Cellini — Restaurant in New York

On Tuesday, November 12/2024 my wife and I ate at Cellini for the third time, and it was exceptional in every way. If we lived in NYC, rather than central New Jersey, we’d be happy to dine here every week.

Food, service, atmosphere, and for us, a smartly selected and fairly priced wine selection are the criteria that matter most in terms of assessing any restaurant, and Cellini gets top marks in each category.

Our food could not have been more delicious. We split an appetizer of their octopus salad, followed by two fish entrees off the regular menu, a salmon and swordfish preparation. With our entrees we also ordered a side of broccoli rabe. And for dessert we split a portion of tiramisu. All of it was absolutely delicious.

Our server was Jose’, whose friendliness and professionalism helped to make our dinner a pleasure. Even on a busy evening, he orchestrated our meal perfectly and allowed us to sit and savor leisurely for 2 1/2 hours. Thanks again, Jose’.

The ambience at this ristorante is charming and almost “homey.” The dining room has a rustically elegant feel that evokes the Italian countryside, maybe somewhere in the hills of Piedmont or Tuscany…right on East 54th Street.

Finally, we love the wine list here. Expertly selected and fairly priced, it’s split between whites, reds and sparkling wines from Italy, California and France. With our octopus we ordered a delicious Sancerre each by the glass. Sancerre is a region in France’s eastern Loire Valley, and is famous as the birthplace of the Sauvignon Blanc grape variety.

With our entrees we visited Piedmont, Italy and enjoyed a beautiful bottle of 2019 Barbaresco, a red wine made entirely from the Nebbiolo grape variety, which in many ways is Italy’s world class answer to the great Pinot Noirs from Burgundy, France.

Thanks again to Jose’ and everyone at Cellini for a memorable dinner. We look very forward to...

My Favorite Italian Restaurant in Manhattan

If you’re looking for an authentic Italian dining experience in Manhattan, look no further than this charming family-owned gem that has been delighting patrons for nearly 30 years. The warmth of the staff, many of whom have been with the restaurant since its inception, creates a welcoming atmosphere where you’re sure to see familiar faces on every visit.

The food is nothing short of spectacular, with everything made fresh in-house. My personal favorites are the Gnocchi and Lobster Ravioli, both of which are rich in flavor and expertly crafted. Each dish showcases the restaurant's commitment to quality and tradition.

The extensive wine selection is another highlight, with options available by the glass, making it easy to find the perfect pairing for your meal. I particularly enjoy the Chardonnay from Glenville, which is served in generously sized glasses—perfect for savoring every sip.

The restaurant spans three floors, adding to its charm and accommodating various dining experiences. The wine cellar downstairs is ideal for private parties, offering a unique setting for special occasions.

If you haven't checked this place out yet, you absolutely should. It’s a true treasure in Manhattan’s...

Our dinner and service was wonderful. We were visiting from out of town and had family members come in from out of town as well to meet us for dinner to celebrate my husbands 50th birthday. We ordered wine, dinner and desserts. It was all delicious. We were there a total of 1 1/2 hours. Our check was paid and we were mingling a bit as we had not seen each other for 4 years. I still had wine in my glass when the waiter approached one of our guests and asked if we could leave because people were waiting for a table. (There was two other empty tables they could have used) I was embarrassed and appalled that we would be asked such a thing. We were not lingering, we were just finishing our wine and visiting rather quietly. We spent a lot of money here. We got up from our table shocked over what just happened. I mentioned to the manager what had occurred and although apologetic, she did not seem to surprised by it. Wow, I Would never recommend or step back foot into this place. No class...