Whether you’re a local living in New York or a tourist visiting the city, look no further than Lulla for a comforting Italian meal. Located in the foyer of the Motto by Hilton New York City Chelsea Hotel, Lulla is a modern, cozy, no-fuss Italian restaurant that serves all guests delicious pasta and entrees in a relaxing ambiance.
Travel critics often argue that out-of-towners should not dine in the hotel they are staying at or that locals should avoid restaurants in hotels because prices are heavily inflated and the food is simply lackluster. That’s certainly not the case with Lulla. You will be satisfied with their hearty, flavorful food, appropriate pricing, big portion sizes, friendly service, and stylish setting. Even the posh women from Bravo’s hit reality series The Real Housewives of New York City had a great time dining at Lulla. Three cast members were recently spotted at the intimate restaurant enjoying some drinks and food while socializing.
Managed by the Renwick Hospitality Group, Lulla proudly boasts that their modern Italian dining is inspired—and pays homage—to the rich melding of cultures in New York City. This is clearly true and represented in their classic Italian dishes. Not only is the food classic but also elevated and refined. At Lulla, all guests are welcome to join us for breakfast, brunch, dinner, late night, and Sunday supper. They are open daily and located at 113 West 24 Street in Manhattan’s bustling Chelsea neighborhood.
The Knockturnal visited the restaurant on a busy Tuesday night to taste some dishes from their dinner menu. We started with the arugula salad ($12) that was mixed with a citrus vinaigrette, sun-dried tomatoes, and grana padano cheese. The vinaigrette made the salad tart, which we liked. Next, we tried the spicy lamb ragu (priced at $30) that was prepared with pappardelle, parmesan cheese, and oregano. The dish had generous portions of lamb, which is always welcoming, has plenty of flavor, and is very filling.
Another pasta we ate was the linguine vongole (priced at $28), which was served with manila clams, garlic, parsley, and white wine. The dish had the perfect ratio of fresh clams and al dente pasta together that was tossed with a garlic white wine sauce. This was our favorite pasta and a must-order. It was so good!
In addition to the pasta, we ate the $34 skirt steak—a pink peppercorn rub—that was prepared with citrus gremolata, beef jus, and chimichurri sauce. The skirt steak was juicy and tender and served with charred broccoli rabe. Then we had the Branzino (priced at $32) that came with gigante beans, Italian parsley, and salsa verde. A whole fish was served on our plate and it was absolutely exquisite. The fish was cooked and seasoned to perfection with a sauce that was a huge winner. We liked the sauce so much that we dipped focaccia bread into it to soak up every morsel. We skipped dessert because we were too full to eat anything more. Our meal was wonderful and we had no complaints.
All guests have the option to dine at Lulla’s outdoor patio for an al fresco setting or partake in a meal in their beautiful dining room. The evening we visited, the outdoor patio was buzzing with guests. Every inch of the patio was filled with guests eating or drinking. We chose to sit in the lively dining room, which is decorated with stunning blue velvet banquettes accented with attractive gold-colored velvet dining chairs. The vibe is warm and relaxing—making it the perfect place for friends to meet up for a filling and sophisticated dining experience. Lulla surely has created a successful restaurant setting because the dining room was also filled with guests, all happy and enjoying their meals.
When you first walk into Lulla, you’ll notice the attractive bar that features large, gorgeous, round-shaped backlit mirrors. Also, a row of alluring golden pendant lamps hangs from the ceiling that hovers over the bar, adding a sophisticated and inviting atmosphere to the area. There are plenty of seats (about 15) for a divine cocktail like a pineapple negroni and a lychee martini. If guests want to sit somewhere else besides the bar, there’s a sunken banquette
Overall, for locals, Lulla is a reliable neighborhood Italian restaurant for any night. For guests staying at the Motto by Hilton New York City Chelsea Hotel, it’s the perfect spot to fuel up on incredible food. Book a table now. It’s worth it.
