Damore Winebar & Caffe

D’amore the D’amore
From the outside D’Amore looks very unassuming, so we had modest expectations walking in. But as soon as we passed the threshold, the gregarious owner Raffaele, offered us seats next to him at the bar.
He gave us special attention, which I assumed was due to my friend who is Italian like him. But it turns out he’s just a lovely and funny guy who enjoys making people happy and comfortable. For example, he insisted that my friend try the pasta on his dish, which was a delicious linguine with mushrooms, sausage and truffle oil.
We ordered the charcuterie board, which was impressive in quality and quantity. Our favorite dish was the pulpo, which was perfectly grilled and served with a warm and hearty tomato and potato stew-​like sauce. The dish servings were all generous and perfect for sharing with 2 or 3 people. The menu options are less extensive, but more solid than other wine bars I’ve been. The wine selection is equally good and varied. For dessert, go for the panna cotta!
Ambiance is warm, cozy, and fun! Another bonus: they offer gluten-​free pasta alternatives… and neck rubs… Raffaele’s speciality of the house. Love it so much, I’m forwarding my mail and moving in.

This is a little gem in East Harlem, great staff, the owner is very entertaining each time we go there. The place is very cute and most importantly this is a real Italian restaurant and wine bar with authentic food. The carbonara and carpaccio are delicious and I absolutely recommend anyone visiting the neighborhood or living there to go give it a try.

My fav place in NYC! Food is great and Rafael makes you feel like family! Everyone at this place has been amazing each time I visit. Sit at the bar and soak up the atmosphere, you’ll love it!

We ate at this cozy place that was recommended from friends of ours that had been there a few weeks ago. The food was amazing. Being Italian I recognize true Italian cooking and quality food. Felt like being back home eating with family. The owner Raffaele is so nice and makes everyone feel at home. Definitely making this little jewel a spot to return to regularly. Definitely try the squid ink fettuccini and the grilled octopus mmmm so good :)

I came here with a friend. I ordered the Spaghetti carbonara and it was sooooo yummy! My friend ordered the pasta with the mushrooms and sausage and it was very delicious too. The portions were perfect, enough but not excessive. I had a Malbec and it was great and we finished our dinner with their decadent lava chocolate dessert. Great place in the neighborhood. Perfect ambiance. Will definitely come back!

In getting away from the hustle and bustle of NYC, we wanted to find a place in a local neighborhood to have dinner.
We found D’Amore Winebar and Ristorante.
It’s exactly what we needed. It was quiet, quaint and low-​key.
We asked if we could combine two appetizers instead of ordering two (cheese and meat plate) and they provided us a nice selection of both.
We both ordered the pasta and it was very delicious. Our guests ordered two sandwiches and in which they both enjoyed but the one that had the spicy mayo was just a tad bit too spicy. The owner saw this and gladly made another sandwich w/​o the spicy mayo. We ended up taking half of it home and was told later the sandwich was even better the second time around.
We chose to try two kinds of wine: The Montepulciano and Pinot Grigio, which did not disappoint.
All in all, it was great find and if we are in the area, we would gladly come back. The owner was wonderful and showed that he cares for each customer that walks through the door. The best part, is that it’s right near the subway that can take you back to the city.

My favourite date spot! The staff is knowledgable about wine and they will always suggest a perfect wine for you. They are also really friendly and quick to wait on you whether it’s filling up your glass or taking away your empty plate. The experience is almost seamless.
The food is wonderful. There aren’t a lot of options for me because I am a vegetarian, but the options I do have are wonderful! The kitchen is really accommodating, especially to my boyfriend’s nut and mushroom allergy.
We always start out with the cheese platter. The flavors are amazing! Between the cheese, the figs, the jam, and the bread, I was in heaven!
The entrees are great as well, definitely have the gnocchi with arugula and walnuts! Great portion sizes, not too small.
The lava cake is divine. Definitely one of the best restaurants in the area.

Their Branzino is superb. It’s sharply and intensely lemony yet it’s somehow not overwhelming. How they pull of this miraculous feat is beyond me! :)
My girlfriend loves this place. It’s pricey, but you’re never left disappointed with the food. If you’re tight on budget, I recommend going straight for an entrée and skipping out on wine and libations.
If you can spring for it, the cheese platter is amazing. Not filling, but you don’t get this kind of cheese platter to feel full. Take your time with it. Eat the smallest bites you can and try to do as many combinations of the five cheeses as you can. Some will assuredly surprise you. You won’t see it coming.
The service is fantastic. They will treat you right. Good recommendations, responsive and quick. Leave a good tip. They deserve it.
A testament to the quality of their food is that as I left today I noticed my server sitting down to have herself one of their entrees as her dinner. And she looked like she was releasing an entire day’s worth of stress as she carefully enjoyed her simple plate.
Superb.

This is a local east Harlem gem fo sho. Went here on a low-​key Sunday night for some fine dining. It was all Halloween themed during Halloween. The seats offered added comfort with some cool patterned pillows. I had the entrée: pappardelle bolognese. It was mouth watering and a perfect serving size. The wine options are quite splendid as well. I def need to go here again.

I love this place! The owner is hilarious. The wine is great. The food is amazing. Great surprise in East Harlem.

Best food ever! Very cozy and Raffaele is very gracious and hilarious! Highly recommend!

I absolutely love D’amore’s atmosphere– it truly is a hidden gem in East Harlem. The wine selection is countless and the food is fantastic– my favorite is the linguine with sweet sausage, mushrooms and truffle oil– so delicious! And who can forget the chocolate lava cake… It just melts right in your mouth.
The staff are great, with a super friendly waitress and hilarious owner, Rafaele. You can’t find a better place then D’amore. No

Nice environment and the tiramisu is a must have! Best one I’ve had since my trip to Italy.

I just devoured the Pollo al Mattone for dinner … and miss it already! The 4 simple ingredients of grilled Cornish hen, sautéed spinach, roasted potatoes and red wine sauce reduction were transformed into a balanced, classic, and subtly flavored dish — I literally reveled in every morsel!
With its low-​key entrance in an average part of East Harlem, D’amore feels like a well-​kept secret: breathe in the aroma of the fresh sauces, take in the symphonic clamoring of the kitchenware — and you’ll be in love too.

LOVE this place. The venue is intimate and warm, the owner is a hilarious Italian guy who takes the time to talk to each guest and make you feel at home. The food is excellent (try the sweet sausage sandwich).

Went there for brunch today. Service was great, really nice waitress who was very attentive and fast even though the place was pretty busy and she was the only waitress there. The cappuccino there is amazing– I love lavazza! The food didn’t take long at all and the platters looked very appealing. I got poached eggs on Italian bread and sautéed spinach topped off with hollandaise sauce. The bread was delicious and crispy the spinach tasted amazing, the only thing I didn’t like so much was the hollandaise sauce. It tasted as if there was a lot of vinegar in it which took away from the overall great tasting food. My husband got an omelet with buffalo mozzarella and prosciutto. I tried it and loved the taste but he thought it could have used more seasoning. But I guess that is more his personal preference. Overall we had a great experience and we will definitely go there for dinner soon.

After my 1^st visit here, I was hooked! The owner is so friendly, he personally introduces himself, serving & bar tending. He really gets the time to talk with you and makes you feel welcome! Love the wine here. They also have great hot chocolate & tea! And the Linguine con Salsiccia e funghi, ah amazing! Brunch is delicious and very affordable.
D’Amore is wonderful for any size group from large to just one on one. For dinner, coffee or Brunch. Most Definitely a great part of the neighboorhood. Would recommend without a doubt!

Don’t be discouraged by the neighborhood because this place is absolutely amazing!!! Quaint little gem in East Harlem. The owner/​maitre d/​bartender/​bus boy is a one man show and absolutely amazing. I would have thought that he was the chef too if I didn’t hear the bell ring in the back when our food was ready lol. Great wine selection, food is delicious, and the vibe in the place is chill/​relax and/​or intimate depending on who you are with :) It is small and cozy but you are never rushed like some other establishments do just to turn the tables. We arrived here around 6 pm and didn’t leave until around 9 (the time just flew by) and never once felt like they wanted us to give up our table. Awesome place and will defiantly re-​visit.

Love this place! Went for a double date last week. The food is excellent (true, authentic Italian), the wine is delicious (many imported from Italy), and the waiter/​bar tender is very friendly and helpful. The décor is adorable, a tiny place with a bar up front and a few small tables in the back. The prices are VERY reasonable for the quality of the food and overall atmosphere.
Very cozy and romantic place, great for a date or cozy hang out. Don’t let the outside storefront or neighborhood fool you, worth the trip up here for sure!

I really love it!
Good food, good wine, best expresso in the city!
And the owner is the most joyful and crazy bartender I’ve ever met!
Let’s go there!

Este restaurante está genial. Pequeño, pero con mucho carácter. Una buena selección de vino. Probé el Chianti. El dueño era muy abierto y gracioso, me gustó hablando con él.