Pisticci Reviews

We went on a Sunday night. It was very crowded since Columbia's graduation had been that day. They told us it would be a 40 minute wait but fortunately it was only about 20 minutes. I had the special cheese ravioli and it was spectacular! Two of our party had the seafood pasta and apparently that was excellent, too. The eggplant appetizer was amazingly good with a nice mix of flavors and textures. The butternut squash soup was a little unusual with corn kernels in it but it was very good. I will go there again the next time I am in NYC.

An easy and safe walk from the "1" stop at 125th Street and a bit longer from 116th, this place has maintained its attractions despite expanding a bit. Still has a cozy feel, attentive service, and most important very good food at reasonable prices. Have typically ordered a pasta dish for a main course and never been disappointed. Very mixed crowd agewise. Sometimes have jazz. The only drawback is that I don't think they take reservations for small tables and the place can get crowded pretty early.

I went here with my wife and daughter...the grandparents of my daughter's schoolmate recommended it. We arrived at 6:30 on a Friday night, it was just starting to fill up. Although it got packed, it was nowhere near as loud as many NYC restaurants on a Friday night. We started with their garlic bread with goat cheese...delicious...and a special: the roasted pepper and anchovy salad...fresh and also delicious. For the main meal, I had the maltagliatti...delicious homemade ribbon pasta with a lamb ragu. The meatballs, a specialty, were terrific. And with a bottle of Pellegrino and dessert, the bill was less than $90. Terrific restaurant, make sure you put it on your bucket list.

“Pay little, eat well” the sign at the door says, in Italian. This catches my attention: in a neighborhood of students and professors (both Barnard and Columbia are near by) you expect to find cheap and yet funky places to eat but this was just begging to be visited! In we go and find a delightful restaurant-café-hanging place. Creative use of old space, combination of well used antiques and funky new stuff, featuring two bars, aged naturally distressed tables and chairs, it also offers a full menu and wine list. We are promptly brought good bread and excellent extra virgin olive oil flavored from the rosemary stuck in the bottle. The sandwiches on freshly made crunchy ciabatta, one with grilled vegetables, one with mozzarella di bufala and tomatoes arrive soon and we accompany them with ½ carafe of the house red: a young and frisky Montepulciano very reasonably priced at $13. Espresso is deliciously Italian and the entire lunch comes to $37 with tax but before tip. The check arrives on a little board, attached by a miniature clothespin. A delight!

Great value. Great food. Great fun. Good for the family or couples. Excellent fresh Italian. Great wine list. Good cocktails. Good value. We live in the area. It's a staple. Highly recommended.

Cosy restaurant that serves fantastic fish plates. Go for the special of the day. One part of the restaurant is with windows, the other part in a sort of basement; a little dark but very cosy.

Went here for an early dinner last evening. We awaited for them to open at 5pm treated to the smells coming from inside. The food was really good and the gelato's and Sorbet were so flavoursome. Only suggestion would be to open the bar at 4pm with the restaurant at 5pm. A early glass of wine while reflecting on the day before dinner would have been delightful./

I used to go to Pisticci to celebrate important events. It was my favorite place to take international visitors. The service is A+, and every meal (including the simple ones) are made with superb quality.

While in NYC for a conference, we stumbled upon Pisticci which is near International House and Columbia Univ. Although fairly busy at 7:30 pm, the host made a point to find a table and seat us. Friendly and informative wait staff; our pasta dishes arrived quickly: Prociutto and Spinach; Orecchiete Broccoli Rabe. Reasonably priced and delicious! Highly recommended!

Had a lovely dinner at pisticci. Tried the special ravioli with asparagus, squash. Delightful cream sauce. The outdoor sidewalk seating is very atmospheric!

I like Pisticci. I've probably been there 15 times over the past few years and rarely leave unsatisfied. Tonight's meal was a bit of a trial. I went with a large group and the room was quite full. Clearly, the restaurant is doing very good midweek business. We ordered salad and garlic bread for openers. The mixed salad came out barely dressed and my wife asked for some more dressing. We were at a large table and two tiny ramekins of dressing were deposited at either end of the table. The waiter quickly disappeared and had to be summoned again to give us a couple of spoons to go along with the dressing. Just as we were getting into it salad plates began to be removed, as were the remaining pieces of garlic bread. Protests were issued, and when my wife asked for more salad dressing the waitress argued with her(!!), pointing to the tiny bits of remaining dressing in the two bowls. I've seen wait staff out of line before, but this was up there with the best of them. Main courses came out while half the table was still eating their salad. The restaurant was clearly in "get them out fast" mode. Dishes ordered included fettucini funghi, meatballs over polenta, ravioli, penne, a vegetable Ceci with portobello, and a gazpacho special. No complaints were heard, except for the gazpacho, which was exceptional for being dull as dishwater- a real misfire. On to their Tiramisu (reportedly lacking in flavor- I didn't try it), a Pumpkin cake special (too over-baked for my taste, but very nicely seasoned), and a well-liked fig sorbet. I would normally rate Pisticci as 4 stars- good value for the money, and decent enough service as to be a non-issue. Tonight's argumentative display was, frankly, an embarrassment, and for that, I'm opting for three. I'll probably be back, but will do so with caution.

I have eaten there multiple times and am always impressed by their consistency and excellent food. The specials are always interesting and the menu varied enough to accommodate all food preferences without being overwhelming. The food is always fresh and well prepared with excellent customer service and attention to detail. Reserve well in advance.

We've been to this restaurant a number of times, fabulously fresh, terrific service, competitive pricing. The food is always delicious. Try the shaved fennel salad, Michael's Pasta and anything on the daily specials is sure to please. No AMEX, but still very satisfying...we will be back, again and again.

I have been coming to Pisticci since 2007. I love how this place has endured all the changes in this side of town. I also love how the patrons are quite loyal. The food is always delicious and the drinks pack a punch. Some of the ones I love always getting is the Broccolini with the spicy sausage and the fungi pasta…but the specials are also worth trying!

House wine reminded me of the table wine I had in Italy, very nice, smooth. Started off with the garlic bread which we fought over. The shaved Brussel sprouts were also very nice, light. I had the baby eggplant/asparagus warm veggies dish as a main course and thoroughly enjoyed a nice lighter fare as my meal. The lamb Ragu also very good. Portioned on the smaller side but if you are getting bread and/or appetizers it’s fine. The meatballs were great and I tried my daughters pasta with tomatoes/ mozzarella. I was looking at her dish and it looked like it had marshmallows which turned out to be the mozzarella. The flavors were good but it was not warm, almost cold. Which ruined that dish for me! Otherwise the sauce and pasta were good but it needed to be hot. Service was fantastic. I went to the area for Concert for Peace at St John the Devine. Otherwise it is a bit off the beaten track. This restaurant knows what they are doing 😜

This is one of my favorite restaurants to meet uptown. Take a walk on a beautiful Sunday morning along Riverside Drive and stop by Riverside church before enjoying a great brunch at this friendly and affordable neighborhood favorite. It is a real treat either for brunch or dinner.

This was a fantastic experience for me and my family. The food, service, ambiance, prices, and drinks were all impeccable. This is a cozy and colorful restaurant with lighter Italian cuisine than many others. The apps, mains and desserts were all worth while. Would go again in a heartbeat. Parking was easy too. It's also right off the 1 subway at 125th. Free jazz on Mondays too!

Pisticci is another old favorite, so when my wife and I were in New York City this weekend we revisited. Same wonderful atmosphere, same fine food and friendly staff. We had Saturday brunch - reasonably priced and quite fine.

This is my favorite Italian restaurant in the City. Most entrees are under $20. The Caprese is delectable. The signature dish penne pisticci is phenomenal. The service is usually good. The bread is good. The Chocolate Mousse is incredible. I have only good things to say.

Hadn't been there in several years since we live far but our return visit was just like we remembered. Cozy neighborhood spot with great service and outstanding food. Wish we lived closer.

Very popular with the Columbia crowd, this spot on Lasalle Street offers some delicious food at reasonable prices. You can have three courses here for under $40. Had a very good fennel salad, excellent polenta, and the special soup got a rave review. Chicken salad was a bit dull and the bread could be better. Pasta dishes got mixed results--good lamb ragu, but mushroom pasta not cooked properly. We waited for a table away from the bar because we thought it would be quieter, but the other room was just as noisy. It's a lively crowd, so don't expect a quiet, calm meal. Servers were efficient but a little too eager to remove our plates. However, the best conclusion to any good meal is a modest tab, and in that department Pisticci is a winner. Recommended.

Drove into New York the morning after the massive blizzard to meet clients. Cars were snowed in with at least 2+ feet of snow so I wasn't expecting anything to be open. Then I walked into Pisticci. The welcome was wonderfully inviting and Molly waited on me. Ordered an omelette with tomatoes and mozzarella which was very tastefully prepared and served. Full of flavours including basil. There were greens (a salad) lightly dressed in vinaigrette and a side of crusty Italian bread. Excellent brunch and would highly recommend if you are in that part of New York.

PSA, TLDR: DO NOT EAT AT PISTICCI'S. My family and I (13 people total) celebrated my birthday at Pisticci's. My partner called multiple times to let them know we'd be celebrating my birthday and bringing our own cake. When we arrived with a cake, it was as if these conversations never happened. We sat at our cramped table, and no-one came by (even with water or bread - we had to ask for this separately) for 15 minutes. Everything was slow, as noted by the 3 hours we spent here. We eventually ordered appetizers, including steamed mussels with a side of hair. I let one of the waiters know, who stood there and stared at me blankly. I kindly asked him to remove the mussels from the bill. Right after this, another waiter whips by me to pull a salad that had been placed on the table muttering "This actually isn't for this table, it's for another." The salad had been on the small table for 5 minutes, touched, reached/spoken over, and this man grabbed the salad like a ninja in the night. I'm horrified to think what table they placed that salad on next. The manager came by shortly after this to ask "How is everything?" as if he had no knowledge of these previous events. I told him what happened, he said "Ok, I'm sorry" and walked away. Eventually our entrees came out, and we all sat confused as to how an Italian restaurant, where each of us ordered pasta, would not think it important to offer parmesan and crushed red pepper. We had to ask 3 times to get this. The food was mediocre. We were all eating until someone found another hair (the same exact type) embedded in their pasta. At this point, I thought this was all ridiculous, so I got up to say something. I showed the hostess the hair, she said "Ok" and then walked away. I was left standing there with the plate of food. I put it on the empty table behind us, then another waiter came out and grabbed the plate, confused and about to place it back on our table. I told him there was a hair, to which he replied "Where?", and I showed him it strung around the bottom of the pasta/plate. He said "I'm sorry" and walked away ?? He came back with someone else's drink, to which I asked what they were going to do about the hair and quickly digressed to just please take it off the bill and get this person something else instead. The manager came by shortly after to ask the same question as before, as if he had no knowledge of what was going on in his restaurant. When I told him about the additional hair, his response was "That's so weird," as if we were lying. Most of us had lost our appetite by this point, but I guess the restaurant confused the cheer of being surrounded by family as us having a good time. I specifically recapped the events of the evening with the manager and replied "I'm having a great time because I'm surrounded by my family, otherwise, this has not been a great experience." The manager replies, "I'm sorry to hear that" and walks away. LOL. By this point they had also stopped coming around the table, (e.g. to ask if we wanted more drinks or water), but eventually came around to ask "Does anyone want any dessert?" After I reminded them it was my birthday and we brought a cake, they asked if anyone wanted coffee. ~5 cappuccinos took about 15 minutes to make, and when they brought them they didn't bring any sugar or spoons. The cake came long after, again without any spoons. Despite asking to use up all of the cake, they only used half. Everyone was left wanting more, but it was so hard to get their attention to ask if any remained, that we let it be. After trying to get their attention for 10 minutes, my partner had to GO UP and request the bill, which only had 2 items comped, although they still graciously charged $104 just to cut the cake. We didn't receive a sincere apology or anything to make up for the extremely lackluster and gross experience. They exhibited unsanitary practices and general discontent for having a packed house on a Wednesday night. I guess they don't need any more money, so go somewhere else that needs it! Fumo is close by :)

Delivery during COVID 19. I had the prosciutto e spinaci, which is spaghetti tossed with olive oil, prosciutto, and spinach. It was light and filling. I also tried the fettuccine ai funghi, which is fettuccine tosses with mushrooms. Rich and flavorful. Delivery was fast and efficient. This is my favorite type of restaurant, one that has a small menu that they do well, rather than a large menu of mediocre items. They have their own farm and utilize their own compost. They use seasonal vegetables. I can definitely get behind this place!

I've eaten here every few years and each time the food and service have been appealing. Housed on the basement level on a small sidestreet near Columbia University, Pisticci draws local residents and college faculty as well as younger folks. Large windows look out and up to the pavement and beyond. Inside the emphasis is on comfort in the decor and the Italian menu. This Sunday evening there was a live jazz trio. My friend and I had pasta entrees (spaghetti with seafood for her, fettucine with lamb ragout, spinach, and ricotta for me. Substantial and flavorful. For dessert I had terrific tiramisu while my friend had raspberry and passion fruit sorbets which she liked. The place was packed, from young parent with a toddler to we seniors from out of town. Despite the crowd we were able to hear ourselves talk. We will keep coming back.

We are from Chile, me with my girlfriend were on New York, it was a cold day, and we were hungry. We find this place in google maps, and we decided to give it a try. The garlic bread with goat cheese was delicious, full of taste, crisp on the outside, soft in the middle, and the service was great. The best of all, it´s not expensive.

A charming neighborhood find that serves delicious Italian food and has a lovely Italian wine list with low prices. Service is good and ambiance is fine. The mens/ladies' room is quite convenient and spotless. All prices are very reasonable.

Planning our dinner before attending a basketball game at Columbia University, my friend and I had the good fortune to source Pisticci on TripAdvisor. A pleasant welcome followed by attentive, tho not intrusive, service. Seated, server presented toothsome rustica pane with extra virgin olive oil. Then we enjoyed grilled vegetable and bufalo mozzarella, broccoli rabe, along with a carafe of delicious Montepulciano, to begin. We chose two entree specials: ravioli covered with shaved vegetables and exceptional cheese; in addition, a seafood medley with clams, mussels, shrimp, scallops, and fish in a savory broth. Compelled to order more delicious offerings to follow, we had tartuffo (served with a covering of espresso!!), Sambucco, and cappucino. So intoxicated and surprised by the food, friendly servers, and ambiance, we missed the first basketball game! Pisticci truly inspires its diner, just as their ceramic motto advises: Vive Bene Spesso L'Amore di Risata Molto (Live well, Love Much, Laugh Often). We cannot wait to return!! MAKE RESERVATIONS, FOR THEY ARE BUSY!!!

This is based on one Friday supper visit. Pisticci is a linen tablecloth sort of place a half block from Broadway close to the Manhattan School of Music. It's bigger than it looks from the sidewalk. I had the spaghetti with prosciutto and spinach; it was pretty good. My wife had the Tuscan bean ravioli, which she really enjoyed. Other members of our group liked their food. The restaurant was doing a good business when we arrived for our 6:00 PM reservation. When we left, about 7:15, there were people waiting on the sidewalk. We'd go back.

Went there this evening and the food was excellent but unfortunately I did not look at the check until I got home. It was not our check and about $50 more than our bill should have been-BTW I only had 1 drink. Totally my fault but double check your bill.

Stopped here for dinner at a colleague's recommendation after a college visit. We were not disappointed. Had the fennel and shaved parmesan salad and followed up with meatballs and polenta. It was excellent. Rest of the party enjoyed their pasta. Service was efficient and friendly and the house red recommendation was right on the mark. Will definitely eat her again when on the Upper West Side.

This is a cute, cozy restaurant. Reservations are recommended. While the menu is small, there is a good variety of choices. Several of the pasta dishes can be made gluten-free, which was good and cooked properly. The portions are a reasonable size. The servers were pleasant and efficient. The whipped cream and berries was delicious with freshly whipped, not too sweet, whipped cream. The cappuccino was also good. They have soy milk if you're not into dairy. It is a bit pricey. It is located on a small street in Harlem. There is free street parking in the area.

This is a comfortable neighborhood restaurant that serves foods both pleasing to the eye and the palate. The portions aren't large but the quality is there. For dessert we had their Italian "fig cake": which was delicious. It was a sponge cake with 2 strawberries as a side-garnish. Our group chatted about how we had expected something laden with fruits. In any case, we were happy with the cake flavor.

This is one of our favorite neighborhood spots. The food is consistently good. WE had family visiting from out of town and it was perfect for that evening.

Very enjoyable place for a meal. Easily walkable from Columbia and priced very reasonably. We took my son and his new roommates for dinner here based on yelp reviews. Food is very tasty. I had a vegetarian lasagna that actually had no pasta, but the flavors melded really well and the tomato sauce was quite flavorful. The waiter had recommended it and I’m glad I followed his suggestion. My husband had the Maltagliati with ricotta, which is like a deconstructed lasagna w lamb ragu (stew) and spinach with a dollop of fresh ricotta cheese. It has a brown sauce instead of a red tomato-based sauce. Very yummy too. The boys all had different pasta dishes and all were good, so it looks like you can go wrong on what you order. And the tartuffo on the dessert menu (chocolate coated-vanilla and chocolate gelato with espresso poured over it) was worth the calories. We ended up pouring just a little bit of the decaf espresso instead of regular. The wait staff was very friendly and helpful. There were a couple changes in wait staff for some reason for our table, but it all worked out. I would definitely go back again next time I’m out visiting my son.

A really should be giving away my favorite restaurants to the world but I do it in the name of great food. Now they take reservations so I won’t be waiting in line behind all of you. This place is a gem! It is nestled on the corner of the Columbia campus. You step inside and you are sure you are in Florence. Low ceiling wooden tables with candles and a bohemian crowd. The wine list is great and the grapefruit martinis are to die for. The pasta is homemade and authentic and can be ordered family style. I love the prices. Very reasonable. Definitely worth a visit.

Tried the maltagliati, and so glad I did! The lamb ragu was very tasty and the pasta tender, delicious. The Arctic char (special for the evening) was also very good.

Love the Penne Pisticci (you will too as long as you like mozzarella cheese and tomatoes), garlic bread with goat cheese, and minestrone soup. Awesome food for Columbia area. Sister loves the Uova Del Campo for brunch.

Went there for brunch with the familia. We all loved the food we ordered. Everything was fresh and delicious. The ambiance is laid back with staff that is very friendly and attentive.

Though very crrowded the food is of average quality The meatballs and sphagetti I tried was not flavorful and so was the steak my daughter ordered. The bread served was not that apetizing either. They even switched the bill and gve us someone elses, and had to wait a while before we got our bill.

I should already be asleep or up this late busy working yet all I can think of is the delicious salad & pasta cuisine at Pisticci's. I've been craving for Pisticci's Fig Salad, a recipe I've been trying to figure out but to no avail. Their Fig Salad are not always available but the combination of Mango, White Asparagus, Fig, Walnut and their special dressing is just simply heavenly (it's not listed on their menu as well)! Their Prosciutto e spinaci is TO DIE for. Seriously, I would die to have some of that right now. I highly recommend this restaurant!

This was advised to us and we were not disappointed. Good atmosphere and very good food. Value for money is good: not cheap, but for the quality not badly priced.

I love italian food, and pisticci is honestly some of the best i have eaten in new york city. this is an absolute diamond in the rough find, with a true farm-to-garden experience (the family that owns the restaurant literally owns some of the gardens that supply it) and innovative but reliable italian-inspired cooking. the menu is really unique, an unusual mix of classic dishes and unique efforts. the bar is small but lively and welcoming, and the restaurant feels like the best kind of dinner party your coolest but closest friend would throw. the lamb pasta dish is special, as are a number of the appetizers. really wonderful spot hidden in west harlem and priced at a bargain.

Homie sophisticated great food. We drive from Ct. Just for this meal in Harlem (west side) highly recommended for simple fare that you probably could never make at home. Additionally, it's a great value in a cool space.

Came here for brunch on a Sunday afternoon. Ricotta pancakes were scrumptious along with sausage side (with a delightful fennel flavor) and potatoes. Nice ambiance. Friendly and efficient service. Reasonably priced.

2nd time here and the 1st time was good this was even better. Had some live mellow music. Ample glass of wine. The Salmon was sumptuous. Service very attentive. Room was lively but not loud. Will go back

I have been lunching and dining at Pisticci every two days over the past month while my kitchen has been renovated. Unfortunately I found the service to be consistently disappointing and found that this is mostly due to the high rotation of personnel every day of the week. It is upsetting to visit a restaurant four times a week and receive inconsistent service. Every time a new staff member who seems to have been there only a day and who displays a lot of attitude and no interest in the client. Had the worst experience this evening with a server named Sophia, who acted like she owned the place. Frankly, I'm starting to think I will give Pisticci a miss until they sort out their sloppy and uneducated staffing issues. The last thing one wants is to be patronized by a 20 years old. Bye Sophia!

Restaurant was recommended by a friend who knew we were in the area for special occasion. It was a 10 minute walk from the event site. A hidden gem, hole in the wall place. I wouldn't classify it as Italian cuisine, though the name implies. Steamed artichoke appetizer and garlic bread were big hits with our group of seven. Several of the guests were vegetarian and they had reviewed the menu in advance and all gave it a thumb's up. Service was gracious and though the restaurant was busy, we didn't feel rushed to finish our meal to turn over the table. Because we were a large group, we were in the center of the room surrounded by tables of 2 or 4 and had no problem hearing the conversation at our table. The only draw back? Two private bathrooms. One of them opening into the bar offering little privacy. For a restaurant that can hold up to 164, it just seemed lacking to me. While not inexpensive, certainly not over priced for New York, except for the wine selections, which seemed pricey to me. When you go, ask for Caroline. She was our server and could not have been nicer!

Sunday for dinner was lively and fun! Jazz musician and awesome food plus incredible servers made it memorable! The food rivaled the quality I enjoyed while living in Europe...made me appreciate NYC for its ability to offer variety and great food!

The restaurant does have very nice atmosphere which makes for a very enjoyable dining experience. I need gluten free and ordered the Insalata Pisticci (spinach salad) which was a good salad. We also ordered the olive and cheese platter, but wouldn't repeat as we expected some varitey on the cheese, but were only served parmesan. For dinner I had the Penne Pisticci (gluten free) and they use a nice quinoa pasta not corn which was very good. My husband had the Fettuccine Mushroom pasta (not gluten free) and it had ample mushrooms. Though we enjoyed both dishes we found them both to be a bit bland, but we only needed to add a bit of salt and they were fine. The service was great even thought it was a very busy night and the food served nice and hot. We would definitely recommend and return.

My college-going son chose this place for a mid-week lunch during my recent visit to the city. It was a delightful choice. The complimentary ciabatta got polished off by us because the rosemary infused olive oil was so good. My son had a hearty shrimp pasta (he proclaimed it was very good) while the arugula salad with roasted figs (excellent!) was plenty for me. We were quite full but still tempted by the desserts. My tiramisu was rather nice but my son's chocolate mousse was excellent. Have decided that Pisticci is a restaurant that we must return to when I am next in the Columbia neighborhood.

This is my third trip to Pisticci. Every time it just gets better. From the warm greeting at the door, to the craft cocktails, to the delicious menu it just does not stop. The atmosphere is relaxed and calm. The food never fails to impress. Be sure to ask for Quinten as you server- he is marvelous. The specials are always great, but save room for the coconut cake for dessert. If you are in the Manhattan area, this jewel is worth the trip.

What a delightful, lively restaurant in a great location near Columbia and easy to travel to and from elsewhere. The 125th St. Subway Station is less than 2 blocks away. From pasta to pesce the food is fresh, well prepared, and tasty. Soups are excellent as well. Even on a very busy night, the restaurant and the restroom facility were kept immaculate. Highly recommend!

Great place. Loved the food. salads, polenta with meatballs, steak. Good atmosphere. Good, friendly service. Great cosmos.

It is always great to experience to have great food, nice atmosphere and a solid staff to back it up. I personally had Pasta Fungi (Pasta with mushrooms) with a simple olive oil and fresh Parm. Always a treat to find it on a menu and it was great. My guests focused on Breakfast so yes that is always a brunch option but not what I look to. I always ask myself would I go back and the answer is yes.

Excellent quality food! Great environment. Not pretentious at all but still feels like a fancy place.

Thoroughly enjoyed three specials - the tastes were fresh original, the service was excellent, and the atmosphere delightful. I will look forward to returning.

The "Manhattan-ites" of the family continue to educate us on restaurant choices. We were downtown near Little Italy when dinner time rolled around. Our tour guide (i.e. Daughter-in-law) said "it's worth the 45 minute drive to go back uptown to Pisticci" so we did. And it was worth it. Our choices for dinner (two Tuscan ravioli, oricchietti w/ broccoli rabe & sausage, a simple dish of spaghetti and a Seafood Arrabbiata over linguine) were all delicious and devoured down to bare dishes. Coffee and a shared Tartufo desert topped of a delightful meal. One small disappointment; I wish I could have got a beer I was familiar with instead of playing craft-beer-roulette.

By bringing my sister in law to this restaurant, is its own "litmus test" as to whether we would return! Yup!! She even said this could be one of the best restaurants ever! That is incredibly high marks!! Authentic pasta - most of it handmade on premise. The balance of acid and salt is on par and the drinks are crafted, but not snooty. The ambiance is energetic, but not too loud. The back room (not in photo) is by far the best. You feel like you are eating in a wine cave. I think they take a reservation, but if not, it is worth the wait and explore the hood! Pisticci is nestled in a "pass-thru" street named La Salle near Colombia U and in an area where most don't visit.. The architecture in this neighborhood dates back to late 1800's-1920's with beautiful buildings and cobble stone streets. A few blocks away is the famous Riverside Church (built by Rockefeller) 490 Riverside Dr - not to be missed!!

We arrived on a Friday night about 6:30pm, and explained to the staff we needed to be in and out in about an hour, in order to get to a nearby concert. Everyone was very accommodating, and we even had time to get dessert, and never felt rushed. Entrees were great. I have to note that this restaurant is near to Columbia University and Riverside Church, and one might not immediately get a table during college sessions or if other large events are taking place. We'd like to return to this restaurant again.

We recently spent four days in New York City eating out, and this is the only restaurant we went to where we felt we got value for our money. It is a very 'sympa' place, with amiable service and simple, but excellent food. We were three, and we all started with the steamed artichoke. It was beautifully trimmed for easy eating, super tasty and fresh, and the hollandaise sauce was wonderfully tart and eggy. My husband and I had the meatballs and polenta: wonderfully rich and spicy and the polenta was excellent. My colleague had a pizza with arugula and prosciutto with a beautifully thin crust. She took half home for a second meal. It's very busy, so you must book ahead, and be ready to be run off your table after an hour and a half, but they were extremely nice about it. In the end, we were on the table at least two hours.

Good service, great food, good selection of drinks and environmentally mind. Brilliant restaurant, I highly recommend checking it out.

I go to this restaurant 2 or 3 times a month for the past few years. The food is excellent the service is fantastic. The prices are within reason. The atmosphere is cordial. I have enjoyed every meal and so good that I have ordered meals to go. I can't say enough about this restaurant. I give it 6 out of 5 stars🍞🍗🍜🥗🍷🍽 Go for it

Very popular place near Columbia U. - is much bigger that it appears on the outside. Seems like there were at least 20 people working dinner here. Everything was great, and large portions - mussels in white wine, spaghetti di mare and fettuccini al tardivo (cream, bacon, radicchio and mushrooms(?)). Servers very busy, but dishes presented nicely and with a smile. They know their food is a winner here.

Been there 3-4 times in the last 2 years, Food, wine, staff & location have been always reliable and steadily great. a must try is the Bowl to share (depends on how big your group/order is) La spaghetta (add MeatBalls for the true experience), nice but not too intellectual challenges on the wine list, very child friendly as well. You only can do reservations for parties of 6 and above, but just go there early and maybe you have to spend up ti 45 minutes with a glass of wine outside on the nice benches....assume that there are worse destiny in the world...

What a great affordable place. We got there early and snuck in before the crowds. The dinners we had were fantastic. Skirt steak flavorful and tender, pasta with lamb was perfect and felt like home, and the fungi pasta was perfect. Highly recommend if you're in the area visiting Manhattan school of music or Columbia.

We had 9:15 reservations for 6 people on a busy Monday night. We waited about 10-15 minutes for a table. It was a busy, cool and rainy night and waiting indoors was crowded. The food was okay/good (fine, but not memorable), most of it is locally grown and organic, prices are reasonable, and there's a selection for vegetarians and carnivores. Wine list is good and reasonable. Service was kinda slow but perhaps that is because it was so busy? Unbeknownst to us, our waiter left after our meal but before the check, and so it took a while to flag someone down to bring us the check.

Pisticci is one of our favorite restaurants in New York! We go at least once every two weeks and it is always great. Yesterday we went with friends the first time for brunch and we had a great meal. The atmosphere is always great. My favorite dish on their menu is the pasta prosciutto e spinaci. Yesterday I had the chickpea salad and it was divine! I cannot recommend it enough!

Came here with a group of 15 for a business dinner after meetings at Columbia University, just a few blocks from Campus. Service was fast, friendly and efficient. I had garlic bread and penne pasta, it was all very good. Rest of the group reported that they enjoyed their meals. Pisticci has a quaint atmosphere and is a hidden gem tucked off a side street off of Broadway in the Morningside/Columbia area. Walking distance to two subway stops. I would consider coming her again if in the area.

Had many different appetizers - all were good except the olive and cheese. Had pasta with meatballs, fish, steak for entrees - delicious. Desserts were great except for the berries with whipped cream. It was a huge mound of whipped cream with a few berries. Waitstaff were great. Would def recommend going.

This is our second time visiting Pisticci and was even better this time. Each dish, salad and appetizer on the menu was tempting! We started with the garlic bread with goat cheese which our waiter recommends and we were not disappointed, same went for the eggplant & ricotta app. For salad we shared the fennel & greens with parmigiana cheese and lemon dressing, very fresh and full of flavor. For lunch we had the pasta special, a pasta rusticco with olives, capers garlic and other vegetables. One of us also had a panini, which was flavorful. For dessert, we were recommended the coconut cake and tiramisu! Delish. For a cocktail we recommend trying a drink with the Barr Hill Gin. Our waiter was outstanding! All of the Staff could not have been more accommodating!

Whenever we have lunch or dinner at Pisticci, we are never disappointed! Always greeted warmly, we sit down to well-prepared meal served by a friendly, knowledgable, more than competent wait staff. The menu selections are varied, sensible, yet creative. The wine selections are well chosen and reasonable. This place is tucked away on La Salle Street (W. 123 Street) west of Broadway.

The staff was quite friendly despite the restaurant being absolutely full, and we were seated with a minimal wait. I had the mushroom fetuccini (which was nice) and shared a salad (which was overpriced). It could be that I was especially hungry that day, but two of us ended up eating two baskets of bread and butter to supplement the meal.

My daughter lives in this neighborhood and this is becoming our go-to place. Food great, ambiance friendly. Salads are always good. On weekends beware brunch not lunch!

Great menu with many daily fresh specials. You can't go wrong here! Good selection of pastas and starters. Its a little out of the way but worth the journey.

Pisticci recycles and composts for their own veggies, uses wind for electricity. So you feel noble while consuming a delicious menu of Italian fare. Very pleasant place at a reasonable price.

This was one of my favorite Upper West side restaurant for many years. During the pandemic my husband and I stayed at home for quite some time. Recently we decided to order dinner for pick up, and I was quite excited to savor my favorite meal which was the meatballs with polenta and the coconut cake. What a disappointment! The meatballs were filled with a green vegetable that I did not recognize, and the taste was so unpleasant that I could not eat the meatballs. The coconut cake which used to be so light and delicate was heavy and too sweet. I would guess that the former chef was replaced. What a pity!!

The restaurant offers well prepared food at a reasonable price. The pasta is the main speciality. It has three large saloons and so it is convenient for large parties. In sum, good service at a reasonable price in NYC.

Pisticci is in the conversation as one of the best Italian restaurants in NYC. It's off the beaten path but is hardly unknown to the regulars and to those who seek great food, service and value. On Saturday night my table had the grilled brook trout, and 3 pasta dishes, all of them excellent: one with fresh mushrooms and tomato sauce, one with prosciutto and spinach, and a superb artichoke lasagna. The atmosphere is unpretentious; casual and very welcoming--you really feel at home. The service is excellent with our server intuiting when they were needed and when we were engrossed in conversation. It's great for singles, couples, large groups and is kid and family friendly. Pisticci is a huge winner!

Pisticci is a very good, local neighborhood restaurant. My first visit was outstanding. The second visit was disappointing. Now, I have tried it again and the food was very good. Ordered some of the specials. Reservations necessary.

First: the best Cosmo ever! Next: friendly, helpful staff Next: great food. Fettuccini with fungi; meatballs with polenta; ravioli; lasagna; bean soup with meat. Everything was fabulous. Next: reasonably priced Can't wait to return.

All we remember about the pricey dinner we had at Pisticci was the loud noise of a small posse of hipsters-looking restaurant staff hovering around the wine bar, making jokes and addressing each other and their friends loudly and commonly. It seemed they wanted to ensure to be heard by all the guests, including those seated all the way near the back wall. Said hipster-looking staff behaved like they owned the place. This gave the venue a Bushwick dive bar feel that - while charming and appealing in Bushwick - clashed with the price range and general aspiration of this purported Italian restaurant. Again, it seems to be another case of a proprietor who underestimates the importance to recruit, train, monitor and retain staff members who reflect the values and overall level of the venue.

Had spaghetti with meatballs for two and it was excellent! Great service!! This is a neighborhood restaurant near Columbia University. A tucked away hidden gem!

Ate at this restaurant with my family after my daughter's graduation which was on the way to the subway from the convocation. It was a busy, bustling comfortable place for out of owners. The waitstaff was wonderful - friendly and attentive. Service was pretty quick and the food was good. Special requests were cheerfully honored. The tables were full and close creating a fun and friendly atmostphere. My ravioli entree was fantastic; my husband was less thrilled with his steak considering it average. Overall a good stop for anyone less familiar with New York choices or not a local.

The comfortable and upbeat dining room is staffed by a young and friendly, if not always coordinated, wait staff. One entrée arrived late only after we mentioned that one of us hadn't been served. My insalata was surprisingly ho-hum-- lettuce, a couple of tomatoes. We stuck with pasta dishes, which were served nice and hot and were very tasty. Our waiter's recommendation of the coconut cake for dessert was spot on.

Came across this wonderful place whilst staying 2 blocks away in morning side Fabulously cooked food welcoming service. Ordered takeout after a trip to the movies followed by a 3 course meal the day after complete with cocktails! We waited fir a table but were happy to soak up the warm neighbourhood atmosphere and hear the Jazz beautifully performed by the lady owner - a fab evening

The restaurant was excellent with a beautiful variety of dishes. We enjoyed there famous "fig" salad along with delicious grilled vegetables and two pasta entrees. This restaurant was recommended by a dear friend who lives close by. It's always nice to get a recommendation from a local resident! It paid off. Now I am recommending Pisticci restaurant to you. Enjoy!

We've come to New York for two weeks and have tried a number of different restaurants, but this is by far our favourite. The food is super fresh (apparently they have their own farm where they grow most of it), the staff are extremely attentive and the cocktails are the best I've ever had. The wine list is impressive too and they were more than happy to adjust the dishes to accommodate our fussy kids.

Definitely one of the best upper west side restaurants . 1st rate warm mushroom antipasta, main course grilled chicken breast , and grilled salmon, Chocolate mousse desert. Tasty drinks. Prices upper moderate.

When I reviewed Pisticci last time, I signaled the poor attitude of staff toward customers and spotty service level. I must say that I was impressed of how much these two issues have improved in the past year. The (new) staff are very friendly and helpful without being patronizing. Service is attentive but not overwhelming. My dinner companion and I both noticed these welcome changes. Food is great as usual, perhaps a touch more inventive, fresh and better presented. Overall it seems that Pisticci has been able to re0invent itself while retaining its authentic and traditional style. Well done.

Small friendly Italian bistro near Columbia University on 125th. Outstanding pasta, reasonable wine choices. Went for lunch and tried spaghetti with prosciutto and spinach -- very good!

Had an amazing dinner with my friends for my birthday. Service was great, the server would come regularly to check if we were fine!. Somehow i thought the portion was small but food was great in taste!.

They have limited tables open for reservation and encourage you to walk in. However (it seems fair though) they will not seat you until your party is full even if you are ready to order. That was a bit challenging for us as a party of 4 arriving from different places and committed to leaving at different times. But there was no other place we would selected on the Upper West Side that Saturday -- the food experience was important. Aside from the two Upper West Side "locals" in our party, it was a treat for us visitors to have an outstanding Italian meal at Pisticci once again.

Totally enjoyed my brunch with friends today at Pisticci's. Corbin was our waiter, and he was absolutely kind, attentive and a lovely server. We lucked out to get him. Had lemon ricotta pancakes with a side of bacon and they were scrumptious. Highly recommend this lovely restaurant close to 125th Street #1 train stop and Manhattan School of Music. Charming.

We came in without reservations and were seated very quickly. That and the ambience were the two nice things about our experience. The interior is lovely. But the food was served to us within minutes of ordering and, although we didn't feel rushed by the staff (they were friendly), we were out of there within a half hour of walking in. The food was average and experience overall was a little bit disappointing, since we had high hopes walking in. Not a bad place but we were hoping for a more memorable experience.

We were very excited to find this 4star restaurant near the college. Went for lunch at 2:30-- hours online states 11 am- 11 pm, but apparently they close at 3 till dinner. Staff could be more welcoming but they accommodated us. Unfortunately we got served much later than others who arrived after us, since the maitre dix was pretty overwhelmed. Minestrone was pretty good Good house red (Montepulciano) and Pinot Grigio Eggplant appetizer was nicely done. All in all 5 of us light lunch pretty happy $87 including tip.

Pisticci is a gem on the Upper Wedt Side. Tucked away on a corner of La Salle Street this Italian restaurant features an array of delicious pasta dishes lmany featuring locally grown organic vegetables. The nightly specials always include fish and steak and a vegetarian pasta. The bar is well-known locally for its artisanal cocktails and great local vibe.

Popular Italian eatery upper west side. Not great for kids, but adults looking for good food, good wine at reasonable prices would do well to find yourself here. Garlic bread is off the charts. Our party consisted of 6 all of whom had different entrees, none of which made it to a doggie bag. Highly recommended. Nikkole our waitress was super nice, attentive and deserved every penny for seeing to our table.

This was my second visit however on this trip service was lacking. Plates we not cleared during any of the courses and overall lackluster service.

On a side street off upper Broadway, a few blocks from the 125th St station of the 1 train is Pisticci, an Italian that is larger than one imagines. Our greeting at 5 pm was a not the best but we sorted out our reservation and were seated where we wanted and not where they wanted. The waiters were friendly and accommodating and the food very good. We ranged among salads, pasta, steak and hit 3 desserts including tiramisu, tartufo and coconut cake, all wonderful. Not too noisy, except for us!

The atmosphere is charming and lively. Clearly this is a neighborhood favorite. Service was friendly but a bit lackadiasical. The food was pretty tasteless.

A pub atmosphere with a menu that offers Italian classics and a robust array of seafood options. They have a farm fresh offering of veggies and sides. The back room is good for groups and a quieter vibe.

A nice change of pace from the hustle and pace of many NYC Italian restaurants. Pisticci has a comfortable feel. The pace of the meal is perfect for a dinner with family and friends. We were late due to Columbia graduation, but the hostess was very accommodating and understanding when we called asking to change the reservation time. Sharing some appetizers and salad was perfect for us. Each person had a pasta dish, and all were very good. The house red is a good value. You leave feeling good about the evening!

4 of us were on a bike ride from the Staten island Ferry up to the GW bridge and stopped here for lunch. As my title says " believe the reviews" and after you have eaten you will also. From the pancakes through the coconut cake our taste buds were working overtime. Just a great meal. Service was excellent. Great personalities.

Friendly staff and excellent food. The restaurant itself is a lot like the Tardis, much bigger on the inside.

Wow, was I surprised by this place. It doesn't look like much but the moment we walked in we felt welcome. Immediately we were noticed and seated (even though we didn't have reservations). The atmosphere is rather quaint and the place is larger than it reads from the street. As soon as we were seated, water was brought over and the waitress soon followed. She was sweet and attentive. For a cocktail, I had a fresh grapefruit martini that was off the charts and really hit the spot. For appetizers, we had the cheese and olive plate along with the toasted garlic bread with goat cheese. (You're hungry now, right)? For my entree I had a special dish; it was home made pasta with zucchini, eggplant and squash flowers. On the top was a dollop of fresh ricotta. Needless to say it was awesome. If you happen to be in the vicinity of this place, I'd recommend it. Joe L. from Huntington

This basement Italian place feels like it should be in Greenwich Village, but is nicely located on La Salle and Broadway, just north of Columbia University. Good variety on the menu, and our dishes were well executed. The salads were a hit, as were the ravioli. Service was friendly and genuinely seemed interested in making sure we had a nice meal.

While it was really loud on Saturday night and packed, we always enjoy well prepared Italian home cooking at this neighborhood gem. Bottle of wine and lamb ragu over pappardelle...divine.

Good food, intimate vibe. Nice to have in the neighborhood. Hard to miss, as it is not on main street, but well worth seeking out.

Well worth our waiting on a Sunday eve for a table at this popular restaurant. A delightful server and a terrific jazz singer made even better our delicious meal. Each of us had the lamb ragout pasta, which was wonderful. There was more than enough tender, tasty lamb along with spinach and ricotta cheese to make this a memorable dish.

We LOVED Pisticci for early dinner and evening drinks - delicious Italian cuisine, innovative dishes, reasonably priced and lovely, homey ambiance. We also appreciated being seated and hosted by Ryan a very attentive and conscientious waiter. Highly recommended!!

Cozy quaint atmosphere and delicious food. Service was mediocre but they seemed a little short staffed the night we were there so maybe it’s usually better.

You already know this is a great Italian restaurant but it is also good for breakfast. The three of us on a Saturday Morning ate inside, though outside space is also available. Service was excellent and professional. Food, breakfast dishes were really good but they use the produce from their own farm and the potatoes were absolutely fantastic. I think this was the best takeaway and the memory that sustains. The potatoes were so good, I deliberately did not share. And only spoke of the flavor after the meal was gone and the potatoes totally consumed by me. It is a very warm and friendly place, worth another visit.

Came for a birthday celebration and were blown away (and we live in NYC!!). Everything was delicious and very affordable. Had the lamb ragu pasta and the meatballs with polenta along with the insalata special. All we delicious and with $7 glasses of wine and $4 cappucino's you can afford to splurge. The place is super cozy and packed with young students and fellow New Yorkers. A real find!

Italian food in Manchattan? Yes, Pisticci is a good idea. Is located in a central area and serves lovely pasta and salads. I liked also their wine... Prefer pasta with mushrooms and pasta with lamb! Their sweets are also good. Not so expensive....

Honestly one of the best overall restaurants in NYC, but you'd never know it until you tried it. Amazing pasta, salads, cocktails, and desserts. If you're in the area, do yourself a favor and go!!! Very moderate prices for NYC.

So glad I introduced my colleagues to this gem -- after yesterday's dinner at a hyped restaurant this was just the ticket: excellence at a reasonable price. Few restaurants serving Italian (outside of Italy) are as good as Pisticci. We loved our respective pastas -- homemade linguine with mushrooms and truffle oil and the spaghetti with prosciutto and spinach. One hearty contorno (braised spinach and kale) was plenty for the three of us. The house red at the happy hour price is great for the traveller's budget. And our server Ryan was delightful and honest in his recommendations. We could not be happier.

Never disappointed with their Italian classics. Food is fabulous. We stop by every time we are in the city. Prices are very reasonable as well.

Five us dined here for lunch and had a great meal. Entrees were reasonably priced in the $11 to $15 range and all were very tasty. Two of us had the orecchiette with broccoli rabe, one had the portobello sandwich, one the chicken panini and one the mozzarella panini. Everyone was very pleased with their entree. Service was perfect with food arriving quickly and hot. We would not hesitate to make a return visit.

We had lunch at Pisticci Restaurant today and every dish was excellent, from the bread to the pasta, salad, and mussels. The mussels were sooooooo good that we even ordered a second serving. Each sauce was perfect, the service was attentive, and the setting was lovely. We will definitely return.

My friend and I were first attracted to Pisticci for its proximity to our accommodations, and for the live jazz offered on Sunday nights. We were pleasantly surprised at the warm ambiance of the restaurant, and the positive customer service through our meal. Great wine list, and very enjoyable dishes. Definitely one of the best dinners during our weekend trip in NYC.

Pisticci's is a well-known Italian cafe/restaurant close to Columbia University in New York's Upper West Side. An inkling of what delight is in store occurs upon entering the establishment. You are greeted by a generous host welcoming you to what seems like the dining room of a large Italian family. The faux-library bar aesthetic is in keeping with its university environs. Table service is prompt and informed. Definitely await the listing of daily specials. My party took advantage of that by ordering the Arctic Char, the Lobster Ravioli, and the Spaghetti Bolognese from the daily specials, along with a side of pasta in red sauce. After tasting these dishes the diner's fervent wish would be for all of these dishes to become part of Pisticci's daily offerings. The Arctic Char is basically a cross between trout and salmon. Pisticci served it simply broiled, thus allowing the natural flavor of the fish to predominate. The asparagus accompaniment was only slightly cooked, in keeping with Pisticci's penchant for serving dishes "al dente." I, personally, like my pasta and vegetables chewy, but this might not please the palate of the average American used to well-cooked pasta and boiled vegetables. Our guests raved about the lobster ravioli and spaghetti Bolognese. The Frangelico chocolate mousse and coconut cake were both outstanding desserts. The only food disappointment was the garlic bread appetizer which featured more seasoning than necessary. One drawback was in the actual serving of the entrees. They were brought to the table as they came up in the kitchen, rather than together. This creates a potentially awkward situation of some guests having and eating their main courses while others in the party are still awaiting theirs. There was a lot of "Oh no, please enjoy your food while it's hot" occurring at our table. One other drawback is that the restaurant can be rather loud. It was a full house on the Tuesday evening we were there. We found ourselves frequently asking our guests to repeat themselves as we were unable to hear what they said the first time due to the loud conversation happening around us. Pisticci also boasts of being the first truly "carbon neutral" restaurant in New York City. This means it's conservation of energy, reuse of renewable energy sources, adoption of CFL bulbs, water aerators, and such, lessens its impact on the environment in every way. So, for the Earth-conscious diner, this provides an added benefit to the delicious cuisine served.

We were taken here by a friend who used to live in the area. There was a short wait, the staff was very professional and friendly, frequently stopping by to let us know our table was almost ready. I ordered their special Risotto that night but I was disappointed because the rice was still raw. The hostess was so excited about it, I did not have the heart to tell her. I probably should have. I just stopped eating it. Everyone else seemed to enjoy their meal. No room for dessert even though it looked delicious. I would definitely try this place again, just not the risotto.

Came back when again in the neighborhood. Our impression is this is a great place for a meal, with lots of options for good food. We sampled a salad special (stuffed figs), and an appetizer, along with two completely different pasta dishes - all were great. Wine by the glass was nice, and service was great. We'll come back again when nearby. It can be a bit noisy in the back room where we ate.

Our NY friends invited us to one of their favorite restaurants, and we couldn't agree more! The restaurant's outdoor seating reminded us of trattoria's in Italy. Each table and umbrella is on their own tier of the sidewalk. We were so comfortable and excited to be dining with friends whom we hadn't seen since January. The food was delicioso! We had the fig stuffed with goat cheese and fresh fruits appetizer, orecchiette broccoli rabe and the spinach ravioli special with tomatoes and squash. For dessert, we shared one of the best creme brulee dishes that I've ever had! Every dish was prepared to perfection, and their use of the freshest ingredients enhanced every mouthful!

We went to Pisticci based on a friend's recommendation. We loved it! The restaurant had a very eclectic and casual feel. Our server, Rachel, was very friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. One within our group had dairy and gluten restrictions and they offered practically everything on the menu to be made gluten free. We shared the Chickpea Avocado Salad among three of us and it was delicious and plentiful. I also highly recommend the Orecchiette Broccoli Rabe with the additional spicy sausage (which wasn't too spicy). We also had the Coconut Cake for dessert (through not gluten free). We had a delicious lunch with friendly service. Also note: there's a very reasonable parking lot on the next block in case you decided to drive.

We returned for another wonderful lunch -- orecchiette with Italian sausage ($15) and linguine with prosciutto and spinach ($11) which contained an unexpectedly generous portion of prosciutto. We were disappointed, however, with our server Haley who eventually came to take our order, checked back to see if our food was acceptable after we were almost finished eating, then proceeded to tell us she was going on break and another person would be serving our table -- regrettably she failed to notify our replacement server. Hopefully the lax service is a matter of training or just an off-day as the food is exceptional and well worth the trip to the Upper West Side.

I went there with some friends for lunch. The place is in the basement of an apartment building, so you get to see all the pipes in the ceiling. Your view out the window is of ankles of people passing by. Our server was friendly and told us about the specials. They neglected to mention prices. One of the specials sounded interesting. I was waiting for them to come back to ask about the price when I looked up and saw it on the wall. $25 for a lunch special. I ended up ordering a basic pasta with cheese. The food was average, not bad but not great. It cost $15, which is expensive. There are many other restaurants within a couple of blocks of this one. Of the ones i have tried they have all been less expensive. I doubt I will be going back when there are other options that offer better value.

Pisticci is one of my FAVORITE restaurants in New York City and sadly, I lived and worked in the neighborhood for two years before I knew it existed. I have been eating at this restaurant faithfully for eight years and have no plans to stop any time soon. My favorite dish, hands down is the Matagliati with shredded lamb, spinach and ricotta cheese, paired with the grapefruit martini and when in season, the fig salad. I enjoy this dish so much that I order it every single time so unfortunately, there isn't much else I have enjoyed on the menu, but their selection of dishes is quite good, the food is always freshly prepared and presented nicely. The restaurant has expanded so it now has three bars instead of one and more seating which is both a pro and a con. Now that the secret is out, it is regularly packed and unfortunately, they do not take reservations for parties less than six (However, I have never waited more than 15-20 minutes for a table). It does get quite busy, but once you sit down to dinner, you understand why. The atmosphere is great (Cozy, great date restaurant) and is VERY MUCH worth the trip Uptown (For you snobs that do not believe in traveling above 72nd street!). Any time someone asks for a recommendation for Italian food in the city, I ALWAYS send them to Pisticci. The food, for the price (Especially in NYC) is quite reasonable.

Pisticci is a small, neighborhood Italian specializing in homey fare. The food is good, not spectacular, but your bill won't bust your budget. I had the grilled eggplant appetizer, which came with tomato sauce and burrata. Nice, but I would have liked it more if the eggplant had been sliced thinner. For an entree, I had fettucine with mushrooms, which was a very nice dish. No skimping on the mushrooms and the pasta was done to perfection. The other entrees at the table were spagehtti and meatballs, (fine, but not particularly memorable) and a special fettucine with shrimp in a tarragon cream sauce. I don't mind the flavor of tarragon, but the sauce seemed to be missing something. On the up side, it was not overly rich and had a generous portion of shrimp. The restaurant itself is kind of a funky joint, with bathrooms tucked in corners and a laid back decor. I thought it was a bit noisy. The tables were close, but not on top of each other, so the level of noise was probably due to the structure of the rooms. I'd go back if I was in the area, but I don't know that I'd make a special trip here.

Fantastic food and excellent service. Always worth visiting. The specials never disappoint. A devotion to excellent food and drink that would cost you double just 20 block south of this location.

Savoring one of my favorite dishes in The City... Maltagliati - lamb ragu at Pisticci. Everything here is excellent and reasonable, this just happens to be my favorite. I highly recommend giving this local favorite a shot.

We walked by this restaurant while visiting in the area, and then saw the great reviews. We were not disappointed! I had a pasta dish with squash that was fantastic! My husband and a friend had pasta with prosciutto. That was my only questionable part of the meal. They were both happy with it, but the meat was thick, and I think it was a different type of ham. We ordered a family style house salad, and the tomatoes tasted fresh, even though it was only May. Dessert of berries with fresh whipped cream was excellent. The atmosphere was lively, without being too loud (and we even sat near the bar). Very unassuming: the water is served in mason jars. The prices were fantastic for NYC. The pastas were under $20, and although we did not order any meat dishes, they appeared to be all under $30. We will definitely return!

The place or location isn't much but don't let that fool you. This Zagat-rated restaurant lives up to its rating. Plenty of vegetarian options and great specials make this a place to keep trying. It is pricey for sure but you will not be disappointed.

Had family dinner there last week; service great. I enjoyed the mussels, although they were small, and I wished they had included frites. My wife enjoyed the spaghetti & meatballs, and other family members the pasta dishes.

My daughter’s 50th birthday so I made reservations well ahead of time and noted the occasion on the reservation. Did they care? Ha. Seated at a tiny, noisy table by the bar, indifferent service, and an overall could care less attitude. Food was very good; ambience and service grim.

The place was very crowded and we had to wait about 45 minutes but took a walk around the neighborhood. The food was great--limited menu but everything delicious. And not pretentious like many NYC restaurants.

The mushroom pasta is to die for, and there is enough for at least 2 servings (I always take some home and have at least one or two more meals!). Actually, everything we have had here is delicious including the bread. Sometimes there is a wait on the weekends (no reservations) but the bar area is a nice place to wait and have a glass of wine. The decor is eclectic and gives the place a warm feeling. Pisticci is a 2 minute walk from the 125th St subway station on the Broadway #1 train--get your Metrocard and go!!

This restaurant, just north of the Manhattan School of Music, is a gem! I ordered three of the specials: Barley and shiitake soup, salad with beets, and artichoke ravioli with peas in a cream sauce. All delicious! I highly recommend this restaurant. Reservations necessary.

Some friends of my daughter recommended Pisticci, which is near Columbia and Barnard. We went on a Friday night, the place filled up fast. Although packed, it wasn't as loud as some of the restaurants in the city. You could hear yourself think. We started with a special appetizer...roasted peppers and anchovies, which was magnificent. I then had the Maltagliati, a ribbon pasta, with a lamb ragu. We also had the penne pisticci and their delicious meatballs. All of that with dessert for under $90!! I will be going back often.

Omelet, huevos rancheros, grapefruit martini…all were wonderful! Feel at home sophisticated atmosphere. They bent over backwards, letting us order more food when the kitchen had closed. Along with visiting Riverside Church and Grant's tomb, a perfect day!

I handle cash with the bill, and the weitress tock the money without counting, after 10 or more minutes, returned, when we were leaving, saying that there were missing 10 dollars, THIEVES

My daughter attends Barnard and a friend suggested we try Pisticci. It was absolutely fabulous! Friendly staff, great cocktails and wine, and terrific down to earth Italian dishes at shockingly reasonable prices. It was packed with locals and it is no suprise as to why. We will definitely return.

What a wonderful restaurant! And in my neighborhood! I love everything about this restaurant and I cannot wait to return. The food is delicious overall -- I could quibble about a few things (I didn't think that the shrimp was the freshest or the best quality, for example), but I choose not to. Service and staff are friendly and professional. They are very accommodating in every way. The room is pleasant and the seating is comfortable. Stick with the simplest dishes.

The owners of Pisticci bought a farm in the Hudson Valley and grow a lot of their own food and use their garbage for composting. The food is good. I prefer the first two rooms to the second two rooms. Get there early for brunch and grab a sunny table. At happy hour they have $3 meatballs, garlic bread, and organic wines. Combine that with the big spaghetti bowl, $9 per person.

If you are looking for a nice variety of pasta dishes (choices of noodles, proteins, sauces etc) you've come to right place. The ravioli was outstanding as was the linguini with meatballs. The fish entree we ordered was also quite good and the salads were full of fresh greens and other assorted veggies. We found the restaurant to be kind of charming, with a nice 'below-ground' kind-of-feel without seeming dank, dark or creepy. Our waiter was great and to top if off, there are lots of delicious beers and wines by the glass to choose from.

This little restaurant is tucked away and has a cosy atmosphere. My friend and I were asked to wait by the bar until a table for available, 30 minutes later, we realised we had been forgotten, and many new customers were being seated before us. The server was rude when we explained our situation. The food itself was pretty good! The pastas are delicious, and I would suggest opting for the specials or the dishes with homemade pastas. The garlic bread appetiser did NOT smell or taste pleasant (mmm feet), so it is not recommended.

The food at Pisticci remains as fabulous as ever. On the last visit we had Citrus Chicken with farro and spaghetti tossed with spinach and prosciutto. Delicious. This restaurant has mastered the outdoor eating experience. They have built an outdoor deck, everyone is perfectly spaced out per COVID-19 requirements, the waitstaff is complying with all health recommendations. Bottom line, it is an absolute joy in the midst of the chaos. We've been there four times since the city is allowing outdoor dining and it feels like a socially distanced celebration. We have such enormous gratitude to the Pisticci Team for being there for us and serving such great meals, day-after-day. Make sure to take home some freshly picked produce (from their farm) and some homemade pesto sauce.

i was at the restaurant to celebrate my birthday with my friends who were regulars of this restaurant. Not the best neighborhood to walk late at nighta few years ago but with the supermarket fairway and new hip restaurants all that has changed for the better. Food is fresh and delicious, decor is very cute and service was great, our waiter was fun and knowledgeable about the menu. We had a very uncomfortable table. Too small to accommodate 4 people especially when that tiny metal table is next to the cashier where waiters pass frequently. Asked to change our table but got the same size table at the end of the restaurant so there was less traffic. The best part is you get Manhattan restaurant experience with 20 minutes drive from southern westchester. Hope to see more and more of these restaurants in the neighborhood.

With a varied and interesting menu - service good - no time pressure - went twice - first time the artichoke was really great - second time a salad was good but a bit dry - will go back - maybe lift from four to five stars

We decided to try Pisticci before visiting the Hispanic Society of America and we are glad we did! It is cute, the service is great, and the food was very good. As it was lunch, we ordered the orecchiette with Italian sausage which was incredibly good and would have been just as flavorful and satisfying without the sausage. The penne Pisticci was topped with a generous portion of melted mozzarella, though the tomato sauce seemed a bit watery to us. We both wish we could have explored more dishes, and will return for dinner with friends to ensure tasting a wider variety of offerings . . . I can't wait to try the fig salad which looked spectacular!

Chose this restaurant for a dinner in Morningside heights. Reviews all good. Looked at menu and hours on line - all looked good. We didn't book as it was a very early dinner. Schlepped 10 blocks to get there from the bar where we had a drink to be greeted by a sign saying closed and on holidays for the week. Schlepped 10 blocks back. By all means go on holiday. But have the decency to advise people on your web site.

Excellent bar. Excellent food (Italian). Excellent service. Excellent prices. This is a very special restaurant. It's hidden away, but worth finding. Fun cocktails. Very good food. Great wine list.

We've been here a lot. The food is consistently good. Meatballs, steak, garlic bread, fish and pasta are great. The place is loud, but hey, we're New Yorkers. We sat next to a group of 8 that was very loud. Banging on the table, laughing and screeching. We asked the manager to ask them to tone it down to a din. They did nothing. So. Go here. Enjoy the food. Ignore the fools.

I LOVE this tiny restaurant. The food is freshly made with the freshest ingredients. When we were seated, the hostess brought over 2 large mason jars of cold water. One to fill our glasses, and one to leave on the table for refills! I ordered the penne Pisticci. DE-LISH! Just perfect. Every dish I saw looked gorgeous. And everyone in our party raved. The staff is very friendly. This is not a stuffy place. It’s a homey, family, community kind of place. Warm and cozy. And I can’t wait to go back!!!

This seems to be the most popular eatery in this part of Upper Manhattan and it is easy to see why. The vibe is terrific and it just felt good to be here. Service was spirited and helpful. The food, uniformly, was excellent. The Grilled Portobello Mushroom over sautéed spinach was exceptionally good as was the Insalata Tre Colori with arugula, radicchio, endive, and aged parmigiana. Our three entrees all received rave reviews: Orecchiette Broccoli Rabe with spicy sausage, Baked Tilapia with housemade oregano pesto & white wine, and a special entree Broccolini & Sausage Ravioli. Portions were generous and prices were quite reasonable throughout. Dessert menu looked very good, but was not sampled. This restaurant evidently invites local artists to display their works. Currently, the invited local artist is Chris Farhood whose paintings beautify the walls of this restaurant. Her art looks like it belongs here and they are for sale. Obviously, Pisticci is highly recommended and I think you will agree with me once you have treated yourself to a meal at this very special place.

Staying at International House and my son, a long time resident, said that one of his favorite restaurants was practically across the street. We went there twice, while I was there just for a weekend and was not disappointed. Not much to look at, but very good food and service and after all, that's why we go out, right?

This was our second visit to Pisticci Restaurant. Both times the food was very good, the service great, and the noise level high. It is almost impossible to engage in conversation unless you don't mind leaning forward and speaking up. Fortunately, the carafe of wine is decent and a good value, the salad fresh, and the specials interesting. We will go again, I'm sure.

Been here several times. The place is very cool, servers excellent, the food always delicious all at very reasonable prices. Atmosphere not at all stuffy, service always good.

This bistro is a welcome fixture in the Morningside Heights area. We arrived for brunch on this visit, and notified the waiter that we were in a bit of a hurry this time. Our order was quickly taken, and our meals were on the table in less than 10 minutes! We were so pleased they could be so accommodating to our needs. Our brunches were super tasty, and the quick and polite service made the visit all the more enjoyable. Definitely worth a visit if you're in the area.

This is not what it used to be. The family restaurant has been lost. The service was surly and rushed (Plates removed before course was finished etc). Clearly Columbia business is to easy and taken for granted if not contemptuous. Avoid.

We were in NY for a short trip and went there with our daughter and son-in-law. It is a fairly large place and quite popular. They bring bread to start but we also ordered the Roasted Garlic Bread which is very good. I had a lamb/pasta dish which was good but probably not my favorite. I had a bite of my daughters ravioli which was very good. The other pasta dishes looked good and were well received. Would definitely go back.

Awesome service, very accommodating when we had to adjust our reservation time. Service by waitstaff was tremendous, very attentive, knowledgeable. Great food that came out quickly! Delicious!! No complaints to be had here at this terrific little gem of a restaurant!

We did not know the restaurant and walked nearby the Columbia University to find it by chance. The service there was excellent and the food very good. They even have some special sorts of beer, of which I never heard of, but which was quite good. All in all a nice place to eat and the prices are very reasonable for New York!

It was noisy, cramped, and I couldn't hear anything my friends said. But the Linquine misto de mare was excellent. Also great were the starters: garlic bread and mussels with sausage. Highly recommended.