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Italian Restaurant Reviews
Lavagna Reviews List
Lavagna
Lavagna opened its doors on February 1st 1999.The restaurant offers casual Italian trattoria fare at moderate prices. The vibe is candlelit, cozy, with an old wood burning oven, exposed brick walls, a pressed tin ceiling and a small wine bar where one can dine also. A wall of French doors swing open in the warmer weather to a seasonal sidewalk cafe of 20 seats.
The kitchen concept is to create dishes traditionally Italian, emphasizing fresh, seasonal ingredients and product of the highest quality.
The menu highlights include homemade pastas, a wood oven roasted fish for two, roast pork chop, baby rack of lamb and of course the rigatoni with sweet and spicy sausage that has become a classic over the years.
The wine list has been a yearly recipient of the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence since 2002 and it focuses on hard to find wines from regional Italy along with other international selections.
See more Lavagna details
77 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.3
/
5
Rating Breakdown 77 reviews
5 stars
(34)
4 stars
(31)
3 stars
(12)
2 stars
(0)
1 star
(0)
Food
(Outstanding)
4.4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4.1
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
4.2
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
Filter Reviews By:
Diners classify this restaurant as:
- neighborhood gem(58)
- romantic(41)
- fit for foodies(37)
- notable wine list(22)
- special occasion(21)
- great for outdoor dining(8)
Lavagna Reviews List
Review 1 for Lavagna
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Best Italian in Alphabet City
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Superior, grown-up alternative to overhyped EV Italian hotspots like Supper and the now-departed Max, Lavagna's exceptional food and rustic charm are perfect for a date, special occasion or just an excellent meal. Try the farfalle with rabbit ragu, the pork chop, the fish for two, the amazing artichoke appetizer...I could go on. It's all good here. Also a solid wine list, wood-burning oven, and knowledgeable staff make this a can't miss dinner destination."
Dined on 5/24/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, romantic, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Review 2 for Lavagna
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
East Village Gem
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"We went to Lavagna to celebrate our daughter's graduation from college. It was a cold, rainy night but all that disappeared when we walked into Lavagna. It was warm, cozy and we were greeted warmly by everyone there. The food was great and the service was superb. We loved it."
Dined on 5/24/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Review 3 for Lavagna
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Lived up to great expectations
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"This restaurant was recommended by my sister-in-law. When I saw the website pics and menu - it looked like a lovely, cozy, and delicious spot - and, sure enough it was! Great food. Great service. Cozy."
Dined on 5/10/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, special occasion
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Review 4 for Lavagna
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Love Lavagna, the food and staff are fantastic. Highly recommend it."
Dined on 5/12/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, special occasion
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Review 5 for Lavagna
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"always a consistently good experience"
Dined on 5/04/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Review 6 for Lavagna
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Consistently wonderful
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Service is wonderful, food is consistently superb. Very authentic Italian. Really is great both for a date or for a dinner with your family. We love Lavagna and go often, sometimes just the two of us and sometimes with our daughters."
Dined on 5/04/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Review 7 for Lavagna
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Rigatoni YEE-AH!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"While hard to get a good reservation time, and they do try to turn over the tables, the rigatoni here makes it all worthwhile. Possibly the best i have ever had, and i lived in Italy! Extensive italian wine list and very romantic atmosphere also make this a great date spot. I would avoid the monkfish unless you have a special love for it, but otherwise i have not been disappointed here."
Dined on 5/04/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Review 8 for Lavagna
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"The staff at Lavagna is a little brusk but the food makes up for the attitude. The papardelle is a must-have as is the roasted artichoke appetizer. If you're having dessert, you must get the crostada!"
Dined on 4/27/2013
Special Features: notable wine list, romantic, neighborhood gem
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Review 9 for Lavagna
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Good but there are better
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"I came to this restaurant because the place on the other side of the block, Piccolo Positano, unfortunately has closed. Too bad -- the food at the now-closed place is way better than here. It was good I made a reservation for 8:45 on Thursday because the place was full. One thing I noticed was that the restaurant was packed with mostly older folks -- do they run a blue plate special here?
I had the rack of lamb which was good but sparse. My friend had the rigatoni which he couldn't finish. Said it was OK. The special salad was OK but nothing great. All in all, a good local place, but there are better."
Dined on 04/25/2013
2009
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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Review 10 for Lavagna
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Amazing food and great service!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Amazing food and great service!"
Dined on 04/20/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic
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Review 11 for Lavagna
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Great ambiance. Excellent
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Great ambiance. Excellent fare. Low key good service. Like the neighborhood too - off the beaten track. Would go back and recommend to others."
Dined on 04/01/2013
2013
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Review 12 for Lavagna
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
second time at this place
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"second time at this place and it was great again. food is fantastic. it's a romantic place, great for a date for a double date. it was a little louder than I wanted, but I am not going to complain about that. I think it was just a sign of the people there and that it was a popular spot. i would def go back."
Dined on 04/19/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic
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Review 13 for Lavagna
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
We have been to New York on
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"We have been to New York on three occasions, over three years, and go back to Lavagna religiously. The foods is outstanding and the ravioli is the best we've had anywhere! The atmosphere is great too. It's a real gem. Be sure to book though - it is popular."
Dined on 04/17/2013
2013
Special Features: neighborhood gem, romantic
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Review 14 for Lavagna
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
We had a great, quiet lunch
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"We had a great, quiet lunch experience. The restaurant was pretty empty, but that actually amde it better for us- amazing service, perfect food, etc. We both really enjoyed it."
Dined on 04/06/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, great for lunch
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Review 15 for Lavagna
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
What a gem this place was.
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"What a gem this place was. Worth the ride downtown for sure. the food was amazing and the atmosphere, warm and cozy"
Dined on 04/03/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic
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Review 16 for Lavagna
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
This has become one of my
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"This has become one of my most favorite restaurants in NYC !!!! Love it and enjoy it more and more with each trip. There is nothing to say other than it's fantastic. Everything perfect.........cannot give it a higher review than IT IS THE BEST !!!!!"
Dined on 03/31/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, special occasion, great for lunch
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Review 17 for Lavagna
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
I've eaten here off and on
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"I've eaten here off and on for years and every time has been wonderful. A true gem."
Dined on 03/23/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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Review 18 for Lavagna
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
The Red Snapper for two is
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The Red Snapper for two is out of this world...Lavagna is one of our favorite places. They know us and treat us wonderfully."
Dined on 03/22/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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Review 19 for Lavagna
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
OpenTable Diner
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, neighborhood gem
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Review 20 for Lavagna
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
Special Features: romantic
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Review 21 for Lavagna
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Charming, quiet find off of
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Charming, quiet find off of busy Park Avenue. Wonderful wine and food. Service became a bit slow but who would want to be in a hurry to leave this place!"
Dined on 03/13/2013
2010
Special Features: neighborhood gem, romantic
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Review 22 for Lavagna
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Consistently excellent food
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Consistently excellent food in a charming, quiet atmosphere."
Dined on 02/24/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, romantic, great for lunch
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Review 23 for Lavagna
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Atmosphere was fantastic.
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Atmosphere was fantastic. Food was delicious. They cooked the sea bass to a very nice consistency. There were a lot of interesting people in the joint. I liked the vibe of the place, a lot. I'll go back."
Dined on 03/01/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic
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Review 24 for Lavagna
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Great Food. Good Service.
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Great Food. Good Service. Had a great time"
Dined on 02/28/2013
2012
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Review 25 for Lavagna
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
One female server was a little
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"One female server was a little unfriendly, but otherwise it was a lovely experience.
The food here is terrific and we will definitely come back."
Dined on 02/25/2013
2006
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Review 26 for Lavagna
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Great neighborhood spot
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Accommodated a large group (9) for dinner on short notice. The food was delicious all around (mostly pastas). And the service was pleasant and attentive."
Dined on 02/20/2013
2006
Special Features: good for groups, neighborhood gem
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Review 27 for Lavagna
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
The food was great and this
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Poor)
1
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The food was great and this would be a great place for a date night. However the server was extremely rude. Following correcting my pronunciation of a dish, she proceeded to condescendingly explain to me why my pronunciation was incorrect instead of just writing down what I was pointing to on the menu. Beyond the unfortunate attitude of the server, the entrees and desserts were very tasty."
Dined on 02/16/2013
2009
Special Features: notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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Review 28 for Lavagna
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Good place don't sit by the
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Good place don't sit by the door too cold"
Dined on 02/17/2013
2013
Special Features: romantic, special occasion
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Review 29 for Lavagna
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
A magnet in the East Village
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"A little cramped, like so many New York restaurants, but the food more than compensates. There is so much pretty-to-quite-good Mediterranean food, northern Italian division, in New York that it's hard to stand out enough to draw people from other neighborhoods. But I went across town for Lavagna, and I'd do it again. A very good place."
Dined on 02/15/2013
2005
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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Review 30 for Lavagna
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Great Food, great service - small
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Food and wine was excellent (appetizers, entrees and dessert were all great. Service was also good - quick seating (w/ reservation) and attentive waiter/staff. My only gripe is the place is quite small so it can get crowded and was hard for the waiter to take our order w/o moving back and forth to let folks through."
Dined on 02/15/2013
2011
Special Features: neighborhood gem, romantic
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Ratings-Only Reviews for Lavagna
Based on the average of (47) ratings-only reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.3
/
5
9 out of 10 recommend this product
Food
(Outstanding)
4.3
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4.1
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
4.1
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic