Avena - Downtown

This place was absolutely incredible. We wanted to go to Little Italy for a great Italian meal, but instead opted to go someplace closer due to the pouring rain. We were not disappointed! The moment we stepped inside, the service was outstanding. We were offered a napkin to dry off from the rain upon arrival, we were escorted to a quiet table (very romantic atmosphere but most were casually dressed). Everything tasted amazing and even impressed my boyfriend who has been cooking for 20 years. No doubt I will visit again and have already recommended to many.

It’s not “everyday “ food for sure. Very pleasant all around. Great for dates!

Excellent! One of the best restaurants in NYC. My wife and I will return!

Delicious food and great service - we'll definitely be back.

Excellent, fresh food, beautifully prepared and presented. Great service.

Good food, but excellent service made the experience

Truly inventive menu, quiet enough for adult conversation, surprisingly inexpensive to boot. I'll be back for sure!

Great food and great service.

We went at an early hour (6:30) so had a tranquil table. We celebrated our anniversary and everyone did extra... treats from the kitchen, complimentary wine, candle and inscription with dessert. Lovely, attentive service from the waiter, sommelier, and maitre d'. And Roberto Deiaco's kitchen handle the most delicate dishes with great grace: scallops tender and deftly seasoned, fine pasta but with robust fillings, and a beautifully marbled veal chop.

OT doesn't allow a back arrow so I have to rewrite my review. A small addition to the many, many things that make the once invaluable OT rapidly becoming history, unless you seek reservations at The Olive Garden or its ilk. Been here three times in two weeks so obviously I like the place. My guests were very pleased with all of their food and wine. Carta Musica remain the best I know of and the chocolate ice cream, were it a bit less sweet would be a contender for best in the city. Service is beyond being accommodating: truly terrific. Question remains why Avena is sadly empty, while next door Bar Pitti never has an empty seat. Without question it is not the appalling food.

Excellent service! Food was perfectly prepared and served. The specials of the evening were delicious. Very comfortable feeling to the restaurant. Will return.

Excellent Food! We've been to Avena @ 57th Street since it opened, but sadly it was closed. This is the first time we visited the downtown location. The food is excellent as usual. Our Server Petar is very friendly!

I thought it was a lovely, quintessentially Village dining experience that I would absolutely recommend. Romantic and sophisticated for dates, or get together with friends. Food incredible across the board, one of the best Italian food I’ve tasted. Get the Casertana to start, it’s a must. Knowledgeable and friendly staff.

Despite the busy traffic in what seems like several big family tables (celebrating their NYU kid’s graduation), the staff remained attentive throughout our visit. Austin served our table with a smile & friendly jokes. The food was delicious & the ambiance warm & inviting. My family & I had a great experience. Thank you!! :-)

Food was good but this place will not make it. There is no front of the house. Waitstaff ran around like chickens without heads. Several tables had various complaints and the “manager” never surfaced

Was delish meal! The pasta was so fresh and flavorful!! Highly recommend!

Wow! Delicious food! If you want great authentic northern Italian food this is the place to eat! So wonderful! All was lovely! We had such a tasty and beautiful meal (pea soup, zucchini flan, pasta bolognese and osso bucco)! Couldn't have asked for a better dinner! Don't let the sidewalk issues stop you from eating here - it's soooo worth seeking out!

Great service, excellent wine. The prices are reasonable.

Great waiter named Austin. Tasty food. Will be back

I went to Avena for dinner and had an “ok” experience. The food was delicious but the restaurant staff were inexperienced due to the new opening. We had reservations at Avena but when we were greeted by the hostess she asked whether we would like to dine at their new affiliated restaurant next door that would be quieter and more intimate. We agreed but in retrospect that was a mistake. The service was extremely slow with only one person (the bartender) tending to 7 tables and the bar. He was extremely apologetic but it was clear he was overwhelmed. Additionally, the menus were completed mixed up. We were told we could order off of the menu at either restaurant but the bartender/waiter was confused and couldn’t answer questions about how much of the food on the menu was prepared. They were also out of multiple entrees even though the restaurant was only half full. I also overheard another table ordering something from the menu and was told that menu was outdated and they no longer had the item she was trying to order. All in all, it was a mess. Hopefully they pull their act together because the food was excellent!

Salad and both pasta dishes were exceptional. Austin provided excellent service.

Thank you Avena for opening this beautiful Restaurant, I love Italian food and so far this is the best Italian restaurant I had being. The food it's very tasty and freshly made. I love your house made pasta (Bolognese) and bread basket. I will come back soon.

Our first visit at Osteria was amazing! Food is fantastic and great service! We visited Avena couple weeks ago and had wonderful experience, so had to try new Osteria which is great spot for friends and family. We tried couple dished and absolutely loved pizza with wild mushrooms and truffle sauce.. my new favorite place!

The place is gorgeous, the wait staff is very professional,and the food was delicious

Everything was great from the food to the service. Duck, gnocchi and bolognese pasta simply delicious. Order the zucchini flan with truffles. Our server Christina was fantastic & we will definitely be back!

Afraid of being in an empty resto but place quickly filled up when sun came out and weather got warmer. That said, food was incredible. The ravioli with quail egg and perigord truffles, risotto with king crab, Colorado lamb chops, showed serious chef skills. Delicious. Will be back. Glad to have a nicer restaurant with higher quality (than the usual) in the hood.

Depressingly empty. Food ok. But dead vibe.

Appetizers were good but the entrees were pretty disappointing. We ordered the special lobster risotto which was severely undercooked and the duck pasta was way too salty...

Very pretty and spacious Italian restaurant on Sixth Ave. Superb service. Wonderful cannolis.

Avena is a great restaurant and his chef deserves a Michelin star. His risotto is perfectly cooked and seasoned. The fish is always fresh. The bread basket is a treat.
Giselle is a perfect host.

This restaurant is a BIG HIT! We live in the neighborhood and are pleased that we have a new favorite West Village restaurant. Everything is PERFECT right down to the delightful waiter who didn't have the nyc attitude.

Dining in New York is an adventure - there will be forgettable and unforgettable experiences. My friends and I dined at this fabulous restaurant for my birthday celebration and we couldn’t be happier! The service was impeccable, the food was superb, the ambiance had a cool vibe, the price point was reasonable considering the high quality and artful meal presentation and we felt amazingly transported. What a gem of a find!

Awesome. Very friendly. Food was awesome. Good value.

Weird ambience and bad decor- the restaurant was empty, food was nice though

Totally amazing. Service. Food. Venue. Atmosphere. 3 star!! Incredible. Book it!!