(212) 787-6300

164 W 75th St (nr. Amsterdam Ave.)
New York, NY 10023 40.78 -73.9793

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Neighborhoods: Upper West Side, Midtown

CESCANYC.COM

Years in business

Established in 2003

Hours:

Mon-Thu, 5pm-11pm

Fri-Sat, 5pm-11:30pm

Sun, noon-10pm

Price:

$$$$

Last updated 8.05.11

Category:

Restaurants

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

Local Favorite, Private Rooms, People Watching, Online Reservations, Date Spot, Group Dining, Dine At The Bar, Bar Scene, Notable Wine List, Prix Fixe Menu

General Info:

Open 7 Days

Cuisine:

Italian

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About Cesca

Featured Review

Kathleen Squires

Contributor

The Scene – Chef Tom Valenti's departure hasn't discouraged hungry neighborhooders from their regular haunt, as local professionals continue to crowd the sepia-toned, chestnut-banqueted dining rooms. They seem relieved that the decor and energy fueled by the open kitchen remain, though the staff could look happier about a persistently full house. – – The Food – Del Posto alum Kevin Garcia and his Southern Italian menu come on strong with stewy octopus and crisp green beans dressed in a spicy, minty roasted tomato vinaigrette, but smoky rice balls disappointingly…

Editor's Tips

What to Drink:
Order off the 400-bottle wine list, or try one of the house cocktails, like the Vespa--brandy, amaretto and lemon juice served in a sugar-rimmed glass.
Save Money:
A three-course pre-theater prix fixe is served between 5pm and 6pm daily for $31.
The Extras:
A wine-lined nook, complete with privacy curtains, holds a large table perfect for groups.
ambiance
100.0% positive
  1. “The ambiance was nice though, and food tasted good.”
  2. “The place is definitely a nice combo of better dining atmosphere without being pretentious or stuffy.”
  3. “Cesca's ambiance is quite nice when you walk in.”
  4. “The ambience is wonderful.”
  5. “Tables of 2 are dangerously close together so not the most romantic.”
  6. “The ambiance was great.”
  7. “It has a lively atmosphere, attentive waiters, and above all; incredible food!”
dessert
100.0% positive
  1. “Our fantastic server, Caity, introduced us to a wonderful Gavi wine, made us feel like honored guests and recommended several delectable desserts.”
  2. “For dessert, the cheesecake was awesome.”
drinks
60.0% positive
  1. “walked in to a very nice, fairly crowded bar, and waited for about 10 minutes to be seated on a night when the restaurant was only half full.”
  2. “Our fantastic server, Caity, introduced us to a wonderful Gavi wine, made us feel like honored guests and recommended several delectable desserts.”
  3. “While the drinks were pricey, didn't care because expected great meal.”
  4. “The entrance is a bit chaotic, but there's a nice bar area with narrow, long tables for drinks with friends.”
  5. “would highly recommend this place to anyone who enjoys their food as I do, but beware of the bar prices.”
food quality
88.88999938964844% positive
  1. “The bread is excellent.”
  2. “The scallops were tasty - however nothing outrageous.”
  3. “The rice balls and the parmesan fritters are beyond excellent.”
  4. “There are plenty of other great restaurants where you are guarenteed better food and better service.”
  5. “If you like the one dish I mentioned run if not good choice for the area or pre Lincoln center.”
  6. “While the drinks were pricey, didn't care because expected great meal.”
  7. “terrible, rude, inattentive service; food so so”
  8. “Heard about CESCA for some time and was looking forward to a wonderful meal.”
  9. “The first time we really enjoyed the meal, the second time it seemed a bit like the chef w.”
  10. “would highly recommend this place to anyone who enjoys their food as I do, but beware of the bar prices.”
  11. “The ambiance was nice though, and food tasted good.”
  12. “We felt a tad out of place, but we had a wonderful meal.”
  13. “It has a lively atmosphere, attentive waiters, and above all; incredible food!”
  14. “On the bright side the food is very good, as the Times wrote today, but not excellent.”
  15. “The bread anl Olive Oil were very good.”
  16. “Great service & great food”
  17. “Truly one of the best restaurants in NYC with casual elegance and fine food.”
  18. “The pastas are homemade, the ingredients are fresh and the quality of each dish is remarkable.”
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. “their menu looks good though somewhat limited (for italian).”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “This is my favorite restaurant in New York.”
  2. “would have to say it is my favorite restaurant in Manhattan.”
service
58.33000183105469% positive
  1. “The waitresses that we have had have all been very attentive and professionsal.”
  2. “There are plenty of other great restaurants where you are guarenteed better food and better service.”
  3. “Our fantastic server, Caity, introduced us to a wonderful Gavi wine, made us feel like honored guests and recommended several delectable desserts.”
  4. “The worst service in NYC”
  5. “That said, the service was somewhat slow, and the portions were small.”
  6. “thought snooty wait staff went out of style a couple of years ago, but not at 'Cesca.”
  7. “You'll definitely want to share these amongst 2+ people b/c they are very very rich.”
  8. “terrible, rude, inattentive service; food so so”
  9. “What we were treated to, instead, was snooty attitude by the waiter and the maitre d' and a dinner I couldn't eat.”
  10. “It has a lively atmosphere, attentive waiters, and above all; incredible food!”
  11. “Oh an my service was good.”
  12. “Great service & great food”
value
62.5% positive
  1. “While the drinks were pricey, didn't care because expected great meal.”
  2. “The room is gorgeous and the prices reasonable.”
  3. “would highly recommend this place to anyone who enjoys their food as I do, but beware of the bar prices.”
  4. “That said, the service was somewhat slow, and the portions were small.”
wait time
16.670000553131104% positive
  1. “That said, the service was somewhat slow, and the portions were small.”
  2. “walked in to a very nice, fairly crowded bar, and waited for about 10 minutes to be seated on a night when the restaurant was only half full.”
  3. “The entrance is a bit chaotic, but there's a nice bar area with narrow, long tables for drinks with friends.”
1 Star Rating: Poor

02/05/11

Don't even think of going here

by hankaberle

Even if you're a regular, they don't keep a database of where you prefer to sit. Extremely hostile greeters. $7.00 for a doulble espresso is quite greedy, plus they're usually out of wines that cost less that $14. If you want friendly, don't go. If you want a good deal, don''t go. Only go there if you want abuse!!

4 Star Rating: Recommended

02/17/08

Great neighborhood restaurant

by DaniBees

My boyfriend and I went here last night and had a great dinner. The entrance is a bit chaotic, but there's a nice bar area with narrow, long tables for drinks with friends. We are in our late 20s and the crowd was considerably older except for a guy (with a sweater tied around his neck - I kid u not) and his equally preppy wife. Tables of 2 are dangerously close together so not the most romantic. We felt a tad out of place, but we had a wonderful meal. The waitress was not the happiest looking girl, but she was very nice and extremely knowledgeable about the menu.

We ordered the parmigiano fritters to start, which were fantastic. You'll definitely want to share these amongst 2+ people b/c they are very very rich. I also had the beef and scallop krudos, which I'd recommend. The wine menu is enormous and overwhelming. They were out of our first choice, but recommended a similar, cheaper bottle. Can't argue with that! I ordered the orecchiette based on good reviews I'd read. It was delicious and I'd highly recommend it too. The rapini complimented the spicyness of the sausage well. My bf ordered the pork chop. I tried to dissuade him b/c of some of the reviews, but it was actually very good and was cooked nicely, not overdone. The pea tendrils were lightly battered and fried, which was a nice touch to an otherwise pretty boring-sounding entree. For dessert, the cheesecake was awesome. I had something with chocolate (not listed on the online menu), which was disappointing. I'd stick with the cheesecake or maybe the sorbet and gelato.

Overall we had a great experience here. For someone around the same age (late 20s), I'd recommend it for date night or for when your parents are in town.

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

02/10/08

My favorite for special times and regular eating. On the top of my list.

by nat235

From the service to the menu, the experience is why I eat out. My family enjoys it..my grandson who is 3 years old to the rest of us. I know the evening will be a pleasure.

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

12/13/07

Great service & great food

by joelnyc07

We have been to Cesca various times and everytime is better than the last. The waitresses that we have had have all been very attentive and professionsal. The appetizers are even better than the entrees. Definitely try just eating at the bar, which has the same menu and is more relaxing. We will be back soon!

  • Pros: Service, food quality
  • Cons: Might be a little pricey for some
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

07/30/07

Very Good

by pamela777

This is my favorite restaurant in New York. I have been going here for many years and have yet to be disappointed! It has a lively atmosphere, attentive waiters, and above all; incredible food!!

  • Pros: atmosphere, food
  • Cons: Little formal

The Details on Cesca

Place Categories:

  • incredible food
  • favorite neighborhood restaurant
  • wonderful meal
  • rude inattentive service
  • nice ambiance
  • delectable several delectable desserts
  • tasty scallops
  • outstanding new chef
  • great my service
  • very attentive waitresses
  • nice combo
  • recommended cheaper bottle
  • inedible faro
  • beyond excellent rice balls
  • beyond excellent parmesan fritters
  • outstanding kevin garcia
  • fresh ingredients
  • awesome cheesecake
  • very good olive oil
  • pricey drinks
  • good mussells
  • fantastic server
  • fantastic caity
  • snooty wait staff
  • excellent bread
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