We headed over to Arturo’s on the Upper East Side for dinner with the extended family. Our first reaction was that we stepped into a restaurant from another era. This restaurant opened in 1982 with its classic red-sauce Italian joint feeling. Arturo’s is a classic Italian Neighbor Restaurant.
The menu at Arturo’s is classic Italian-American, featuring all the staples you’d expect: generous portions of pasta, traditional veal and chicken dishes.
We started with a Caesar Salad and an order of Baked Clams. Following that I had the Veal Parmigiana. The Caesar Salad was reasonably good but not in the league of a table side prepared one.
The Baked Clams really shined. It was tasty and fresh. I really enjoyed it. It was the best thing we ordered. The Veal Parm was reasonably good. The veal was tasty and hit the right spot. It was good but not great.
Service at Arturo’s often reflects its old-school character. It is professional with seasoned waiters who know the menu and operate with efficiency. They are attentive and know how to take care of their customers.
Overall: Arturo’s is a neighborhood institution with a nostalgic atmosphere. It will never be able to compete with high-end or trendsetting Italian restaurants in the city but for a dependable meal, it really delivers.