Il Monello NYC Restaurant Review

We visited Il Monello on East 49th Street in New York City in 2023. The black-and-white dining room mixed a modern look with a more traditional Italian-restaurant feel, and the meal started with bread and olive oil infused with whole olives.

What We Ate at Il Monello

The baked clams were our favorite savory dish. They arrived stacked together with a tomato sauce that added plenty of flavor without overwhelming the clams.

Service was attentive throughout the meal. The staff checked in often and kept things moving without making dinner feel rushed.

Desserts at Il Monello

Dessert was the part we remembered most. Portions were generous, and the sweets tasted house-made rather than pulled from a generic restaurant freezer.

The tiramisu had the soft, spongy texture we wanted from a traditional version. The lava cake was richer and heavier, making it the better choice if your dinner strategy involves pretending dessert is a separate stomach.

Looking back at our 2023 visit, Il Monello’s strongest points were the attentive service, baked clams and especially the desserts. The sweet side of the menu was what made the meal stand out for us.

For another classic Italian dining experience in Manhattan, read our Il Tinello NYC review.