La Gioconda Introduce
Located in the bustling heart of Midtown East, La Gioconda offers a delightful escape into a cozy and intimate Italian dining experience. This boutique-style restaurant is a hidden gem that has been serving authentic regional Italian cuisine since 1993. The name, which is Italian for Leonardo Da Vinci's Mona Lisa, hints at the restaurant's commitment to classic beauty and tradition in its culinary offerings. With a warm and inviting atmosphere, La Gioconda feels like a tiny oasis on a busy street, making it a perfect spot for a romantic dinner, a small group gathering, or a peaceful meal with a friend.
The menu is a testament to the restaurant's dedication to using the finest ingredients and traditional recipes. Diners can expect a wide array of options, from a variety of fresh homemade pastas and classic entrées to an extensive wine list featuring more than 30 wines by the glass and 60 by the bottle. La Gioconda is praised by patrons for its flavorful and well-balanced dishes, with every plate presented as a work of art. The focus on quality and authenticity, combined with a comfortable and friendly ambiance, ensures that every visit is a memorable one. It’s a place where the charm and elegance of a classic Italian restaurant are made accessible and welcoming to everyone.
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La Gioconda is conveniently situated at 226 E 53rd St, New York, NY 10022, USA. This prime address places it squarely in the vibrant Midtown East neighborhood of Manhattan, making it easily accessible for a wide range of visitors, whether they are local professionals, tourists, or residents. The restaurant's location between Second and Third Avenues is a key advantage, as it is just a short walk from major subway lines, including the E and M trains at the Lexington Ave/53rd St station and the 6 train at the 51st St station. This makes it an ideal spot for a pre-theater dinner or a post-work meal.
The ease of access and central location mean that finding this charming spot is simple. While street parking may be available, the best way to get there is often by using New York City’s extensive public transportation system. Once you're on the block, the restaurant's cute and cozy facade invites you into a serene space away from the city's commotion.
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- Dine-in: The restaurant offers a full dine-in experience in its warm and inviting setting.
- Delivery: For those who prefer to enjoy their meal at home, delivery services are available.
- Takeout: Takeout options are provided for a quick and convenient meal.
- Reservations: La Gioconda accepts reservations, which are highly recommended, especially during peak dinner hours. Reservations can be made by calling or through their website.
- Catering: The restaurant offers catering services for events and parties.
- Lunch and Dinner: La Gioconda is open for both lunch and dinner, with distinct menus for each, including a lunch prix fixe menu.
- Family-Friendly: The restaurant is known to be family-friendly and provides high chairs for children.
- Extensive Wine List: La Gioconda boasts a wine bar with an impressive selection, including over 30 wines by the glass.
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- Authentic Italian Cuisine: La Gioconda specializes in traditional Italian recipes, focusing on high-quality, fresh ingredients. Dishes range from fresh homemade pasta to savory meats and seafood.
- Cozy and Intimate Atmosphere: Described as a "boutique-style" restaurant, the ambiance is a major highlight. It's a small, cute, and cozy place perfect for a peaceful date night or a quiet dinner.
- Delicious Homemade Pasta: The pasta dishes are a standout, with a wide range of options like Calamarata ai frutti di mare, Ravioli di Ricotta con Burro e Salvia, and homemade Lasagne.
- Extensive Wine Selection: With over 30 wines available by the glass, the restaurant provides excellent pairings for any meal.
- Fresh and Flavorful Ingredients: Customers consistently praise the quality of the food, noting that every dish is flavorful, beautifully plated, and made with fresh ingredients. The bruschetta and insalatina tricolore are particularly recommended as starters.
- Versatile Menu: The menu includes a variety of options, from classic salads and appetizers to signature entrees and daily specials.
- Excellent Service: The staff is often described as attentive and professional, contributing to the pleasant and welcoming dining experience.
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Address: 226 E 53rd St, New York, NY 10022, USA
Phone: (212) 371-3536
Mobile Phone: +1 212-371-3536
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For anyone in New York seeking an authentic and comforting Italian meal in a charming setting, La Gioconda is a top choice. The restaurant's true value lies in its combination of high-quality food, a cozy atmosphere, and impeccable service. Unlike many larger, more boisterous establishments in the city, La Gioconda offers an intimate and quiet space that allows diners to truly savor their food and conversation.
The food itself is a major reason to visit. The customer reviews highlight the exceptional flavor and quality of the dishes, from the perfectly textured pasta in the Calamarata ai frutti di mare to the incredible bruschetta and salads. The use of traditional recipes and fresh ingredients ensures that every bite is a genuine taste of Italy. The menu's variety, including salads, pasta, and entrées, means there is something to satisfy every craving.
Furthermore, the ambiance is a key differentiator. The "boutique-style" feel and small, cozy space make it perfect for special occasions or a peaceful weeknight dinner. The attentive and welcoming service ensures that you feel right at home. The ease of making a reservation, combined with the restaurant’s convenient Midtown East location, makes planning a visit simple and stress-free. In a city filled with endless dining options, La Gioconda stands out as a reliable and truly delightful choice for a delicious Italian meal in a serene and friendly environment.
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La Gioconda Reviews
My friend and I came here while visiting back in May and I’ve not stopped thinking about our meal since. We got the bruschetta and the insalatina tricolore to start and both were incredible. I’m not the biggest fan of bruschetta or salads but I devoured my share of both. They were so so good and flavorful.I also ordered the calamarata ai frutti di mare and that was in its own league. The pasta texture was amazing, the sauce was so good, and the different seafoods complimented each other unexpectedly well. We ordered so much food and despite being so full already after our starters, we ate every last bite of our mains. I can not recommend this place enough.
September 08 · Victoria NikonovTruly amazing! we tried 3 different items - eggplant, ravioli and another pasta, all of them were too good. Its a bootique style restaurant. nice little cute and cozy place for dinner in small group.Try out and enjoy the delicacy.
July 08 · Avijit DasThis was a nice neighborhood find serving up decent Italian at a great value. In terms of prices and portion size, it’s hard to beat. Both my starter of sausage and gnocchi main were nice. I didn’t care so much for the texture of the panna cotta, but all in all it was nice meal.
August 01 · ReedHI can’t say enough good things about this little Italian gem in the neighborhood! From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with a warm smile and instantly felt at home. The atmosphere is cozy and welcoming, perfect for both a casual dinner and a special night out.The food is absolutely fantastic, like a home-made.The service was just as outstanding as the food. The staff was attentive, friendly, and genuinely passionate about the menu, making great recommendations that did not disappoint.It’s rare to find a place where everything comes together — food, service, and atmosphere — but this restaurant has it all. A true neighborhood treasure that I’ll keep coming back to again and again!
August 18 · Irada EmelyNice little neighbor place. It's small but quiet so you can have a nice conversation. Regularly it has a pre fixe menu available. We went during Restaurant Week. We ordered shrimp salad, eggplant Parmesan, tomato toast, short rib over polenta, branzino, and gnocchi. They have fancy Italian names on the menu but this was easier. My selection of eggplant and gnocchi was great. The gnocchi had a nice chewy texture. All three flavors were excellent. Nice size portions. I wouldn't order the short ribs even though it was good because it was just three pieces of meat over the polenta. The branzino was also very tasty. No fishy odor or taste. It was well seasoned. They only have one waiter and I think he was the owner. Service was prompt and attentive. The bathroom was clean and well stocked. Many times the bathrooms don't have paper towels or toilet paper is all over the floor. This place keeps it nice and clean.
July 26 · Lisa L
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