Aria West Village
| Address: | 117 Perry St, New York, NY 10014, USA |
| Phone: | +1 212-242-4233 |
| Site: | ariawinebar.com |
| Rating: | 4.1 |
| Working: | 12–10:30PM 12–10:30PM 12–10:30PM 12–10:30PM 12–10:30PM 11AM–11PM 11AM–11PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 7
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Nicole Moreo
I dont think I can say enough about this place. I have been here twice now, and both times were fantastic. The only reason it does not get 5 stars is because it can be a little unorganized in their seating process. They do not take reservations for small groups, and will leave an entire table open while they wait for a reservation that isnt supposed to come for another hour. However, their food and atmosphere makes up for that! Aria has a great menu of Italian dishes and a greats selection of wine. The ambiance is cozy with a definite Italian flare. There is one large communal table and a few smaller tables. There is also a bar that runs the length of this small restaurant that is also a great choice to sit at. The waiters all know the menu very well and can make educated suggestions about both the food and the wine. From the moment you walk past the charming Christmas lights that decorate the outside of this west village gem, and through the doors, you feel like you have just entered a special place. The last time I was there, my friends and I ordered wine, a cheese and meat charcuterie option, a beet salad with goat cheese and a phenomenal small plate that was some type of eggplant with ricotta and marinara sauce. The Montepulciano dAbruzzo wine was a terrific option to go with the meal. I really cant speak highly enough about this place, and I am looking forward to going back and working my way through their menu.
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Morgan Wang
Aria showcases a wine list curated by women winemakers, traditional Venetian small plates also known "cicchetti", and vintage cocktails. The decor in the cozy, intimate space in West Village consists of polished white tiles, exposed brick, and a few rustic wooden communal tables. Because the restaurant is small and often packed for dinner, its not too unusual to find yourself raising your voice through the night. Overheard from the bar, the bartender asks "White or red?" while a lady in her mid-20s chimes, "I prefer white to red so it doesnt stain my lips." Theres a variety of options on the smartly tailored menu for people with varying palate predilections. The appetizers are good, particularly the burrata and prosciutto with tomato and drizzled with balsamic. However, the small plates at Aria definitely take the spotlight - tender lamb chops cooked to a perfect medium-rare and octopus crostinis with a heaping mound of octopus haphazardly tumbling off the crust. The ingredients really work together to create a delightful experience of flavors, although the crust of the crostini is slightly more abrasive than preferred. For dessert, the tiramisu instantly materialized into what can best be described as "heaven" as a very generous cube of marscapone atop a kahlua-drenched cake arrived at the table, dusted with ample amounts of cocoa and powdered sugar. Plates: $9-16 Wine by the glass: $6+
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A Private User
Poor Service & Dangerous for People with Food Allergies The ambiance is nice (though its a little loud and maybe a bit too dark), but the service and management are really bad. I have a severe nut allergy. We ordered a cheese plate, which had nuts all over the cheese, and I explained that I couldnt eat it. The waiter asked, "You dont want nuts?", and then took his animal-like paw to move all the nuts off the cheese and onto the board. Aside from the fact that he was touching our food with his hands (gross!-- like we would want to eat the cheese anyway after that), he clearly hand no understanding of allergies. (Honestly, you pretty much have to have never read a single newspaper to not have heard about nut allergies before.) I explained that I couldnt eat it, so he brought out a "new" cheese board. I stupidly trusted him and took one bite of it and immediately had a horrible allergic reaction which nearly landed me in the hospital. Even if you dont have food allergies, its nasty-- waiters should never touch your food. Beside the fact that they basically poisoned me, its a sign that they have no training, no standards, and no real management. Stay away.
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A Private User
They did a nice job with the lighting, so it feels just dim enough to feel like a bar, but still plenty bright. The place is not exactly huge, but they use the space efficiently so it feels big (though the bar seats got a little close for comfort). With that many people, it can be a little noisy for some, as in dont plan to hear everything your date is saying. That said, it is a good place for a fun-but-civilized night out with a group. The wine list does not have the thematic fun and consistency of Terroir, but it is diverse and - yes, Ill say it - interesting wine choices. It feels like the list should be a little longer, but that is a minor whine. Every wine we tried was solid. Wine bars can usually get away with punting on the food, but they dont here. The meat and bread and cheese were all notably tasty. The service left us a little cold. Not rude. Certainly polite and pro. But not much sense of warmth or fun. (I wish more wine bars in New York embraced the notion that wine can be a true joy to share. Youre drinking, people, smile as your doing it! ) Despite the Nordic austerity vibe from the staff, worth checking out.
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Brielle Buckler
Aria is one of my go-to spots in the city. There is another location in the theater district and every time I go, I have a great experience. There is a great wine selection, and glasses are inexpensive (think $7-$10). The ambiance is that of many places in NYC - crowded, a little loud, and somewhat tight. A great date night spot for some great eats, without breaking the bank. Get the grilled octopus appetizer, served with pesto, potatoes, and white bean salad. Its not on the menu, but has been a special every night that Ive dined there. The lobster ravioli is a small portion, but its SO good. Get it with one other person to split as an appetizer. The service is great, the bread served with olive oil is addicting, and you will definitely come back. There are few truly good, consistent, cheap places in NYC, and Aria is definitely one of them.
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Lepidus Vir
The "vegetable lasagna" at Aria wins my personal booby prize for the single worst pasta dish Ive ever had--overcooked, over-cheesy, vegetable-less glop that doesnt deserve an Italian name. And all that for only $12! The octopus in the octopus salad was overcooked also. Our waiter, who looked like an understudy for Colonel Clink on Hogans Heroes (but with less personality than your average Gestapo agent), barely addressed us and was almost impossible to pry away from his companions. Whatever he said wasnt audible anyway, since the "music" was blasting the whole time; perhaps thats why he felt compelled to scribble on our menu instead of describing the special plates as a normal waiter would. Buy a decent bottle of wine and some pasta and sauce, cook it yourself, and save yourself and your friends $50! Ugh!
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Pamela Murphy
One of my favorite places to eat in the city. If you come at peak time you will have to wait, but it is worth it. You will be squeezed in next to someone you know or maybe you dont, but this feels like real New York to me. It is basically Italian tapas with some bigger main plates. I love to mix and share, but my favorites are the meatballs, so tasty and they melt in your mouth, and I love the truffle Mac and cheese. This was my favorite Mac and cheese ever, but they changed it slightly and I found one elsewhere a bit better, but it is always super tasty and not overly runny creamy like many can be. Other notable items are the oysters, burrata, steak and eggplants with goat cheese. The wine is all delicious too. I take all out of town visitors here and they have always loved it!
