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Grotta Azzurra Reviews List
Grotta Azzurra
Founded in 1908 by the Davino family Grotta Azzurra was named for the blue grotto on the isle of Capri and designed to evoke the beauty of one of the worlds most famous caves in the world, intensified.
Enrico Caruso feasted here after performances, and Sinatra called it his one and only favorite Italian restaurant, making it the site of many a “Rat Pack” evening.
Shuttered for six years, Grotta Azzurra has now been stunningly renovated and rebirthed by a descendant renaissance for dining in Little Italy, with multi-talented chef Frank Castellana recreating the finest in Italian Cuisine.
See more Grotta Azzurra details
Enrico Caruso feasted here after performances, and Sinatra called it his one and only favorite Italian restaurant, making it the site of many a “Rat Pack” evening.
Shuttered for six years, Grotta Azzurra has now been stunningly renovated and rebirthed by a descendant renaissance for dining in Little Italy, with multi-talented chef Frank Castellana recreating the finest in Italian Cuisine.
39 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall
(Very Good)
3.5
/
5
Rating Breakdown 39 reviews
5 stars
(6)
4 stars
(17)
3 stars
(9)
2 stars
(4)
1 star
(3)
Food
(Very Good)
3.6
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
3.5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
Filter Reviews By:
Diners classify this restaurant as:
- neighborhood gem(14)
- romantic(11)
- fit for foodies(6)
- great for lunch(6)
- good for groups(5)
- notable wine list(4)
Grotta Azzurra Reviews List
Review 1 for Grotta Azzurra
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
R.H.E.
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"My family and I have been dinning at Grotto Azzurra since 1966 and the food is almost as good as the firist time!!"
Dined on 5/11/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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Review 2 for Grotta Azzurra
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Old World Italian
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"This restaurant felt like an Old World Italian eatery. From it's decor, servers with broken English and food - it was a nice change from many Italian places. Food was very good - classic, not fussy. I had rigatoni with vodka sauce - not heavily sauced. If you like places with a comfortable, home-like feel you will like eating at Grotta Azzurra. On a nice evening, sit outside - fun place to people watch as it's a busy corner."
Dined on 04/27/2013
2004
Special Features: great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem
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Review 3 for Grotta Azzurra
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
An old family favorite is
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"An old family favorite is back. The food was outstanding. Lobster fra diablo was enough for two, but no one wanted to share. The restaurant has added a chop house menu with a bone in porterhouse. A reasonable priced wine list added to our enjoyable experience."
Dined on 04/07/2013
2010
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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Review 4 for Grotta Azzurra
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Food was good, not great but
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Food was good, not great but on par with other Littly Italy places. Service was excellent and professional. Portions were sized just right...not too small, not too large. The only thing I didn't like was them including an automatic 20% tip on top of my bill. We only had a party of 4, so it was unusual to see them include the "service charge" as they call it automatically."
Dined on 04/06/2013
2013
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Review 5 for Grotta Azzurra
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Good food. Decent service,
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
"Good food. Decent service, & yes, they add 20% gratuity but its clear & up front. I would come back here again"
Dined on 04/05/2013
2005
Special Features: kid-friendly, romantic, special occasion
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Review 6 for Grotta Azzurra
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
I had doubts about this location
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"I had doubts about this location after reading other reviews but decided to try it and am glad I did......we had great service and the food was in a reasonable amount of wait time because of freshly prepared entrees....I would recommend this location to anyone, children are catered to as well as singles, enjoyed the cocktails and the portions were excellent for the price, go and enjoy, SEE FOR YOURSELF!!"
Dined on 03/24/2013
2005
Special Features: late-night find, neighborhood gem, romantic, great for lunch
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Review 7 for Grotta Azzurra
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Wouldn't go again or recommend
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Poor)
1
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Wouldn't go again or recommend it."
Dined on 03/24/2013
2010
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Review 8 for Grotta Azzurra
Overall rating
(Poor)
1
/
5
Avoid this place!
Food
(Poor)
1
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Very bad experience!
The service, appetizers and cannoli were okay.
Everything else was just awful - cannelloni and manicotti were severely under-cooked, pasta was so much over salted that it was inedible and we were served tiramisu that was at least a couple of days old – dry and stale."
The service, appetizers and cannoli were okay.
Everything else was just awful - cannelloni and manicotti were severely under-cooked, pasta was so much over salted that it was inedible and we were served tiramisu that was at least a couple of days old – dry and stale."
Dined on 03/23/2013
2006
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Review 9 for Grotta Azzurra
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
Special Features: notable wine list, neighborhood gem, great for lunch
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Review 10 for Grotta Azzurra
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
the pasta was amazing but
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
"the pasta was amazing but the main course was not as good. I would deff return and get pasta as my main dish."
Dined on 03/16/2013
2013
Special Features: romantic
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Review 11 for Grotta Azzurra
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Food is excellent. Homemade
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Food is excellent. Homemade pasta is outstanding. Service was slow. Had to wait too long even to request check."
Dined on 03/14/2013
2009
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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Review 12 for Grotta Azzurra
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Good food, poor/slow service
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Poor)
1
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Good food, poor/slow service b/c tip is included. They are tipped 18% no matter what."
Dined on 02/28/2013
2013
Special Features: kid-friendly
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Review 13 for Grotta Azzurra
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Romantic dinner spot
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Nice Place Food Was Awsome. Service was Good could have been better waiter wasn't very attentive to us find my self looking for the waiter and he's no where to be found over all good place"
Dined on 02/14/2013
2012
Special Features: romantic, special occasion
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Review 14 for Grotta Azzurra
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Generous portions, delicious
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Generous portions, delicious italian food"
Dined on 02/13/2013
2009
Special Features: good for groups, neighborhood gem
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Review 15 for Grotta Azzurra
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Okay Azzura
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Everything about the place was ok. What wasnt ok was the price. The receipt came up to almost Seventy dollars with tip included. No wine just sparkling water. The food was alright. Mozzarella bread inspired me to make my own. Saves me ten dollars at home. Seem like Grotta Azzura would be more helpful and lively around the spring and summer seasons."
Dined on 02/15/2013
2012
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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Review 16 for Grotta Azzurra
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
I had very high hopes for
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"I had very high hopes for this restaurant, given its history and the reviews here and elsewhere on the web. While nothing was wrong with our meal (food was good, cooked well and presented in a timely fashion) it wasn't the wonderful romantic place I thought it would be. The atmosphere is slightly cold, with tile floors and wooden walls. The lighting was bright enough to question the need for candles on the table. The wine list, though through, is lacking a wider selection of mid-range wines and there is a full bar. The Menu offers a wide range of classics, as well as some more rustic items. While it was all good, it seemed to miss the mark. We didn't stay for dessert."
Dined on 02/08/2013
2008
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Review 17 for Grotta Azzurra
Overall rating
(Poor)
1
/
5
Forgettable and Unethical
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"The food was forgettable. Beware of the 20% service charge added to ALL checks. The staff will not tell you, even if it's apparent you didn't realize it snd put a full gratuity on your payment. We will not be back."
Dined on 01/25/2013
2009
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Ratings-Only Reviews for Grotta Azzurra
Based on the average of (22) ratings-only reviews
Overall
(Very Good)
3.6
/
5
1 out of 4 recommend this product
Food
(Very Good)
3.7
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
3.5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate