmth, and old.
Now? It's a railroad restaurant. On West 8th Street. The walls are painted a dark shade of green, and there are generic "pinot grigot" prints and the like scattered throughout. I mean talk about a HUGE difference! The magic had sort of...dissipated. Strike "sort of."
Is it possible for ambience to effect the way a human tastes the food? Yes. It happened to me. The food was good. I assume it hasn't changed any. But it felt different. It's not the BEST Italian ever, but certainly NOT the worst! The puttanesca sauce was delish. But I missed the environment so much that part of the experience of the old Tanti Baci had been sucked from my soul. Dramatic? Yes.
Will I be back? (long pause) Only if my "long lost relatives" come in and give this place a make-under. Otherwise, you'll find me at Florio's in Little Italy, which is a different type of authentic :) -
Review from Arian A.
New York, NY
11/16/2010
You know you are in the right place for authentic, tasty Italian when the people dining there are speaking the language.
The service was wonderful and the food was even better. The lasagna my date had was perfection. My gnocchi was absolutely fabulous and I felt like I was back in Italy. This is truly a gem among NYC Italian restaurants. It should not be missed.
The waiter made great suggestions and the atmosphere is simplistic and comforting. I will definitely be going back. -
Review from xtin e.
Los Angeles, CA
8/1/2010
One winter night a few years ago, a friend and I were wandering around the village. We weren't super hungry, but it was cold and we felt like we should eat something so we decided to split dessert (obviously).
Tanti Baci is off the street, and going there actually felt like something from a fairy tale. It's unassuming from the front, but inside it's cozy and intimate. We were the only people there and there was a fire going in the fireplace. When we saw the menu, we decided: who cares how full we are.
We had an amazing meal (including dessert!) in a really magical setting. (We kept saying that we should really be on a date, in a movie probably.)
But we didn't remember the name of the restaurant, nor did we really pay attention to where we were when we found it. We talked about it a lot afterward, wondering if it were ACTUALLY magical and didn't really exist... just some beautiful winter dream that we had.
And one day, three or four years later, I got a text from my friend that she'd found it! This time, she wrote the name and location down, and we planned to return as soon as I was in New York again.
While the second trip wasn't quite as magical, it was as cute and good as I remembered it being. We got there on the earlier side (close to 6 I think), which turned out to be good because while it was empty at first, it filled up as it got later.
DEFINITELY order one of the homemade pastas. The portions are generous, and the pasta is amazing. I had the homemade linguine with vodka sauce.
The wine was also good and reasonably priced, which always makes for a fun meal. It would also be the BEST DATE RESTAURANT on earth; It's so cute and romantic. -
Review from Julie K.
New York, NY
4/24/2007 13 photos
it was pretty damn cold night, and my dear friend, he was singing about Tiramisu from Tanti Baci too much, already got a headache... OK! OK!! ENOUGH!!!
it is a tiny, cozy, and cute Italian restaurant... there're only 4~5 tables, and a waiter could barely walk through between tables... it made this place more romantic and sexier... dark room... small candles... fragrant rose... orphic canzone... stimulate wine...
we started with seafood + potato salad, it was fresh but little bit creamy, Seafood Ravioli, could feel the Mediterranean Sea in my mouth, Fettuccine Alfredo, couldn't be better, strange Meatball side... everything was well homemade and ideal, not too much over palatable or unsavory... loved pastas, meatball yet... Finally, time to Homemade Signature Tiramisu... it was unbelievably amazing... very soft, light, tasty, flavorous and mouth meltable...
it was the day... damn cold night...
now, I am dreaming about TIRAMISU badly like my friend did...Listed in: Vissi d'amore, Vissi…
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Review from Brave G.
New York, NY
12/19/2006
UPDATE *** UPDATE *** UPDATE ***
yup, i wrote about this a few months ago after stumbling in by accident and having a super dessert experience.
then went back intentionally the night of the big snow and was turned away -- no dessert-only seating! no matter how empty we are! back into the snow, you snowmonkeys!!
the story could have ended there. but how can you argue with...cuteness????
the restaurant is so small, it just feels like it wants you to like it, tucked away around the back of a ... piazza on seventh avenue???
so we went for dinner. IT WAS GREAT. UNBELIEVABLE. YIKES. PERFECT.
italian, homemade, carefully prepared, delicious everything. good chianti. mouthwatering pastas and sauces. meatballs. some kind of slightly crazy salad starter. delectable. and the tiramisu returned to put us to bed.
what a way to go.
you have to try this place. got to. got to. got to. got to.
(below is the original review from december)
After a dinner at the Flea Market Cafe, things were starting to feel claustrophobic and we needed to get out of that intense atmosphere. I remembered a great dessert place on the west side near waverly so we fled across town looking for Rafaella's. it was boarded up -- out of business! -- and of course it started raining then. that's when you get that hopeless feeling in ny, like standing at the base of a mountain. standing there on seventh avenue at 11 at night with friends from out of town, i noticed a little 'plaza,' if you could call it that, across the avenue in the middle of the block. what the hell. i ran over and in and around the side where there was a step and an old door. inside was a tiny 4-table (maybe 6?) caffe, and when i asked if we could come in and have coffee and dessert the guy said sure.
it turned out great. it was late and some things were already sold out but there was still homemade tiramisu, a chocolate mousse with cream and apricot preserves, a pumpkin cheesecake, you see what i mean. tiramisu has been done to death, but here it was fresh and perfect, with good coffees too. on the regular menu were pastas, meatballs, simple stuff all homemade, which will have to wait for another time. the vibe is plain unpretentious and simple. and intimate.
there were probably hundreds of places like this around here at one time, but now they are rare and hard to find. this one is an undiscovered gem. -
Review from Brandice H.
Staten Island, NY
Updated - 5/15/2009
I come here so frequently the host knows me. It is very warming when they remember what your favorite dish is.
Today because I had a tad too much wine, I ordered dessert (I haven't ordered dessert with dinner in a long time.) He suggested the mousse and it was like my mouth had an orgasm. WHIPPED and RICH and so chocolaty.Listed in: Knock ya Socks off, Top Restaurants
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/1/2007
OMG!
Never have I ever had such DELICIOUS Italian food.
I met up with my friend Donna after returning… Read more »
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Review from Alan G.
New York, NY
1/6/2009
It's a solid 3.5, but I'm not 'bout to round up for it.
The basement isn't quite a dungeon, but I was expecting it to be cuter based on the previous reviews. It's charming in a it's-new-york!-we're cramped-in-and-it's-fun-and-quaint sort of way. The waitress was perfectly nice, but I had trouble hearing her. She was just quiet-ish and it was a little awkward as a result. The food & drink was fine, but as someone who likes to eat, I'd like a slightly bigger pasta portion. The small bowl it was served in was deceiving, and it did have a little more than expected, but I still found the size to be slightly disproportionate to the price.
Don't be afraid to bring out the big guns Tanti Baci. We're big kids. We can handle ourselves. The penne was cooked well, to be fair, but yeah.
I liked Tanti Baci fine, but I didn't think it was exceptional. I have no problem going, but I wouldn't go out of my way really. -
Review from David S.
Champaign, IL
3/6/2007
As mentioned by the previous reviewers, this place is really hard to find. Unless you're looking for it, the chances are you won't notice it. It's in a small basement under a shop, and there aren't any big signs or lights to let you know that a very nice Italian restaurant is hiding there.
Dinner at Tanti Baci was great: they have a pretty large selection of pasta dishes, as well as a few meat entrees. The pasta is fresh (and you can really taste it), as are all of the other ingredients. I had spinach linguine with a spicy tomato sauce with anchovies and olives, and it was great. They have a good selection of Italian wines, and I really wish I could have stayed to try one of their desserts (that tiramisu sounded pretty damn good!). Service was very friendly and efficient, and prices are reasonable, so I'll definitely eat there again. The place is really small, so it's a good idea to make a reservation if you have a big party. -
Review from Max S.
1/21/2009
Definitely a great decor at this place. We came here when it was packed, so we were sat in the basement.
They had jazz playing the next room with the bar, so I would have given this place 4 stars if the bitchy waitress told me I couldn't stand around to listen to them because my table was in the other room.
We had the dessert. Although the selection was not bad, the gelato was a bit mediocre for my taste. -
Review from Lianne Z.
San Francisco, CA
10/30/2008
A friend picked this place for girls dinner and I was pleasantly surprised.
Tucked away in wonderful West Village, this little Italian cafe is a true find.
After having dined here, we've declared it our new go-to restaurant.
Located in the basement down some cement stairs- one shouldn't be fooled because this restaurant is neither parts seedy nor dirty.
We were seated in an inside room, proving to be all kinds of cozy.
Coral and brick walls, big dresser mirrors and cheesy white lights.
Very Alice in Wonderland-ish.
The 7-feet-tall waiter only contributed further to the overall rabbit-hole feel.
And as expected, the food was great!
Very homey and the portions were perfect.
People said they were on the small side but don't be fooled by the small plates, the portions are filling without boasting an ounce of ostentatiousness.
Among the five of us we all tried something different- the Puttanesca, Penne Alla Vodka, Home-made Lasagna, Linguine with Vongole and a creamy spiral pasta with Italian sausages.
They also have customizing options (pick your own sauce, noodles, toppings, sides) but as cool as the idea sounded, honestly speaking it was just too much thinking for me.
They had wonderful bruschetta- soft, chewy bread loaded with fresh tomatoes. Their balsamic vinegar tasted tangy and very well aged.
and the dish came with large, flavorful kalamata olives.
We shared a tiramisu for dessert and if I said it lived up to anything less than what the waiter promised,...well then I'd be lying.
It seems like a great place for group gatherings and I would definitely come back.
...And any place that translates to "Many Kisses" (Tanti Baci)... certainly deserves many, many revisits in my book. :) -
Review from Donna H.
Brooklyn, NY
12/18/2006
Had a dinner here with a group of friends. The service was wonderful, the place is cozy and quaint, the food is really good. A perfect date place. We went for a holiday party so the strings of lights and other decorations really set the mood.
The fried calamari was rubbery, but the Rinforzi Braciole and tiramisu was great. Highly recommended. -
Review from Amy L.
New York, NY
6/11/2007
The cutest nook of an Italian restaurant serving an array of delicious fresh pasta (various dry varieties also available) with your choice of a range of sauces. Meatballs are tasty. Wine reasonably priced.
At the 7th Ave South entrance (near Charles St) -- the cafe?, you can either dine at one of a handful of outdoor tables, or else inside a petite adjacent dining room. There's a W 10th St entrance around the corner, which leads to a dining room in the basement (and it smells like basement).
I am a pasta nut so I like this place pretty much automatically. Would be a charming date spot.Listed in: Pasta Lovin'
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Review from Madhuri S.
New York, NY
2/17/2009
If you like freshly made pasta, then this is definitely your spot. Its a very simple menu you pick your homemade pasta, and pick your sauce. I'm generally a fan of this formula at Italian places since I usually ask for a combination thats off the menu (gnocchi with pesto anyone?). Hands down the cheese ravioli in the vodka sauce was one of the best I've had.
Ambiance is nice, nothing fancy, just simple and cute.
For Valentines day I really liked that they were one of the few places that didn't have a prix fix deal, just a special menu which was absolutely delish. Really anything you ordered was great. We actually got a chance to eat that their "flower room" with is around the corner on 7th ave. It was very intimate and expressed the same sort of simplicity that the main room has. Service is also excellent. One thing I remember from my first visit though, if you bring your own cakes for birthdays they will charge a fee per person. So save yourself the hassle and just eat their yummy tiramisu instead. -
Review from Anonymou S.
New York, NY
3/21/2010
HOLY RAVIOLI!!! Delicious, amazing pasta. Was here with a small group for a birthday, they sat us in a private room and the waiters were very attentive. I think the owner or manager himself checked on us several times.
I ordered the mushroom ravioli with alfredo sauce... so friggin' good and high-inducing, it should be illegal. Others in my group also ordered the mushroom ravioli in vodka sauce and in pomodoro sauce... they were really good too but I have to say the winner was alfredo.
Can't wait to go back!
P.S. - There are two different locations/wings... an outside area and on the other side of the block, an inside area. Can be very confusing, but the food is worth it. -
Review from Michelle C.
Manhattan, NY
12/2/2011
This place has closed. Too bad because I really wanted to use my Living Social voucher that I bought literally 2.5 months ago.
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Review from jonathan h.
Brooklyn, NY
7/6/2008
Tanti Baci is a very small basement eatery that specializes in pasta, and does a very good job with both limited space and a limited menu.
Date and I met up with another couple; we all remarked that the space seems a whole lot smaller than what's on their website. The photography geek among the four of us commented upon their use of a fisheye lens to make it seem so much more spacious in their photos. Nonetheless, none of us felt cramped nor crowded, and the noise level allowed for polite conversation.
Service was exceptionally attentive, but not intrusive. Pear salad and calamari appetizers were very satisfying. We all opted for pasta and a range of sauces (the menu style is mix-and-match - pick a pasta, pick a sauce); I highly recommend the linguine integrale (whole wheat pasta) with the pomodoro - the home-made quality of both proved to be a superb combination. My side order of meatballs was exceptional, as was the side order of chicken that another of our party opted for.
Despite other reviews that mention "anorexic" portions, no one walked away hungry - a half appetizer, a pasta and a side dish should absolutely be enough for all but the hardiest eaters. In fact, we were all too full for the desserts.
Price for five drinks, four pastas, three side dishes, and two appetizers was $140. Server was happy to split the check between two credit cards, in keeping with his excellent service.
Oh, and everyone that's voting for "Good for Kids" - no, it isn't. The space is way too small, the basement location could prove frightening, and one screaming child will absolutely ruin the ambiance for a restaurant full of people. Leave them home, OK? -
Review from Jen D.
11/20/2007
Came here on the recommendation of fellow yelpers and sadly, I was greatly disappointed...............
1pm on Sunday afternoon... I don't know why I chose this place over all dozens of other brunch spots in the West Village, but I did.... Me and my pops were the ONLY people here, other than the staff of course..........
The food was just blah.... The lunch menu is SERIOUSLY lacking, offering only a few appz and pasta only..... No Secondi type courses.... I had the rigatoni w/ bolognese..... Bland and boring... REALLY boring.... Bruschetta... Eh... Nothing special.... I make better bruschetta..... Homemade meatballs.... Blah....
The decor is so damn cheesy.... Maybe everyone usually comes here at night when the lights are turned down real low and they only have candles on the table.... But if you come here during the day... It's an eyesore.... Cheap fixtures.... The WORST paint job I've ever seen.... Just cheeeeeesy.....
BLAH.....
BLAH...
BLAH.......... -
Review from Barbara C.
2/22/2007
You have to be looking for this place to find it. I sincerely doubt anyone stumbles on it, with its narrow stairway and hand-chalked since being the only nods to the outside world. When I walked in I wasn't sure if I was smug in my knowledge of the place, or a little scared by how few people were in there.
It's definitely cozy, but not in that NY Apartment Broker way. There's plenty of space, and I could see how this would be romantic (though sharing a restaurant with just the staff and delivery boys is a little disconcerting to me!). The food was fantastic, though. I'd been jonesing for some homemade pasta, but needed it at non-Babo prices. Yelpers led me to here, and I must say, it did not disappoint. They managed to make wheat linguine taste fantastic, and their Puttanesca sauce was incredible! The wine was fairly priced and good.
I'll probably return for the tasty homemade pasta, but I'd be more likely to get delivery (they seemed to have a bustling delivery service). One more reason to move up to the West Village! -
Review from Sara F.
Manhattan, NY
10/6/2011
This place is adorable, and I've been dying to try the tiramisu for so long! We didn't make a reservation, and when we got there the waiter inquired as to whether or not we had. We hadn't, and he said someone had just canceled so luckily he'd be able to take us. This would have been fine except.. there was only one other filled table in the entire restaurant. So I couldn't understand, but whatever.
They were out of one of the appetizers we wanted- by the way, the tangerine and beet salad is delicious- but no big. The pasta was good but the smoked entree didn't taste smoked at all. I guess the pasta was decent, but not amazing. Also, we ordered right away but were sitting there for nearly two hours. This wasn't the waiters fault, as he was manning the entire restaurant which did start to fill up as the night went on, but to be fair, we could have been out of there quicker than we were (much quicker!) The house wine is very good.
THERE WAS NO TIRAMISU. He informed us this at the end of the meal. The only desserts they had were desserts we didn't even want. Then he couldn't break our fifty because he said they hadn't had any customers that day. But if they hadn't, how could they be out of one appetizer and their tiramisu? It didn't make sense to me.
It's an alright restaurant, a bit expensive and slow, but if you are looking for something specific then definitely ask if they have it before sitting down to eat. -
Review from Jeri X.
Woodland Hills, CA
11/23/2008
Wow! I was pleasantly surprised by both the decor and the food of this restaurant. My boyfriend brought me here, and at first, as he led me down the narrow, cold metal stairs to go to the restaurant, I was thinking... where's he taking me? a dinky basement?! Nope, it wasn't like that at all. The restaurant was cozy and romantic inside. The walls were decorated with warm colors, each table had a vase with fresh flowers, and the waiter brought us water in wine bottles.
Anyway, I ordered the fettuccine with bolognese sauce, and also tried the meat ravioli with vodka sauce and they were both delicious! (But if I had to pick, I preferred the vodka sauce) You can definitely tell their pasta is fresh and homemade. The portion size is good and the price is reasonable.
It's a great place to start off a romantic evening :-) -
Review from Rich H.
Brooklyn, NY
1/17/2007
This is just my most favoritest, favoritest, Italian restaurant in NYC.
I wouldn't even review it if no one else knew about it, because I really don't want it to become the next Magnolia Bakery and all you sum-bitches will overrun it so that I don't want to set foot in the place!
But some others have already pointed it out. I might as well just face reality and give the rave reviews it deserves.
I've been going to Tanti Baci for a long time. Maybe since the early 90s. Can't remember my first time.
It's in the basement and easy to miss and it's a great date place. Cozy, warm, womb like (if not a bit tomb like!). Amazing bruschetta! Al dente pasta and the sauce of your choosing. What more can you want? And at such a great price.
Sssh! I'm going to come after all you mo' fo's if you start telling everyone and suddenly I can't walk in off the street and get a seat without waiting like I always do! Word!Listed in: Top Restaurants
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Review from Lizzie W.
New York, NY
6/4/2008
YUM. Fresh homemade pasta and your choice of any sauce imaginable!! Ok...maybe that's a stretch, but there are more than enough options for every palate.
Great date spot!! The outdoor seating is a squeeze but well worth it and perfect for that accidental graze of the thigh...I mean if that's what you're going for...I'm going to recommend 2nd date though, so we can assume you're interested/comfortable enough to knock knees and have your not-as-awkward-as-the-first-date conversation heard by the couple next to you.
Like a few others, I stumbled upon this place walking home and what a GREAT find. Very reasonable pricing and delicious, delicious food. I will DEFINITELY be going back to try some of the other menu items reviewers mentioned and of course to take advantage of the wine list! -
Review from Patrick V.
New York, NY
2/17/2010
Delicious homemade pasta, sauces, and TIRAMISU (the best I've ever had).
This place is tiny and cramped/romantic as others have noted. If you'd rather stay home (and you live in the area), consider doing delivery. It's quick and easy (especially if you use SeamlessWeb). -
Review from Mikey P.
New York, NY
8/1/2010
It's always hard to find a good Italian restaurant. Luckily, I found one tucked away on 10th st. just around the corner form where I live.
All you have to know is that 1) The food is AMAZING! Their homemade pastas don't get any fresher or tastier. My personal favorites are the Carbonara and the Penne alla Norma. My partner loves the Lasagna and it is indeed one of the best I've had. And 2) The ambience is great--for dates or with a small group of friends.
I highly recommend this place. Craving authentic Italian? Tanti Baci is your best bet.
P.S. Try the Tiramisu, Lemon Curd Tart or the Hazelnut Truffle Ice Cream for dessert :) -
Review from G H.
Fort Lee, NJ
2/27/2011
Really good authentic Italian. A friend told me the 10th St location shut down, so happy they just moved. Good service, great suggestions of the sauce & pasta pairings. They have my favorite desert of all time the Chocolate hazelnut truffle ice cream with Espresso sauce, amazing.
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Review from Kristin B.
Brooklyn, NY
7/23/2010
I really enjoyed this place, It is a really small basement space so figuring out how to get in was a little awkward. We did not have much room at our table either, but everything else was so good, I didn't even care.
We got the eggplant parm appetizer and was insanely good. The service was friendly and attentive and our food came out hot and pretty fast.
I am defiantly going to make my boyfriend bring me back here! -
Review from Geoffrey B.
Harlem, Manhattan, NY
7/4/2009
It is a delight. How could you say no to good food, a nice atmosphere and reasonable prices especially in NYC? If you are walking too fast down the street you may miss the place.
Try the hazelnut espresso dessert. -
Review from Devin S.
6/8/2011 1 Check-in Here
This place was so disappointing. My date and I came to Tanti Baci a few nights ago, following the glowing recommendations from many Yelpers. Before we ordered, the waitress informed us that there was an issue with the credit card machine and so we'd have to pay in cash - unexpected, but not really a big deal. For drinks, we each ordered a glass of red: I, the pinot noir, he the chianti. Both were fine. For dinner, we ordered the caprese salad to start, followed by a dry linguine puttanesca (the puttanesca sauce was not recommended for pairing with the homemade fresh pasta) and then the hanger steak.
Unfortunately this is where it all goes downhill. Our $9.50 caprese was the saddest I've ever seen; the tomatoes weren't fresh, the slices of mozzarella were more like chunks, and the one basil leaf provided (one! inserted as garnish! for four sets of tomato/mozz!) was also not fresh. The puttanesca was downright terrible - way too heavy on the anchovies despite the fact that they're listed last on the ingredients list, which should indicate that it's not a primary flavor. It just tasted overwhelmingly fishy and salty. Thank God for the hanger steak! It was served in 3-5 bite-sized pieces of meat on a bed of greens, cooked medium rare as requested. Nothing special, but it was good meat. We also got a side of spinach which was fine though my date thought it was undersalted.
Unfortunately I can't have a lot of red meat so the fact that the pasta was pretty much inedible meant I was bound to leave hungry. But really the worst part of this experience was when the waitress came to clear almost a full plate of pasta. When asked if I wanted it wrapped, I told her that I didn't because we really didn't like it and very nicely explained why. She, seemingly shocked that anyone could have a complaint, didn't really know what to say except a simple "I'm sorry." This, in itself, is fine. But I frankly expected that after sending back an entire $15 plate of food I might be given some kind of discount or something small to make up for it. Instead we paid about $90 total for a meal we didn't enjoy without any further apology. Oh, wait, that's not true - the owner, completely oblivious to how dissatisfied we were, came over to apologize for the cash only thing. Seriously? Were it not for the hanger steak and the fact that the place was cute inside, this would be a one-star. Otherwise it was a total waste of money. -
Review from Bianca M.
New York, NY
2/16/2010
I had a great valentine's day dinner here. Delicious food- best alfredo sauce I've ever had. Great service. Such a cute little place, too. Tiny & Romantic...
or cramped & claustraphobic... depends how you look at it.
I loved it. -
Review from Yvonne Y.
9/21/2008
My hubby and I couldn't wait to go out on our first night in Manhattan after reading rave reviews of Tanti. Loved the intimate mood they provided in the basement and the friendly service from the waiter and the hostess. Wines by the glass (pinot grigio and Chianti) were good.
But the fresh fettucine was overwhelmingly disappointing. It was served with one big clump and it was impossible to extract one strand by itself. It tasted fresh but just sticky and clumpy. With so many restaurant choices, I just won't risk going back. -
Review from Adam A.
Brooklyn, NY
4/30/2007
Terrible, horrible experience.Our waiter was an obnoxious queen (not that there's anything wrong with that lolz) who hardly paid us a care, maybe because I don't wear gold chains that guarantee a nice tip. I saw people come and go before we got our dinner.
After our mediocre appetizer, we waited, parched, for probably an hour. I've worked in a restaurant and I know shit happens, but you should apologize to the patrons if it does. You should ask them if they need anything and keep their glasses full.
Our entrees came and I was THRILLED to see about a half oz. of cheesy spaghetti with a scroogy portion of tomato sauce poured over it and some eggplant thrown in. I guess this restaurant is for anorexics. -
Review from Lynn T.
New York, NY
5/25/2007
Absolutely love this place.... It's quaint, food's tasty, and a great location -- the perfect place to people-watch in the Village. The only con is that the outdoor area (and cafe itself) is pretty small... Be prepared to bump arms with surrounding tables. Actually, it's a good thing if you don't mind chatting up strangers.
Fun joint to check out during the summer. -
Review from Alaina W.
Astoria, NY
9/29/2007
I love going here for the cute outdoor dining scene and the reasonably priced good food. The best bet--order the fresh homemade linguini with pomodoro sauce and a side order of meatballs. The meatballs are amazing. Another good bet is the bolognese sauce.
The tiny tables are so cute, and they are each decorated with a single rose inside a slim glass vase. With reasonably priced wine by the bottle, this is a nice date place as well. -
Review from Krissy O.
East Meadow, NY
5/18/2008
Delicious. Homemade pasta. Romantic. Not much else I want for my birthday dinner. This was picked out by my boyfriend as the restaurant for birthday and he did an excellent job! I told him for once I wanted no part of the picking, I wanted him to found a place on his own and take me there for my birthday, no limits, any cuisine. And he chose this gem.
Bruschetta to start, a little too much garlic but the tomatoes, basil and olive oil were fresh and yummy.For my main I had the fresh linguine with a putanesca sauce made the traditional way with very finely minced anchovies, which was delish. Boyfriend had spinach raviolis, also homemade, with a butter sauce with spinach. he doesn't usually like spinach and he ate everything on his plate. Homemade tiramisu was yummy.
Only complaint. The wine wasn't chilled like it should have been. But I can be a wine snob at times, so don't listen to everything I say :).
I give it 4.5 stars.
Warning: bring gum. Lots of garlic used in their food.
