CescaClassic and deliciousHappy hours with girlfriends, business dinners, date ...
Cesca is just that kind is place. The appetizers can be great tapas and the dishes all amazing.
Especially delicious, the escarole salad, grilled octopus, taglio de manzo. Pastas are amazing as well.
Also, the wine list is REALLY nice.5/21/2013 12:00:00 AMPre-Beacon Theater Show GEM!!I booked Cesca based on location convenience to the Beacon Theater for pre-show dinner. Something happened in the city that Friday night that snagged traffic on both East & West sides. I called to let the restaurant know we were going to be late - not knowing it would be over one hour late!! Upon our very late arrival, they were kind and courteous in seating and serving us quickly to make our show. The fried artichoke app to die for!! I enjoyed a small portion size of the garganelli pasta with mushroom marsala that was perfect. My husband enjoyed the lamb chops with arugula salad on the side. We were so impressed with the service we returned after the show for a drink at the bar and the staff warmly welcomed us back.5/17/2013 12:00:00 AMStill holds up!Fully packed on a Thursday night. Very noises in the front. Our table was ok for noise in the back. Excellent server woman. Best dish was the cauliflower fritti. Also we had the scallops with a pea purée really delicious. Shrimp in brood was boring.
Shave vegetable salad was fresh and crisp. Nice change.
All in all a nice experience.5/16/2013 12:00:00 AMCreative, delicious foodThe food at Cesca is always delicious, made from creative recipes, and served by some of the best staff in NYC.5/15/2013 12:00:00 AMReviewGreat spot for Northern Italain. Our server was well informed and prompt.5/13/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat Evening Out!We choose Cesca as a event spot to meet up w friends who had an event nearby. We arrived one hour early and happily began to experience the charm of the place. The hostess was honest and friendly upon our arrival as we explained that the 1 missing was to arrive within the hour. No problem! Upon seating ourselves at the bar, the bartender, also lovely, described one of the house special martinis, cucumber, yum! The ambience of the bar area was such that we decided to move to a window table and enjoyed excellent service, terrific food, and a really good wine. All of that, plus good companions and a view onto the street, created the wonderment for a truly pleasurable evening. Would absolutely come back!5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMThe scallops were terrificThe scallops were terrific and my friend's veal chop looked amazing.5/6/2013 12:00:00 AMWonderful foodBest Italian food I have had in Manhatten, pricey but special food.
The crab crostini was amazing, the mushroom and asparagus soup made me sob with happiness, and the side of truffle potato croquettas was sheer yumness.4/26/2013 12:00:00 AMHad not been at 'Cesca forHad not been at 'Cesca for several years. Overall a great experience. Attentive service. Food excellent. Unlike many New York places 'Cesca does not jam tables together and the noise level is quite low making for a great place to have a quiet dinner and actually be able to talk.4/25/2013 12:00:00 AMVisited Cesca based on tripVisited Cesca based on trip advisor reviews. Not disappointed. Great food and great place to catch up with old friends. Only down side was service was hit & miss and meant that one of orders for the Saturday special could not be fulfilled. Would definitely recommend to others and would return next time I visit NYC.4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMfood was great, has even gottenfood was great, has even gotten better. waitress was excellent, friendly, credible4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMLove this place decor greatLove this place decor great especially the bar. Only drawback is the hostess seem to be inexperienced for such a nice place. Its always been that way, they seem to be college kids in an elegant atmosphere just seems weird.4/14/2013 12:00:00 AMI have been to Cesca a fewI have been to Cesca a few times and do enjoy the restaurant. Two nights ago, I returned to meet an old friend. We were able to sit very comfortably for hours to catch up. It was not too noisy and the service was excellent. The food was very good, not great. I have had much better meals there before. I will still return, as it is a very good place overall.4/10/2013 12:00:00 AMNEIGHBOR DELIGHTThe scallops were amazing and the deserts were delicious! We will return again!4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMLoved Cesca!Great food, service, extensive wine list. We were 5 people and had a leisurely 3 hour dinner and never felt rushed, but also never felt neglected. Wait staff were great. Will definitely go back.4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMOne of the most enjoyableOne of the most enjoyable dining experiences I've had in months--wonderfully quiet,nicely spaced tables,lovely space,great service and delicious food.Tried 2 pastas in primi portions and they were both fantastic.My companion and I shared a salad,and they split it for us in the kitchen--giving each of us a very generous portion.And we could actually hear each other in our comfortable corner banquette.I'll definitely return.4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMPastry Basket Could Revive the DeadWe have been to Cesca before and loved it. Their special Easter brunch menu was too tempting not to try. It was an outstanding experience all around. The $18 pastry basket is worth every dollar and calorie. Each item was a warm, divine and as fresh as could be slice of heaven: the pine nut custard lemon tart, the cherry chocolate scone, the beignet with cherry jam, brioche with honey butter and, oh yes, a perfect gooey pecan bun. The shrimp, crab & leek frittata was sensational. I was shocked to learn Cesca stopping serving brunch regularly as a good brunch is always in demand on the Upper West Side. I had the opportunity to tell the chef that it would be a crime to only serve this caliber of brunch 1-2x year.3/31/2013 12:00:00 AMHomemade pasta is unbelievableCesca just keeps getting better. The "homemade" past is outstanding. Fusilli & tagliatelle melted in the mouth!3/29/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent food and serviceExcellent food and service with added benefit of proximity to the Beacon theatre.3/27/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat professional staff.Great professional staff. Food wonderful both times we visited. If I lived in NY I'd frequent the place.3/27/2013 12:00:00 AMAlways a wonderful meal! TheAlways a wonderful meal! The vegetable soup was delicious and the escarole salad is a staple. Unfortunately my pasta dish was too al dente (uncooked in the middle) but the marsala mushrooms were lovely and fragrant. Bar scene is great although the musis is way too loud.3/26/2013 12:00:00 AMI made this reservation forI made this reservation for my boss and his wife and you did a FANTASTIC job helping them celebrate their anniversary. Thank you for their special treatment!3/25/2013 12:00:00 AMA terific restaurant. YouA terific restaurant. You cannot go wrong by dining here. Wonderful food and ambience3/21/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat for Food AllergiesFantastic restaurant for people with Celiac Disease and food allergies/intolerance. The menu has gluten free pasta options and a range of standard dishes which are also gluten/dairy/soy free.3/21/2013 12:00:00 AMConsistently good food. WeConsistently good food. We dined with friends (their first time at 'Cesca) who were VERY impressed.
We'll be back soon!3/20/2013 12:00:00 AMAlways specialOur server Michael was lovely and we really enjoyed our dinner. 2 minor complaints..I remember the Brussels sprouts being a little crisper last time..but they were still very good. The red velvet was a little dry but again, still very tasty and we ate every last bit. Our corner table was cozy and romantic and appreciated the candle in my boyfriend's cake which I had requested in my open table reservation.
All in all, it was a wonderful time. I highly recommend Cesca and certainly look forward to returning.3/19/2013 12:00:00 AMWonderful place to go withWonderful place to go with old friends who want to catch up. We could actually hear our own conversation. The service was efficient, friendly & not intrusive. I had the fish special that was excellent.3/19/2013 12:00:00 AMAlways outstanding food, wonderfulAlways outstanding food, wonderful atmosphere. The best is the Sunday sauce for pasta.3/17/2013 12:00:00 AMWe had an early reservationWe had an early reservation as we were going to a concert at the Beacon theater nearby. The staff knew we were going to the show and so served us accordingly, making sure we got our food quickly but never gave us the impression they were rushing us in or out. The food was wonderful We would definitely go back!3/17/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat food and service. WeGreat food and service. We always head to Cesca before and after a show at the Beacon. Great wine selection3/16/2013 12:00:00 AMWe live nearby and have eatenWe live nearby and have eaten at 'Cesca several times. I (the female half) have been less than totally enthusiastic because the food seemed so heavy. At our last visit everything was truly delicious and the dishes were emphatically not heavy. Quite good, excellent service. High marks all around. Our biggest complaint is the noise level. We are not young, to put it kindly, and while we like places with some life, it was very hard to hear our friends until after 8:30 or so, after being there starting at seven.3/15/2013 12:00:00 AMGood Italian in a fun neighborhoodThere were 7 of us for dinner on a Friday night. The restaurant was very crowded and energetic. The service was good, not great. The food was very good. We had the frito misto, fried cauliflower, prosciutto and parmesan fritters, olives and the artichoke for appetizers. All were tasty. I had the cappellacci for dinner. The tomato sauce was very fresh and flavorful and the pasta was very fresh. The others had pasta and especially loved the pasta with rabbit ragu. We were too full to order dessert. I would go to this restaurant again.3/15/2013 12:00:00 AMVery popular with excellentVery popular with excellent food but if you want a more quiet dining experience it's better to go earlier in the week. Can get hectic Friday and Saturday although the staff copes well.3/15/2013 12:00:00 AMWe had a great evening. TheWe had a great evening. The restaurant was full and therefore noisy, but it quieted down enough to be very enjoyable. The waiters and maitre d' were excellent. Food was excellent, and the open kitchen is fun.3/13/2013 12:00:00 AMFood and service always topFood and service always top notch. Great spot to get together with friends before a show at the Beacon. Great bar withe friendly service.3/9/2013 12:00:00 AM'Cesca doesn't have one of'Cesca doesn't have one of the great city kitchens that makes it worth a detour, but the food is very good indeed, and several visits have consistently encountered friendly and exemplary service. If I lived anywhere near 'Cesca, I'd be a regular.2/27/2013 12:00:00 AMOne of the best values inOne of the best values in NY. We dine here around 4x per year and we are never dissappointed.1/6/2013 12:00:00 AM