Cesca

02/17/08

Great neighborhood restaurant

by DaniBees at Citysearch

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.

02/10/08

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

by nat235 at Citysearch

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.

12/13/07

Great service & great food

by joelnyc07 at Citysearch

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

07/30/07

Very Good

by pamela777 at Citysearch

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

02/15/07

terrible, rude, inattentive service; food so so

by jeanettebertolo at Citysearch

The WORST service I have had in forever. Was my friend's birthday on a very empty weeknight. Asked for a good booth - got the one right next to the waiters' cash register thing. Waiter did not pour wine, did not get plates cleared (Even though he was 12" away at the station). Service was SLOW and was not acknowledged. Plates were not cleared - had to flag down a bus person. ummmm... let's see.... waiter would basically ask how we were while he kept on walking by..it was like he worked for the DMV. did not ask if we wanted coffee after B day cake brought over. Just walked away.. HUH???? Tom Valenti should make sure no one thinks this is his restaurant...FAST

• Pros: Bar Scene
• Cons: Service; Value

01/08/07

Bad service and mediocre food at high prices

by lulliedu at Citysearch

Our friends who live near 'Cesca convinced us to meet there for dinner on Saturday. Our first 'Cesca experience had been very uninispiring, with inattentive service and average food, but despite our hesitation we decided to give it another try. Big mistake! Our waitress ("Katie") was outright rude, making us feel unwelcome and uncomfortable from the start. She didn't smile once, didn't offer suggestions even when asked, and replied to our friend's request to explain a duck dish by saying simply, "it's duck." The food was again pretty average -- and needed salt. When describing our experience to two other Upper West Side couples, we found they also had similarly poor impressions of the place. We will not be returning.

11/14/06

Not that impressed...

by lwibmer at Citysearch

I went to Cesca over a year ago and remembered LOVING IT, however, I was soarly disappointed this last time I went (Nov. 4). I had pork tenderloin (nothing about it was tender), service was okay, but not excellent and overall, I was just plain ole disappointed. I would not waste my money and go back. There are plenty of other great restaurants where you are guarenteed better food and better service.

• Pros: Good scene and ambiance, wine list
• Cons: Food

11/07/06

Patient Upper West Siders weather a chef change in a local Italian favorite.

by Kathleen Squires at Citysearch

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 crumble at a fork's touch. Some pasta dishes need work: Square sheets of tacconi arrive with a ho-hum tomato sauce and a too-sparing serving of the promised pecorino. Orecchiette, however, bursts with the rustic flavor of house-made sausage and welcomely bitter broccoli rabe. A side of fritto misto vegetables go on to upstage an overcooked pork chop, but desserts like the fluffy Italian cheesecake exceed expectations after such a string of unevenness.

11/06/06

Butternut Squash ravioli...yum!

by dineout19 at Citysearch

I don't know what I would rate this place if I hadn't ordered the butternut squash ravioli because the mussells were good but not amazing. However, the butternut squash ravioli are to die for. The place is definitely a nice combo of better dining atmosphere without being pretentious or stuffy. The bread anl Olive Oil were very good. Dessert ok. If you like the one dish I mentioned run if not good choice for the area or pre Lincoln center. Oh an my service was good.

• Pros: Bread and OO, Butternut Squash ravioli, easy atmosphere
• Cons: A bit expensive for the feel of the place

11/05/06

Good, innovative food, but small portions and expensive

by peterd1331 at Citysearch

We reserved the large table for a group of 10 people, and they were willing to print a menu without prices and put our the wine etc. beforehand. That said, the service was somewhat slow, and the portions were small. My scallop dish had only 5 sea scallops. The ambiance was nice though, and food tasted good. The coat check was also a nice touch, and the bathrooms were very nice too.

• Pros: Food qualtiy, ambiance
• Cons: Price, portions, speed of service