Uncle Bacala's Italian Seafood & More

The food is AMAZINGLY DELICIOUS!!! We didn't wait to valet and just parked at the bank next door. Decor/music was nice. Our seat was a little odd, a booth for 2 that was part of a bench (3 tables in all) so we felt somewhat claustrophobic and my husband had to be facing a table that they sat right next to us, so it was awkward. It was like he was staring at the guy next to us the entire time (only inches away from our table) and I don't understand why they even sat that couple there since there was plenty of other tables to seat them elsewhere without being literally on top of us! The service was ok, though a little slow. We were never told of the daily specials that they run, luckily it was printed for us to read. My husband was dying for a refill for his drink and all the while he is staring right at her at the hostess booth chatting it up for at least 5 min before he finally was able to motion for her to come over. It was also awkward when she came over for dessert order when my spouse was clearly in the bathroom. I think the food was reasonably priced, somewhat on the high side since my 1 glass of house wine was $9 and a fountain soda $5!! Just 2 sodas and a glass of house wine was $20! Ridiculous! Our pasta was each $18, but seriously, it is worth it because it is so huge, you will have 2/3 meals in each dish, so you'll have leftovers! A little strange eating on scraps of brown paper bag material, which they add more between courses. On one hand, I get it, stays clean and is inexpensive, etc...On the other hand, you're charging $5 for a glass of soda?? Give me a tablecloth and make it a little more classy. Still, the food was SO terrific that we would still probably go back, hopefully they will knock down their outrageous soda prices by then. We had the Mozzarella Carozzo which was heavenly!! We could've just had a big portion of that and been satisfied! The Pappardelle & Grandma's Lasagna was equally fabulous! Creme Brulee & Chocolate Cake was also delicious. All in all, the meal was amazingly fabulous from start to finish. This is our 2nd time there and we have had nothing but terrific food. Hopefully, the management will get the service a little better and lower ridiculous price for fountain soda. Pros: DELICIOUS FOOD Cons: ridiculous priced drinks, sluggish service, and awkward seating more

The food was amazing. The hospitality was just an added bonus. Will be back soon. Pros: food, employees more

FIRST OFF , THE VALET PARKING GUY WAS A MORON. THE SEATING WAS TERRIBLE. THEY SAT US RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FLOOR, WHERE EVERYBODY WAS PASSING. I HAD TO KEEP MOVING MY ARM TO EAT. THEY GAVE US BREAD WITH A DIP WHICH I HAD NO CLUE WHAT I WAS EATING, UNTIL I ASKED. THE WAITER WANTED TO SELL US A BOTTLE OF WATER. YES WATER. HOW CHEEESY IS THAT. ALSO THE WAITER WAS EXTREMELY ANNOYING. HE WOULD CONSTANTLEY COME OVER WHILE I WAS TRYING TO EAT. THE SODA I ORDERED TASTED HORRIBLE, SO WHEN I ORDERED A NEW ONE HE KEPT ASKING WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT. IM THE CUSTOMER!!! JUST GET ME ANOTHER SODA MORON. BY THE WAY THE SECOND ONE TASTED LIKE GARBAGE ALSO. I THINK THE ICE WAS BAD. THEY HAD CARDBOARD FOR TABLECLOTHES. THE PLACE WAS SO NOISY AND ANNOYING. IT WAS NOT A PEACEFUL ATMOSPHERE AT ALL. IT WAS MORE LIKE A TGI FRIDAYS THAN AN ITALIAN RESTAURANT. I HAVE TO SAY THE FOOD WAS GOOD THOUGH. AT THE END OF DINNER, THE GOOD FOR NOTHING ATTENDANT COULDN?T FIND MY KEYS, AND HAD THE NERVE TO ASK IF I WANTED TO GET THE CAR MYSELF. LEAVE IT TO LONG ISLAND TO HAVE A TERRIBLE ITALIAN RESTAURANT. DO YOURSELVES A FAVOR AND GO TO BROOKLYN OR MANHATTAN FOR THE REAL THING. THEY DESPERATLEY NEED HELP IN THAT HOLE!!! Pros: FOOD Cons: SERVICE, NOISY, SEATING, ANNOYING PEOPLE more

My parents live nearby. We had a terrible meal here a few months back but a friend had told them something about a ""New Chef"" and what a great meal they had.\r So we tried it again.\r WOW, what a difference ! It's like a new restaurant and the food actually tastes FRESH !\r Waiter was a little spacie, but other than that we had a great time. Pros: Food Cons: Limited wine list, tablecloths, parking more

I love this place, the food was amazing and affordable. The staff and service can't be beat, the manager even took the time to introduce himself and make sure that we were enjoying ourselves. This is our new favorite restaurant. Pros: Menu, Price, Service more

I have frequented this establishment on many occassions. In fact it as one of my favorites. This past Saturday I revisited to find out that the chef/owner had sold and was no longer there. It was the same menu, but what a difference. The food was mediocre at best. The service was terrible, and the manager was running around, yelling at people> I will never go back, and recommend everyone to stay away. My only question is where is the prior chef? Cons: Terrible food, Obnoxious Manager, Awful Service more

I was watching a morning show this morning, and saw a cooking demonstration from the owner of this restaurant that I use to watch on food network. He was so entetaining, that I changed my prior plans and dined at Uncle Bacala's instead. I was so pleasantly surprised to see him in the kitchen. The food was so authentic and delicious that I highly recommend it. Pros: Great Italian Food, Reasonable Prices, Famous Chef more

After a long buisness meeting, I found myself lost in Garden City. feeling light-headed from not eating I pulled into this restaurant's parking lot. Being with two other jaded Manhattan lawyers, our expectations were not high, Boy was I surprised. The food was as good as any Manhattan Italian restaurant, but at a fraction of the cost. The staff was young and friendly.....and although I have been on a diet, save room for the dessert waffles, they are to die for. If you too find yourself lost in Long Island, seek this wonderful restaurant out, you will not be sorry! Pros: Food, Price, Dessert more

I read a review of this place, mentioning that David Ruggerio was there cooking. I never thought I would find him there, but to my surprise, in the middle of the open kitchen he was there! The food was great, especially the pasta's. The calamari was the best, and save room for the dessert they call ""coffee & dognuts"". The service was friendly, and the prices were very affordable. I really was impressed with the kids menu. It is on my favorites list. Pros: Great Food, Affordable Prices, Fun Decor Cons: Noisey, Crowded more

My family took me out for my birthday recently. We went early on a Friday to avoid the busy atsmosphere. The service was great. The hostess and our waiter consistently checked to see if everything was good. The french onion soup was heavenly. My parents ordered the clam and spaghetti special and after having a taste it was fantastic. I ordered the lamb and it was cooked to perfection while maintaining it's tenderness. The only negative was the somewhat greasiness of the calameri appetizer and seafood pasta my parents ordered. Nevertheless, I would definetely recommend having a cozy meal with family or friends. Pros: Service, Tastiness, Affordable Cons: Greasiness, Music cuts in and out more