Celeste

Reviewed by RichardR on 11/19/2009.
Member since October 1999, Total Reviews: 16 (Male, 60 and above, New York, NY)

The mixed nature of the reviews is puzzling - we live in the neighborhood and eat there often. The food is always good, sometimes excellent. I like choosing the nightly specials which are always fresh and delicious. The prices are amazingly low - 3 of us just had pasta special/salmon/spaghetti w/clams, 2 deserts and 1 wine for $70 ( tip). Yes, it can be crowded and the waiters are kept busy (but usually are attentive).

Reviewed by JaneH7244 on 10/02/2009.
Member since July 2008, Total Reviews: 133 (Female, New York, NY)

Definitely WAY overrated. The food was okay and service was okay. No one was rude and the food is nothing I would go back for. Certainly not authentic. Not sure where all these raving reviews are from.

Reviewed by GabeJ2569 on 09/19/2009.
Member since May 2007, Total Reviews: 8 (New York, NY)

Incredible food. This is how a restaurant should be. It was cheap, authentic, and cozy. Expect a wait and no elbow room once you enter, but that is the payoff for fantastic food. Italian host who you could tell is in love with what he does. Steamed clams were to die for. Absolutely heavenly. If you want a nice sit down expecting to stay for period of time, this is not your place.

Reviewed by GINGERP518575 on 08/24/2009.
Member since August 2003, Total Reviews: 15 (Oakland, NJ)

Cramped even for New York. Lucked out on a Suday night and did not have to wait. The food is very good and the service was good. The wine list unbelievably inexpensive. The tirimusu was one of the best I ever had. you can get away very cheap here, if you skip apps and dessert.

1 out of 1 people found the following review helpful:

Reviewed by PeterS835960 on 08/13/2009.
Member since October 1999, Total Reviews: 19 (New York, NY)

Let's talk about the food because the decor is deliberately down-scale and the low prices do not warrant excellent service (expectations met on this one). In particular let's talk about the artichoke salad: wood shavings mixed with brown-edged pieces of iceberg lettuce. Disgusting. Celeste is hard to find because it has no visible street sign. Good news: maybe you will miss it and enjoy a good, reasonably priced dinner elsewhere.