Testimonials
"Best Food in Little Italy"
This is one of those places that the locals know and keep a secret. I was there recently and met the owner Larry and after an amazing Italian dinner normally only found in Italy he invited me upstairs for a cigar. They also sell hand rolled cigars that are the freshest I ever had. This place is like a "Cheers" where everybody knows your name and you will keep coming back.
Haze, November 1, 2009
"Fantastic"
We walked in with 15 people and they accomidated us right away. the food was great. I have not had such good italian food in a long time. They were wonderful. I recomend this place to everyone
August 20, 2009
"I really love this place!"
This is one of those places that the locals know and keep a secret. I was there recently and met the owner Larry and after an amazing Italian dinner normally only found in Italy he invited me upstairs for a cigar. They also sell hand rolled cigars that are the freshest I ever had. This place is like a "Cheers" where everybody knows your name and you will keep coming back.
August 12, 2009
"Real Italian food, not chain slop"
It saddened me to see how much of Little Italy was taken over by the ever-encroaching Chinatown. What once was a thriving community has been reduced to a size of about four square blocks. Places like Florio's, however, are why it will never be completely obliterated.
This is a gem of a restaurant. Giovanni, our waiter, is one of those characters that you'll never forget. He is from Southern Italy, and very proud that his food is not "smothered in cream like the Italians in the north." I would have loved to buy him dinner and listen to his fascinating stories. Another time, maybe.
Pictures of celebrities and "made men" adorn the walls. Okay, I'm only kidding about the last part, but it does have that old Italian feel to it. Gioncarlo, a frequent patron, is a neighborhood legend whose presence at the outdoor tables (with a beautiful Italian woman on his arm) adds to the atmosphere. Everyone greets Giovanni and Gioncarlo as they walk by. There is SUCH a great "feel" to this restaurant that it would be worth visiting.
The lasagna is delicate, yet with a full flavor. It's the best I've ever eaten. Serving portions are ample.
Come to Florio's and enjoy authenticity. There's nothing like it.
June 5, 2009
"My favorite Italian Restaurant outside of Italy"
I've eaten at a few restaurants in Little Italy, NY, but the one I found most authentic and delicious is Florio's Ristorante on 192 Grand St.
I was there for lunch with friends and joined by the restaurant owner, Ralph. Not able to make up my mind what to order because everything on the menu looked delicious, I asked Ralph to recommend some of the restaurant specialty. We started off with a platter with the most delicious appetizers. I was most impressed with the calamari because unlike most I've eaten that are heavily coated in batter, greasy and overly chewy, these were light and soft and absolutely divine! Other great appetizers we had were artichokes, stuffed mushrooms, mozzarella in carozza and mozzarella sticks . Soup was a hearty pasta e fagioli. By the time the pasta arrived, I was already full!! But the Rigatone alla Vodka was superb: a little spicy, but not too much, just the right amount of herbs and spices, and the pasta cooked to perfection.
My biggest regret was being too full for desert!! I guess that's what an Italian meal is all about...eat well, and eat plenty!
The menu prices were also very reasonable when you consider the quantity of quality food they serve. Next time I go to Little Italy, guess where I'm going for lunch??? :)
February 28, 2009
"A wonderful place to talk to locals in Little Italy"
My wife and I always make Florio's a mandatory stop when we visit NYC. The atmosphere is awesome and the folks who work here are wonderful. Little Italy is slowly being absorbed by Chinatown so Florio's is a great place to go to and experience what Little Italy use to be like. We encourage you to sit at the bar and chat with the locals and wonderful bartender, you won't be sorry.
The food is also great specially the mussels. To those who complained about the cigar smoke. Didn't the fact that the restaurant has a cigar shop and that there are usually cigar smokers at the bar in the front give you a clue that there would be cigar smokers? Get a grip!
For us, Florio's is a must stop while in New York.
November 8, 2008
