Bar Primi
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"Charged twice and no one cared to address my concern"
I had a terrible experience here. Yesterday, my card was charged correctly for the full amount including tip. But today, out of nowhere, I received a notification for another charge—slightly higher than the original—without my consent. When I tried calling, there was no way to actually reach a person. You’re forced to email or text, and then just wait around for a reply. Eventually, someone texted me back, but they never gave me their name. When I asked for the manager’s name, I got excuse after excuse with no transparency. No one took responsibility, no one resolved my issue, and I was left with duplicate charges that I now have to dispute with my credit card company. ⚠️ Warning: Do not give this place your credit card information. The lack of accountability and shady handling of payments is unacceptable.
"Great restaurant."
This place was great! Easy to find in the Penn District, with good food and an excellent selection of wines. The service stood out as even better than the food — attentive and welcoming. The only downside was the long booking process, but overall a very positive experience.
"Business lunch"
Came here for a fixed menu lunch and just a heads up — there’s cheese on almost everything, so not ideal if you’re lactose intolerant. That said, the food was good, with enough variety across the dishes to keep things interesting. A solid option if you don’t mind (or love) cheese.
"You HAVE to eat here"
We stumbled upon this spot while walking around the city and are so glad we did! The pasta was absolutely incredible — some of the best I’ve ever had. The crab tortellini in particular was unforgettable and easily the best meal of our entire 3-week trip. Highly recommend!
"Excellent Italian in NY"
Very attentive welcome and fast, impeccable service. The restaurant has a neat, trendy décor with good ambient music and nicely spaced tables, creating a relaxed vibe. We started with the 20-month aged Parma ham — generous, thinly sliced, and packed with flavor. The giant fusilli with pesto and stracciatella were perfectly al dente with a rich, tasty sauce. To finish, the pistachio-pistachio specialty was refined, high quality, and absolutely delicious. Definitely worth a visit!
"Exceptional Corporate Event Experience at Bar Primi"
We hosted a corporate event at Bar Primi last week, and it couldn’t have gone better! The terrace was the perfect setting, the food was fantastic, and the service was flawless. Huge thanks to Adrielle and the entire team for going above and beyond to make it such a memorable evening for our group and our clients. Highly recommend for both corporate and personal events!
"Too expensive for what it is"
Bar Primi near Penn Station may be a convenient option in an area short on good restaurants, but it falls short in execution. The space is uncomfortably noisy, making conversation difficult. Drinks are wildly overpriced (over $20 for a martini), and when I asked for bread, I was brought crostini instead. The appetizers and main dishes — a salad with blue cheese and walnuts and grilled sea bass — were good but not exceptional, especially given the high prices. The coffee at the end of the meal arrived half spilled, without sugar, and tasted off. Overall, an overpriced and underwhelming experience — not worth repeating.
"Lovely restaurant near Penn"
Really nice casual restaurant near Penn Station! I went with my daughter during a break in NYC and we really enjoyed it. We had a pasta dish and a chicken dish with sides—both were delicious with excellent flavors. The drinks menu was also solid. Service was very good, and when one side dish was delayed, the staff apologized and removed it from the bill without us asking, which showed great customer care. The atmosphere was lively with a fun crowd. Overall, I’d definitely recommend this spot!
"So slow"
We went for Saturday brunch with an 11:45 am reservation and arrived just before noon. Despite the restaurant being two-thirds empty, the host made us wait another 15 minutes because we were “late,” then another 10 minutes before being seated. Our appetizers — Brussels sprouts and insalata di scarola — came out quickly and were delicious. However, the fritatta and fried egg amatriciana didn’t arrive until 30 minutes after our starters were cleared.
"Not a dining experience I enjoyed at all"
Very strange experience overall. The restaurant looks gorgeous from the outside, and the interior is just as beautifully decorated. Unfortunately, once seated, things went downhill. My friend and I were placed at a shaky patio-style table between larger groups, which already felt awkward. From there, the service was uncomfortably overbearing. Employees in red jackets hovered around us constantly, watching us while we ate. A manager or wine “expert” stopped by three or four times, aggressively pushing a bottle of wine in the three-digit price range—it felt more like dealing with a used car salesman than a sommelier. Because of this, we skipped wine altogether. On top of that, staff were at our table nonstop, clearing plates and asking questions within seconds of food being placed or finished. It crossed from attentive into intrusive, making the whole dinner feel rushed and unnatural. The food itself was average to slightly above average, but the overall vibe was uncomfortable. Instead of a relaxing girls’ night out, it felt like we were under constant surveillance. Beautiful setting, but not an enjoyable dining experience.
Bar Primi
Italian trattoria in the East Village specializing in pasta and antipasti. Casual and vibrant atmosphere with expertly crafted dishes.
Address
349 W 33rd St, New York, NY 10001, United States
Website
https://www.barprimi.com/penn-district
Email
[email protected]
Telephone
+12122336100