Losing its charm?
I'm sorry to report Da Silvano has become the Elaine's of the Village, saving all the nice tables for celebs and sticking the nobodies in the back room which is dark, noisy and appalling. What a shame, it was once a pleasant experience, but never again for moi.    [16 Nov 2001 00:32:24]

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     ­Anonymous   

One Day At A Time
I could be wrong, but was the diminuitive, inebriated, yelling man really the restaurant owner of this place? At $7.50 a bottle for San Pelligrino, decaf coffee not labeled
as such, frozen meat, $15 pasta dishes that taste as if they were boiled in soap, and crowded tables--it's a wonder
the restaurant still exists.    [20 Jan 2002 17:07:09]

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     ­Anonymous   

What a great Night
Went here on Sat 11th Jan 2003,
Had a great evening singing and clapping at the tables - everyone in there having a great time.

Food was great - the dish i had (forgot the name - to much Chianti - was the best pasta dish i have ever eaten)

Waiters very funny and freindly.

Wine a bit expensive but v good.

The only let down was the old guy that owned it. Very amusing drunk character - but he broke wind every time he passed our table!!! - it smelt bad!!!

We had a great night though - I think it must have changed since my fellow reviewrs went last - or they are stuck up!

We discovered it by mistake (next door too busy) and so expected nothing - and they gave us the lot!    [13 Jan 2003 11:08:48]

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Recommended Dishes: The Pasta with ground Beef and Greean Beans

     ­Dan Campling, Guildford UK   

Good, not great
Dined here on my birthday, Sept. 3, 2003

Having read so much about this place, and having bought the cookbook, perhaps my expectations were too high.

Service was erratic - our table of two was surrounded by three waiters almost as soon as we sat down but by the time we wanted to order we had to call the manager over because none of the waiters were paying the least bit of attention to us.

The ambience is noisy to the point of having to shout to be heard. Not bustling in the sense of being in a place that feels 'happening,' but the unpleasant roar of people crowded too close together in too small a space.

The food - a $35 bottle of Chanti was quite mellow - and just about the least expensive wine on the list.

Starters of fried calamari and a mixed green salad were no better nor worse than any other Italian place in the Village. Absolutely unexeptional, other than the $14.00 price of the calamari.

Osso Buco is served alla Milanese with a risotto that tasted of salty beef bullion cubes. The meat itself was tender but very bland.

An order of sauteed calf's liver with sage fared better, being tender and not overcooked. It was accompanied by spinach and roasted potatoes - good but not anything out of the ordinary. I far prefer the calf's liver at Le Zinc - it really has some flavor.

We were so didappointed by the level of food and service that we didn't even bother with dessert.

My bottom line on Da Silvano - probably a great hangout if you are a celeb, otherwise be prepared to be treated like a second-class citizen.    [03 Sep 2003 21:07:55]

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     ­Anonymous   

The Shrimp Nazi
I ordered the grilled prawns for lunch, and when they arrived, the stench was so overpowering it nearly knocked me out. The people at the table next to us were commenting on how surprised they were I would even be willing to try one bite. After one taste it was inedible- the smell was so fishy and offensive that the odor hung in the air. I discreetly explained to the server (who had the personality of a wet mop) that I was unable to eat them because of the smell and he wordlessly marched off in a huff with my plate. Two minutes later, a man arrived at our table with the offending prawns in hand, informed me loudly that there was nothing wrong with the prawns (he tasted them, he pointed out) and that I would still have to pay for them and disappeared immediately without even identifying himself or giving me a chance to speak. When the bill arrived, I asked to see the manager. The same combative man appeared back at the table and again argued with me and told me I had to pay for the meal even though I'd had no lunch.    [19 Oct 2003 22:19:30]

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     ­Anonymous   

RUDE ARROGANT TOTALLY AVERAGE
Loud, rude arrogant servers, this is one of the worse dining experieces I have ever had. It started with being rush to decide our entrees being told we couldn't wait till after our apps but funny the next table could...the food was so average and overpriced. The suckling pig they say is a special was so dry and fatty it was inedible. The fish presentation was a disgrace. It was thrown on the plate with no care to taking out the bones let alone how it was plated. Osco buco total fat...Veal Chop so average you could get it in a diner. The service was Rude and not attentive. Check your bill because they are very good about telling you the price of wine only to find out that the price appears on your bill doubled. It is a total rip off average place just goes to show you that people think because you may see a celebrity at the next table it must be good not unless that celeb was an Italitan Chef should you believe what you read and if its this place don't believe it.    [24 Nov 2003 13:52:32]

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     ­Anonymous   

Terrible and disappointing
Live nearby and wanted to try another restaurant for lunch guest from Europe. Totally embarrassed. Waiter was rude, hurrying, not listening carefully to questions about menu. No wine list presented until asked-and then took forever. Grilled shrimp:soaked in oil;sardines:soaked in oil; salad:barely passable;pasta: nicely al dente but sauce too sweet; hustling attitude by waiters and busboys, even though during off-hours.Outdoor seating pleasant though acoustics awful. This neighborhood has much better to offer.    [30 May 2007 00:58:38]

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     ­Terry, Manhattan   toc at ix dot netcom dot com