Celeste
Italian restaurant · Upper West Side ·
Authentic Italian fare, homemade pasta, wood-fired pizzas, cozy vibe
Authentic Italian fare, homemade pasta, wood-fired pizzas, cozy vibe
"This red sauce Italian trattoria has been a UWS neighborhood staple for years. The little brick-walled room is busy during lunch and dinner with people eating dependable fried artichokes, pizzas, and pastas. There’s no wine list, but you can always count on affordable wines by the bottle, and a charmingly cramped candle-lit table on which to drink them. You should also know that Celeste only takes cash, so come prepared. Food Rundown Involtini Di Melanzane These are really good. Eggplant rolls stuffed with prosciutto and pecorino, and then baked with tomato sauce. An excellent appetizer to share. Carciofi Fritti One of their trademarks, the fried artichoke. People love ’em. Gnocchi Alla Sorrentina Homemade potato dumplings with a basic tomato sauce and basil. The portion size is huge and you really can’t go wrong with a big bowl of gnocchi for the table. Spaghetti Alle Vongole A massive bowl of spaghetti with big tasty clams in white wine and parsley sauce. It’s not special, but it gets the job done right. Margherita Pizza Tomato, mozzarella and basil pie. Simple, delicious and pretty damn cheap at $11. Ippoglosso Al Limone Halibut sautéed with lemon and capers. If you’re looking for a fish entree, this is a good bet. Vitello Al Limone We really enjoyed the veal medallion, which, like most of the dishes here, is sautéed with lemon and capers. I guess that’s just how Carmine likes it." - Andrew Steinthal
"Upper West Side stalwart Celeste is charmingly decorated with bare bricks, antique mirrors, and hanging light fixtures. It is also affordable with its reliable menu of pizzas and pastas. Many are handmade, including the tagliatelle with shrimp, cabbage, and sheep’s milk cheese, while its homey lasagna with Bolognese sauce is legendary." - Robert Sietsema
"A celebrated River North nightclub, Celeste is noted for a decadent bar program typified by a marble-topped oval bar with an illuminated carousel displaying bottles of agave." - Ashok Selvam
"A Peruvian restaurant included on the list as part of the city's representation of Peruvian flavors." - Erika Adams
"A fairly new restaurant that continues to draw crowds, cited as one of the spots helping sustain the neighborhood's hot streak with consistent popularity among diners." - Rachel Leah Blumenthal
