06/14/09

Good food but a roll of dice if you like what comes along

by Menton

Restaurant has good food and prices are very reaonable.

Owner clearly take great pride in the offering and enjoys interaction with customers (or at least some customers)

The space is tiny and the owner has a big personality aod overall the service is sort of like Barney Greengrass meets Italy as some the charm could be wisecracking waiters and owner who serve and kibbutz amidst the clatter.

I really can not say if 70% of the guests love the guy or 90% or 10% but he defintely rubs me the wrong way as do many on his team.

He tried very hard to be charming and certainly believes himself to be but I found him just annoying and arrogant and while it seems strange to speak as much about the owner of a place as I have this place is imbued with him.

So give it a try and maybe you will like it/him but just do not be taken aback if they rush you out of there when it gets crowded or chide you for not having listened better to their specials the first time around etc.

More like eating over at someones house who is a great cook but if not someone you like spending time with then probably not a good fit

• Pros: Good food. Fresh and tasty and authentic
• Cons: BIG Personality and presence of owner and team

05/14/09

Love it, or hate it ?

by ray2

Being new to New York, we were looking for a small neighborhood restaurant that the locals love. The reviews seemed to be either outstanding or awful, with few ratings in between. We were prepared for either, but were pleased to receive outstanding service and great food.

Our server, Carlo, was attentive and friendly. Carmine, the owner/manager came over three times to check on us.

The meals were very tasty, rich but not overpowering.

We'll be back.

• Pros: Great food at great prices

07/31/08

best italian place in the UWS

by msk83

i LOVE celeste. it's such a unique place; the food is wonderful and i still can't believe the prices - the wine list is really quite good (splurging for the wines on the last page is always worth it - Carmine knows his stuff) and the place has so much personality! Service can be rushed for some - but if you are nice to the staff, they are nice to you - and by the way, Carmine (the owner) is such a great character, I trust his taste more than most. Order the cheese plate (which can come in sizes from a few cheeses to 40 cheeses, all of which he smuggled in his suitcase back from Italy) and let him explain to you how every cheese is made - he even makes the condimenti from scratch for each cheese. and go on Mondays to order the special Robiola/truffle pizza - it's amazing. if not on a monday, the homemade pastas like the ravioli are also incredible. if you don't like lots of people, as always, avoid going at rush hours on weekends. it's that easy.

• Pros: food, value, cheese, wine
• Cons: can be very busy and rushed