After one night at Arthur & Sons in the West Village, I get the hype. This place didn’t just serve dinner – it delivered an experience that felt like a cross between a classic mob movie and the cosiest Sunday family dinner you could imagine.
The moment I stepped in, I knew I was in for something special. Dim lighting, deep leather booths, walls dressed in vintage photos and Italian pride – the whole place hums with energy, warmth, and a sprinkle of swagger.
We started with a round of Negronis – perfectly bitter and ice-cold – and a glass of buttery Californian Chardonnay that paired beautifully with our mozzarella en carrozza: crisp, golden, and melting with nostalgia.
For mains, I went all in on the chicken parmigiana – a giant, cheesy, pan-fried masterpiece. My excited husband ordered the Spicy Rigatoni alla Vodka, and I spent half the night sneaking bites. It’s bold, creamy, and has that perfect hit of heat. We also split the Old School Sunday Gravy, which comes with rigatoni, meatballs, sausage, ricotta, basil, and enough flavour to quiet the entire table. This dish alone could convert a red-sauce sceptic.
The menu reads like an Italian-American greatest hits album: Fusilli alla Limone with creamy burrata, Gnocchi alla Burrata in fresh tomato basil sauce, Veal Valdostano layered with prosciutto and marsala mushrooms, and seafood standouts like the Golden Naples or Shrimp “Scampi” alla Louise over sautéed spinach. There’s something for every craving – whether you want hearty, spicy, garlicky, or truffle-drizzled. Add-ons like burrata, sausage, or shrimp let you customise your pasta dreams into reality.
And while I’d usually be too full for dessert, I couldn’t resist. We went for the Limoncello Cheesecake, which was silky and bright, and shared a Mini Cannoli Plate – because why stop at one cannoli when you can have four? The Gelato al Cioccolato was another win: rich, dense, and perfect with espresso.
To close out the night, I ordered one of their Signature Espresso Martinis (because Andiamo! – when in Rome… or downtown Manhattan). My date opted for the Limoncello alla Arturo’s, a crisp, citrusy closer that somehow made room after all that pasta. If you really want to end on a high note, the Arthur & Sons Cello’ Flight gives you homemade lemon, orange, and grapefruit cellos – each one a little zingy, a little sweet, and totally worth it.
Special thanks to Matthew, our witty waiter, who nailed the balance between professional and personal. He read the room perfectly, offered great suggestions, and made sure everything hit the table just right.
Arthur & Sons isn’t just a meal – it’s an event. It’s where old-school flavour meets downtown edge, and it does so without trying too hard. Whether you’re out for date night, catching up with friends, or just craving some serious pasta, this place delivers the goods with style.
I left full, happy, and a little bit in love – with the food, the vibe, that limoncello cheesecake – and of course – with the city that never sleeps.
38 8th Ave, New York, NY 10014, United States
