L'Osteria

Went here for my bday lunch on the UES. I was first to arrive. Service was amazing. This restaurant only has about 12 tables and is pretty small but their food is mighty tasty. The extra parm fluffy Caesar salad is maybe the best ever. No joke. The simple spaghetti was delicious. A must try.

Wasn't bad the food was good but really small portions for big plates and kind of expensive. I went with my bestfriend and the service was very nice no complaints except for the grilled shrimp it's 22 bucks but you only get 4 pieces of shrimp. 100 bucks is definitely more then good for 1 person but for 2 people if you get drinks, an appetizer, and 1 meal per person it is definitely a tight budget.

Truly lovely experience all around. We were welcomed into this cozy spot by a friendly staff with Kimi taking extra care to make our evening pleasant. Seating is limited with reservations becoming necessary to guarantee a space, but honestly the space is the perfect set up for good conversation. The wine list was nicely curated—we chose the 2017 Super Tuscan, which was smooth, rich, and paired well across the meal. We began with the antipasto. The quality was immediately apparent… the prosciutto was buttery on the palate and the house pickled veggies added a bright, fresh note. For the mains, the cacio e pepe had the perfect creamy texture (I need the chef to teach me their ways for this!), well-balanced salt to black pepper, and good bite to the pasta. My husband was lucky enough to snag the final duck ragu special of the evening and (wow!) we’re so glad to have done so. Perfectly cooked with tender meat and flavors that transported us right back to the osterias on the streets of Italy. We ended with the tiramisu (light and creamy) and a pistachio affogato, which did get a bit outshined. Hospitality was top notch here making this is a “must add” meal experience for your list. We will definitely be returning for more.

We got the Ceaser, fettucini ragu, and NYStrip rare with a bottle of wine. Perfect amount to split without getting overly stuffed. The ragu and strip were superb. The mushrooms and mushroom sauce were outstanding with the NY Strip. Highly recommend!

It felt like we were back in Italy, we were tended to by Angelo (he's Italian!) who was very sweet and engaging. The food was lovely. Reservation is a must. We went here for my husbands birthday, we got a tart for dessert. I was surprised by how dainty and thin it was, yet perfectly ratioed.

We had a reservation for just after 6pm, which is very early by any patron's standards. But L'Osteria is a tiny restaurant, with tiny tables, and considering its popularity we wanted to give it a try and took the extremely early slot. We started with the endive salad which was well presented and seasoned, fresh and delicious with promise that what was to come would be wonderful as well. We then moved on to veal picatta. Now for me, veal picatta is the test of an Italian restaurant and sadly there l'Osteria failed miserably. The meat was tough, hadn't been 'pounded' and tasted of the flour it had been dredged in. And although the sauce was flavorful, nothing could mask the overwhelming flour taste on the meat and that spoiled this dish. I complained and was graciously offered an alternative and settled on the home made fettucini with ragu, certainly a better, if overly salty choice. The tiramisu for dessert was a large portion, but unfortunately dry and devoid of any alcohol. At 7:30pm the bill was suddenly tossed on the table and without even being asked whether we wanted coffee, or a digestive, we were repeatedly pressured to pay, so the table could be resold. It was a rapid end to what we hoped would be a leisurely meal. Overall, for the price point at over $80 per person and its location on the UES, there are better choices for Italian fare in the neighborhood.

As others have said, this pretty, intimate Italian restaurant serves delicious food. From appetizers through desserts, every dish was special. Our lunch with good friends was made even more special by the gracious, knowledgeable waitstaff who genuinely care whether guests enjoy their food. The noise level was such a relief too; how great to be able to have a conversation without straining to hear or having to speak loudly to be heard!

Cozy and relaxing restaurant near the Met with the friendliest staff. So glad I stumbled upon this gem. They adjusted my salad dressing for my arugula salad with grilled chicken catering to my preference.

Superb! We had a unique caprese with slow cooked tomatoes, fresh buffalo mozzarella (update NY), arugula and Gorgonzola salad, the caci y pepe and the slow cooked lamb shank special. All mouth watering, perfect preparation. With panna cotta dessert with a lemoncello sauce. Nice service, lighting, and mellow romantic vibes! We will be back!

Small restaurant on Lexington Ave. limited seating so reservations are probably a good idea. That being said. I found the food average and the portions small, especially for the price point. Cocktails were good as well as the service. But food was just average.

We walked in for an early dinner after going to the Met. Typically pricey for the UES, but worth it for the fresh pasta and wonderful service. We sat at the bar and Alex took care of us, and he was so kind and friendly! I got the vongole which is my favorite pasta, and it was so flavorful and had a generous amount of clams. My friend got the cacio e Pepe and it was so creamy- she loved it! Since we were trying to budget we didn't get any of the appetizers, but they looked great. The bread and olive oil was much appreciated and we devoured the basket. Would love to come back here to try more of the menu!

Amazing Italian restaurant near the Metropolitan Museum of Art. We did a quick lunch break here and it was wonderful. Service was excellent and the food terrific. We had the Fettuccine Ragu which was great but the Ragatoni Sausage Ragu was definitely our favorite. This place is a hidden gem.

Cannot recommend this place enough! Our waiter was very attentive and the food was great, at a good price point as well. seriously the staff was so amazing!!!

We searched delicious Italian food in NYC to refuel us after a wonderful time at the MET. The food was amazing and the service was very professional. We noticed several Italian couples dining there as well which felt like a good sign. It didn't disappoint! We had the Meatball appetizer and spaghetti pomodoro as well as a special ravioli. Paper plane, classic gin and tonic, Hugo spritz all so delicious as well as the apricot sour. Definitely a nice date night spot!

it was fine - not bad but I probably wouldn't come back just because there are so many places in the city. I definitely recommend the pesto pasta, it was the best dish we ordered. Pass on the pasta pomodoro and the steak, both weren't good. The salad appetizers are okay but nothing really good. The fritti appetizer is also just okay. Service was good

Great food and service, enjoyed everything we ordered, would recommend as a great Italian spot on the UWS

First visit after I walked by and saw the intimate dining space, and I will return. Yelp-mates suggested both the fusilli pesto and cappuccino, and I second the high marks. The pesto is smooth and silky, and initially I thought not that flavorful or impressive. But wait two bites, and the subtlety of the flavor overwhelms and delights the palate. I ate some bites with parmigiana cheese, and the salt beautifully complimented and highlighted the mild basil flavor. The pasta with pesto is also lovely on its own, but I would recommend some cheese. The coffee is strong and more of an espresso size than a cappuccino cup, yet satisfying all the same. L'Osteria is not in my neighborhood, yet the friendly staff (what a welcoming smile from one of the servers that contrasted sharply with the distracted attention from the young maitre d), lively Italian playlist, and cozy interior will draw me south with friends and family.

Very good dinner; excellent service; comfortable space. We had crostini to start with goat cheese and warm fig as well as a fried veggies and squid and a ravioli special with ricotta and butter sage sauce - all very good. For my main, I had a red snapper special- sautéed in a lemon sauce with clams - mine was perfectly cooked though my wife said hers was over. My daughter enjoyed the linguine with clams. For dessert we had a delightful tiramisu. Excellent neighborhood Italian dinner.

Must try! Best meal while in the city. Food was exceptional. Service was top notch and the atmosphere was wonderful.

Good service, but the portions are very small and the food is just okay. In my opinion, small portions don't make sense in a casual restaurant. I'm not into fine dining, but when I do go, I expect and accept the smaller servings that come with it. However, when an ordinary place serves extremely small portions, it's a real turn-off, especially considering the high prices for such tiny servings.

My mom and I wandered in with no reservation on a Wednesday night. Vibes were a bit off as soon as we walked in when the host was super accusatory about the fact that we didn't have a reservation and then when we said we were okay sitting outside, he was muttering to himself about how "that's all we have anyway." Outside of that, though, we had a great meal. Our water was a lot nicer, giving us recommendations and frequently checking in on us. We had the calamari for the starter, which came with battered veggies as well. It came with an aioli, which I'm not a huge fan of, but I loved that the calamari tasted amazing and light even without the sauce. The reason for the five stars though is the pasta, which is all made in house. Even though the menu only lists some of the pastas as housemade, our waiter assured us that all pastas were made at the restaurant, and BOY can you tell. I got the fusilli pesto, which I am now obsessed with. I loved the chewiness of the pasta, and the pesto had so much flavor. I'd absolutely recommend this dish. Sometimes I find that Italian restaurants don't give enough food, but we found that L'Osteria gave the exact right amount of food. My mom got so many raviolis in her dish, and when she was finished she said she was perfectly full.

The experience was wonderful. The meal was scrumptious. We had the calamari, zucchini blossoms and veal piccata. The only thing we were not fond of was the bread. My friend was brought two wines to taste and was having difficulty deciding which one she liked better. The service couldn't have been better. The atmosphere was charming. My friend who goes to fine restaurants frequently liked it so much that she is planning to inquire about the possibility of having a private birthday party there. I highly recommend this restaurant. Being there felt very special!

After spending hours exploring The Metropolitan Museum, we looked for a place to escape from the rain and grab a snack. L'Osteria looked like the perfect spot. The restaurant is quaint & cozy and reminded me of an eatery you would find in Italy. They also have a lovely covered outdoor seating area, but we opted to sit at the bar. Luciano greeted us and apologized that they were short staffed, but he said he'd be right with us. In addition to making drinks, he was also serving tables. Cocktails were first on the agenda. I ordered a Hugo Spritz (Saint Germain, Lime, Mint, & Prosecco). Mom got the Strawberry Spritz (Tito's, muddled strawberry, lemon, & Prosecco), and sister the Rosa (Malfy Gin Rosa & Grapefruit tonic.) Both spritzes were delicious! So light & refreshing. I could drink them all day. The Rosa was also tasty. Luciano brought us some bread to start. It was warm & fresh and came with an exceptional olive oil to dip it in. Their pasta is made in house and the menu changes seasonally. My friend couldn't resist so she ordered one of the pasta dishes. She said it was outstanding! Mom, sis, & I shared the Fritto Misto, which consisted of calamari and fresh market vegetables with an Aioli dipping sauce. Fried to perfection, the batter was light and you could tell the veggies and calamari were fresh. It was delizioso! We also got the Grilled Shrimp, which was served on a bed of Salsa Verde. The shrimp were large & juicy and the Salsa Verde was fantastic! Another winner! In addition to a great meal, we had an enjoyable conversation with Luciano. He was charming and polite. Definitely an exemplary employee. I really enjoyed it and would love to come back for a full dining experience. We were all happy that we stopped here.

Last week one day walked in to this Italian place during lunch place is empty 6 people taking 3 tables I was ask if how may people I looked around and behind me ... replied table for one it's me .. got side table by service entry ... asked politely can I sit by window cold reply it's reserved Ok ... ordered shrimps as appetizer pasta pesto main course took some time my food arrived Wow 5 tiny shrimps overcooked ... pesto pasta on kindergarten level please improve such easy dish to make Don't think I would ever revisit L'Osteria again ....

We would highly recommend L'Osteria! It only has a handful of tables so it has an intimate, quiet atmosphere. The food was spectacular, beautifully presented and excellent quality. The service was wonderful, friendly and kind while also being attentive. A great end to our day in the city!

The cost is justified by every aspect of the meal. Their food delivers outstanding flavor. This place delivers what I expect every time. Staff members exceed typical service standards. This spot delivers remarkable service.

L'Osteria is a cozy, nice looking Italian restaurant in the Upper East Side and I was excited to have lunch here after a long morning walking around the Metropolitan Museum of Art. However, the setting didn't match the food quality for me. My visit started off great with an amazing Hugo Spritz, which is a St Germain (elderflower liquor), Mint, Prosecco and Club Soda cocktail. Hugo Spritzes are one of my favorite cocktails and I highly recommend ordering one anytime you see it on a menu. For my meal, I ordered the Rigatoni with Sausage per the server's suggestion. Unfortunately, the pasta was quite overcooked and I would have preferred al dente. The sausage ragu was made of small, soft crumbles and some larger pieces of sausage would have enhanced the dish. Reading other reviews, I'm not sure why my meal wasn't meeting the expectation. I have a feeling this restaurant would have been a better choice for dinner than a weekend lunch. Either way, the soft and broken pasta and lackluster ragu were both disappointing.

Another great yelp find. We had an event at the Guggenheim and we were looking for a place close by. Service was superb and the food was super yum. The restaurant is teeny tiny so it's very intimate. We will definitely go back.

The staff was wonderful but food across the board was okay. We liked the burrata, then ordered pesto & the pollo. The chicken was really pink when it came out, but we were assured it was cooked through. The potatoes were nothing special, the chicken was super moist but otherwise average. The pesto tasted fresh, but basic and with no ability to add a protein not the most ideal dinner. Not the most gluten friendly place, but there are a handful of entrees (no pasta) and the staff is knowledgeable on ingredients!

Clean, simple, neighbourhood Italian restaurant. Food was very good. Portion sizes were near perfect - just enough so you felt full but not stuffed. Veal was too salty. Semifreddo was a delicious way to end the meal - a must. Allison, our waitress/bartender was very kind and patiently answered all our questions. Prices were reasonable. Considering the intimate setting, it was packed! Honestly, have 0 complaints. Experience was very pleasant. Would highly recommend this restaurant if you're looking for simple, good quality Italian food.

What a lovely, cozy Italian restaurant on the UES. The ambiance inside is perfect for date night and the service is quite friendly and attentive. For starters we got the Caesar salad and meatballs - both were delicious! Meatballs taste really homemade, soft, and flavorful. Would definitely recommend the meatballs. For entrees, we got the salmon and the cacio e pepe. The salmon wasn't fully cooked through but the presentation was so beautiful! The pasta was super rich and filling. It was a little cold at some parts of the dish too but I liked that the noodles were super homemade like they mentioned on the menu. Not sure I'd get the Cacio e Pepe again. Was too stuffed for dessert, but I'd want to try the tiramisu next time!

Absolutely perfect. Food was delicious, fresh & the service was on point. Pesto, fettuccine ragú, meatball sandwich, salmon, seasonal fruit tart, wine & macchiato. Beautiful setting!

Excellent italian restaurant on the upper east side. They have a small but lovely inside seating area and a really lovely outdoor area with fans and heaters and white linen tablecloths! The service was excellent. We ordered the cauliflower fonduta, the cod and the veal piccata with mushrooms in butter and sage instead of the spinach. The cauliflower fondue was a mix of parmesan, fontina and i've other cheese. The melted gooey cheese was yummy but the ratio of cauliflower to cheese was way off. There should have been twice as much cauliflower in the dish. Cauliflower is cheap. There is no reason at all to skimp in it. The cod came in a delicious red sauce but there were no veggies so a tad expensive for just the fish. The veal piccata was excellent as were the mushrooms though there was a tad too much butter in the sauce for me. It felt extremely heavy but very tasty nonetheless. Total bill with tip and a beer was a tad over $100. Restroom was clean.

Authentic, homemade italian food in the heart of NYC. Very cozy restaurant with great service and cozy ambiance. I was suprised by the authentic quality of the ingredients, and the fact that the food was perfectly seasoned and with all the right flavors. Highly recommend it.

If I could eat here again, I absolutely would. The shrimp was cooked well. My cacio e Pepe noodles were Al dente and perfectly salty with the perfect bite of pepper. My dinner partner enjoyed his fish and ravioli very much. Watermelon salad was flavorful too. Kind of pricey but you are definitely paying for quality. From kitchen to table, everything was excellent. The servers were exquisite in service. I felt quite welcome waiting for my food to take home.

We had such an amazing Dino g experience here. The ambiance, the flavors, and the service were a trifecta. We arrived after a short walk from the Metropolitan Museum and were greeted warmly by the staff. The menu selections were excellent. We each ordered different dishes - ragú, salmon. And of course dessert. Would we return- yes!!

My friend and I both thought the Fettuccine ragu tasted unsalted but was well made otherwise. The spaghetti and free bread were very good though. Good service and quaint traditional interior.

My husband, my teenager, and I had dinner here after making a last minute Saturday night reservation for a late dinner. Upon arrival our table was not ready but we were welcomed at the bar. After a short wait we were sat at a table in a corner by the window. All the previous reviews are correct - it is an intimate dining experience, however it still manages to feel private. The ambiance is excellent and the service was above and beyond. Every step of the way the service was five stars! The food was fresh, homemade authentic Italian. Definitely we will be back! I have to add a second shout out to the staff - they were welcoming, knowledgeable, and accommodating. It was truly a lovely experience.

We randomly happened on this lovely restaurant post visiting the Met. It was a warm summer day and the watermelon & cheese appetizer really hit the spot! The cod and salmon were sublime -- and the sauce of the cod was the best part. The waiter was pleasant though the food itself was enough to come back for - They do have outdoor seating which was bright and quiet too.

The food was amazing, wonderful unexpected flavors and beautiful preparation. The staff was lovely and all of their recommendations were perfect. It's a tiny, cozy place near the Met museum, perfect for a date night.

We had the pesto pasta, Caesar salad, clam linguine, and the tiramisu. All of it was incredible and I could have eaten another serving of each. The servers were very nice, giving us wine descriptions, offering to split our plates so we could share, and offering cheese and pepper, and were quick to fill our water glasses. The restaurant was small and cute.

Good was good as was the service. It is a very small place. Without sound mitigating surfaces, it can be very noisy.

First, the service was incredible. Every server was polite and accommodating; truly an Italian style of hospitality. Second, the food was superb. Burrata with a creamy interior on top of pimentos and eggplant. Cavatelli cooked to a perfect al dente with smooth pistachio sauce. And melt-in-your mouth tiramisu. All with a beautiful interior! If you've just gone to the Met and you're looking for dinner, go to L'Osteria!

L'Osteria is located on Lexington Ave., just around the corner from our co-op coming to our attention in the last two years. The term osteria means wine bar but has evolved into meaning wine bar that serves food simply prepared, which is a good description of the food served at L'Osteria. We have had several late lunches here enjoying a glass of Italian wine with any number of dishes that are simple in their preparation but bold with flavor. We've started our meals with the imported burrata, with homemade roasted peppers, eggplant, and balsamic vinegar; roasted beet salad with arugula pesto, parmigiano reggiano, and baby arugula; and the endive salad with walnuts, gorgonzola dolce, apples, and red wine vinagrette. All simple meals but well executed, creative, and tasty. For main meals we've tried the chicken filet served in a white wine sauce with creamy mashed potatoes; grilled salmon with a kale puree and dijon mustard sauce; rigatoni sausage rague with porcini mushroom and parmigiano reggiano cheese; and a roasted pepper sandwich. The meals again were simple in their preparation but tasted delicious. The sausage rague could have use some more sauce or something because it seemed a little dry to me. Otherwise everything was wonderful. We will need to go back to try dinner, but a great spot if you are looking for a substantial late lunch.

Everything was top notch and the food was delicious! Highly recommend! Service was awesome and quick. Ambiance was excellent! Enjoyed our food and the wait staff!

Service was excellent and the food was delicious and well presented. The dining area was small but, we had enough room to be comfortable.

The food is was delicious! Homemade pastas and an excellent caprese salad the tomato's and cheese were tasty and so fresh ! It's a nice small restaurant with great people that work there . Definitely would go again .

This restaurant is close to The Metropolitan Museum of Art so we stopped to have a late lunch after a Met visit. Great..just Great. On the small size but it was a quite day so no issue on getting a table . Service was warm & friendly and they knew the menu. We had the beet salad, grilled shrimp, and the pasta vongole each dish delicious. The Lemoncello Panna Cotta was one of the best deserts EVER! Absolute the best!

The restaurant is beautiful and the outdoor seating area is absolutely stunning! It's covered and has heating if it's colder out, and has such a unique charm. The food is beautiful and equally delicious, with a great range of items depending on what you're in the mood for. The Caprese salad was one of the best I've had in a long time, it is definitely a great place to stop for either lunch or dinner! The staff was great and they were all very kind and attentive to each individual at our table. All around a great spot!

Enjoyed this small intimate cafe for lunch. Reasonably priced menu with a variety of offerings from fresh pasta to salads. I had the meatball sandwich that came with a small arugula salad. It was delicious. Also had a cannoli that was wonderful

Great staff .. great service.. you can tell they love their own food.. I went there for excellent pasta and that's what I got.. girlfriend had the salad with grilled shrimps.. very good.. cappuccino was excellent.. that was our second time there., I think I'll become a regular.. also very close to the Met if you're headed over there.

I wanted to love this place but the food was lack luster. My linguine with clams needed salt and chili flakes, my friends butternut squash ravioli also needed salt, and my friends cacio pepe needed more pepper. the ambience was nice and our waiter was very prompt and friendly, but i would not come back for the food. additionally i wish the bread that was brought out in the beginning was warmed.

Have passed by this restaurant a few times and always wanted to come here for dinner. My cousin and I made a reservation for inside at 8:30 pm on a Saturday night, however, we got hungry so decided we would try to get seated earlier. Although there was no availability inside, the outside seating was open and it was perfect. The outside structure they had created made me forget we were sitting outside and they had heaters going as well so we were not cold. Loved the decore of the place and seemed very cozy, yet up-scale. We began by each ordering a glass of wine. I ordered a Chianti Classico and my cousin ordered a white wine. We both had very healthy pours and we ordered two appetizers. We ordered the prosciutto crostini and a special appetizer with stracciatella, pistachio, and persimmons. Both appetizers were amazing and I would come back just for those! For the main meal, we ordered the basic, yet most perfect spaghetti Pomodoro and Pollo al mattone. The spaghetti was good, wish they put fewer whole tomatoes in there but the pasta was cooked al dente so we really enjoyed it. The chicken was one of the most mouth-watering, falling off-the-bone chicken I have ever had. I usually do not like to dissect my chicken at a restaurant from the bone, however, for this chicken, I did not even have to. The meat fell a part from the bone and it was marinated to perfection. For dessert, we ordered the semifreddo, which tasted similar to ice cream, but was lighter and we really enjoyed it as well. The serving staff was nice and personable and they answered all of our questions about the food and the restaurant itself. This was our first time here, but definitely not our last! If you are ever looking for some authentic, high-quality Italian food in the Upper East Side, I would recommend L'Osteria!

Wow, where to begin?! This place is absolutely INCREDIBLE. I have walked by here a numerous amount of times and can't believe it took me this long to check it out!!! Unfortunately did not take any pics as I was on a date but I do remember what we ordered: - for apps we got the calamari & it was perfectly cooked and not too oily. Aioli that came with it was delicious / we also got the arugula salad w/ pears, almonds, goat cheese and it was one of the best salads I've ever had! -for mains, I got the fusilli pesto - homemade pasta w/ delicious basil pesto. WOOOOOW. 10/10!!!! SO GOOD - my date got the veal and said it was good Lastly for dessert, we got the tiramisu and it was delicious! If you are in the UES and want legit homemade pasta, please stop by this place!!!! Xo

Had an amazing post graduation dinner here. The service was excellent and very accommodating. They made a custom mocktail for a family member who didn't drink alcohol. Family friendly yet upscale ambiance. All the dishes were so delicious too. We had the fusilli pesto, linguine clams, zucchini blossoms, and caprese ravioli. Tiramisu was also phenomenal!

My friend and I went for a light dinner and couldn't make a decision...so we ordered a salad and ravioli to share. The waiter was very kind to plate them on four small dishes for us. We sat outside on a beautiful evening with delicious food. What a UES experience!

Really lovely new gem on the UES. This quaint new restaurant serves Italian inspired dishes, that range from pasta to fish to chicken. I had the sausage rigatoni, which was absolutely wonderful. They are generous on both serving size and flavor, and are pleasant and attentive with their service. It's a quaint space, which is great for date night, catching up with friends, or for a solo dinner. They also have a nice option for outdoor dining. I highly recommend visiting this UES gem, as I know I'll be back.