03/17/09

Impressed... Subtle food and service

by lauren6740

Noodle pudding is exactly the type of service and food I enjoy. Servers are all different, Greg is my favorite. Sometimes tables don't understand his sense of humor but it's refreshing to have a server who has personality, professionalism, and respects the privacy of your dinner. This is the first place I've been that a runner remembers my order... hope he likes his job because I have half a mind to steal him for my restaurant. Prices are fair across the board for both food and bev. I go out to eat and like my courses, servers are patient and never rush courses or force another drink. Restaurants in manhattan should try to model food and service after this place.

• Pros: price point, wine selection, service
• Cons: If you go too early you may be stuck in stroller parking

02/24/09

Maggot in the food!

by marybern5240

I've been wanting to go to this place forever and finally got a table. The menu looked great, and the waiter was very nice, but when the food came, it was average. Nevertheless, I finished my plate, and that's when I found a maggot in mushroom sauce at the bottom. I showed it to the manager, and he smilingly apologized and brought us two free desserts (but did not ask us what we wanted and so brought the last two desserts we would have asked for). When the bill came, nothing was comped, so I told the manager very politely that we were willing to pay for the wine, but I didn't think I should have to pay for food with a maggot in it. Yes, I ate the food, but I certainly would not have if I had seen the maggot before eating, and I was at this point fairly sick to my stomach. The manager finally said he would comp the two glasses of wine (which cost less than the food), and made it seem like a big concession. We paid and left because we didn't feel like arguing any more. I have worked in restaurants and cook a lot, and there is no way a maggot should be able to get into well prepared food. For a restaurant with such a good reputation and that is usually so packed, there was no reason for such a lack of intelligent customer service.

01/24/09

Overrated at best

by chefyinbrooklyn

Went here tonight on a recommendation of a few people as well as the stellar reviews. The appetizers that we ordered, Polpo(Octopus) was tasty, but the Carpacchio was more like an arugula salad instead of carpacchio and was in need of salt. Our main entrees the Tagliatelle Bolognese was also okay. Nothing special, just some ground chuck in tomato sauce and the Veal Cheeks special could've also used more salt in the polenta and the cippolini onions could've been cooked a few minutes longer. The veal cheeks themselves were cooked perfectly but lacked salt. The wait between appetizer and entree was a ridiculous 30 minutes considering we were one of the first tables seated. Overall not what I expected for all the hype. I can understand going there if I were to live in the neighborhood but not worth the trip. Al Di La is much better Italian food especially for the price.

• Pros: Neighborhood destination
• Cons: Pricey, long wait in between courses

12/08/08

Great Italian! Variety of choices!

by iminthebiz

My first time here, I had a male server. He was perfection. He knew his wine, he knew when to make conversation and when to keep his distance. He was personable and extremely efficient. The second time we had a female. She was slightly frantic, less personable, less efficient, but she did the job. (Better service than most places.) The server's assistants/busboys were also extremely efficient. I appreciated the water refills, clearing of plates changing of silverware, etc. The bartender was the worst of the service here. He was extremely slow. It took him quite some time to acknowledge us. (Which is disappointing because the bar only has room for 4-6 customers).

The food!! It is amazing! You cant go wrong here. It is worth any wait. This is one of the only restaurants in the area that has a nice selection of fish and meat choices. (Unlike some places, that have just salmon and filet.) IThe wine list is nice, but supposedly not updated.

This restaurant only takes cash! So as long as you know that, you should have a great dinner here!!

• Pros: Delicious, fresh food. variety of choices.
• Cons: cash only

02/20/08

Best in Brooklyn Heights!

by bakinginbrooklyn

My parents lived in Italy for two years, and absolutely loved it. The only disappointment is that I wasn't around, as I have a fondness for Italian food. I enjoy eating, and always like restaurants that offer generous portions with an eye for quality. Many times I have gone to an establishment with rave reviews, and walk out feeling less than satisfied. This has not been the case with Noodle Pudding.

The first time I went to Noodle Pudding was with my parents. They had been there on previous occasions, and fully recommended it. The whole dining room had a Italian motife, and it is loud and crowded.(That's okay-just like Italy, according to my folks!) We were given seats at a large table, which had very comfortable seating.

Almost immediately after taking our places, bread was delivered to the table. It was delicious, and there were different varieties to choose from. There were large amounts of butter, and our water glasses were filled with ice cold water. Our server brought us salads, and they were very good.(Good portions as well!) We looked at the menus, and decided our meals. I have always been a fan of chicken parmigiana, and gave my order to the server. The timing between the salads/appetizers before the meal arrived, was perfect in every way. I could not believe the size of the meal that arrived in front of me, and it was there I discovered the true nature of Italian eating.

• Pros: Food, staff, music, wine
• Cons: Long lines, no credit cards, no reservations

10/20/07

Fresh, pure Italian flavors

by jlk13th

Noodle Pudding felt like it was slightly in the middle of nowhere, but worth the walk. The ambiance was great, casual but atmospheric, with mottled walls and classy chandeliers and plenty of candlelight, sometimes shared seating with others, a loud vibrant feel, plenty of families, kids & toddlers.

We read that you should "get there early?. The place was packed and there was already a line at 5:45 on a Saturday. It seemed they open at 5:30 and that's when the crowds swoop down. Luckily we were still early enough that we only waited about 5 min for a table.

Most importantly: the food. This was a winner, one of the best meals we've had in a while. Every dish we sampled was extremely tasty. All tasted fresh, and succulent; simple flavors and dishes, as is often the case in Italy, that come together for amazing meals. The bread and olive oil for dipping they bring is great. The mussels with spicy tomato sauce appetizer was excellent. The buffalo mozzarella was fresh and the tomatoes with it were juicy and flavorful. The mushroom risotto had by the hubby was just what he wanted, with a mixture of 3 types of mushrooms, and my sage & butter gnocchi dish was simple and perfect. The tiramisu was one of the hubby's "top tiramisu choices", as it's one of his favorite dishes. And the house wine was not bad for $14 (bottle).

All in all a local favorite.

• Pros: Fresh flavors, all courses were excellent, fast attentive service, nice ambience
• Cons: Crowded, a bit loud

10/08/07

Best meal in a long time!

by carlcincotti

Mussles and calamari were superb Saturday evening. I had the Lamb special which was perfect. My father had the flank steak which was very good, and my mother had the swordfish. Very impressive!

• Pros: Food, and service, best in the Heights!
• Cons: No credit cards, and no reservations. Also very loud.

09/18/07

Best restaurant in Brooklyn

by annagoldsmith

The best! Great food, amazing service, this place is a class act. The veal was incredible last night. Fresh, mind blowing flavors. This place is a must visit!

• Pros: Food, and service.
• Cons: Long waits. No credit cards, and no reservations.

07/23/07

Simply amazing

by sweettartz

I don't know why I don't go here more often. I've never had a bad meal, the service is excellent and the prices are so reasonable. You'd have a hard time finding anything wrong here.

• Pros: Food's incredible, service is great, prices are reasonable
• Cons: It's not in the city.

05/14/07

Rude on Mother's Day

by rbe818

Having heard great things about Noodle Pudding, my family and I were excited to go there for lunch on Mother's Day. When we arrived, however, we discovered they placed our table of 8 in a corner, against the wall, with barely enough space to eat. When we tried to make more space, the manager was rude and totally unaccomodating. He was not apologetic at all and was even insulting to my husband. We would have left, but it was Mother's Day afternoon and we knew we wouldn't get a table anywhere else. Luckily we stayed because the food was delicious (for the most part -- the calamari was a little chewy but everything else was great) and the waitstaff was excellent. Our waiter was lovely and gave us free desserts to try to make up for the manager's rudeness. The gelati and chocolate mousse cake was amazing.

• Pros: food, waitstaff, location
• Cons: rude manager, crowded