I’ve been to Maialino, located in the Gramercy Park Hotel, about three times now. However, I never made it into their dining room, as I love to sit at the long open bar, which is why it’s only fair I review just the bar area in this post.
The bar area at Maialino has a very modern European café look to it, and their dining room resembles an old school Roman trattoria. Blue and white picnic-style tablecloths cover the wooden tables, fresh baked breads line the walls, a small open kitchen displaying the house-made charcuterie, wine bottles lining the room dividers, and huge windows facing the street allowing so much natural light in. Maialino is definitely a great place to grab a drink and a quick bite to eat. They even serve breakfast, and I have been trying my best for months to wake up early enough try their Porchetta sandwich. Roast pork and fried eggs served in a roll. Now that sounds like a great way to wake up.
To say the staff is friendly is an understatement. Everyone who works here is incredibly nice. For those who know me, yes this opinion is a little biased as I know a quarter of the staff, but I can see how they serve other patrons as well. Every diner here seems very comfortable, as if they were sitting in someone’s home. Danny Meyer’s famous hospitality definitely comes through with this restaurant.
