Cesco OsteriaEnjoyable EveningWe "introduced" close friends to Cesco...and had a wonderful evening. The food was delicious and the wait staff attentive.
would highly recommend this restaurant.5/18/2013 12:00:00 AMIt was a Mother's Day gem!Our family had a wonderful experience at the beautiful Cesco Osteria. The staff is super accommodating and very friendly and the buffet was delish! I loved the calamari and salmon with lemon butter.5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMVery Good BrunchThe brunch buffet offered a great selection. My party collectively tried nearly each dish, and all were delicious. Our lone complaints are that some offerings were lukewarm or nearly cold, and the desert table was not replenished as quickly as necessary. We will definitely return for brunch again.5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent food, weak serviceWe went for Mother's Day brunch. The buffet was mandatory and really excellent, one of the best we have eaten. Lots of choices and unusually high quality. Very good ambience. The only weak point was the service. The receptionist failed to acknowlege our Open Table reservation on the system, so I got a no-show notification for the first time ever in my many years of OT membership. And it took almost a half hour to get drinks and bread from our server, who told us "BRB" (be right back) and then wasn't. I think the restaurant was skimping on table service as a result of the mandatory buffet, but it was not adequate staffing. We had a good time and will go back because the food and atmosphere are so good, but they need to work on training.5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMFood was really good, serviceFood was really good, service as well. Only problem was the person who answered the phone said there was valet parking and there isn't, which caused confusion and delays among members of our party. Otherwise a lovely restaurant.5/10/2013 12:00:00 AMoutstanding italian gourmet foodhad the halibut and the lambshanks. both dishes were delicious. we shared several appetizers and loved them. Owner personally came out and visited (unusual in a 200 seat restaurant). Great wine selections. tiramisu and Bonet for dessert. great service, great food, beautiful setting.5/2/2013 12:00:00 AMPerfection!Fabulous. Outstanding. Delicious. Every dish was prepared to perfection and the portions were generous. Our guests said they would love to live nearby so they could frequent Cesco Osteria on a regular basis. Truly a wonderful find that was both delightful and delicious!4/25/2013 12:00:00 AMthe best italian food in townthe best italian food in town and a place where you feel at home. Bravissimo Francesco4/19/2013 12:00:00 AMBest Italian in BethesdaBeautiful setting. Elegant, yet comfortable and relaxed atmosphere. Fantastic service from knowledgable and helpful staff. Extensive wine list, with wines in all price ranges. Appetizers, pasta courses, main courses and desserts were all spectacular! Cesco Osteria is quite worthy of that special occasion, but don't wait for a special occasion to go. It's great any time.4/15/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food, wine, and serviceThe food, wine, and service were all outstanding. After my first visit I went back the next night!4/15/2013 12:00:00 AMThree of us went for lunchThree of us went for lunch on a Thursday to try it before we committed to booking a group lunch for 20-30 for a future Thursday. The food and service passed with flying colors! We each ordered a different entree -- chicken with Mediterranean vegetables, seared tuna with greens, and a lamb w/ pasta dish. Each of us thought our entrees were excellent. We also shared the strawberry flower dessert which was delicious. The coffee is served French press, and the milk comes heated (as it should be). Impressed that the Chef was on site and clearly engaged. We are looking forward to going back with our group!4/4/2013 12:00:00 AMWonderful ItaFirst time at Cesco, but we knew Francesco from i Ricchi. Everything we ate was superb!3/31/2013 12:00:00 AMEaster brunchOur family went here for Easter brunch. We were seated immediately upon arrival. The food choices were the usual brunch choices with a few surprise like corn beef and cabbage, shepherds pie, calamari and octopus salad. There were several,pasta dishes, omelette station with pizza and chicken fingers for kids. The Italian sausage with peppers and onions was outstanding! Several members of our group also said the Shepehrds pie was very good. The dessert table was great with cheesecake, tiramisu (that I thought was little too soggy), pastries, etc. the waiter was nice and attentive. All Iin all, it was good food, numerous choices, nice atmosphere, not too loud even with the live music.3/31/2013 12:00:00 AMIn addition to a full rangeIn addition to a full range of Italian delicacies (beginning with vegetable frittata and fresh tomato foccaccio gratis appetizers), fresh salads and a wide variety of pasta sauces (including gluten free pastas upon request), exceptional entrees include the salt-baked whole branzino fish and the black squid pasta sauced with shrimp and squid. The food was equally good at lunch with business associates as it was at dinner with three generations of my Italian-American family.3/29/2013 12:00:00 AMEverything to praise!!! NothingEverything to praise!!! Nothing to fault!!! Wonderful evening.3/22/2013 12:00:00 AMIf you want over the top deliciousIf you want over the top delicious Italian food, and an extensive wine list at a reasonable price with great service and a wonderful automosphere - you must try Cesco Osteria!3/20/2013 12:00:00 AMI have enjoyed Francesco Ricchi'sI have enjoyed Francesco Ricchi's restaurants since I Ricchi first opened near Dupont Circle many years ago. Cesco Osteria is a fine neighborhood restaurant with friendly attentive service, reasonably priced considering the quality of the food.
We particularly liked the Strawberry Flower for dessert, fresh sliced strawberries arranged like flowering petals on pear purée; a light, non-dairy finish to dinner.
My wife and I have eaten there 3 times in the past 3 months and will continue to be regular diners at Cesco Osteria. We hope the restaurant is a long-term success.3/16/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent, creatively preparedExcellent, creatively prepared food at a reasonable price.1/14/2013 12:00:00 AMPersonal services in a veryPersonal services in a very large setting. Wine was excellent. The soup was essentially mixed vegetables right out of a blender. ugh. The seafood pasta was as advertized and good.1/1/0001 4:00:00 PM