Donatella

I came here before they closed for renovations. The food is just okay, nothing to memorable. The one thing I would trek to the West side for is the rainbow cookie ice cream sandwich! That thing was out of this world and I can’t wait to taste it again once they open!

Overall, a very mixed experience. The server and other staff were lovely, although we did need to repeat ourselves a few times. We asked about the specials (we went at lunchtime on a Sunday) and ends up that of all the specials listed on the menu, they didn’t have any. One person in our party ordered the French toast — and the server returned a little later to say they didn’t have that either. Wha?
Having written that, however, I will say that what we DID order was excellent. Two of us had margherita pizzas — the mozzarella was so fresh as was the basil. Really likes the crust — thinner than typical but not too crunchy. One of us got the diavola pizza and thought it was equally delicious.
The only other things we had were drinks — the red wine was good; the coffee really disappointing. The restaurant earned a B rating from the NYC department of health — and I think that’s worth considering. I might’ve thought twice before going had I read the list of violations there first.

It’s really hard to find a good pizza place, but not here. When you have a look on a menu, just take whatever you feel that day– everything is tasting so good.
As I’ve been coming to Donatella for the last 3years, the moment I moved to NY, all the anniversaries, every bday, special occasions. My favorite plates on menu is tuna tar tar and proschiutto rotolino!!! You need to try it!!!
Always welcoming smiles and best service ever.

Ate here last night and found the experience to be mediocre at best.
We ordered three items off the menu:
The «award winning» meatballs, mussels in white wine sauce, and the papardelle.
My friend took me here for my birthday dinner and it just fell short all 4 different counts.
The meatballs were good and the best dish we ordered that night. However, we both felt that they weren’t «award winning» and that we both had better balls at The Meatball Shop.
The mussels were tasty but the portion size was a bit tiny. Usually you’ll get a pound of mussels at other restaurants for the price that they were charging of $ 16. At Donatella, I had maybe 15 mussels. The bread that came with was also completely burnt.
Papardelle was my least favorite. I don’t want to get into the details but I recommend you not order it.
Now for dessert, we wanted their «award winning» Rainbow Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich!
(what awards are these dishes winning and in what competition???)
The embarrassed waiter said «we don’t have the rainbow cookie ice cream sandwich and I don’t know when we are going to have it».
Check please.

Free cupcakes when you check in on Unilocal!Need I say more?
Boyfriend and I swung by Donatella Restaurant for dinner this evening. Given the balmy weather, we decided to sit at one of the outside tables. We did, however, catch a glimpse of the interior which is beautiful – featuring

Look under «sucks» in the dictionary and you’ll see a picture of this place. First of all, I love salty food. But the red tomato sauce on the overpriced, soggy crust pizza can give you a stroke. The place is so loud you can’t even hear yourself chew.
But they draw the «pretty people» who have not the slightest clue as to what good pizza is.
I cannot understand how they can build an elaborate brick pizza oven that makes worse pizza than a good old Blodgett steel pizza oven.
It sucked royally. Go to Rubirosa, downtown.

This restaurant was a great find and conveniently located near the High Line. The service was great, as was the food. We had:
The garlic «bread» — bread is in quotes because it’s more like a pizza and is a Must Have!!!
Rice balls — Very tasty — I am not a fan of sausage, but the hubby and kids enjoyed it
Capaccio — very good but a bit peppery
Soft Shelled Crab — good but it was fried, which is not my favorite prep. Chick peas and greens were great.
Spaghetti and meatballs — tasty but the (award winning) meatballs were mushy
Paccheri alla Genovese — delicious
Rainbow cookie ice cream sandwich — Amazing!
Zeppoles — very good
All in all a very good meal at a reasonable price.

Dropped by for my lunch break. Great brick oven pizza’s as i had the veal sausage pizza. The crust had the nice coal char and the veal meatballs had the nice gamey twang to it that i don’t mind but to some it might be a strong flavor. Don’t forget to use your Unilocal check in as they provided me with a great free dessert of zeppoles fried up well, was light, and full of sugar and cinnamon flavor.
Great ambiance and bar. Happy hour drink prices which i can see would be a nice after work spot. I recommend the lunch special that comes with salad and personal pizza which comes right in the sweet spot price point in mid day work week chelsea.

Free Zeppoles with a Unilocal check in! (I love free)
Lotsa things changed in a year since my last review. NYC is a fast place, restaurants come and go as well as always changing menus.
Chelsea Market is coming on strong with at least 5 new restaurants. (Its crowded which is a turn off to me)
Sometimes you just wanna kick back with some comfort food and relax.
For us? It’s Donatella hands down.
Now I’ve noticed the prices crept up a little which isn’t cool. But my kids love the food here so, I’ll spend a few more bucks to get stick to your ribs good Italian food.
This menu is kicked back, its something like your sister would make for a Sunday dinner. (If your sister was a great cook like Donatella) Its a good, safe place to bring out of towners who like meatballs and pizza.
Now don’t get it flipped around. You’re not walking into Olive Garden. They have a pizza oven that makes some outrageous items. I posted a few pictures, I love their Mushroom pizza and Italian wines.
We ordered Meatballs, Salad, Fried Calamari that was cooked perfectly, two pizzas and their Rainbow cookie ice cream sandwich.
Its a great Friday night place, warm and inviting as well as the staff who is always nice and accommodating.
(Keep the pricing under control Donatella, don’t price us out)

My hubby and I brought his mother and aunt here for a brunch with a voucher I purchased from Travelzoo. We got to Donatella by 11:45 AM and even though the doors were open, we were made to sit outside until noon. Other patrons must have had the same idea because the outdoor seating area quickly filled up.
Once noon came around, we were immediately sat inside but it seemed like there was a little too much chaos trying to seat a four-​top. They took our voucher info right off the bat and we sat and our punch bowl came to the table quickly. The punch bowl definitely packs a kick and I wish the food had gotten to the table as quickly because the punch was very strong and being that we were waiting for brunch, none of us ate anything prior to coming to the restaurant. I wish we had bread or something to tide us over until the actual meal came.
My mom-​in law and aunt had Eggplant Rollatini, I had the Truffle Mushroom Pizza and my hubby had the Pork Belly Calzone. We shared two punch bowls and it was decent. The pizza ad calzone were good but the rollatinis were not especially liked.
The staff was nice and attentive. We had a good meal in the end.