Celeste

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502 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024-3943
New York, NY 10024

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(212) 874-4559
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Reviews
( 19 )
( 6 )
( 8 )
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( 17 )

Best

This is my first review and it had to take something extraordinary for me to go to the trouble. And this restaurant is just that - extraordinary! Our waiter was charming, funny a...

Worst

I would not recommend this place to anyone. All they care about is moving people in and out so they can make another dollar. Not to mention, they also served us the wrong bottle...

BELLISSIMO WHAT A FUN NIGHT 2/22/2007

WHAT A GOOD LITTLE PLACE , THERE WAS A LITTLE WAIT,BUT IT WAS ALL WORTH IT!!!!!THE FUNNY ITALIAN WAITER MADE THE EXPERIENCE EVEN BETTER,I WAS THERE WITH MY DATE AND SHE LOVED IT TOO,NOT TO MENTION I SCORED ON ALL BASES!!!!! Pros: GOOD FOOD more
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Worst customer service ever 2/14/2007

The manager of the restaurant came to ask us what we wanted to order, and because my girlfriend is a vegetarian, we had requested a certain dish without meat in it. He scoffed at us, denied our request, and walked away to the next table without taking our order. We waited for fifteen minutes and he chose to ignore us. When we walked past us, we asked him if we could place our order, he said ""No"", and walked away again. We decided to leave because he was so blatantly rude to us. The worst customer service I've ever experienced in any restaurant. more
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Best restaurant on the UWS! 1/29/2007

This is one of the best restaurants on the UWS. It combines what I consider to be the best attributes of a restaurant: Great food, low cost, small, and good atmosphere. The place feels laid-back. The lighting is not too bright. The food is incredible and healthy. The halibut is great. All this for a great price. Its a no brainer! more
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Amazing italian- low cost!! Secret of the Upper west side!!!! 1/28/2007

Cleste is that small nook in with big taste at look cost. From the homemade pasta to the wood oven made pizza everything was delish. Cleaned out plates and Will be back soon! You have to check it out. The place is small and tight but your giving up space to save money with the inexpensive prices. ( But hey this is Manhattan and we do that with our rent, or try to...!!!) You must try it coming from an Italian it is mmmm yumm! ** Pros: Unreal food, and homemade pasta! Cons: Cash Only small, but worth it more
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Avoid at all costs 1/11/2007

I would not recommend this place to anyone. All they care about is moving people in and out so they can make another dollar. Not to mention, they also served us the wrong bottle of wine, one that was significanlty more expensive but listed right above the one we ordered. It seems like they would do anything to make an extra dollar. There is much better Italian in the city. Cons: Horrible staff more
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Very good food, but very bad service 11/12/2006

After hearing from several people that Celeste is a must for Italian food lovers, I finally tried the small ristorante. There was a half hour wait for a table for two, but I was excited to see what the fuss is. Well, the waiter spoke broken English and gave the specials in 5 seconds. We had no idea what he said. He came back 20 seconds later for our orders and was annoyed b/c we weren't ready. We HAD TO ask for water, bread and olive oil. The eggplant appetizer was excellent and the veal with lemon sauce and cappers was terrific (but a little small in portion for an Italian restaurant). Our dishes were cleared quickly and the waiter asked if I wanted the check. I said, ""we'd like to see the dessert menu."" He was annoyed again. Since when doesn't a waiter try to sell dessert and coffee? The ricotta cheesecake was light and delicious, but the sorbet was very sweet. I don't know if I'd go back on a busy night b/c we were obviously rushed. Pros: food Cons: rude waiters more
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a bit salty but great pasta 10/1/2006

Great pasta, small, not good for groups, a bit loud, not romantic but great for outings with friends in group of less than 4 more
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a true italian restaurant 8/10/2006

If you want eat ""italian"" you must go to ""Celeste"" ... a wonderful and cheap restaurant where i went with my Princess. i' m italian but sincerely is difficult to taste in Manhattan a true italian cousine like the ""Celeste"" one. The prices are incredibly cheap and the owner seems like an actor!!!! more
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Tasty inexpensive food- awesome after dinner cheese plate 7/30/2006

The food here is delicious and the prices are extremely reasonable. Despite the tiny size of the space the waits are not terrible- your meal here will be relatively quick even if you are having courses as this little spot is in high demand- so don't expect to have a long and leisurely meal. Despite this, Celeste is a lovely place to have an inexpensive, high quality meal, and even though you are likely to be inches away from the nearest table, a little wine and some candlelight makes for a romantic (though quick) meal. Pros: Great value, delicious food Cons: A little crowded, usually a wait more
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Good food, lousy owner 7/26/2006

Just a word of warning: never go to this restaurant unless you enjoy wasting your money, being treated poorly and being rushed out. The food was quite good and the wait staff was courteous but alas the owner is scrooge incarnate (and a chauvinist to boot). The owner was rude to us from the moment we sat down until he told us we had to leave because he had another table waiting, and this despite ordering the pricier entrees from the menu and a bottle of wine that we hadn't yet finished. Appalling. Pros: good food Cons: rude owner more
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Great neighborhod Italian joint 7/16/2006

Went here with a buddy after hearing some very nice things & glad we did. The service was prompt and friendly. The food was served fresh and in a timely manner. Everything we tasted was excellent. No room for dessert but there's always next time Pros: service, food more
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Nothing particularly good 7/6/2006

Went to this based on the reviews here. Really not worth it. The food was mediocre at best (mushy pasta, and is it me or are the sauses canned), the staff was rude. Ruined an otherwise nice evening with friends. Pros: Charming ambience Cons: Bad food more
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Past its peak 6/28/2006

We have been to this restaurant on numerous occasions. The service has always been bad, the space has always been cramped and hectic even by New York standards, the owner has always been discourteous, but until last night, the food and prices redeemed the place. My ravioli with butter and sage was drenched in oil and tasteless and her halibut came with some ill conceived deep fried potatos. The food at Celeste used to be wonderful, and perhaps they were having an off night, but it's just not worth the hassle. Pros: food was good at one time, good chocolate mousse cake, price Cons: owner, service, ambience more
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Delightful 6/12/2006

My wife and I took my sister in law and hubby to Celeste after hearing so much about it. We had a wonderful time, the food was great and the service was superb! Our waiter, Marco is a charming young man, Italian/English, very polite, and extremely cultivated and gave us some great tips for our summer trip to Rome. Yes, it is a bit tight but it's just how I imagine eating in a Roman trattoria would be! more
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Best Italian food I have ever had 5/30/2006

My wife and I jusy moved from Boston and heard about Celeste from acquaintances. We were given the usual warnings about the wait . It took about 15 minutes to get in at around 9pm on Thursday. The food was amazing. From the appetizers to marvolous breaded chicken dish with almonds that came with a mix salad with balsamic. We had a bottle of Montepulciano for only $27.We topped off the night with Tiramisu which is the best we've ever had.Celeste is a great experince I assure you will returning to soon! Pros: best food, great wine list, inexpensive Cons: wait more
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a frequent patron 5/5/2006

as a frequent patron of celeste and a local west sider i am suprised by anybody who does not have a great exprience at this restaurant. While true it is crowded and cramped celeste filled a huge void in the neighborhood producing high quality authentic italian fare at extremelt affordable prices. The food is remarkably consistent and the pizza and pastas are some of the best i've had in any restaurant in NY. Keep up the good work. Bravo! Pros: inexpensive, great food, good service more
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Horrible service! 4/10/2006

We've dined here about 4x, and each time the service has been pretty bad. I came back hoping that it was an off night, and I'd like to give it another chance since I live in the neighborhood. We are big fans of Bianca on the LES, which is owned by the same group...some menu items are even identical, yet Bianca's taste better. Every single time we've dined at Celeste, we're being rushed...the hostess is rude as can be, the waiters can't stop to check in, the busboys are flinging stuff on your table, and that's true even when the restaurant is half empty! The food is okay, but you'd be better off going to Bianca where the food is far superior, the host (George)is charming, the place itself is prettier, and the staff is always friendly even if it's busy all the time. No more chances for Celeste. Pros: food okay Cons: rude hostess, rushed service more
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I suggest you at least try it once. 12/31/2005

The dishes are small to me. My date and I each ordered an appitizer, a main dish, and a desert. With a bottle of wine.. the price no longer seemed like one dollar sign ($) at all! It was good but it was expensive. I didn't feel rushed but then again I don't thing I was there duringh peak times... The cramped space was a little annoying but it all seemed fun. I would go there if you haven't yet.. but I'm not going back. Pros: authentic tasting Cons: small portions more
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Avoid at all costs 12/18/2005

My daughter invited my wife and me to join her boyfriend and another friend for dinner. We arrived at 6:00 and were cordially seated. After sitting in a cramped confined setting next to the kitchen, we finished our meal and were asked to vacate as there were people waiting for the table. Never, never have I been asked to leave before I was ready. I will never step foot in that place again, guest or paying. Outrageous. more
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Eat and run! 10/15/2005

I have to agree with many of the other posters. Don't pause for one second between bites because they are watching you! The second I put my fork down after finishing my entree, the plate vanished. We ordered dessert, but the whole vibe was hurry up and get out. The food is good, but not worth getting pushed out. And this guy is from Italy, where people linger over dinner for hours? Hard to believe. Pros: inexpensive, good food Cons: too much rushing, small dining area more
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Menu for Celeste


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Editorial

  • The Scene
    This lively trattoria takes a cue from its charismatic owner--a Roman named Carmine so dedicated to his newest venture (he also owns Tiadora on the east side) that he's been...

  • 4/9/2004 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Mon. - Thu. 5am - 11pm;Fri. - Sat. 5am - 11:30pm;Sun. 5am - 10:30pm
  • Payments: Cash
  • Neighborhoods: Midtown, Upper West Side
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