South Harlem's newest Italian restaurant debuted in January of this year but was mysteriously closed this weekend. We walked by Frizzante at 2168 FDB/8th Avenue (at 117th) which was open last Thursday night but readers have mentioned it being shuttered on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. When we first reviewed the restaurant, folks in the neighborhood were showing up in large numbers but one couldn't help notice diminished crowds as of late. Does anyone have any tips on what's going on? See our original post on dining out at Frizzante:
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Yeah, looked pretty closed to me. What a real shame. I had high hopes for this place and sincerely hope they are just taking a break to reorganize and regroup. Some of the reviews on Yelp are pretty damning (poor service and food), but on the occasions I have been, the food has been pretty decent. For the past month or so though, it has looked consistently empty.
ReplyDeleteA shame, but this place isn't great - I take my money to Piatto D'Oro. Places that offer a good product at fair prices are succeeding in Harlem. Or maybe they can fix what is wrong and re-open, but I think this place could use some improvement.
ReplyDeleteunfortunately lately piatto d'oro has been AWFUL. been ordering from them for 4+ years and lately it's inedible. not sure what's going on there.
ReplyDeleteyeah, Frizzante is pretty bad. We tried to like the food, but it was just...awful. Nothing I couldn't make myself, and that's not saying a lot. I really had high hopes for that place, but was so disappointed.
ReplyDeleteHenry, ate at Piatto a month ago and it was pretty good. We had something very simple though.
ReplyDeleteIt always mystifies me how a place like Frizzante can screw up something like basic Italian Food.
I wonder why some of the restaurants along FDB feel the need to open on a grand, glitzy scale that is possibly beyond their means? Frizzante and Chocolat both come to mind. I am by no means an expert restaurant critic, but there are some lovely restaurants down in the village that are almost hole-in-the-wall like in terms of space and they always generate a warm atmosphere that is generally missing in some of these restaurants. Frizzante I always felt was too large a place to generate a whole lot of warmth. Anyways, I would love for them to prove me wrong!
ReplyDeleteA little off-topic, but does anyone know why Sezz Medi (121st and Amsterdam) was closed (at least last night)? It seems like it was a sanitation issue... ?
ReplyDeleteChris, I have to agree with you. The minimalist thing can be done well too - I think 5 & Diamond does well with this - but I agree about a hole-in-the wall, warm atmosphere. It's not that complicated - first, a lot of restaurants in Harlem need to learn to dim the lights! Throw in some little table lamps, some nice framed black and white photos, and you're already halfway there. You may not win points for origality but at least it's a start.
ReplyDeleteFrizzante is/was practically devoid of atmosphere, the food, nothing special. The few potted plants and expanse of tiled floor don't look inviting. Maybe an artisnal brick oven pizza place would work here - simple with good beer and wine. Think of some of the most successful places on FDB - Society, Bier, Amrita - they all project a CASUAL, FUN vibe. Frizzante seemed to be in the mold of tourist places in Little Italy.
ReplyDeleteI second all the above. Warm, somewhat dimly lit places are succeeding in Harlem because they're in tune with area's low-key vibe. Frizzante had it all wrong from the start. Give me Yatenga any day.
ReplyDeleteDisappointed to hear that this placed closed. Have eaten there a few times and thought it was pretty decent. It was not amazing but I thought that prices were in-line with something that could survive the neighborhood. oh well.
ReplyDeleteTurns out that it has only closed for a week or so for repairs. Strange that there wasn't a sign on the door, but hopefully we will see it back open again soon.
ReplyDeleteThough I'm chiming in months too late, I have to disagree. I adored Frizzante and was so sad to see them suddenly go. The food was good (the lamb was my fav), the atmosphere was perfect - dark and candlelit, the staff was warm & friendly, and the prices were amazing.
ReplyDeleteI haven't been to Lido yet but I'm incredibly turned off by the prices. $26 entrees?!