Colucci — Restaurant in City of Syracuse

Been interested in this spot since it opened in October. Decided to check it out last night for my birthday, and it exceeded expectations. The atmosphere is simple, elegant, romantic, and has a cool city vibe. Feels like places I've been to in NYC and even in Italy. Straightforward, but with attention to detail. This applies to every part of the experience. The menu offers unique "street style" Italian food, with elevated presentation. My family and I tried several of the Triangolos. Beautiful bread sliced in half and filled with locally sourced sausage, and sautéed peppers and onions. Half or whole. The half is a great app, the whole would be an amazing lunch, and affordable. We also got the fried gnocchi, beautifully fried and tossed in parmesan, garlic, and herbs. Comes with marinara for dipping, what's not to like? Each of us got a different pasta dish for dinner. The cavatelli, which I believe are made in house, are perfect. The white sauce and the diavolino are killers. Got an affogato and panna cotta for dessert, as good as I've ever had in CNY. This spot is worth visiting. As a former restaurant owner and chef I am always supportive of anyone trying to run a restaurant, but I'm not always glowing in my reviews. This place is very clearly run by folks who are interested in no frills, locally sourced, fresh, handmade unique Italian food, presented with fine dining levels of attention to detail and care, but in an atmosphere and price point that is accessible and for everyone. This is a special place that I expect will only get better over time. Cannot recommend trying it highly enough. Perfect for lunch, date nights, or celebrations, or just a...

Syracuse’s newest restaurant is a prize! Located on the east side of Syracuse on Westcot street, tucked into a pure big city-like location. The food was fabulous with owner John Colucci’s prized offerings from family recipes and others picked up along the way. We enjoyed his unique take on rice balls (suppli) which were packed full of mozzarella. Even the wedge salad was delicious with a nice touch of a blue cheese slice. The gnocchi was also a nice touch that you don’t see in many places around here. The diavolina (pink spicy) sauce was both unique and delicious. It had just a touch of heat, not too overpowering. I ordered it with the sausage, which I thought was homemade but found out it was from Basilio. My new favorite! The chicken cutlet brought back memories of my Italian grandmother. Basic, yet delicious. The imported mezzi pasta adds another uniqueness to this fantastic restaurant. The Besciamella sauce was smooth and had the perfect amount of cheese flavors. We had to end our meal with the perfect dessert, Tiramisu, which was homemade and you could tell. Large enough, perfect for sharing. Prices are reasonable. Can work out a couple of kinks, like coffee cups/mugs instead of paper. Some stretch bread would have added to soaking up the delicious marinara sauce from the suppli and the delicious Italian dressing. Great atmosphere, like we were in NYC or even Taormina, Sicily. Staff and service were great and John spent a lot of time with us, conversing and telling us about friends, family and his many experiences in the restaurant business. We were throughly satisfied but the menu is limited. Can’t...

Colucci is a hidden gem that exceeded my expectations. From the moment we walked in, we were greeted by an inviting atmosphere with cozy red lighting that set the perfect mood for a relaxing evening. The vibe was warm and welcoming, and it immediately felt like a place where you could enjoy great food and good company.

The menu is small and simple, which I appreciated because it shows a focus on quality over quantity. At first glance, the prices seemed fair, though when our food arrived, the portion sizes felt a bit on the smaller side. I’ll admit, I was initially skeptical about whether it would be worth it. But the moment I took my first bite, all doubts disappeared. The food was incredibly flavorful, beautifully prepared, and absolutely delicious. Each dish was crafted with care and packed with authentic Italian taste. Despite the portions, the meals were surprisingly filling and left me completely satisfied.

The staff at Colucci were a standout. Everyone was so friendly and attentive, making sure we were well taken care of throughout the evening. We even had the pleasure of meeting the owner, who was such a great and humble person. It’s clear that they take pride in creating a memorable dining experience, and it’s always special to see someone so invested in their craft.

Colucci is the kind of place that leaves a lasting impression. From the atmosphere to the service and, of course, the food, everything about this experience was fantastic. I would definitely come back and recommend it to anyone looking for high-quality Italian cuisine in a charming setting. Worth...