L'inizio - Ardsley, New York

Stuart Oppenheimer

Nice enough place. Nothing fancy, however very nice staff. Accommodating. Service was good. Enough for the good! Now the bad. Well I have to give them credit for dishes that rely on sauces which in each case was really good, I can't say the same for the portions, the overall prepare of the items, nor the over excessive prices! The wine list was mediocre and the bottle of Argentinian wine that we had to settle for because the bottle we were aiming for was out of stock, was drinkable at best. But the bottle was $70. No bread was served, however mediocre crusty bread was given upon request. Nothing special. Just something to mop up the good sauces..
Started with probably the best thing we had; the Meatballs over Polenta. The meatballs themselves were just mediocre and the polenta didn't stand out unto itself. However there were four small balls and plenty of polenta over a very good marinara sauce. Take it as you will. Not good, not terrible‍♂️.
Moved on to a pasta course. Shared a have portion of fresh made, good quality fettuccine with a delicious sauce, but served with the most miniscule tasteless shrimp that one could be served. They don't make him smaller than this! And this was literally one handful of pasta! $20. I would say to get the larger portion at $30 but I have no idea if that's just two handfuls of pasta?! Either way, the shrimp had no bearing on the dish.
Moved on to share the final course which was chicken scarp with chicken sausage served with another delicious sauce. The one piece of small breast on the plate was comical! The sausage had no taste. And it was $38! I would have much rather get a two piece from Kentucky fried Chicken for $7! Not that the sauce would have been better at KFC, but there would have been more satisfaction. Very bland preparation of the items in general over very tasty sauces in every item! What a shame. Finally, ordered the special almond cake with ice cream. All desserts on the menu are $10 however the special was $16. Hardly a hint of almond and hardly a hint of the dessert in its entirety! See attached picture. Cannot recommend this place. Had high expectations going in too?

N V

L’inizio was a cute, small dining place. Very calm vibe and we loved the hospitality, food was delicious. I would definitely go back. They even made my mom feel special with their dessert for her birthday (delicious Tiramisu). Drinks were good, I had ordered the Spritz. Price is up there but worth it. Overall a great place to eat.

Emmett Towey

Nice place. food was just "ok". Ravioli special was peas based so-so...and Mixed berry cobbler for dessert was good.

courtney novick

I have never written a review in my life. This restaurant is top tier. I came here by chance after being given a gift card, and I already cannot wait to come back. Everything we had was incredible, from the Brussel sprouts, to the absolutely outstanding rigatoni carbonara and pork milanese. The restaurant itself is casual and our server was great. Thank you for an awesome experience!

Aticha Gabulon

One of the best Italian restaurants in the corner, L’inizio proposes very well executed dishes from the appetizers through the desserts with quality ingredients . A good kind of comfort food when you need something familiar yet different. It’s like going to diner at the place of a friend who can cook simple menus like you do at home but somewhat there is something undefinable special. A place where you can eat as a consolation as well as celebration.

Allison Karlson

I came here for my birthday dinner and left full and happy! Everyone was friendly and the food was fantastic! My husband and I had baked clams for an appetizer, I had fettuccine with kale and mushrooms, my husband had the linguini with clams and chorizo and for dessert we had the donuts. Everything was truly amazing!

David Mortimer

Very nice restaurant, good family feel. We went for mother's day. I felt that the kids meal portions were small. Cocktails we're good - beer list very short but good. I'd absolutely go again and suggest it to others.

Chef Mike

I may be biased, but I've known Chefs Scott and Heather back in the Manhattan days with their restaurant Spigolo. Anyone who's been there will understand how upset I, as a fan, was when they uprooted and moved to Ardsley.

Fast forward a few years, I finally get to visit their restaurant L'Inizio, and it's better than I remember Spigolo ever was. Baked Clams and chicken liver crostini were hits with my dinner mates, who weren't fans of shellfish or chicken liver. The carbonara is tasty rich goodness, but not so much that you're feeling full and useless after. Seasonal entrees like branzino and scallops are well presented and amazingly tasty, but do yourself a favor, and try the butternut squash parmigiana. It will blow your mind. Just make sure you save some room for dessert, as the bomboloni MUST be dipped into the affogado (2 separate dishes, but they were 1 item back in the NYC days. Our secret, ok?)