The food here is absolutely amazing. My wife and I have been here several times, tried many different dishes and have yet to find something that didn't blow us away. And do not -- I repeat DO NOT -- skip dessert! Love this place.
Food: 5
Service: 5
mark paretti
Very special place with flawless execution. Real nice touch on menu subtleties, chicory salad and mezzi rigatoni for example. The spinach gnudi speechless.But it’s got two fundamental flaws. We aren’t in Manhattan. $30+ pastas are unacceptable. And the wine is approachable and works, but not enough of an effort given the quality of food. Be too easy to upgrade it and treat their customers.Saying this I go back each month but I must admit other local options might not be as perfect but bring more value. And I have eaten at some of the best Italian restaurants. It’s a nice comfortable yummy place that won’t disappoint. I just don’t feel so good and enthralled given a lack of respect for us feel good patrons.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Salad
E B.
Inconsistent lately, but used to be very good. I love the look of the tiny bar, but several people I know have gotten ill after having cocktails so I'm sticking with wine. Food can be great or just ok depending on the night. Food servers are friendly and do a good job managing crowds on busy nights. Brussels sprouts are the best, but the pasta is hit or miss.
eatingood1
Although food was tasty and the service was very good, we were slightly disappointed in the menu choices. For our tastes, thought there should have been more variety in the entree selection. Had a hard time choosing one.
TimC
First time visiting based on a recommendation from a friend. Staff was very friendly, knowledgeable and attentive. The food was absolutely delicious! Sauces were very flavorful without excessive salt. Everything tasted fresh, from the pasta to the seafood. The sauces really stole the show-even the simple marinara sauce was bright and delicious. Dessert was also delicious (bread pudding). Price reflects the quality of the ingredients and preparation, running about $60 per person before tip. Two drinks, one appetizer, one main each. Two shared desserts for 3 people. Will definitely return!
JonathanA
Food was excellent- maybe among the best meals in Westchester, served timely by polite staff. If I have any complaints- it would be to have a little more engagement from the staff-- discussing the menu, drinks, asking about us....more personal attention...might be the restaurants style -- maybe focused more on the food. overall a great restaurant.
DorianG
We always have a great meal at this lovely Italian restaurant with amazing specials and interesting twists on classic dishes. This past Saturday we tried the branzino entree which was terrific and we loved the tuna tartare appetizer. It has a very cozy atmosphere and a great selection of wines . You will always feel welcome and are certain to have a great experience.
ThomasM
This was our first time dining here and we were so happy we decided to dine out at L'inizio! We enjoyed a Prix Fixe 3-course meal which was delicious and well prepared. My wife commented that it felt like we're dining in NYC and I couldn't agree more.
Pattt
All was very very good, as usual. Kudos to the chef and to Heather as pastry chef and her other many roles. Only the decaf coffee was not up to the level of the rest -- it is bland. We were there Valentines Day and it was a bit too packed for comfort. I always recommend this place to people!
EricK
An Italian restaurant that has tasteless ricotta and dry polenta. Those seem to be layups if you call yourself an Italian restaurant. Very disappointing food and slow aloof service.
L’inizio was a cute, small dining place. Very calm vibe and we loved the hospitality, food was delicious. I would definitely go back. They even made my mom feel special with their dessert for her birthday (delicious Tiramisu). Drinks were good, I had ordered the Spritz. Price is up there but worth it. Overall a great place to eat.Kid-friendliness: They were able to get a high chair for my nephew of 1 year
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Carole Simonetti
I went there last night. I was disappointed as I heard the restaurant was really good. The menu was small. Our waiter really did not pay attention to us and the atmosphere was uninspiring. I had the chicken Scarpello and it was a middle of the road dish- but nothing to write home about. I make it better at home. They served very thin, sliced Italian bread that reminded me of white bread. Unfortunately, I would not return here.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 2
Yulia Ovchinnikova
Vibrant !
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Branzino Entree
GirishM
We're regular customers, but this time we were somewhat disappointed. Our favorite appetizer -- the cauliflower--- tasted fishy. Turns out that the dressing uses fish oil. This time it was over done. They replaced it, but simply used less of the dressing which made it dry. Usually I get the chick scarp, but tried the chicken marsala special. Not great. Overly salty. The owners have opened another place, in Greenwich. Perhaps they're distracted? Looking forward to L'Inizio bouncing back.
SCNYC
Overall a solid place to have dinner. The chicken scarpariello was a little too salty and peppery. The grilled octopus was good as was the chicken liver pate (the crostini was a bit oily but the pate was good). The cavatelli was nicely done however the fettuccini nero was also a little salty. Service was good, staff was all very nice and accommodating.
The food here is absolutely amazing. My wife and I have been here several times, tried many different dishes and have yet to find something that didn't blow us away. And do not -- I repeat DO NOT -- skip dessert! Love this place.
Food: 5
Service: 5
Very special place with flawless execution. Real nice touch on menu subtleties, chicory salad and mezzi rigatoni for example. The spinach gnudi speechless.But it’s got two fundamental flaws. We aren’t in Manhattan. $30+ pastas are unacceptable. And the wine is approachable and works, but not enough of an effort given the quality of food. Be too easy to upgrade it and treat their customers.Saying this I go back each month but I must admit other local options might not be as perfect but bring more value. And I have eaten at some of the best Italian restaurants. It’s a nice comfortable yummy place that won’t disappoint. I just don’t feel so good and enthralled given a lack of respect for us feel good patrons.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Salad
Inconsistent lately, but used to be very good. I love the look of the tiny bar, but several people I know have gotten ill after having cocktails so I'm sticking with wine. Food can be great or just ok depending on the night. Food servers are friendly and do a good job managing crowds on busy nights. Brussels sprouts are the best, but the pasta is hit or miss.
Although food was tasty and the service was very good, we were slightly disappointed in the menu choices. For our tastes, thought there should have been more variety in the entree selection. Had a hard time choosing one.
First time visiting based on a recommendation from a friend. Staff was very friendly, knowledgeable and attentive. The food was absolutely delicious! Sauces were very flavorful without excessive salt. Everything tasted fresh, from the pasta to the seafood. The sauces really stole the show-even the simple marinara sauce was bright and delicious. Dessert was also delicious (bread pudding). Price reflects the quality of the ingredients and preparation, running about $60 per person before tip. Two drinks, one appetizer, one main each. Two shared desserts for 3 people. Will definitely return!
Food was excellent- maybe among the best meals in Westchester, served timely by polite staff. If I have any complaints- it would be to have a little more engagement from the staff-- discussing the menu, drinks, asking about us....more personal attention...might be the restaurants style -- maybe focused more on the food. overall a great restaurant.
We always have a great meal at this lovely Italian restaurant with amazing specials and interesting twists on classic dishes. This past Saturday we tried the branzino entree which was terrific and we loved the tuna tartare appetizer. It has a very cozy atmosphere and a great selection of wines . You will always feel welcome and are certain to have a great experience.
This was our first time dining here and we were so happy we decided to dine out at L'inizio! We enjoyed a Prix Fixe 3-course meal which was delicious and well prepared. My wife commented that it felt like we're dining in NYC and I couldn't agree more.
All was very very good, as usual. Kudos to the chef and to Heather as pastry chef and her other many roles. Only the decaf coffee was not up to the level of the rest -- it is bland. We were there Valentines Day and it was a bit too packed for comfort. I always recommend this place to people!
An Italian restaurant that has tasteless ricotta and dry polenta. Those seem to be layups if you call yourself an Italian restaurant. Very disappointing food and slow aloof service.
Restaurantji Recommends
L’inizio was a cute, small dining place. Very calm vibe and we loved the hospitality, food was delicious. I would definitely go back. They even made my mom feel special with their dessert for her birthday (delicious Tiramisu). Drinks were good, I had ordered the Spritz. Price is up there but worth it. Overall a great place to eat.Kid-friendliness: They were able to get a high chair for my nephew of 1 year
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I went there last night. I was disappointed as I heard the restaurant was really good. The menu was small. Our waiter really did not pay attention to us and the atmosphere was uninspiring. I had the chicken Scarpello and it was a middle of the road dish- but nothing to write home about. I make it better at home. They served very thin, sliced Italian bread that reminded me of white bread. Unfortunately, I would not return here.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 2
Vibrant !
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Branzino Entree
We're regular customers, but this time we were somewhat disappointed. Our favorite appetizer -- the cauliflower--- tasted fishy. Turns out that the dressing uses fish oil. This time it was over done. They replaced it, but simply used less of the dressing which made it dry. Usually I get the chick scarp, but tried the chicken marsala special. Not great. Overly salty. The owners have opened another place, in Greenwich. Perhaps they're distracted? Looking forward to L'Inizio bouncing back.
Overall a solid place to have dinner. The chicken scarpariello was a little too salty and peppery. The grilled octopus was good as was the chicken liver pate (the crostini was a bit oily but the pate was good). The cavatelli was nicely done however the fettuccini nero was also a little salty. Service was good, staff was all very nice and accommodating.