The word is out: Marlon Abela, the restaurateur behind London's Michelin one-star with two-stars rising Greenhouse, has opened a new modern Italian restaurant A Voce ("word of mouth") on the edge of chic Madison Square Park. The emphasis is on grown-up, deeply delicious Italian cookery set against a back drop of Italian style and organic East Coast elements.
"Despite it being 74 degrees outside the restaurant was not able to turn off the radiator next to our window table nad heat poured out. Additionally they couldn't get the A/C to come on. The wait staff was not quick to come over, not for ordering or delivering the food or the bill. Mediocre evening."
Dined on 5/21/2013
Special Features: great for outdoor dining
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"We had an early dinner reservation, so it was not crowded. Our waiter was very helpful and friendly. Our appetizer was a delicious mushroom dish. My Primi was very good, but too salty. the desserts were amazing!
An upscale Italian menu. Just what we were looking for."
Dined on 5/18/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies
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"I made reservations and the two of us was seated in a small table in between two four tops. The hostess had to move the table out so that I can get in, which is how close it was. My friend and I felt uncomfortable talking because the other two tables seemed to listen in on everything we said. There was an issue with our bill, although the manager fixed it there was nothing offered for another time."
Dined on 5/11/2013
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"I was looking to catch up with my cousin and show top-of-the-line Manhattan cuisine. I picked the perfect place -- I had a pre-dinner drink outside, looking at the corner of Madison Square Park. Too chilly to eat out there that night, but looks perfect for the summer. The beet salad was terrific, and the shaved octopus was aesthetically pleasing and delicious. The gnochi were the best I ever had--and my branzino was an excellent, yet light, piece of fish. My cousin had the lamb steak, and he said it made the meal "memorable". Grapefruit and basil lime sorbet were very good. Strongly recommend."
Dined on 5/08/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, notable wine list, romantic, scenic view, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"We have been to A Voce before and thoroughly enjoyed our return visit. we were two couples with varying tastes in food and all enjoyed what we had to eat. Before we knew it nearly three hours had passed so you might say it was an enjoyable evening. My only criticism was the wine list. While not a true oenophile I consider myself fairly knowledgeable. I was both surprised and disappointed that given the vast selection A Voce offers there were few choices which were under $100. I understand the margins resataurants realize from wines, but with 500 or so different wines to choose from one would think there could be more quality lower priced offerings."
Dined on 04/27/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list
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"A fine dining experience all around. Exceptional food and service with a reduced noise level indoors. Ideal for business lunch or dinner where you actually need to hear the conversation at your table."
Dined on 04/25/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, special occasion, great for lunch
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"Three out of the four diners had a pasta dish, and they all couldnt finish it due to the salt content. I ordered the flank steak medium, and it came out rare/medium rare.
Service was below average -- never came to ask us how our meals were and we had to hunt someone down when we needed more beverages."
Dined on 04/13/2013
2009
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"Took clients out to lunch at A Voce for the first time. The food was delish. Tried the fresh ricotta app and the buffalo mozzarella. Service is top notch and you truly get what you pay for. Definitely recommend for a date night or if you want to impress someone without trying too hard."
Dined on 03/19/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"Excellent dinner on the Saturday night before Easter. We shared the casconcinni which we usually do. It is a marvelous dish. For the main course we had the lamb shank special and the agnolotti. We shared the tart with orange caramel and coffee gelato. This restaurant is very imaginative and always very good. For wine we had a bottle of a Sardinian white. Can't remember the name. Very highly recommended restaurant."
Dined on 03/30/2013
2002
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, notable wine list
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"Service was spectacular as usual. Even though my lunch companion was delayed a half hour due to subway problems, our waiter was patient and solicitous and treated us extremely well, explained the menu to us, watched over us but was not intrusive
IN going to this restaurant in the past, I've always found the service "classy". There are times when we don't order much and we don't usually have drinks, yet the servers always treat us well.
Food was for the most part great, though a bit overpriced for lunch. The only advice to the restaurant I would give is to watch the salt. The dish I ordered- pasta stuffed with sunchokes was delicious but i too salty such that I was thirsty the rest of the day"
Dined on 03/28/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, special occasion
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"The service was excellent. The maitre d made sure that my wife and I were comfortable and having a good time. We were there late, and at a certain point in the night, the chef came out and was relaxing with the staff and the diners. All of the food was very good, but my pasta stuffed with raisans and goat cheese and topped with smoked ricotta and liver was worth the price of admission. One of the best pasta dishes I have had outside of Italy."
Dined on 03/20/2013
2012
Special Features: hot spot
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"The menu is very creative with none of the traditional Italian entrees in evidence. The gnocchi I had were particularly light yet quite tasty. A Voce is attractive and was quite crowded on St. Patrick's Day eve."
Dined on 03/16/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"My wife and I went here on Friday night (3/8) for my 30th birthday, and it was beyond amazing! The meal was divine, the service was impeccable and the wine was delicious. The sommelier, Tibo, took the meal to the next level with perfect wine pairings. This was one of the best meals of my wife. I specifically want to call out the Stracciatella fatta in casa, Terrina di polpo, and Casunziei. Get these. You will not be disappointed."
Dined on 03/08/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, hot spot
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"Enjoyable experience overall. Creative food presentation. Sea scallops as a first course was nice. Agnolotti was excellent. Cod was slightly undercooked and overly seasoned with salt."
Dined on 03/09/2013
2000
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, notable wine list
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"Reception was excellent, we were 3 seated at a table for 2, in the middle of a walkway with wait staff constantly walking past us. Our waiter was impatient and condescending, not gracious. The management seemed far friendlier and proactive, though, sensing we needed something and attending to us, unlike our waiter. Food was ok, not outstanding. Terrible choices for people not eating pig byproducts. Every menu item had some mix of bacon/snail/pork/dried liver and other yuck stuff. Will not go back."
Dined on 03/01/2013
2010
Special Features: good for groups
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"The restaurant was serving a fixed menu for Valentine's Day and it was first-rate. Food was beautifully presented and each dish was a treat. Dinner for the two of us ran to almost $350.00 but there was value. The noise level, even when the restaurant was full, was acceptable; you could hear yourself and your guest. Kudos to management for that! My only gripe was that the banquette along the East wall was awkward for me and the server, both to speak and to make eye contact. I felt that there was always someone talking behind me, not to me. Definitely would return and plan to do so soon. If a restaurant can perform at a high level on Valentine's Day or Mother's Day, it should do exceedingly well on a regular evening."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2003
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, special occasion
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"I was in a group of 2 couples dining here on A Saturday evening. The meal was DELICIOUS and the service IMPECCABLE! Fronm the moment we walked in the door, we felt attended to and welcome by the entire staff. We will definitely return!"
Dined on 02/16/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, special occasion
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"The restaurant was lovely and the service was quite good. The food did not live up to my expectations. A couple of the courses were very good but most of it was not great. The desserts were especially disappointing."
Dined on 02/23/2013
2009
Special Features: notable wine list, romantic
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"This was the second time I went to this restaurant. Both times the service has been terrible. This most recent time was for valentines day. They crammed us into the smallest table in between other diners to the point the tables were touching. The waitor was unattentive and food mediocre. He also snarked when we asked him to fix our bill that had extra items on it we didn't order."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2007
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"Pastas are wonderful. Sommelier a major turn-off. They brag about half their wines being under $90; then the sommelier is visibly annoyed when I refuse his $160 recommendation and is silent when I tell him that I wish to stay under $100."
Dined on 02/16/2013
2002
Special Features: fit for foodies, special occasion
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"I choose this restaurant for Valentines day and I have to see is a great place, tasty food, huge wine list. The service was outstanding. They really care for every costumer."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2008
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"The service and food at A Voce Madison is spectacular. I tried and enjoyed foods I have never wanted to eat before, some that I do not like. Somehow, the chef made them delicious and visually appealing."
Dined on 02/16/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, late-night find, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, special occasion, great for lunch
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"Our Restaurant Week lunch was really exceptional. The choices were more sophisticated than many RW menus, and each dish was delicious. (Beware, though of the spicy chocolate cake if you do not appreciate the fire of cayenne pepper!) Service was excellent, and we spent a comfortable couple of hours catching up. Did not have wine, so cannot address the wine list."
Dined on 01/30/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for lunch
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"The food completely won me over here. I was here for the restaurant week lunch menu and their pasta was more amazing than awesome (or vice versa). I'm fairly picky but their hand crafted pasta with roasted oyster mushrooms could only be described as "like resting your head on fluffy pillows in heaven" - with every bite I wish I could have had 10 more bites. Their appetizer ravioli was also to die for. Honestly though, the restaurant week desserts were really average and more than forgettable, so I can't recommend those at all, but I feel that it's typically much harder to nail the main/savoury courses so I highly recommend this restaurant (indisputably my favourite restaurant for food). Service was pleasant but did not do the food justice."
Dined on 02/08/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for lunch
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"Just plain love this place. The staff is so incredibly pleasant and professional, and the food is rock solid. This is my go to place for 100% guaranteed happiness."
Dined on 02/05/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"The menu has gotten so esoteric as to stretch beyond most tastes. Place to be seen, not necessarily to enjoy the cuisine. Hostile to the dairy intolerant."
Dined on 02/06/2013
2004
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, special occasion, hot spot
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"Absolutely fabulous food at A Voce Madison. The straciatella and black truffle appetizer is a must. I had the bacon tortelli in broth with Brussel sprouts which was such a unique presentation of pasta. The wine list is wonderful as well and the staff is very knowledgeable. I definitely recommend! Great for client lunches too."
Dined on 01/30/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, special occasion
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