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Cucina Di Pesce
Category: Restaurants Italian Italian [Edit]
87 E 4th St(between 2nd Ave & 3rd Ave)
New York, NY 10003
Neighborhood: East Village
(212) 260-6800
- Nearest Transit:
-
2 Av (F)
Bleecker St (4, 6, 6X)
Astor Pl (4, 6, 6X)
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 2:30 pm - 12 am
- Attire:
- Casual
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
192 reviews for Cucina Di Pesce
Review Highlights
"We started by splitting the pumpkin ravioli."
(in 24 reviews)
"The Spinach Penne here is delicious."
(in 13 reviews)
"The stuffed mushrooms were great and the $32 bottle of wine..."
(in 17 reviews)
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192 reviews in English
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Review from Jamel O.
1/10/2012
Dear Cucina Di Pesce,
Thank you for helping me through a tough work night with your amazing dinner. I didn't mind having to eat it at my desk while I was working because your http://Delivery.com account was active and you sent my food to the office very quickly. I loved that since I paid and tipped through my account, the delivery person didn't try to give me the puppy dog eye look.
I enjoyed my stuffed mushrooms. They were not amazing. But they were not bad at all. I am sure that if I was in your place, they would have been nice and plated rather than being in the tin and looking generic.
Thank you for my Veal Marsala. It had lots of mushrooms and sauce.
Thank you for my pasta. The garlic was serious. Good thing I am here alone. Your garlic is serious.
Thank you for the cheese you sent to top my pasta.
You made my this: :( into this: :) but with garlic breath.
The end. -
Review from Danielle F.
New York, NY
1/7/2012
Belated review... I ate here in October when the weather was still nice and was able to eat in their outdoor space. They also have outdoor seating in the front of the restaurant (on the street). I thought the back patio was a much nicer dining experience. They have a great menu and excellent service. Thanks to my handy Yelp notes, I am reminded that following specials were very good: seafood ravioli and tuna tartar appetizer w guacomole. Yum!
They also have an amazing pre-fixe dinner deal for $12.95 if you arrive any day of the week before 6pm. -
Review from Ryan F.
1/2/2012 1 Check-in Here
About 15 of us recently enjoyed a New Years Eve dinner at Cucina Di Pesce, and walked away as pleased as we were full. With most restaurants taking advantage of the NYE dining crowds with insane menu prices and designated seating times, this place was a breath of fresh air.
On NYE, patrons could order off the regular-priced (and very reasonable) menu or splurge for the $40 3-course prix fixe menu. We all went for the latter, which came with an optional 2-hour beer and wine all-you-can-drink add on for an additional $15. For $40, the prix fixe food special was OK, but the food with the all-you-can-drink special for $55 total certainly sweetened the deal.
All four appetizers were seafood-based, with choice of a seafood bisque, crab cakes, mussels, or smoked salmon. Our friendly server was happy to substitute any land-based appetizer off the regular menu for our two friends who don't eat seafood. Entrees included a choice of gnocchi primavera, chiopppino, ribeye, or chicken saltiboca, and a carrot cake or chocolate mousse rounded off the desserts. The ribeye was so so, but the chicken seemed to be the house favorite amongst our group. After taking a few bites, I soon regretted my steak decision...oh well.
As for the drinks, all domestic and import draft beers were included, along with red and white wine selections. Most of us stuck to Hoegaarden, Bass, and Brooklyn Ale, each of which was served with a matched pint glass. Our server brought out a gratis round of shots right before the check came out.
All in all, an enjoyable time, and I would definitely return on a 'normal' night to sample some other menu options. -
Review from Lara C.
New York, NY
12/29/2011
Love this place. It's definitely a neighborhood favorite. I've been here more than 50 times in the past few years. It's that good.
My favorites are the stuffed mushrooms, eggplant parmesan (early bird!! woo!!), and of course their bean dip. The summer salad is delicious as well. -
Review from Risa Y.
Los Angeles, CA
10/17/2011
This is my second time at Cucina Di Pesce. Cucina Di Pesce is a very good place for big groups... probably the only reason why I came back here for the second time.
We had 3 parties of 10-12 people (yes over 30 people) the night I went. Making the reservation was easy, but seating 3 huge parties was not so easy, but they somehow accommodated all of us.
For the price, the food here is pretty decent. I like the free ayce mussel appetizer that you get in front of the bar and the white bean paste that comes with the bread. They have happy hour until 7:30pm which is 2 for 1 drinks at the bar. With 2 bottles of wine, some appetizers to share and the entrees, the bill totaled to be about $32 a person which is pretty cheap for the amount we consumed plus the quality of (some of) the dishes.
The Calamari Appetizers came with 10 pieces (10 rings) of calamari. However, the tuna tar tar was very delicious. My friends Pumpkin Ravioli wasn't good at all, but my lobster ravioli on the other hand was VERY tasty.
I give this place 3 stars for the inconsistency of the quality of some dishes. It's really a hit or a miss with this place.Listed in: New York
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Review from christina d.
Manhattan, NY
12/30/2011
Good food, great service, fantastic drinks and unbelievably inexpensive. Had an 8:30 reservation, had to wait a few minutes so sat at the bar and they gave us a couple of really tasty shots on the house. We didn't mind having to wait at all, but that move was in good form. All of our pasta and seafood dishes were great, very impressed.
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Review from Lauren L.
Updated - 12/15/2011 3 photos
Yes this is my third time here, yes I have a rule of not going places twice and yes I have a rule of places that don't have an A. But the happy hour special here cannot, cannot be beat!! 7 days a week ... I don't know the start time but til 8 pm, it's 2 for 1 drinks and 2 for 1 appetizers. How can you go wrong?! Oh yah, they also have free mussels in warm marinara sauce! Now you understand why I come back.
This go around, I ordered a martini, okay two, hey it's happy hour!! Don't ask me to remember what they were because I don't but they were delightful! Ask Jimmy, the bartender his fave martini and that's the one I had.
My parents were a little hungry so they decided to order some apps. I told myself I wasn't going to dabble and save my appetite for supper. Well guess how that went. My mom ordered the grilled eggplant (goat cheese, roasted red peppered and pesto sauce) along with Lino's Salad (endive, heart of palm, fresh mango, dried craisins, gorganzola in a honey vinaigrette). So in regards to the grilled eggplant, my mom said the same thing I did when I first had them ... "Oh I thought they were going to be warm!" And although they were cold she still enjoyed them, my dad not so much. Now onto Lino's Salad. What a wonderful creation ... a delicious one at that. Although, make note, there was no endive in this salad and they definitely used goat cheese. Fine by me, but let's get your own menu right here people. The freshness and sweetness of the mango with the sugary craisin, a hunk of goat cheese and heart of palm was the ultimate bite. The flavors played off each other so well the honey vinaigrette did nothing but compliment it.
After finishing our cocktails and apps, we tallied up the bill ... which was only $43. We had 5 cocktails and 2 apps. Amazing. Beware though, they only take AMEX or cash, so come prepared!2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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12/5/2011
Yet another successful happy hour at Cucina di Pesce! I came here Friday evening after a long week… Read more »
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Review from Elle T.
New York, NY
10/31/2011
I've been hearing about how good this place is forever so I decided to finally give it a chance. We went for happy hour first which runs from 4-8, half off drinks and apps, and free mussels. Excellent bang for your buck and the mussels were in a delicious marinara sauce. For dinner we ordered the steak and the chicken parmesan. Both were absolutely delicious and we finished our meal with a great "fruit of the forest" cake slice. Fantastic service and ambiance as well. Will definitely be back.
**Note: Only accepts amex, bring cash -
Review from Joy L.
Manhattan, NY
9/29/2011
DISGUSTING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It was nighttime and I was still able to see that the eating utensils were filthy.
I grab another set of eating utensils wrapped in the fabric napkins from a table behind me; those were filthy.
I told my friend I would pass up eating there and have a glass of wine.
I use the ladies room and the girl inside before me either never went in to use the bathroom, or never wiped, or didn't have the courtesy to tell me there was no toilet paper!!!!!
I was too disgusted and annoyed to stay a moment longer in this dump!
I tried a small piece of my friends chicken, it was lousy! -
Review from Alexandra C.
New York, NY
10/20/2011
This seems to be your average, Italian food, although I haven't had enough full dishes here to fairly review it. I'm so picky with Italian food that I probably won't be back to try but I would go back for the happy hour.. Went for the $12.95 Early Bird Special but ended up staying for the happy hour with apps and free food.
Nice atmosphere, garden, and great prices -- definitely a good place to go for a cheap happy hour and unlimited free mussels with a good sauce! -
Review from carolyn B.
Astoria, NY
9/25/2011
Went here the other night with some friends and I was pleasantly surprised. I have walked by this place hundreds of times so I was glad to finally give it a try.
We got a table out back in the garden. It was a lovely evening and the weather was perfect. I really enjoyed the atmosphere and felt like there was enough space that it almost felt like we were the only ones dining back there.
For starters I ordered the sauteed broccoli and it was delicious. My one minor complaint was that there was a tad too much garlic.
For my main course I got the pumpkin ravioli and it was so good. The portion size was just enough, the sauce was amazing, and the pumpkin taste was just enough without being too sweet. I do not agree with the reviewer who said it was like eating a candle! -
Review from Anthony N.
New York, NY
10/20/2011
Great Italian food. and while you wait you can enjoy free Mussels at the bar! Ive had the Lasagna and Chicken franchise, and both were really great. The prices are good, I believe they have an early bird special but I never got there early enough for that.
As Ive also read in another review, i agree, its a good place for large groups. I went for a bday party once and it was a great time, and great dessert.
Another good Italian place that I recommend. -
Review from HARVEY C.
Queens, NY
9/2/2011
Thursday night I decided to prowl around Manhattan with SJ and SC. We chose this place for the daily happy hour deal and it was solid...
Upon entering the restaurant, there's a bar against the wall to the left with the dining room to the right. The bar is very small with about 10-12 bar stools tightly squeezed in. It's not the best place for large groups as there isn't much standing room due to waiter traffic...
The daily happy hour is from 4 - 8pm for BOGO premium drinks and ALL appetizers available on the regular menu. This is very impressive because usually restaurants don't offer ALL their featured appetizers at a discount. We chose the following appetizers (listed at full price before discount):
1. stuffed mushrooms filled with seasoned vegetables and topped with mozzarella ($8): it was decent
2. toasted meat ravioli with marinara ($9): this was a fun appetizer as it was crunchy without being fried in oil.
Other interesting appetizers on the menu that I'd like to try in the near future are:
1. fried calamari ($9)
2. baked clams ($8)
3. cold seafood antipasto ($10)
4. grilled calamari ($9)
In regards to the daily early bird menu from 4 - 6:30pm, it looks like a serious deal at $13.95:
1. choice of salad + soup
2. bunch of entrees with many containing seafood
3. glass of wine or another type of beverage
Summary: Had a good time at the bar with premium BOGO drinks and appetizers. There's no longer a need to suffer with well drinks and french fries anymore....
PSA: VALUE ALERT~!!! WOOT~!!! -
Review from Sara G.
Denver, CO
7/11/2011 1 Check-in Here
BANGIN early bird dinner!!
I had been here before and loved it, so I went for the Groupon deal, but had to be somewhere earlyish.
Unfortunately you can't use the Groupon on the early bird special, but it was fine. I still saved a bunch of money. You get bread + wine + salad + soup + entree for like $13.95. You honestly cannot beat that. The portions were perfect, too.
Oliver, the bartender, is also a peach. They have a delicious red sparkling wine that you don't find many other places. -
Review from Max M.
Manhattan, NY
6/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
Hard to rate this place. The food was good for the price, the service was a joke. So lets take this one thing at a time.
This place looks majorly cool. the decor is amazing, the location is great, and the vibe is perfect. Except for the insufferable family that brought their 3.5 children with them, this place has a great crowd.
The food is good conceptually, but only OK when you actually get it. We got the baked clams for appetizer and they were a disappointment. My boyfriend had the veal Marsala, and I thought it was good, he thought it was OK. I had the trout stuffed with all kind of seafood, but it was a bit bland. The prices though were ridiculously low, so I am more than willing to overlook the slight blandness and will rave about how great the food was.
The service was hilarious. They brought us pepper and Parmesan for our linguine (which were actually spaghetti) sides about 10 minutes after we started eating. They cleared off the baked clam plate while we were still enjoying the sauce, but they left the empty bread bowl and the saucer with the dip throughout the meal. Two different waiters came and asked us what kind of water we would like, and we were a bit confused about who was serving us. -
Review from Rhonda W.
5/28/2011
And a solid 3 it is! This place is 20 years in the making, great outdoor space (front and back outdoor space, plenty of indoor tables and a nice long bar with cushy seats).
The bartender was as every person behind the bar should be (friendly, helpful and inquisitive) and was pleasant to speak with as I waited for my friends to arrive.
The wait staff was very friendly and promptly seated us out front (no reservations taken for the outdoor seating) and complimentary humus with awesome french bread was served. My favorite thing about this place was the diversity of food, for an italian place, they didn't just offer pasta, but as their name suggest - quite the selection of fish.
The grilled calamari came with chopped tomatoes and guacamole, which was not what I was expecting but was good. I had the shrimp scampi (all entres come with a small side of pasta - perfect small portion) and loved it, especially dipping my bread and mixing my garlic and olive oil pasta in the sauce.
the dessert special were strawberries over creamy ricotta drizzled with balsamic vinegar - yummy and light.
The menu prices were comparable to other places in this area. I can see myself coming here again, with a group of friends, for a quiet dinner with a friend or a romantic date night out. -
Review from Tassamai s.
Brooklyn, NY
5/27/2011 1 Check-in Here
So my friend had a groupon and she wasnt going to use it and gave it to me. I called a friend and said lets go.
The place is really cute, if you go early there are plenty of seats to choose from, I took a seat outside and waited for my friend. They were not upset that I did not order right away since my friend was running really late. The wait staff stopped by refilled my water and asked if I wanted to start off with a drink. I declined and looked over the menu.
When my friend finally came, we ordered the early bird which was 13.95 and came with a salad, soup and entree and your choice of wine, soda or coffee.
So the salad came, i thought the dressing was tasty and would never have though of putting chick peas in the salad. Yum.
The soup comes, unfortunately I could not remember what it was, it was orange/yellowish and was bland. There was no salt on the table so I could not season it up, I did not like the soup and therefor did not finish it.
My entree came and I ordered the mussels and calamari. I thought this too was bland, I guess I should have opted for the cheese, but oh well, i decided that yes I should eat everything since I was paying for it. I did not enjoy it though.
My friend got a chicken parm, she ate the chicken but did not like her side of spaghetti, she said it was bland.
So in the end, we both finished the wine, I finished my entree and she finished her chicken. Was it worth 13.95? no. Would I come back? no.
PS you cannot use your groupon on the early bird special since its a special. it did not say that anywhere on the groupon. I did not take into account the experience with the groupon.
They only accept cash or amex. -
Review from Peter E.
New York, NY
6/2/2011
Good food let down by subpar service
My wife and I went with a Groupon coupon on Memorial Day weekend. Our meals were both excellent. I had the very flavorful shrimp and calamari with linguine, and she had the rigatoni with eggplant. We even took it home. The total came to $21. I would have gladly tipped 15-20% on $40.
Here's where it got bad. The waiter was incredibly distracted and so was the staff. Twice I had to go find someone to get the check. The inside room was only half-empty; there were plenty of bus people milling about. There was no one at the bar, and the manager was in the kitchen while I tried to get someone's attention.
Again, the food is good but it's frustrating to wait 20 minutes just to pay the bill. I'd go back in hopes that the service experience can match the food, but I'll go with patience! -
Review from Lori H.
Lake Hiawatha, NJ
11/24/2011
My friend and I were going to a show on the block and I am very glad that the theater sent an email with dinner location suggestions otherwise I might have missed Cucina di Pesce. The service and atmosphere were warm and inviting. But what I'm here to rave about is the vegetable lasagna, best ever. I'm still craving more.
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Review from Heather M.
New York, NY
Updated - 6/27/2011
I had the Pumpkin Ravioli delivered to me the other night and it was amazing. They make all their pastas in house and the ravioli were incredible. Served in a light cream pesto sauce. The portion was perfect and they sent along 2 pieces of their whole wheat bread with this herbed bean spread.
Their prices are so reasonable and the quality is really great. Good food, not pretentious. Really so much to like. $10 minimum subtotal for delivery. Accessible on http://Delivery.com and you'll get 15% off your order.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/13/2011
Happened upon this place on a Wednesday night exploring my neighborhood. We sat in the enclosed… Read more »
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Review from OIivia C.
New York, NY
7/11/2011
Sitting at the restaurant, I thought the food was worth 4 stars but thinking back on it, I would give it 3 now since I felt very heavy after eating here. (and I don't believe food should make you feel slow, sluggish and heavy) I had the spinach penne which had more pasta than veggies than I was hoping for and was too cheesy for my liking.
The service was very good though, the waiter was very friendly to my friend and I even though we came in with a groupon and basically ordered the cheapest dishes on the menu. He took the time to explain the specials to us and even brought out a platter of dessert to try and seduce us to spend more.
I love that they had outdoor sitting also.
This experience was worth it with the groupon but I don't think I'll be returning without one. -
Review from Ennos P.
Chicago, IL
6/20/2011
It's just OK. nothing special. My wife ordered the daily special which was seafood/chicken Alfredo. It def, had crab, and about 3 -4 shrimps on it. The sauce was thick and rich. I can't remember the name of my dish but it had Chicken w/ a layer of cheese and eggplant. The dishes are not too big so don't come starved. Our waiter was friendly and so was the table boy but I really felt like they were crowding my space. I must have seen the next to me every 2 minutes. I like friendly and attentive but they pushed it a bit too much. Maybe they just wanted the seating for someone else and I understand, but we are still eating (and I eat quick). If I would have been done and chatting, I would not even mind a little reminder that they need the table - but that was not the case.
Oh and if I tell you I don't want dessert ...ummm I don't want dessert. Why would you set the sample plate on the table and walk away kinda like "hold up, I have to do something, I'll pick them up on the way back but I hope you change your mind in the meantime". -
Review from Christine X.
Jersey City, NJ
6/30/2011
Pros: Great location, affordable prices, good food
Cons: Only accept cash or American Express; normal sized portions (which could be a pro depending on your POV)
Decided to check this place out after purchasing a Groupon. The service was a little slow to start, but after our order was taken, it was fine. The waiter was attentive in terms of our food needs and drinks.
The menu was diverse and had a lot of vegetarian options as well. They offered a lot of fish choices, not just the standard shellfish. I was happy to see tuna, trout, sea bass and a whole fish of the day on the menu. We ordered the grilled calamari salad, the stuffed trout and the seafood linguini and no one in our party was disappointed.
In terms of prices, this was definitely affordable with entrees ranging from $11-$19. Portions were not small as some people stated. They were, well, portioned. If you're a big eater and love to feel disgustingly full after your meal, than this isn't for you. But if you want to eat a normal sized meal it's great. And lets face it, whatever you don't eat there is just going to get trashed anyway since reheated fish is kind of sketchy.
The decor was fine and the outdoor seating was also an added bonus. I'd definitely recommend this place with friends or even a date. It's good food on a budget. -
Review from Carolyn M.
Elmwood Park, NJ
8/1/2011
Went here this past Saturday night for a surprise birthday party for a friend. Note they ONLY take American Express credit cards and parking garage is NOT available across the street as their website stated. (There are 2 lots on East 1st Street 3 blocks down so no big deal and a short walk).
Since we went for a birthday party, we had the limited party menu. Each person was given choice of an app and entree. I had the mozzerella and tomato app and my fiancee had the stuffed mushrooms. My mozzerella and tomato was well seasoned and and great way to start off my meal. I was told the stuffed mushrooms were also very good. I would have tried them for myself but I hate mushrooms.
For my meal, I had the grilled salmon. The sauce was very good and the fish was well cooked and seasoned very well. My fiancee had the lasagna. He didn't let me try any and ate it all, so I will take this as a sign it was yummy. I didn't hear any complaints from the other diners in our group and everyone seemed to enjoy it all. For dessert we all had the tiramisu. This was delicious and it wasn't drenched in coffee liquor like I have eaten in the past. Light and great way to end the meal.
We sat in the dining room off the kitchen with a large chandelier and we basically had to go through the bar area and through kitchen to get to it (strange, but not sure if this is normal for NYC restaurants. I understand room is tight in the city so it was OK for me). This area had a tiny bathroom that wasn't the nicest and I should have walked around to see what the main dining bathrooms were like. Off of our dining area, there was outside patio seating also. They also had another room as the main dining area and a few tables outside should you want to side near street.
Overall, I enjoyed this restaurant! -
Review from Manna H.
New York, NY
7/29/2011
Good service. First thing our waiter said, "So are you ladies ready to get drunk?" Cheers.
Sitting outside was great. They have bouncy plastic chairs, the good kind. Cocktails are cheap and what's better, you can get them less by ordering them on the rocks, lol. Just that alone should tell you what kind of Italian restaurant this is! They have 2 lychee martinis. Delicious.
I had the Linguine w/ Shrimp & Calamari. It was ok, but I expected better for the price. The linguine tasted old and the calamari was chewier than I would have liked. The entire dish was really oily, but was supposed to be white wine and garlic. Seriously too much oil. The dish tasted like it had been sitting on the hot counter for a good 5 minutes before being served to my table.
My friend had the Rigatone Melanzane. Cheaper, and it looked better and simpler. Should have ordered that.
They DO do this really deceiving trick where they put all the desserts on a single tray and pass it around the tables just in time for you to order dessert. It's seriously "eating with your eyes." If me and my friends didn't have plans afterwards, we'd TOTALLY would have had one of their many, chocolatey desserts! -
Review from Curtis W.
Carson, CA
10/22/2011 1 Check-in Here
Amazing food real Italian food ! Good service
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Review from Lulu C.
New York, NY
12/7/2011
I was thoroughly impressed with the food here. Not only is it affordable but it tastes great! We were 15 minutes late for our reservation so we ended up grabbing drinks at the bar which was fine. I had a glass of red sangria and it was alright, nothing crazy. when we finally sat at our table, we ordered the mozzerella caprese which was great, especially with the fresh basil. I ordered the black linguine with shrimp and it was by far my fave dish of the night. My friends had ordered fish of the day and a seafood pasta dish, both good. Throughout dinner, we ordered a bottle of white wine and the waiter made a great recommendation. He actually forgot our olive oil for the bread and pour wine into an already empty glass but he definitely made it up with the three shots of tequila on the house. We also got cappuccino cheesecake and the tiramisu which was super fresh. Great exprience and will definitely be back to try out the rest of the menu!
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Review from Olga T.
Phoenix, AZ
10/29/2011
We walked around in the cold looking for a table on a Thursday night. It was worth the walk in the cold. The service was exceptional and the food was delicious. I had the linguini with shrimp and scallops. The prices were reasonable. The dessert selection is amazing.
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Review from tatia r.
Brooklyn, NY
1/16/2011
Cucina Di Pesce was my favorite Italian restaurant in town for a decade - since my first day at NYU after which my new friends and I went there for dinner. For a decade or so, the menu stayed consistent in quality and price. And as my dad says, consistency is the first mark of a great restaurant (second mark is great bread)
The Asparagus penne, the cold seafood antipasti, the little potato string bean salad complimentary appetizer and the chicken marsala were always just the same - great. Some summers they would serve a special cold strawberry white wine soup which was to die for.
but over the last few years somethings started to change, first of all the maitre d' who's been there for years, ruling the place with elegance and grace - got replaced with an arrogant very poor manager.
It kills me a little to have my last visits there go from mediocre to shocking - I really used to love it there, but the last time we went my friend got food poisoning which is a bit ironic because it was me who was served a putrid stuffed trout. I don't understand how it was possible, but as the waiter regally waved my plate into place a wave of long dead animal in the sun smell hit me.
the maitre d' was "mortified when he got a whiff of my plate, but not mortified enough to even comp us a main dish or our drinks. They took %10 off the bill but managed to also have a math error that somehow brought the %10 back.
when i asked around my neighborhood friends who used to go often, i was told that since the old maitre d' was replaced (and maybe other things too?) they stopped going because the place gotten bad.
hope the owner is reading. -
Review from Robert C. Y.
New York, NY
Updated - 1/15/2011
This was our fourth visit to this restaurant. The first three were rather pleasant with average Italian food.
Last night I noticed that the quality has gone down like a preacher's daughter.
The bread was hard as a rock.
The portion of house Pinot Grigio for $8 was aboout 3 ounces. Miserably stingy. My martini was good but the olives sucked root.
The stuffed whole fish was unimpressive.
The pasta was so overcooked that the management should have been embarrassed to serve it.
They evidently no longer give you the complementary marinated vegetables before the meal.
The baked clams were about the size of a quarter.
The bean with clalmari soup was OK, but they felt the need to float 2 ginourmous slices of bread on top of it.
The double chocolate cake was very good, but the stingy portion of espresso (about a sip) for 3 bucks each was a shock.
I was totally horrified that the bill came to $107 plus tip for a rather dingy ambiance and a rather ordinary meal.
Just not the same. And the place was so dingy that I thought they were closed when we got there.
Cusina Di Pesce is like an old hooker, she was good in her day.Listed in: Favorite city wide (shops,…, Run for your life!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/16/2009
OK, let me start by saying, at these prices, you aren't talking Le Cirque here. The decor is what… Read more »
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Review from Amaury M.
Manhattan, NY
2/15/2011
Really like this place.
Good food, attentive staff. The wine selection is pretty good : try the Rosso di Montalcino !
Good to know : they only accept AMEX for credit cards. -
Review from Jessica R.
Philadelphia, PA
1/30/2011
I was really disappointed in Cucina di Pesce. I bought a living social based on the yelp raves about the pumpkin ravioli, but the ravioli were awful! They were overwhelmingly sweet and I felt like I was eating a fall scented candle. I usually love pumpkin flavored pasta, but really prefer a more subtle use of pumpkin and cinnamon. We also had the vegetable lasagna, which was a tiny portion that consisted of 80% cheese. I'm a huge fan of cheese (and a firm believer that pretty anything with melted cheese on it is a winner), but this was too much even for me. There were almost no vegetables or pasta! I was also looking forward to the bread, but that was mediocre and definitely not fresh.
It seems like the quality has really gone downhill - beware! -
Review from Athena C.
1/24/2011 1 Check-in Here
I love Cucina Di Pesce! I can't believe I overlooked this tiny restaurant for so many years. It is cozy and dimly lit and the manager was very friendly and nice.
I came with my boyfriend and two other friends. We waited about 5 minutes and got seated already. The price was amazingly low and the wine we got was very sweet. The waitress is apparently Italian and he is nice too but he probably doesn't know Americans expect a lot out of their waiters. He was standing quite far from us when taking orders while the background noise was quite high. We had to repeat several times.
Nonetheless, the food is excellent and totally reminds me of Italy! We had the grilled portabello, fried calamari to start. Grilled portabello was delicious and I would definitely recommend it. Fried calamari is good but nothing special.
For entree, I got the fish of the day but unfortunately I don't know what kind of fish it is. It is similar to sea bass but even more tender and juicy. I absolutely love it! My boyfriend got the shrimp with squid ink linguine and it was also delicious. My friends had pumpkin ravioli and it was very unique and tasty.
We probably should have stopped right after entree but we got desserts anyway. Their tiramisu is so amazing! It is creamy, smooth and airy! The lady finger was soaked to sponge-texture and I swear it is as good as it is in Italy.
I can't wait to come back and hopefully it won't be as noisy as last time! -
Review from Amy R.
Westfield, NJ
5/29/2011
I am picky about Italian food, but this place was alright. Especially sitting outside in their garden, what a treat!
The food is rather typical, as in, unoriginal, for Italian food. But it is good. And decently priced with attentive staff. -
Review from Susan s.
11/13/2010
I'm not sure if the mistakes happened because my roommates and I ordered delivery, but everything that was delivered was horrible.
The bread was disgusting. Hard and chewy in the center. The stuffed mushrooms were so bland and small portioned. Our clam linguine pasta was so gross. The noodles were so mushy they fell apart. It tasted like starch and no clam sauce flavor at all. The clams were so huge that they took over the whole plastic container. Not complaining about that, but they were pretty fishy too.
No more.. blehhh -
Review from Jean S.
Manhattan, NY
1/21/2011
I used to come here back in 2004 with my sister. I was hooked ever since .
I loved how this restaurant was always so intimate and the service always friendly and fast.
Waiting was never an issue-the previous owner(maybe)/maitre d' , Rizzo, was a sweetheart and used to offer us a wine while waiting, 2 glasses of port when we ordered dessert, or comp dessert because we quite literally came all the time .
They even had the pickled salad to start and the mussels at the bar-all complimentary.
My favorite here was the Chicken Portabello which is now called the chicken balsamic(same idea minus the giant portabello mushroom they used to have) and the green penne pasta, still on the menu.
I noticed sometime in 2009/2010 our dear Rizzo was no longer there.
No more warm hugs or mussels or pickled salad.
the menu changed, too and the service isn't as good as it used to be.
I gave this place 3 stars because the memory of Cucina deserves 5, but the present brings it down a notch to two.
I still love this place but more for sentimental reasons. -
Review from Seth S.
Manhattan, NY
4/14/2011
I was lucky enough to be taken here for my birthday by a good friend. The atmosphere is great for long, intimate conversation and time together. Call me a romantic softy, but I love that in a restaurant.
We started by splitting the pumpkin ravioli. It was simple and tasty with that subtle hint of cinnamon that you look for in a dish like this.
I had the special, which was pan-seared snapper and pasta. The fish was cooked to perfection, and the seasoning brought out the flavor of the fish without overwhelming it.
I'll definitely make my way back. -
Review from Nga C.
11/10/2010
I swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth so help me god: THIS PLACE SERIOUSLY SUCKS!
Well okay, maybe not that bad, but still I came here last night around 8pm, expecting it to be packed but instead it was super dead. As a disclaimer, I came here solely because I had a $25 coupon but boy was it a mistake. Entering their restaurant was already morbid-enough. The first thing you notice is that this restaurant is quiet because there isn't any music playing to carry you through your depressing meal. I'm not asking for loud, blasting music, but it would have been nice to have something light in the background to set the mood. The staff will also be staring at you as you dine because there isn't really anything for them to look at.
The food was mediocre. I'll give it 3 stars. I had baked clam and pumpkin raviolis. But to be honest, my dish was not stunning and I had better. The staff was nice and did stop by to ask a few times to ask how the food was, but to be honest, telling them the truth wouldn't have made much of a difference, since this restaurant is already a sinking ship. -
Review from Amit M.
Woodbridge, NJ
12/2/2011
If the food here wasn't decent, I'd give this place no stars. Here's why......My wife and I purchased a travelzoo deal that included a full 3-course meal, glass of wine, and comedy club tickets for two people. We went with another couple who purchased the same deal. Now I've used these deals before, and each one usually has their own restrictions that are written on the certificate that you print out. I called to make a reservation for 4 and specifically told them that we are two couples that each have the travelzoo deal. They said no problem and took the reservation. We arrived early for happy hour. I will say they have an excellent happy hour, and if you notice most of the good reviews mention the happy hour. Our reservation was for 7 and we were seated promptly. Once the waiter came over, we gave him our certificates and he told us we cannot sit together as this is the restaurant's policy when using the certificates, and we could only use one per table. This was NOT stated on the certificate. He proceeded to move us to separate tables. As a compromise, he seated us at two separate 2-person tables that had about a 2 foot gap between them. Really? You couldn't just sit us together, especially since the coupon didn't mention anything about this restriction? We argued a bit but didn't want to make a scene, and he made a comment that essentially put us down and said "we shouldn't care because we are eating almost for free". Are you kidding me? The restaurant comes up with this deal but then has that kind of attitude and tries to make you feel bad when you use it ? Next we tried to order our wine. He did take our order "as a favor" after telling us it's the restaurant's policy that you get the free glass of wine at the bar before you sit down. Once again, not on the certificate so how are we to know???? Not only that, but we showed the certificates to the woman at the front when we arrived, and even she didn't mention anything about this! At this point our mood was just shot becaue of our waiter's attitude, and I have to say other people were their with the same certificate and had similar issues. The food was good, that's all I can say. Good not spectacular. At check time, he conveniently forgot to give us the comedy club tickets, which we had to remind him about. The funny part is, the owner has another restaurant called Nomad nearby that serves Moroccan food. They had the same deal for that restaurant, and we had ZERO issues using it there. They were very friendly, the complete opposite of this place, and the food was AMAZING. I won't be coming back here. Good luck if you also purchased the voucher.
-
Review from danielle r.
New York, NY
9/25/2011
CDP used to be way better. I went recently & ordered the chicken sorrentina. The presentation & taste were both mediocre at best. I was with friends who ordered chicken parm (which looked much better than my dish), a pasta special with chicken & broccoli & a salmon dish (neither of which looked appetizing to me, but friends ate without complaint). Our soda was flat. It was replaced upon request, but the second time, it only had a bit more fizz.
It was hard to tell from the handwritten receipt, but I'm pretty certain I got overcharged. I had a $20 Groupon & when I did the math of what the meals cost, it just didn't seem like the money was deducted from the bill. Though service early in the meal was good, it took what seemed like forever to get the bill, so I was in no mood to investigate. I was cold from having sat below the AC & my seat was uncomfortable - I wanted out of there.
I was shocked to see a long queue outside when I left. My friends agreed that while they liked their meals well enough, none would have been worth waiting for. Perhaps people like the modest prices - I would prefer to spend an extra $5 - $10 per person for a more memorable meal.
