Meatball Shop

Who isn't up for a delicious meatball, YOUR way?  I always appreciate my dinners at Meatball Shop, particularly since you can order the meatballs in a variety of ways.  You make your selections with a dry erase marker on a laminated menu.  Good idea given the all the options.

Every night there are five meatball choices, the staples of beef, pork, chicken, veggie and a special (think lamb) served with marinara, meat (for real meatiness), mushroom gravy, parmesan cream and pesto.
Pro: 4 Meatballs served with foccacia
Con: Can't mix and match...if you're wanting that, sliders are your best match

My selection included pork with parmesan which was divine and meatballs soft.

Beef meatballs with marinara which were soft but not too exciting.

I love the farm sides or sides "that stick to your bones" (i.e. risotto, rigatoni, polenta) can be separate or under the meatballs.  I order as sides as I still am partly the child that doesn't want other food to touch.  The vegetables are pretty bland (no salt), but the argula and apple salad with vinegarette is delightful.  Yum!  It's nice to offset the heaviness of the meatballs with greens.

As much as I absolutely love the meatballs, my absolute favorite is the SMASHER.  Meatballs on a brioche bun with a choice of sauce and either mozzarella or provolone.  Tender, tasty and Fantastic!

To keep with the theme of building your own dishes, you can build your very own ice cream sandwich.  Brownie cookies with Caramel ice cream.  Yum Yum, but cookie lovers beware....cookies aren't as soft as you would hope for. 

Along with every restaurant that gets popular, the portions begin to dwindle and this is no exception; however, you still get 2 meatballs dishes, 2 sides, a smasher and dessert for $26.  Now that's a steal! 
But get there early as no reservations are taken and during primetime, the wait can be over two hours.

The Meatball Shop  84 Stanton Street (212) 982-8895
http://www.themeatballshop.com/index.php