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Celeste Restaurant

4 star rating
based on 96 reviews

Categories: Italian, Pizza

Neighborhood: Upper West Side
502 Amsterdam Ave
(between 84th St & 85th St)
New York, NY 10024
(212) 874-4559
Nearest Transit:

86th St (1)

86th St (B, C)

Attire:
Casual
Accepts Credit Cards:
No
Parking:
Street
Price Range:
$$
Good for Groups:
No
Good for Kids:
No
Takes Reservations:
No
Delivery:
No
Take-out:
Yes
Waiter Service:
Yes
Wheelchair Accessible:
No
Outdoor Seating:
No
Good for:
Dinner
Alcohol:
Beer & Wine Only
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96 reviews for Celeste Restaurant

Review Highlights   

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"You must order the cheese plate for dessert." (in 13 reviews)
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"They don't take reservations and you'll always face a wait." (in 4 reviews)
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"I sometimes go here just for their artichoke salad." (in 6 reviews)
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Sort by: Yelp Sort | Date | Rating | Elites'
Photo of jack d.

 

2

28

jack d.

New York, NY

4 star rating
10/22/2009

Super busy all the time and the tables are sooo close together and it STILL gets 4 stars.  The food is fantastic.  Definitely get a cheese plate if for no other reason than to have the owner come out and give you the rundown of what you're eating.  If you can understand a single word the guy says, I'm impressed.  But he's totally entertaining nonetheless.

If you remember one thing from this review: artichoke salad.  Its unique and wonderful.

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Photo of Blondie M.

 

10

113

Blondie M.

New York, NY

4 star rating
10/16/2009

I took a friend here for a cheap but delicious Italian and that was exactly what we got. The fried mozzeralla was light and creamy. My ravioli was tender and full of flavor. It tasted even better knowing that such rustic, homeade food was really affordable even in these poor economic times. But to say it's crowded is an understatement.

Realize that dinner on a weekend might entail being stuffed into a table mere inches from another table. I couldn't even gesture. It was confining and chaotic, and we watched with sympathy as the servers hovered, danced and spun around the confusion with surprising grace. Our scandalous conversation had to be whispered and even then, we noticed our neighbors leaning in for more details. If there is atmosphere in this restaurant it goes unnoticed in a sea of bodies and tables.

There are a few things to be said for a restaurant to be so packed to the gills.
1. The food is good and well-priced.
2. The owner doesn't care about your dining experience being pleasant. He just wants to make as much money as possible.

We left after our entree in order to have dessert and drinks in comfort at a place down the street. We even ran for the first two blocks just to encourage blood to flow into our stiff limbs. I would gladly go back on a weeknight. Beware the weekend experience.

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Photo of Manisha B.

 

2

14

Manisha B.

New York, NY

2 star rating
9/26/2009

First off, the food was very good, and I would have given this place 4 or 5 stars if the service wasn't SO awful. After being seated (as other people have mentioned, the room was very crowded), I noticed my water glass was dirty and asked for a new glass. I never got it. The waiter asked us to placed both our appetizer and main course orders at the same time, and our appetizers arrived soon after. About 45 minutes later, they came and took our appetizers away and asked us what we wanted for dessert. We then mentioned that we never got our main course, and the waiter made up an excuse about the kitchen being inspected and therefore slow. However, there were people being served around us who ordered after we did, and the waiter refused to admit his mistake of not placing our orders.

I had a quattro stagioni pizza as the main course and an egglant appetizer which were very good. My family had two of the pasta specials, which they also enjoyed quite a bit. Regardless of the quality of the food, the service was so awful, I wouldn't ever go back.

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0

14

Kurt M.

Roselle Park, NJ

4 star rating
11/28/2009

There were very few drawbacks of this restaurant. The food was amazing and it was  affordable. The only drawback was that it was incredibly cramped.

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Photo of danielle m.

 

0

8

danielle m.

New York, NY

2 star rating
11/19/2009

After reading reviews on various sites, I decided to give this place a try.  Wow, what a mistake.  The owner was SO rude, making it seem like it was big inconvenience when we asked to move tables (my husband was practically sitting on the person next him since they had 2 random tables pushed together to share).  Then the waiter came over to take our order and was so awkward.  He kept trying to make the same joke over and over instead of just taking our order.

The food is OK, nothing that I can't cook at home.  Save your $.

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Photo of A D.

 

0

6

A D.

New York, NY

4 star rating
11/26/2009

The place is way too noisy and the tables are so close together that one is tempted to eat from you neighbors plate. BUT, there is ambiance, a nice clientele and the food/price value is excellent with good service. The big sale happens when the manager offers you a sample from the suitcase of cheese that he brought back from Italy last week. With the high airfares, the cheese sampler is almost a bargain and delicious. Fly there or taste here:)!?

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Photo of Rachel G.

 

2

4

Rachel G.

Brooklyn, NY

4 star rating
10/3/2009

This is definatly worth your money! I ordered a spinach & apple salad with walnuts as a starter and then decided to listen to a previous review and try the chicken liver. If your willing to try chicken liver this is the place to try it at...seriously delicious! My bill came out to $20 with tax and tip included!

The service is pretty good if you can understand english with a thick italian accent...me & my friend could not and when we asked the waiter to repeat himself he decided to slow down and talk to us like we were 5. The restaraunt it very loud and you are sitting with random people next to you... but if your a fan of food...go for it!

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Photo of Jessica F.

 

1

2

Jessica F.

New York, NY

5 star rating
11/6/2009

Delicious.  Charming.  Affordable.  Authentic.  I love this restaurant.  It is perfect for dates.  Be warned though... there is always a wait, and no place inside to wait.  Dress for the weather.

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Photo of Cristina S.

 

19

32

Cristina S.

San Jose, CA

4 star rating
9/5/2009

Celeste has its problems.  Yes, it's incredibly loud and crowded.  Yes, the service leaves quite a bit to be desired.  No, you can't make reservations (and the waits can be long) or play with plastic.  But, the food is amazing and it's very reasonably priced.  Two people can get starters, entrees, dessert, and wine for under $100.

I generally order the chicken livers (amazing, amazing, amazing - I dream of these chicken livers now that I've left NYC) gnocchi, and cheese plate.  The gnocchi is as close as you'll get to my Italian great-grandmother's. I've tried the thinly sliced beef dishes and had the pastiera and a couple pasta specials as well and everything has been delicious.  I don't think you could go wrong with anything on the menu.  Carmine's cheese plates are great...even if you can only hear and understand 10% of what he tells you about the cheeses.

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Photo of Lis A.

 

5

45

Lis A.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
8/26/2009

I've often wished that NY would have the kind of home-styled Italian food that the Boston North End offers but did not find such a place in NY until Celeste opened on the Upper West Side.

Celeste soon became my favorite go-to Italian restaurant in NY.  The pastas and everything they serve are extremely fresh and tasty.   It's very small, cozy and they don't take reservations so expect long lines.  

They do take-out too.

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Photo of Kelsey F.

Elite '09

20

108

Kelsey F.

New York, NY

1 star rating
Updated - 6/24/2009

I have never in my life walked out on a restaurant, but Celeste did so many things wrong when I went there for a date, that it was pretty much the only option by the time it happened.

Everything started out OK... several empty tables for no wait, ordered food in good time, received our appetizer in good time.  Then when it came time for the entrees (and I was starving!) everything just went way, way downhill.

My date gets his pasta and I get an empty plate.  At first I think this is just in preparation for receiving my pizza.  But no, after about 10 minutes of waiting, I inquire about my meal and I am TOLD by the waiter that I am to share my date's meal.

No.  I want my pizza.

Ah, and then the truth comes out, our egotistical Italian-accented waiter forgot to put the order in... but the pizza should be out soon.

OK, fine, it happens.

Twenty minutes go buy.  My date is eating his meal painfully slow to be polite.  I have a few bites, but am intent on saving room for pizza.  Strangely enough, lots of pizzas are coming out of the pizza oven, but they are all being carried to other tables.  Some of which arrived and ordered after we did.  

Getting pissed.

Then, a bus boy comes by and asks if I'm done and to take my plate.  As best I could without snapping at the busboy, I said "NO I HAVE NOT GOTTEN MY FOOD YET AND IT'S BEEN 20 MINUTES."   The boy seemed very concerned about this and ran off to get Ego-waiter.  

Ego-waiter comes by and starts blabbering about pizza orders, and my date and I insist on speaking to the manager.  It was just ridiculous how long we were waiting while other pizzas are going by and people are promising us our food.

Honestly, I'm talking 20 minutes since the pasta arrived.  Celeste has had at least an hour at this point to figure out a pizza order.

Ego-waiter walks over to the manager-looking man, who, get this, does not even look towards our table.  He never even came by.  I don't think he gave a rats ass that he was creating some very unhappy customers.  Ego-waiter also didn't even come back after speaking to him.  

Instead, another waiter comes by and asks again to take our plates away!  And I am so angry at this point and said we had asked to speak to the manager.  This waiter tell us that he is like the "mini manager" (what does that even mean?) and asks if he can get us dessert.  Dessert!  Where the hell is my pizza!?  He said that the waiter we had always messes up, and to me that means he should be out of a job.

Honestly people, at this point it has been around a half hour, about 3-4 different people have come by this excuses and not fixed a thing.  But I guess this last guy seemed more concerned about our situation.  It seemed that the next pizza had to be ours.

I see the next pizza being made.  I see a waiter take it and walk down our isle, I watch in horror and shock as it is set down at yet another table.

That was it.  We were done.  The only payment Celeste got that night was a nice look at my beautiful behind.  And you know what?  They didn't even care.  Ego-waiter even waved as we left.  So, if you have an awful experience, I advise you to just leave and not wait around, because obviously Celeste doesn't really care.  

I'm sad that my update had to be such a horrible experience.

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1 Previous Review: Show all »

  • 4 star rating
    4/22/2009

    Barney would really love Celeste because it really tests your limits on how much of your personal… Read more »

Photo of Kevin K.

Elite '09

78

195

Kevin K.

New York, NY

3 star rating
6/3/2009

I'm not a huge fan.  It's okay, I suppose, but nothing special in my opinion.  So many people on the UWS adore this place (as you may see from other reviews), but I do not get the fascination.  I much prefer Gennaro's just down the street for my local, tiny, authentic Italian spot.  

The last time I was there was with a big party of my family (we couldnt get in to Gennaro) and a few of the bus boys were speaking in Spanish about my brother's wife, at the end of the table by my 8 year old and 12 year nieces, both of whom are fluent in Spanish.  Why do some people automatically assume white folk cant speak Spanish?   What does this have to do with my review of Celeste?  Absolutely nothing, but it came to mind and I thought it was a funny story to include.

At the end of the day, Celeste serves decent food, I just dont find it remarkable.  Perhaps if this were located in Anytown, USA, it would be the best Italian resto in town, but in the "town" of Manhattan where there are so many top-notch Italian spots?  I think 3-stars is appropriate.

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Photo of Madhuri S.

 

15

28

Madhuri S.

New York, NY

4 star rating
5/18/2009

This place deserves 4.5 stars

fresh pasta, good wine, simple but refined food.

This a great place to have a relaxing dinner with friends, where you don't have to worry about whether you ordered the right bottle, or the right entree.
There is a little bit of a wait, but its still by far not as exasperating to get a table there as it would be at a restaurant of equal or lesser quality somewhere downtown. It is CASH ONLY, but the area has all major banks close by. The food is fresh and comforting, and menu is not  overwhelming as some italian places can be. Everything is affordable including the bottles. Its casual enough for groups, but intimate enough for dates.

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Photo of Jen Y.

Elite '09

53

197

Jen Y.

New York, NY

4 star rating
6/13/2009

An absolute treasure trove of a restaurant. I love that most of the city outside of UWS has no idea of its existence. Celeste epitomizes the kind of restaurant you think of when referring fondly to a "neighborhood" restaurant.
- Cozy and warm atmosphere with its brick oven and wooden decor,
- Italian food that is consistently delicious and bursting with fresh ingredients,
- Local crowd there to relax and wind down from a busy week.

love it.

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Photo of Helena F.

Elite '09

27

195

Helena F.

Brooklyn, NY

5 star rating
5/15/2009

Thanks to my Head Cheesemonger friend, I was able to taste 40 cheeses here! It was amazing, and Carmine gave us the info and how he made some of the cheeses. It was an amazing experience - GET THE CHEESE PLATE.

Also the food is delicious, I got the grilled eggplant, my boyfriend got the gnocci, my friends got the pizza, and penne - each one was delicious.

BUT, get a cheese plate - you won't regret it.

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Photo of Sonia D.

 

34

35

Sonia D.

New York, NY

4 star rating
2/23/2009

This place made me miss pepe verde a liiiiiittle bit less.  The funnest part of our night was sitting thisclose to the tables to either side of us and listening to their convos.  I used to think that couples that sat in silence at dinner had nothing to say to each other because their relationship had gone stale as a result of them being together too long.  Holy epiphany.  NO, that's not the case at all, they are just snickering away at the STRANGE goings on of their no filter neighbors.  We learned that one guy had been "the other man" one girl thought 67K was her ideal salary (for right now) and one woman used to be a man.  Lying about that last one.

Dinner was very delicious we had the artichoke salad, crunchy and refreshing with huge shards of parm, special pasta w/ mushrooms and the fillet.  For dessert they had my favourite dessert tiramisu which was light and layered and scrumptious.  I'm so glad we got it, we also split a cap b/c they don't have american drip coffee.  

Obviously the downsides are the lines of ppl but tables turnover pretty quickly and we had a nice drink at Good Enough To Eat prior.  I definitely want to go back there too b/c the bartender was so kind and it was a very calm chill atmosphere.

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Photo of Arielle W.

Elite '09

20

206

Arielle W.

New York, NY

5 star rating
5/3/2009

For the price you cannot beat this place on the UWS.  LOVE the owner, who schmoozes with the customers while you're waiting and checks in to make sure it's all ok.

We shared the tuna tartar special and meat plate for starters - the tuna was SO fresh and amazing I could eat it all day everyday.

I had the pasta special, tagliatelle with mushrooms and marinara sauce - absolute savory deliciousness.  

It's a really small space, and loud, but it adds to the charm.  

I'm definitely going back whenever I can!

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Photo of Michigan Gourmet Club I.

 

14

58

Michigan Gourmet Club I.

New York, NY

3 star rating
2/8/2009

Celeste is like the girlfriend you should have broken up with already.  Like that girlfriend, perhaps there are one or two things you really enjoy about the relationship - use your own imagination, I'm not an explicit yelper.  But as much as you enjoy those things - perhaps the inexpensive wine list or the authentic Sicilian energy in the tiny dining room - there are other things you continue to know just aren't right.  You should pay attention to those things because, yes, they do indeed matter.

For me, those things include:  being packed shoulder-to-shoulder with your fellow diners; servers who continuously shout back and forth across the dining room and bump into you on their way past; not accepting any credit cards; an atmosphere that makes you feel rushed to finish, pay and leave; and inflexible "policies".  This last one was my final and most significant disappointment.

At the start of the meal, we wanted to order a bottle of wine, one that also happened to be served by the glass.  Knowing this, I asked if I could first taste a small pour as it was not a wine I was familiar with.  I was told, "No, we do not do this."  Um, even though they'd already have a bottle open for those ordering by the glass?  Okay...

Then at the end of the meal, we wanted dessert.  They offer two choices of gelato flavors at two scoops for $6.50, as well as two choices of sorbet flavors, also at two scoops for $6.50.  I asked if we could have one scoop of gelato and one of sorbet - seems reasonable right?  Again, "no we do not do this."  Uh, why not?

The owner/manager is a gregarious and omnipresent figure in the restaurant.  So, when he came by to ask how everything was, I expressed my disappointment at not being given a modicum of flexibility with our dessert order.  His response was dismissive and annoyed.  He told us it was to protect people allergic to milk.  Oh, of course, makes perfect sense.

Is the food at Celeste good?  Sure, it is good.  But in the three times I've been there, I have never once found any dish to be great.  And good food, when combined with service and policies designed to serve the kitchen rather than the customer, does not warrant five stars, least of all in this city with so many options.

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Photo of Vivien L.

 

19

21

Vivien L.

New York, NY

4 star rating
5/31/2009

My favorite Italian place on the UWS. I absolutely love it! The people are awesome, the atmosphere is great (albeit a little hectic), the food is delicious...and the price UNBEATABLE. Where else can u get a delicious home made pasta dish for under $10???

The manager (co-creative directer) is from Northern italy and an amazing host. He makes he rounds to make sure everyone's happy, and if there is anything that isn't up to standard, he wants to know your feedback. My favorite dish is the vongole. My mom was in town and it's her fave too so I had to take her there. two thumbs up for her! Just remember to ask him for the chili oil when u get this. It take the dish up a few notches!!! :) Oh and home made tiramisu...the way it should be.

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Photo of Alex F.

 

0

28

Alex F.

New York, NY

3 star rating
8/29/2009

Good Italian cuisine served in an extremely close - let's say, friendly - atmosphere.  The appetizer was amazing, fried artichokes that were light, fresh, and tasty, served with fried parsley that was itself a wonder.  The pasta entrees were good.  For the price, it's a gem.

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Photo of jen w.

 

1

24

jen w.

New York, NY

4 star rating
8/21/2009

YUM! The pastas here are wonderful and always tasty. I like their signature pasta dishes and pasta specials better their meat entrees. There artichoke salad is additive. I sometimes go here just for their artichoke salad. It is a must have. Their wine selection is also pretty good and they would be happy to recommend something that will suit your palate. Just ask.

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Photo of e f.

 

8

40

e f.

Albuquerque, NM

3 star rating
8/4/2009

the food here is great....it deserves four or maybe even four and a half stars. BUT the atmosphere brings it down to a three for me. the waiters were rude to us because there were too many tables crammed into the restaurant. one waiter yelled at us because we didn't hear him asking if we wanted water, another charged us ten extra dollars on our bill because he "miscalculated", and another gave us four dollars in change when we should have gotten seven back. eat here if you have enough patience to deal with cramped space and rude waiters. if not, i would recommend skipping the chaos and just getting take-out!

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Photo of Sarah E.

 

2

43

Sarah E.

New York, NY

5 star rating
7/29/2009

This is one of my favorite restaurants in New York. My boyfriend and I eat here regularly.  The food is delicious, home-cooked, and authentic and the prices are incredibly cheap for what you get.  I have never suggested this restaurant to anyone who didn't like it.

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Photo of Christopher M.

 

1

9

Christopher M.

New York, NY

5 star rating
4/18/2009

Not only is this the best restaurant on the UWS, or the best Italian restaurant in NYC .... it may very well be the best restaurant in NYC, period. It's always consistent, the price is right, and the wait staff is likable.

Heart and soul is put into the food along with amazingly fresh ingredients and hand-made pasta.

The ravioli dish is the best plate on the menu, and one of the best Italian dishes I've ever had. The Margarita pizza is phenomenal.  Highly recommended.

Do NOT skip dessert. The Lemoncello ball (can't remember the name) is to die for. So tasty.

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Photo of Miranda S.

Elite '09

30

114

Miranda S.

Brooklyn, NY

4 star rating
11/4/2008

Celeste is a good find on New York City's Upper West side. Its traditional Italian fare similar to what you might be served in a trattoria in Italy - handmade, hearty, simple pastas and soups. Nothing fancy, but the food is very honest. The potato gnocchi with tomato sauce are pillowy, thick, and piquant with garlic (they lingered, I'll tell you that). The minestrone soup is one of the simplest I've ever had - potatoes, cabbage, carrots, and a lovely salty broth.

Celeste also serves pizzas with an array of tasty sounding options. My husband went in for the mushroom, artichoke, proscuitto, and cheese pizza. It sounded great but was actually prepared in four quarters - one with each of the ingredients piled up separately. The sum of those parts would have been so much better together than they were on their own. Alas.

Dessert was good. A New York style cheesecake, but tricked out for fall (pumpkin) and a very passable Tiramisu (heavy on the coffee flavor). We found out later that the owner makes his own cheeses in house - wish we'd known that because we might have ordered the cheese plate. Next time, I guess.

Celeste is a little closet of a place - loud, warm, and crowded. The service was attentive and good-natured. The owner runs the front of the house and loves to chat. Our biggest complaint was our table by the door. Every time anyone came in or out we got a blast of the brisk NYC fall wind. But, the prices are great. Three of us ate and drank till we felt sick for $120 (including tip).

If you arrive after about 7:15pm or so, you can expect a wait out on the street. If you arrive before that, there seems to be little to no wait.

The perfect restaurant well-worth the 45 minute journey from Brooklyn? Maybe not. But, a great place for warmth and restoration in the fall and winter if you're already on the Upper West Side? Definitely.

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Photo of jen f.

 

12

181

jen f.

New York, NY

5 star rating
7/13/2009

omg YUM
i've never liked mushrooms more

got some special tagliatelle
delicious
tiramisu, too, of course - ideal

also i was worried about the service
mostly i was worried about my parents and the service

but strangely it turned out to be my father's favorite dining experience in a long time

one server spilled wine on a diner's coat
what followed made me start loving the italian
good people amazing food

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Photo of Kat W.

 

5

28

Kat W.

New York, NY

4 star rating
1/12/2009

It's tiny and warm and if you don't time it correctly, you'll have to wait, but the food & the experience is worth it for this neighborhood eatery.  
Watch out for the fireworks exploding above your head when the owner angrily directs his family members in rapid fire Italian.

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Photo of Luna K.

 

2

41

Luna K.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
2/18/2009

Magnifico!  Delicioso!  Splendido!  I wish I knew more words to express myself in Italian in order to fully convey what I think of this place.  

I've been here numerous times, and I've yet to be anything less than delighted -- and stuffed -- upon leaving.  There's a reason why this restaurant is always packed with a wait outside.  The service is superb and the colorful owner always makes me smile.  

Celeste is what neighborhood Italian should be -- including the price.  This is one of the best deals in NYC.  Oh, and the gnocchi is possibly the best I've had anywhere.  It even beats out my own family's recipe!

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Photo of Elisa B.

 

8

32

Elisa B.

Harrison, NY

3 star rating
2/16/2009

I had a so-so impression of this place. The waiter was very rude ( one of the examples: "only a pizza and a caprese???" he asked, visibly annoyed that we weren't ordering more food), the place is kind of tight, the menu is very limited and they didn't have the salad I wanted to order originally (when why have it on the menu?).

Luckily they partially redeemed themselves once our food arrived.Being Italian,  I am VERY picky with pizza, and this was the best pizza I have tasted on this side of the Atlantic. Thin, not too salty, all toppings clearly made with fresh, good quality ingredients. Ditto for the caprese: although the tomatoes were - like most Winter tomatoes - somewhat tasteless, the mozzarella was fantastic. Also, the olive oil was fruity and delicious, none of that watery, cheap stuff you get served at many restaurants.

And the prices were VERY affordable. All in all, a pretty good experience. I might go back if I'm in the area, but definitely NOT with children, even if they are as well-behaved as my daughters - because they are clearly not welcome here.

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Photo of Joni K.

Elite '09

5

56

Joni K.

New York, NY

5 star rating
1/11/2009

People might complain about the cash only policy or how close the tables are together, or the wait due to no reservations being taken. However, I see these things as contributing to the feeling that this is an authentic italian restaurant, and the cash only policy does help to keep prices low.

We went last night, got a good bottle of wine for $30. We shared the artichoke salad which was SO good, and a plethora of textures. I got the special-- wild mushroom pizza. It was really good and so big I had to take some home. My companion got the bolognese special and it was really good. Service was great and everyone working there really does speak italian. The owner also comes outside periodically to check on those waiting, ensuring you that he hasn't forgot about you and giving you updates on the people sitting at the table designated for your party. We had a fabulous meal for 3 under $100 WITH a bottle of wine and an appetizer.

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Photo of Alexis W.

Elite '09

13

170

Alexis W.

New York, NY

4 star rating
1/4/2009

They don't take reservations and you'll always face a wait. When seated, you'll be crowded in much too close for comfort with strangers. Thinking of paying with your credit card? Think again. Celeste is cash only.

So why come?

It's simple: delicious, authentic Italian food at very reasonable prices. You could easily have dinner for two for $30.

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Photo of Naomi H.

 

10

3

Naomi H.

New York, NY

5 star rating
8/7/2008

-Local favorite for Italian.  Food is delicious - there is a great balance between flavors- not too strong, not too light. Recommend anchovies for starters and then the sage and butter ricotta ravioli. dont bother with dessert. Wines are good but nothing extraordinary.
-Good prices alas cash only. Unfortunately they do not have a well priced house wine.
-Atmosphere is reminiscent of village in the upper west. Exposed brick, intimate setting. Better to come later in evening than beginning.
-Service is good. Friendly hostess, prompt and helpful busboys, quick food delivery- though one recent incident with an irritated italian waiter)

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Elite '09

29

283

Andrew W.

New York, NY

3 star rating
12/1/2008

Good italian fare for reasonable prices always draws crowds to this cash-only joint on the Upper West Side that doesn't take reservations. While living downtown, I often frequented Bianca, which has the same owner, but the feeling just isn't as good at Celeste. Unlike Bianca, where waiting guests hang out at Von, the winebar next door, everyone just waits like a herd of cattle outside. The staff here is friendly enough, but doesn't have that "I'm your neighbor" kind of charm and seems more interested in getting as many people in and out as possible.

The food is still good and I'd recommend it as an option for a date on a budget or casual option for a small number of friends or family, but nothing really stands out here.

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1

19

Dave S.

New York, NY

5 star rating
7/3/2009

Classic "peasant" style Italian. It's god damn amazing. It's everything (in my humble opinion) a restaurant should be...except the no credit card deal. But who cares when the food is so good.

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30

Raquel G.

New York, NY

4 star rating
5/29/2009

Another Italian favorite on the UWS. Sister restaurant to Bianca in the East Village, Celeste is another great little find, complete with no sign on the outside, but the line will tell you where it is! They don't take reservations, because the restaurant itself is very small, but I have never had to wait too long to eat. I went here for my birthday dinner with my boyfriend in January and it was perfect. I had a glass of Prosecco to start, alongside my favorite artichoke salad with lemon dressing. Then I had the gnocchi which is so tender and tasty with cubes of fresh mozzarella...ugh my mouth is watering! I recently went back with a friend and had the eggplant rolatini, also fantastic. Never had a bad meal there, very reliable!

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Elite '09

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148

Scott Y.

New York, NY

4 star rating
5/27/2009

Celeste reminded me of Genarro (Amsterdam between 92nd & 93rd) quite a bit. I have to give the nod to Genarro on this one, however. Celeste wasn't bad. It was actually above average. I just wasn't overly impressed with any one facet of my meal. If you're in the mid-80s, I wouldn't discourage you from trying Celeste, but I don't know that it is worth a trip. My veal saltimbocca special was somewhere between good and very good, but not spectacular. The potato side was just OK. I don't eat asparagus. So I don't know how that was, and the tiramisu was good, but could have been better. The individual parts all tasted good, but the cream was a little too heavy for my taste, which I felt overpowered the lady fingers.

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E. N.

New York, NY

4 star rating
9/16/2008

The food is excellent.  Everything tastes fresh and authentic.  The menu is small, which means they do a few things and do them right.  Prices are unbeatable...I hate overpaying for pasta.  A few things that keep it from a 5-star rating in my book:

1. Charismatic owner guy: Your experience at Celeste will be better if you're a woman and if you allow this guy to schmooze you a bit.  Just a fact.  He's Italian, and has lots of stories about his sheep farm and cheese cave in Tuscany or whatever, and how he smuggles cheese through customs to get it to the restaurant.  I don't know how true any of his stories are, but if you pretend to listen and be impressed (and, as mentioned, are a girl), chances are you'll get a table quicker, get better service, and maybe a comp dessert or cheese plate or something.  Good for groups of girls, less good for groups of dudes.

2. Cash only.  Always a pain in my ass, but some people appreciate cash-only establishments, for reasons I cannot comprehend.  

3. Small, no reservations accepted, long wait is likely.  This doesn't bother me, but diners more fussy than I may have a problem with it.

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1

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Andrew M.

New York, NY

5 star rating
3/1/2009

All I can say is this--
I lost my iphone in the cab on my way there... and by the time I left, I didn't care. The food is that good.

It is crowded. The portions are big, the tables are small, and there is no complaining about the prices.

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5

lizliana r.

New York, NY

5 star rating
6/20/2009

I love love love Celeste!!!  This place was recommended to me by some friends and I have to say.....I had a yummy apple walnut salad, a glass of rose wine, delicious and very filling ravioli SPECIAL, and shared dessert with a friend (mango sorbet....yummmm) and it cost me....drumroll please....$35 (INCLUDING 18% TIP).  Are you kidding?  Oh yeah....forgot to mention everything tasted GREAT...not good for the value....freaking great.  I'm so full right now. And don't forget the bread basket...though....I wish the bread was less rustic and more "meaty" and buttery.....I also like garlic crunchies in my oil (am I the only one who likes it like this?).  And the owner or  host guy was a little cold but fair.  The service was great.....but we also had a cute waiter.  :)  

I can't wait to bring more friends up to this joint.  I also like how strict they are with seating everyone only if everyone is present.....as the wait time is very reasonable even on a sat night.

I love supporting my UWS businesses!!!

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paula t.

New York, NY

3 star rating
7/14/2008

Celeste has good pizzas. REALLY good pizzas.

BUT...
1. The wait really sucks
2. They really squeeze you in there, you are pretty much locked into your seat until you are ready to leave
3. They take cash only, which sucks, too
4. I hate to be rushed when I am eating...

Try to order take out from here, maybe?

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