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  • Cellini

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Cellini
Cellini

Cellini Details

  • Dining Style: Fine Dining
  • Website: http://www.cellinirestaurant.com/
  • Email: admin@cellinirestaurant.com
  • Phone: (212) 751-1555
  • Hours of Operation: Lunch: Monday - Friday: 11:045am - 3:00pm; Dinner: Monday - Sunday:
    5:00pm - 10:30pm
  • Payment Options: AMEX, Diners Club, MasterCard, Visa
  • Cuisine: Italian
  • Executive Chef: Dino Arpaia
  • Dress Code: Business Casual
  • Accepts Walk-Ins: Yes
  • Additional Details: Banquet/Private Rooms, Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Non-Smoking Restaurant, Personal wines welcome, Private Room, Smoking Area, Takeout, Wine
  • Private Party Facilities: We can accommodate parties up to 10 - 200 people and have private areas available.
  • Private Party Contact: Dino Arpaia (212) 751-1555

Getting there

  • Cross Street: Madison and Park Ave.
  • Parking: Street Parking
  • Parking Details: There is also a private garage located directly across the street.
A word from Cellini
Cellini’s culinary style of chic simplicity produces a menu of astounding freshness and creativity. We began with a masterful rendition of cornmeal polenta wedges with masses of slivered shitake mushrooms and a calamari salad garnished with beans and scallions, each set off with a hot, homemade… foccacia, augmented with sliced crusty Tuscan bread. We next chose panzotti-supple half moon pasta filled with fresh, crisp vegetables lightly bathed in a delicate porcini mushroom sauce. A unique tubular pasta stuffed with the freshest fish and spinach under a seasoned fish stock was enough to show us that each dish here has its own personality, and is densely concentrated with flavor.Continued
Foodspotting photos
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Diner Reviews
  • "We returned to this place after several years and found it has remained true to itself. The seafood risotto was a well prepared and presented dish using the freshed ingredients. My spouse equally enjoyed his fresh pasta bolognese. The service was extremely professional and attentive given the fact that it was Valentine's Day, so we were impressed. We loved the biscotti, on the house, and the cappuccino was delicious too. It was a very satisfying experience from soup to nuts! Will definitely come back for another great evening sometime soon. Thanks Cellini for making our meal so memorable."
    Dined on 2/14/2014
  • "Last minute trip to NYC for Valentine's, stayed in nearby Times Square; able to get short notice reservation for Cellini, most places were booked. Never been here. We were rewarded for our choice with a great dining experience. Chianti was a nice choice, warm breads with olive oil , Broccoli rabe appetizer plentiful for sharing, fresh and tasty. Lamb chops and Veal were our dinners-delicious! Espresso&Cappuccino Creme Brulee and Tiramisu- Absolute Yum!. Bill 140ish; quality and quantity worth the price. Dining room was cute/comfortable, unfortunately we were seated at the very front table. I would have liked being "in" the room a little further just for the ambience, but it was still a great choice and I would go back and I recommend."
    Dined on 2/14/2014
  • "Upscale Italian food but not overpriced. Its an attractive, cozy , informal restaurant . We had fish and salads and all of the dishes were excellent. The dessert menu was uninspiring but one person ordered the cheesecake - not usually my favorite dessert but it was good."
    Dined on 2/12/2014
  • "The food was delicious but not good enough to make up for some of the worst service ever. The food came out of the kitchen well enough but there were too few waiters to take care of the tables- or at least our table. After our main course the waiter slammed a plate of biscotti down on the table and did not even stop walking. 30 minutes later when we were still unable to order coffee or dessert we just asked for the check, paid and left. I would not return."
    Dined on 2/8/2014
  • "It's a man's world at Cellini. A woman waiting. For her companions will be ignored, have dishes for neighboring tables served over her head... It's a popular business lunch spot and the food is good, but not good enough to put up with the contempt of the wait staff."
    Dined on 2/6/2014
  • "There is something homey about this restaurant. The servers act as if they know you. There are, on weekends, often filled large tables with multli-generatiional groups including kids, and the food is hearty and always tasty. The setting is charming, slightly cliched provincial. And the vast array of servers share the work. We started with an antipasto that I asked for that was not on the menu. Perfectly cooked seared butterfly shrimps, big chunks of squid, clams, prosciutto, fresh mozzarella, and asparagus, olives and tomatoes. What a way to start a meal! I titled this report "feels like" a neighborhood place because the mid-town east side location doesn't seem like one. But we feel happy going there when we visit NY."
    Dined on 1/24/2014
  • "In another city, this would qualify as a good restaurant. But it does not rank high among very many good choices for Italian food in NYC."
    Dined on 1/15/2014
  • "I have generally gone to Cellini for business lunches and found the food to be very good and service to be discreet. I recently went for dinner. The noise level was a little more elevated. That was primarlly because everybody seemed to be friends. Unlike other midtown restaurants, the tables seemed to be filled with locals coming for what they expected. A good meal in a comfortable atmosphere. While I would not pick Cellini for a special occasion, if you want a reliable place where you can have a decent bottle of wine and spend time talking to friends, this is a very good choice."
    Dined on 1/16/2014
  • "We had a fine dning experience and will surely recommend this restaurant and return ourselves."
    Dined on 1/16/2014
  • "We arrived in NYC after 24 hours of flight delays..we were cold and tired and wanted something close to the hotel. We expected a mediocre tourist trap. Food was great, service great, warm ,comfortable....better than expected."
    Dined on 1/4/2014
  • "This was our second time dining at Cellini. We were not disappointed. I had the swordfish special which was great. The other two in my party had veal dishes which they thoroughly enjoyed. Service was prompt and efficient. This was a most enjoyable dining experience."
    Dined on 12/20/2013
  • "After eating here a number of times, found service and food has deteriorated. Service is slow and unresponsive; food was okay but not worth the value. They have now jammed in additional tables that makes it very uncomfortable. Sorry but after a dozen or some times eating here is off my list."
    Dined on 12/16/2013
  • "This upscale italian restaurant is a very nice option by Park Avenue. We work nearby and are always looking for a nice place, quiet ambiance and upscale enough to take a client or collegue. The food here was good and the service was very good as well. The bread was amazing! I would reccomend this restaurant if you are in the area."
    Dined on 12/11/2013
  • "Felt like I was in Italy. The food was excellent and the service was very good."
    Dined on 12/9/2013
  • "We were seated immediately upon arrival, it felt like they were waiting for us. Took our coats and quickly proceeded to take our drink orders. The food, the drinks, the salad… everything came to the table fresh, quick, and delicious. That arugula salad with avocados… I could eat that every day. We had the Lasagna, the Pescato Risotto, and 2 other dishes and all were absolutely amazing, delicious, cooked to perfection! Will definitely go back to Cellini's when I'm in town. Thank you for the service and the great atmosphere."
    Dined on 12/7/2013
  • "Don't sit at table # 100 --one person looks at a wall and your back in a cove"
    Dined on 12/6/2013
  • "We had a great time and the food was delicious. Portion sizes were a bit small so we left still hungry."
    Dined on 12/5/2013
  • "Restaurant was everything that I was looking for. Tables were nicely spaced apart, noise level was very low, ambiance was excellent. Above all, the food was delicious and service was excellent. We cannot wait to go back."
    Dined on 12/4/2013
  • "I dined alone at Cellini last night. The food was outstanding. I really appreciated the service. Sometimes a single diner is rushed or ignored and this was not the case at Cellini. I thoroughly enjoyed this small neighborhood restaurant."
    Dined on 11/22/2013
  • "We were a little disapponted since this restaurant was recommended. My chicken was so overcooked I left most of it. The other three in our party felt their food was fine....not great. Too bad since it seems to be a beautiful place."
    Dined on 11/14/2013
  • "Whenever we visit New York, this is a MUST stop for us. We love the food, the atmosphere and the feeling of Italy. This is one of the finest in NYC, never in the several years that we have visited, have we missed a chance to experience dinner at Chelini's. The BEST Italian dining in NYC!!!"
    Dined on 11/8/2013
  • "Upon arriving just before our 9:30pm reservation on a Friday night, I immediately liked the place. The atmosphere is warm and comfortable. The tables seemed to be populated by real Manhattan residents, including some who seemed so at home (politely) that they must frequent the restaurant. Thus, I was extremely disappointed when our waiter greeted us by letting us know that he needed our order immediately--as in this minute, not five--as the kitchen was closing. After rebuffing him and letting him know that we had a 9:30 reservation, were on time, and expected to be served, the service improved. The fact we ordered a very nice bottle of Amarone probably incentivized him a little, too. I blame management for poor training and supervision."
    Dined on 11/8/2013
  • "food is just great all the time. nothing over top, just good food."
    Dined on 11/2/2013
  • "Was looking for a restaurant in the area for dinner with a friend. Walked by Cellini, checked the menu & thought "this looks good & the location is perfect" so I made a reservation. I was pleasantly surprised. Restaurant was smaller than I imagined, but that made it cozier. The food was delicious, I ordered the pounded swordfish & I would certainly order it again. The portions were more than ample, presentation nice, & not overly priced. The service was very good, attentive but not hovering. I would definitely go back & will also recommend to friends."
    Dined on 10/31/2013
  • "For quite a few years I have walked by Cellini but never decided to eat there. Finally I made a reservation for two and was glad of it. The reservation was honored on-time, the staff was most accommodating and the food was very good. I have already recommended it to friends."
    Dined on 10/18/2013
  • "The food we had was mediocre at best. My companion's grilled squid was very overcooked and rubbery, to the point of being inedible. My risotto was greasy and the rice was grainy. They brought our entrees while we were still eating our starters. We were at a business lunch so complaining was not something we felt comfortable doing at the time."
    Dined on 10/23/2013
  • "They severed the main course and we had not yet finished the first course. We had to ask for the desert menu. Not a happy experience."
    Dined on 10/13/2013
  • "Great lunch spot, good consistent food. Pricing was not too bad considering NY. Count for 40$/person including 20% tip."
    Dined on 10/1/2013
  • "Great robust Italian meal, excellent service, and a meal fit for a king. Generous portions, wide selection and extensive wine list made this NYC dining experience memorable. Will be a regular stop when back in the Big Apple. Grazie!!!"
    Dined on 9/28/2013
  • "We have eaten at Cellini several times before a reception for an exhibit for the MOMA. The good is very good and the service is excellent. It has a nice atmosphere and very comfortable. We look forward to the exhibits so we can eat at Cellini."
    Dined on 9/22/2013
  • "Very disappointed! I arrived on time and was seated and told the waiter that I am waiting for my son. I was waiting for over 15 minutes and was worried because my son is never late. Finally got up to call him and saw him sitting at a different table!!! He was just as anxious as I was. I went to the hostess to ask how this was possible and she just told me that she is sorry about it. No gesture to compensate for the inconvenience...bad business, bad public relations and I shall not return to this restaurant for a long-long time, if ever. Service was unremarkable and very impersonal...sort of "tourists here today, gone tomorrow". This is certainly no way to build up a steady neighborhood clientele."
    Dined on 9/23/2013
  • "Wonderful restaurant. Delicious food. Terrific service!"
    Dined on 9/20/2013
  • "We had reservations at 7:30. We were promptly right away and our server came to us promptly. Our dinners were most enjoyable.We had veal stuffed ravioli and lasagna. Both were delicious. If we lived in Manhattan, we would be regulars here!"
    Dined on 9/10/2013
  • "E54th street is quite and has the York theater at the Lexington corner. Two blocks away is Cellini and discount parking Cross the street. A great location and evening. The food is excellent and the saff very accommodating. Very suit and a great neighborhood gem. Bronzino is my favorite and it was fresh and succulent. Free biscotti with your coffee tops off. A great experience."
    Dined on 8/11/2013
  • "The service was wonderful and attentive. They made our daughter something that wasn't specifically on the menu. I had one of the specials, Risotto Carbonara, it was delicious!! We will definitely return next time we are in NYC."
    Dined on 8/11/2013
  • "I've dined at Cellini at few times previously for work lunches. Hovever, took my wife their last Friday evening after some post work shopping in mid town as was very DISAPPOINTED by the rushed fast food service and off handed wait staff... The final insult coming when the check was dumped on the table - 18% service added, not even mentioned. Such a shame this Italian eatery with nice pasta and other dishes is letting service standards drop.... After that experience I won't be booking any more work lunches there either."
    Dined on 8/10/2013
  • "Dined here on a Sunday evening at 8:00. Food and service were very good. There were only a few tables occupied so I cannot comment on noise level when full. We will try this again on our next trip to NY."
    Dined on 8/5/2013
  • "Upscale, fine authentic italian dining. Service excellent and chef consistent and creative with regional specialties"
    Dined on 8/2/2013
  • "Have eaten at Cellini many times. Always good to excellent."
    Dined on 7/18/2013
  • "I have been to Cellini many times, but this was my most disappointing experience. I was there for lunch, midweek, with a 1230 reservation. I was seated immediately upon my arrival. However, it took about five minutes to get our menus and then we waited for at least an additonal ten minutes before we had a chance to ask for water. This is inexcusable, particularly when it was about 95 degrees outside. The service for the balance of the meal was, at best, inconsistent. The food was, as it has always been, excellent, but this type of restaurant should (and usually does) provide the best possible service. I will go back because I view this experience as an aberration. All my other visits were great."
    Dined on 7/17/2013
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