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The Best Cheap Italian Food of NYC

Celeste

A casual trattoria serving authentic Southern Italian cuisine.

Food

(7)

Ambience

(7)

Service

(6)

Value

(7)

The Scene

This lively trattoria takes a cue from its charismatic owner--a Roman named Carmine so dedicated to his newest venture (he also owns Tiadora on the east side) that he's been known to smuggle raw milk cheeses back from Italy in his luggage. In this tiny space, Carmine bustles about, glad-handing and challenging you to find a better neighborhood restaurant at similar prices. You'd be hard-pressed to.

The Food

Pizzas are Neapolitan-style--thin, made with San Marzano tomatoes in a 700-degree, wood-burning oven, and loaded with Mediterranean goodies. The ricotta di bufala--a rectangle of fried buffalo ricotta cheese--would be better piping hot, but tasty pastas--a simple vermicelli alle vongole among them--compensate. Non-Italian items like salmon, pancakes and French toast are available at brunch.

Reservations

The restaurant takes no reservations: During peak times (7pm-9pm), expect an average twenty-minute wait. Tables aren't seated until the entire party is present, so if you see a big crowd outside, you might get in sooner than expected. For weekend brunch, reservations are taken for parties of 12 and up.

502 Amsterdam Ave
New York, NY 10024-3943
Phone: (212) 874-4559