Saggio Reviews

In the area for visiting The MET Cloisters and Wave Hill we ended with dinner at Saggios on the recommendation of a cousin. A warmish late afternoon was quite comfortable in the enclosed courtyard for open air dining. The menu was varied and the 7 of us opted for several different offerings. I tried the Rigatoni - slow cooked ragu with Italian sausage and meatballs. I was not disappointed - just the right amount of herbs to accent without overwhelming. Just the right amount of meat. One cousin ordered just the crostini liver pate and shared a bread pudding with me. The menu had antipasti, salads, pasta dishes, a skirt steak recipe, rosemary chicken and salmon. The wine list was pronounced agreeable by my cousin. The wait staff are attentive and friendly. A dinner enjoyed by all!

My favorite Italian restaurant in NYC. It's not overpriced like most Italian restaurants that use boxed pasta. Pasta is ridiculously good with even better sauce to match. The Spicy Squid Ink Seafood Pasta is fantastic.. but then again so is the Gnocchi with Gorgonzola Cream Sauce or the Papparadelle with Veal Ragu . Everything is good. Very much worth the trip to Washington Heights.

This neighborhood restaurant is a couple of blocks from where our friends live and it was their recommendation. They are regulars and I found out this trip why. We met them there for an early dinner on a Monday at 5:30 pm without reservations and were seated immediately. However, I do not recommend hat as a regular practice. It was very crowded by 6:30-7:00. Doesn't look like much from the outside and is pretty cozy inside. Once seated you may not be able to move because your chair back is touching the chair back of the person behind you. But that little inconvenience is forgotten when the bring the food. My wife had the homemade gnocchi with a tomato basil sauce and I had the Rigatoni. Both were excellent. We will make an extra effort to return the next time we are in NY. It is that good.

Family members that live 2 blocks away took us to their favorite local restaurant. It was quite busy but worth a short wait. We enjoyed the outdoor patio in the back which was covered and quiet. Our waiter was very good. I enjoyed my mussels. Most importantly, my husband said the wild boar ragu on tagliatelli was beyond fabulous!!! It is his new favorite Italian dish! One can choose their pasta and their sauce to create their own dish.

My business partner brought me here once to show me one of his favorite restraunts in the heights. I have never had bad food or bad wine here but if you want the real special treat...come on the weekend and oder the lasagna. They only make it on the weekend. I promise you won't be disappointed.

181st St is now a buzz with this fabulous Italian eatery. Healthy alternatives too! The decor is comfy and the deserts definitely please you!!

My son and his partner took me here on Thanksgiving Day and I was very impressed. The atmosphere is warm and the staff welcoming. All three of us did Italian and we were glad we did. The waitresses broke out in song on two different times and they added to the experience. Italian at its best. It's worth the trip to Washington Heights.

Saggio is a lovely Italian restaurant that we discovered on the first day of our arrival in the neighborhood. We ate there at least 2 times during our holiday because we enjoyed the delicious food, lovely wine and great service from the staff. We also met the owner who was very friendly. I will definitely recommend Saggio to those who are looking for a hearty Italian meal at a friendly and welcoming restaurant...

Nice service, reasonable prices, amazing grilled octopus. Reasonably priced wine list. Looking forward to future visits.

We decided to check this out on a cold windy night. Staff was friendly and helpful. There was no wait. Our kids were a bit loud toward the end of the meal but thank goodness, it was pretty loud inside! If you want an intimate and quiet table, get one in the back by the fireplace. Food was excellent. I got the black ink linguini (delicious), very flavorful and the spicy tomato sauce was right on the dot. I added more pepper flakes and lemon juice to bring out the flavor more but that's how my taste is. It is just as good by itself. My hubby got the salmon and the kids got the penne. Both are delicious! We got a side of mashed potatoes, didn't care for it...not as creamy as I hoped for. Overall, it was good enough that my hubby wanted to come back again 2 days later and he's not big on Italian food.

I have heard about this restaurant for a very long time and have always wanted to go. Finally this past Sat night we went for dinner and it was really good. The reviews are spot on. The food and service were great. Our waitress Raquel was so professional and personable. Would definitely go again!

i was staying in new york city for a few weeks on vacation and decided to visit saggio since i saw all the great ratings first let's start with the good, since there weren't too many. the ambience was very nice, the restaurant impeccably clean, and the music was great. the bad: where to start. first when entering the restaurant the hostess was actually sitting inside and not really greeting anyone, i wanted to sit on the bar and she was just on her phone. the service- i had the pleasure of being served by a bartender named Sarah, she was very nice and cordial, but made a few mistakes. i asked to order the penne from the menu and she said not to order the penne its a bad dish, now regardless if she was correct or not, in my opinion the biggest mistake a server can make is to say my decision is a bad one. so instead she offered i get the spaghetti off the specials menu. i agreed. the food came really fast, to my surprise, unfortunately the pasta was under cooked soaking in a bland tomato sauce and just a few crumbs of parmigiana cheese on top. you would expect an italian restaurant to at least be able to make the most classic italian dish. after i finished my dish Sarah didn't ask if i would like dessert or anything else, it seemed to me she just wanted to finish work and leave the wifi- for some reason when i asked Sarah for the password for the wifi she said she didnt know but didnt bother to ask anyone else so i could use the internet the worst part of sitting at the bar, it seems that when every worker finishes his shift at Saggio they sit at the bar for drinks and their meal..something that made a very uncomfortable time for me, sitting and listening to them complain about customers and other work related issues. bottom line, i would not recommend eating at Saggio except for the nice music

Popped in again for an early supper We had the pasta Limone with a side of broccoli. Others had the rosemary chicken. Pasta Limone is very basic and delicious. Simple and great flavors. Broccoli cooked perfectly. Chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy, also excellent.

First time at Saggio and will NOT be the last. Excellent food and good service. Thought they had beer and wine only but not the case. I was impressed in looking at reviews that the restaurant manager replied to folk who had some issues....seldom see that and more should do so.

Yes I know that they are a full service restaurant; we just happened in for brunch. It proved to be a good choice. Four dining & four different dishes,all well cooked & delightfully served by an experienced waitress. In no particular order: Pancakes - French Toast - Eggs & more Eggs, add bloody Marie's and it's all really good. I promise to return - assuming that I can find a parking spot. The bane of Washington / Hudson Heights horrible parking.

I’m going to go out on a limb, and say that Saggio is the best restaurant in the neighborhood – certainly the best I’ve discovered. It’s an intimate space which captures the feel and the flavors of a great trattoria-style restaurant. The menu is small, but includes a nice variety of options and periodically-changing specials; I often carb-splurge on one of their excellent housemade pasta dishes, but one can enjoy a completely satisfying meal without ingesting so much as a breadcrumb. Excellent salads and cold meat and cheese appetizer and antipasti options, and the rosemary roasted chicken and the grilled pork chop are both delicious if you’re not feeling like pasta. If pasta is on your menu, the black squid ink linguini is one of the best versions I’ve ever tasted, and the gnocchi are little mouth-pillows of delight. I can’t recommend the crostini highly enough; I would list our favorites, but that would include pretty much every option (okay, the wild mushroom and the liver pâté are both spectacular!). Delectable desserts; the poached pear with housemade fig gelato is heaven on a plate. Decent wines (glass wines can be uneven) and a well-equipped full bar; they also have daily happy hour specials (in the bar area only), which are delicious and extra affordable. The prices are surprisingly below New York standard, particularly for the quality of the food. We chanced upon Saggio the night we closed on our apartment nearby, and now often use it as a destination for special celebrations. In nearly two years of regular dining, it has never disappointed. Wait staff is friendly, helpful and accommodating; receptionists can seem unhappy to be alive, but the cloud of their attitude quickly dissipates once you’re seated.

This little place is everything a neighborhood restaurant should be. If Saggio doesn't serve the best brunch in Manhattan, it is certainly the most affordable. The chef puts out some very respectable Italian fare for lunch and dinner as well.

My friend just moved to the neighborhood and we decided to check out a local place. What a find! Amazing service, great atmosphere and delicious food!! We will definitely be back!!

Saggio is a cozy neighborhood Italian restaurant with great food (especially the pasta!). Good, if a bit tight, bar with a lot of regulars and a great happy hour. Fresh, tasty food, reasonable prices... a go-to place in the 'hood, but also worth hopping on the A train for (181 A train station is a block away). Outdoor seating in the back (NYC style). They also have a really good - and inexpensive - Sunday brunch. Great for a meal or a cocktail.

We recently move to this area and have had very often some "pasta to go" from Saggio. It has been just great... 100% of times. We love it!

My second visit and I am just as impressed as the first time. Excellent salads, homemade pastas. The sautéed calamari is outstanding. Service is very friendly too. My kids love the Sunday brunch. Really this is a place to go even if it is off your beaten track!

The restaurants ambience is basic but the food was excellent and service efficient and friendly. Especially noteworthy for us was the eggplant antipasto and the tiramisu dessert

Came here for brunch and staff was very kind. Food was good. They allowed me to substitute something else in my sandwich easily. The only downfall was that it took long for it to come out, there were people around us getting unhappy. But it might've been an off day as the staff was very kind and apologetic anyway.

We have been here for dinner with friends, dined at the bar and had brunch with our family. All three meals were fresh and good. Nothing amazing, but good, honest food. The patio and the bar are more interesting than the dining room. The homemade pastas are their specialty, but the salads and the other dishes we ordered were good too. We wish their happy hour prices extended beyond 7 PM like the restaurant across the street does, but Saggio is definitely a bit more upscale. Not fancy, but upscale.

This is the 4th visit and the level of service and the quality of the food have been consistently excellent This location is small, but worth the trip, I'm so glad to have found them

Ordered Chicken Francese Tastes like plain chicken cooked without any lemon, salt, pepper or spices. Blah. Blah. Blah. I liked this place but food is just mediocre.

There are so many good restaurants on 181st St. This is the third one we've tried in three days and a cut above the other two (181 Cabrini and Le Chiele), but mainly because it's more a restaurant than a diner or bar. We ate "outside," really under a canopy between two buildings behind the restaurant, but nicely decorated and not as loud as inside. We both had one of the specials, soft shell crab spaghetti with mussels and shrimp. I'm not a big spaghetti fan but this was first rate, perfectly cooked and seasoned. Two shrimp and maybe 8 mussels. We had arugula and beet salad with it, and that was very good, too. I could eat here every day.

In 181 st, up uptown we found Very good italian simple food fair priced. Very nice atmosphere and service.

The food is very mediocre. The service is ok. The hostess had a very bad attitude with every person that walked in. Not going back.

I am a Sicilian American and love this type of complex, contrasting tastes of fresh fish, sweet and salty etc. I was impressed with the French Martini that the bartender made for me that I had two...not like me at all. My husband and I shared the Soft Shell Crab Salad atop arugula...so fresh, green, and crispy. This dish was excellent for us. We also shared the steamed mussels in light sage and tomatoe sauce. And finally I oredered the home made spaghetti al limone with vegetables and salted anchovies and I closed my eyes and I was home with my nonna eating her cooking. The crusty bread was perfect complement to the sauce that was plenty to sop up with the bread. My husband ordered the risota al funghi...delicious. We would have loved to have coffee and dessert but we enjoyed all the food and the portions were generous...Next time. I'll return many times.

A short cab ride from Columbia Presbyterian and the ONLY nice restaurant in the area. The service was impeccable and the food was delicious.

While New York is full of great restaurants, it can be hard to find them as one reaches the top of the island. Saggio will not disappoint if you find yourself in Hudson Heights. Saggio's rustic home cooking showed attention and excellence from start to finish. An arugula and panfried fresh sardine salad competed with a perfectly prepared and portioned plate of broiled vegetables for starters. Our entrees were a beautifully carmelized salmon dish and a plate of homemade pasta bolognese (worth returning for by itself!) . There was plenty of variety on the menu -- both special and regular items -- that would make this an easy place to frequent and not get bored. The intimate interior is comfortably cozy. A great place for two or four, but a bit tough for a larger group above six. The bar is tight but well-stocked. This place may not have the fancy atmosphere of many midtown places, but it sure has the food. Prices were reasonable, if not cheap for the quality.

First off, I ordered my food for delivery on Seamless. The delivery was great! But they charged me $2.00 extra for a tiny amount of Parmesan cheese on the side. I called them and they told me, “ because I’m not eating in the restaurant that they will charge me for an amount of cheese that I’ve gotten for free at EVERY restaurant that I’ve ordered take out or delivery from. Second, they threw old bread into the bag without even wrapping it. Not for nothing, but we are not dogs nor birds! Terrible! Terrible!! Terrible!! I will NEVER order from them again!!!!

We had the pleasure of discovering this delightful treasure located on West 181 Street a few nights ago. The staff was warm and friendly and while it had the feel of a neighborhood hangout, we were made to feel like we had been coming there for years! The wine was great, the price was right and the food exceptional. We shared a few Crostini. The one with Wild Mushrooms was awesome! I ordered the grilled salmon that had a hint of rosemary and it melted in my mouth and a side order of Roasted Fennel with Parmigiana that was one of the most delicious dishes I've ever had with fennel! I think it was all the butter but who knows, but it was fantastic.

Classic Italian. Brunch is the best value. I recommend the eggs pomodoro. Cute patio out back in the warmer months.

Saggio is a great place for brunch in the neighborhood. The staff is very friendly and in the summer they have a nice courtyard where you can be seated and enjoy the great weather. Their coffee is delicious and their eggs benedicts are stellar.

I had told my son and his wife when I visited one thing on my list to do is eat authentic Italian so my first night there they took me to Saggio. The wine, cheese platter, and pasta was amazing. Their bread with in house made olive oil to dip in was heaven. I really got my wish. The place is good for couples or groups and very romantic as well.

Wonderful little place for handmade pastas, sauces, and wine. We went with another couple and their 2 year old and were nicely accommodated. I could also see this being a great place for a romantic dinner. The food was wonderful; rich sauces, fresh pasta, and a nice assortment of wines. I had a kale Caesar and the butternut squash gnocchi with a butter & sage sauce, which was delicious and flavorful. Will definitely go back!

A nice place with personality, very well-made food, attentive service. It's great for a relaxed, unpretentious brunch.

Visited this restaurant this last Saturday. Food was delicious, plenty. Good ambiance with choice of eating inside or patio. Chose inside, corner table. I do not give it a 5 because I am still waiting for the bottle of wine. We began having our appetizers, thought that the wine would show up at some point, dinner came, waiter went to serve other tables while we got the food from other servers and finally we decided that it was too late to remind anyone.

Saggio is a good local place to go for happy hour. During happy hour, the wine by the glass is half off and they have a pretty good selection. They serve crostinis (a large slice of toasted Italian bread), with mushrooms, tomatoes, pate or white beans on top for $2.50. My husband and sister and I went and really enjoyed it. My sister got the sauteed calamari and I got a bowl of polenta with spinach and gorgonzola on top. They were both very good and a large serving. Both being under $10. Happy hour is only at the bar, but it is well worth it. The regular pasta dishes are quite large and can be ordered at the bar. Try the porcini mushroom ravioli - wonderful. We went on a very rainy night and it was a fun, cozy place to be. The service at the bar is very friendly and helpful. If you're up in Washington Heights, try it.

Saggio's is a positive gem located in the gentrified part of Washington Heights. If it were in midtown, you'd never be able to get in the door. Food is exquisite--especially at dinner time-- service is accpetable, and the prices are truly reasonable for NY. They have a remarkable creamy herbed pasta sauce that is to die for. Brunch is lovely too, and affordable. Nice atmosphere. Love it.

Cute little restaurant near the GW bridge with a great courtyard out back. It was a beautiful evening, just the right temperature and humidity so the small courtyard was perfect. Quickly seated by pleasant hostess and the waitress was very nice as well. Ordered appetizers and wine and enjoyed ourselves immensely. Entres came and they were very good until I found a piece of metal in my pasta. Showed it to the waitress, and she took it away. She brought the same plate back with the metal removed and said sorry it was part of the pasta collander hinge and put the plate back down in front of me and left. I was shocked, how about at least fresh pasta! I had lost my appetite by then, didn't know what metal scrapings were there I couldn't see, so we asked for the check. Besides no apology they didn't even take the price of a glass of wine off the bill. I don't know if it was the waitresses fault or the managers but I think it shows some lack of desire to please the customer...I won't go back.

A nice local place for pretty good Italian specialties. The atmosphere is "jumping". It's a little dark and a little loud but I had no trouble hearing or participating in any dinner conversation. I started with the roasted beet salad. I don't know if the spice was because of chili flake or the server being a little heavy handed with the pepper mill. However, it was a little unexpected but, in no way detracted from my enjoyment. I followed with the black linguine. I asked the wait person to have the chef tone down the heat and it came out very much to my liking. A nice size bowl of black pasta with calamari (what a surprise as black pasta is made with squid ink ;-) ). Rounded out by a glass of Barbera. No desserts but we did have coffee or espresso. Five people, out the door for a tad over $200 - not bad for Manhattan - or anywhere else for that matter. The restaurant is very convenient to my daughter's home so I expect that we will be back.

This was the only place that stayed open late in the neighborhood. It was my first time going there. I was so impressed with the decor, design, choice of Italian and Brazilian music in the background, and authentic Italian menu of course. Dishes looked and tasted fantastic and delicious. Decadent taste of tiramisu and tasty cappuccinos. Great service and friendly staff. Very reasonable priced. Highly recommend for local residents who live in the Washington heights and Inwood neighborhoods.

Cold winters morning, what better than a hot brunch. Had a superb wild mushroom omelette with crispy bacon. Family had similarly tasty dishes. Great foot and atmosphere with friendly service. What better!

We came to celebrate a few occasions with 5 people in total. Not knowing the space in the restaurant, we were surprised how every table was almost connected to one another. To get into our seats, we had to move the table, and our arms were literally touching other people from different tables. Although it was quite a tight space, the food was exceptional. We ordered calamari and caprese salad for appetizers and the salad was phenomenal! We ordered black pasta, spaghetti, and the well-known rigatoni. The rigatoni was some of the best pasta I've ever eaten, and I have had pasta in Italy.

I tried Saggio's after a recommendation from a friend. Friends & I went for a casual dinner in the neighborhood. It was a treat! Good food, including gluten-free pasta, friendly service, nice atmosphere. I do wish they were on Open Table & would take reservations (they currently do only for parties of 5 or more) but I'll definitely eat here again.

My sister and I were in NYC for the weekend and met up with a friend who lives in Washington Heights. He told us that he was taking us to a restaurant that had the best pancakes in NYC. We arrived around 11:00 AM and we were able to be seated immediately. Saggio is a cute little neighborhood place that is warm and cozy and friendly. My sister and our friend got the pancakes and ordered some extras (sausages and bacon) and I got the French toast on Pullman bread with sausages, a latte and orange juice. Totally delicious. The French toast was light and fluffy, the orange juice fresh and sweet. We hadn't seen one another in a couple of years and we stayed for over 2 hours. We never felt like we were rushed. The waitress was friendly and welcoming and even though she was taking care of multiple tables, we never felt neglected. Worth a trip to this cute, overlooked neighborhood for a delicious breakfast.

Everyone knows this place has the best pasta dishes in Northern Manhattan, & we recently found out their steak is pretty good too. We (of course) still had pasta and shared a dessert which was also pretty good. Service was great and we forgot our umbrellas and they had them ready for us when we returned the next day. We love this place.

It was almost closing time but the staff was welcoming & all smiles. I had the lemon pasta and a glass of wine. Just what I needed. The daily ravioli seemed very good but I had to pick just one. Nice and cosy place. Not very busy when I went but it was late. It's my 2nd visit there. I will return again.

I went here for an Italian with a friend around 10pm on the night that arrived. The place was buzzing with couples and groups. I had the Black Linguini fresh squid ink pasta, calamari in a spicy tomato sauce.Super, and accompanied with a nice glass of red. If you can imagine a rustic italian restaurant with busy waiters and excellent service, low lighting and italian wooden furniture, then you're there! Definitely will be going back again when in the Apple this year. Highly recommended !

My wife and I went here to celebrate my birthday. We were asked if we wanted to sit inside or outside in the back. We chose inside, and were given a table the size of a postage stamp. There wasn't room enough for the water glasses, water bottle, bread plates, bread dish, and the appetizer. We asked for a larger table, as there were three empty 4-tops behind us. My wife explained that it was a special occasion, and we wanted to enjoy dinner without juggling dishes. The hostess refused the request, making it clear she wasn't interested in whether we were comfortable or not. We asked if there were larger tables outside. She rolled her eyes and said we could go to the back. The tables for two on the outside are appreciably bigger than those inside. The food was good, the waitstaff friendly but the food was very slow to arrive. It's such a shame that this is the only Italian place near home. We won't be back.

Meeting for a Sunday brunch Great selection of food for everyone's taste. The restaurant is small. But, if you were lucky like us you can eat outside. Reasonably priced

It's all about the pasta in this neighborhood fave. It was really the first higher end place to open, so it's constantly packed. Service can be spotty and sometimes the food is mundane, but usually worth it.

Taken by a friend as an example of good neighbourhood restaurant it was mediocre tourist quality fare with local hidden gem prices The recipes are authentic but the execution was dull. Portions too big to compensate? It was really quite expensive given the low quality. Service was slow but with a smile

The atmosphere is good, the food would have been good if it wasn't so salty. House wine was good. I wouldn't go here if I wasn't in the neighborhood. I might go back only because it's one of the better food options in this neighborhood. Not a destination restaurant.

Saggio is a wonderful New York City find. They are located in the shadow of the Washington Bridge and they are serving up authentic Italian cuisine in a very charming location. The food was terrific, the service was terrific, the wine list was a little spartan but very workable. Great location for small business group, family or friends. The covered back deck was very nice. Go check this one out. You will not be disappointed.

I have heard so much about this restaurant! Many of my friends raving about the food. Met a friend for brunch this weekend, and the staff is great! Totally friendly, funny, efficient. My food was sorely disappointing. I had eggs Benedict, and the sauce was awful. Either too much lemon, or it went bad, because it was wicked sour. I was very sad. BUT, I ate my friends pancakes.. and OMG, quite possibly the best pancake I've ever eaten. He said it, but until I had one, I didn't believe. You have to try them! The potatoes were very good too. Just stay away from the Benedict! I will go back, it was reasonably priced for lunch, and we had a great time! (Experience can make up for one bad dish, in my opinion.) Also- super clean bathroom!

We were early fans of Saggio when it first opened up our way, lost interest for a while when it seemed always to be overpacked with a moms-with-strollers crowd during the early dining hours we tended to frequent, then recently went back as part of an adult foursome and were reminded why it's so good that it's here in our 'hood. Our food was good, our service was pleasant and informed and attentive, and--gasp--not a single stroller in sight. Clearly there is an owner commitment to customer satisfaction, as one can easily tell from his written responses to every single Yelp review, whether glowing or critical. When owners do that, you know they watch, listen, and care. (The New Leaf, in contrast, couldn't possibly be monitoring its endlessly universally brutal reviews about its basic services.) Kudos, then, to Saggio for paying attention.

We've eaten here many times, but our waitress last night must have been a trainee. We told he that 3 adults wanted to share two salads and we adjusted our preferences while ordering. She delivered one we didn't want and one we did, and to be nice, we just ate them. However, about 20-25 minutes later she delivered a third! We couldn't believe it and sent it back. After awhile of still waiting for our main course i went to the maitre d' and complained. Eventually the waitress delivered two of the tree dishes--nearly an hour after we had sat down. Our grandchildren had been served quickly, which was good, but by now they were going bananas. My main course never arrived. The hour+ we spent there really ruined our evening. They didn't charge us for the two main courses and a bowl of ice cream, but they added 20% tip on automatically because we were 5 people. I've seen restaurants where they do that for 6-8 or more, but never 5. The waitress offered to remove it, but it wasn't worth my time. She said, "it won't happen next time." I replied, "There won't be a next time. We're never coming back."

Ate here after visit to the cloisters. All four of us loved it. Good service. Good food. Reasonably priced.

I have to say the food here is not bad for the price, but the self-aggrandizing staff is unbearable to take, and the time one has to wait for service makes the whole experience an unfortunate one. There is a manager who wears a cap who has a rather self-important air and will just knock the good mood out of your party with his simple "we have a 15-minute wait," not so much because of the wait itself but because of his arrogance of style. Drinks are skimpy, bartender is not very good at her job. But there are some good dishes, if you are simply into the food. If you want the whole package go elsewhere.

You wouldn't expect this type of restaurant where it's located. You can almost miss it if you are passing by without paying attention, but once you are in, its intimate setting is only second to the food served. Loved the freshly made pasta, and the variety of starter tapas they offer. It's everything you'd want in a neighborhood Italian restaurant, and then some more. Do yourself a favor and pass by. You won't regret it.

Had very nice Saturday night dinner. Restaurant was very busy. Initial service could have been a little quicker, but overall it was good. Lasagna very good. Pasta with chicken also very good. Drinks and wine were fine. Definitely recommend.

My wife and I traveled from Riverdale to eat at Saggio's despite knowing that finding a parking spot would be very difficult. Upon arriving in the restaurant there were several two and four seating tables available. The hostess insisted that we sit in a two seat table which was in a far less favorable location, despite the fact that I asked for a much more pleasantly located 4 seat table. These tables remained vacant throughout our meal. We ordered an appetizer of fried calamari to start, which was by far the worst tasting calamari I ever had. It was dried out and over cooked. The presentation was terrible I did not eat much of it and did not send it back, as I guess I did not feel that this would be well received after our experience with seating. The rest of the meal was okay and I really wanted it to be over Overall, we were very disappointed and won't be back.

Wow! The food at Saggio was really good. I had soft shell crab over pasta that was extremely well prepared. The lasagna was also ask good. The staff is friendly and the price is very reasonable. What more could you want?

We were in this area for a Columbia Presbytarian visit and came for dinner the night before. Great find! The wait staff is good and the pasta is delicious. We ordered the squid ink and calamari pasta and the texture was perfect.

I've been to Saggio a few times before and food was decent to good. Some dishes were excellent. Today, we had an early dinner/late lunch ordered and delivered by Uber and I must say everything was pretty much awful. We had shaved fennel salad with an extra grilled chicken breast and chicken cacciatore. Plus, $6 dollars for two pieces of garlic bread -- I thought nothing can ever go wrong with garlic bread but boy, was I wrong. There was almost no chicken in both dishes! The fennel & greens looked old & tired, some yellow some black. The sauce on spaghetti was all right and thank god for the cheese with its protein. Too bad.

Living in the area, I go there often. The food -- pastas and some meats, is well prepared. Service is very efficient for such a small place. Staff is friendly. Prices are very reasonable. Only qualification is that it can get very noisy when there are several families with small children at the same time.

By far the best restaurant in the heights! We have never had a bad experience! The atmosphere is warm and inviting. The staff is professional and knowledgeable. The food is authentic and they offer many specials to accompany an already fabulous menu. You can't go wrong with the Rigatoni and the homemade chocolate cake oozes warm chocolate sauce to enjoy with the assorted berries and vanilla ice cream on the side!

This is a small friendly Italian place in Washington Heights. We had been here for brunch but not for dinner. The salad and entrees, especially the lamb ragu special, were very good. Service was very prompt ( perhaps a bit too prompt) and friendly. We left feeling very satisfied. It is very small, so call ahead or you may have to wait.

I love lamb and thus ordered the pappardelle pasta with lamb ragu. Unfortunately, the lamb quantity was incredibly tiny. About 4 pieces the size of my baby fingernail -- it was mostly a red tomato sauce (think Campbell soup) with a trace of lamb. Very disappointing. The mussel appetizer was delicious -- fresh mussels and beautifully prepared. I don't think I'll return to this restaurant any more. It used to be good, but perhaps because of the pandemic, they're cutting corners to make up for the loss of revenue.

Saggio is a cozy restaurant with authentic Italian specialities with a very country-like atmosphere. It's in the upper Manhattan neighborhood of Washington Heights, literally under the spires of the George Washington Bridge. Although not an area most tourists would venture to, real New Yorkers have made it one of the most popular neighborhoods in which to live and go out. The menu changes daily, however some special and traditional dishes will always remain on the menu. The pappardelle funghi (mushroom pappardelle) was excellent - very creamy and buttery but still kept the mushroom flavor front and center. Special appetizers included pear and gorgonzola, prosciutto and melon and a large choice of crostini. For dessert, the apple tart with vanilla gelato was the perfect ending to a great meal. Highly recommend this restaurant and for visitors to New York, it's the perfect taste of authentic Manhattan off the beaten path.

So I get there a little earlier than the rest and I'm wearing my heavy shearling coat while I drink a glass of white wine. I should be feeling hot, but I'm not, then I notice the heaters. They were everywhere!!! Boy was it cold in there. I really felt bad for the employees who had to work without any heat. The place was freezing. The waitress' were very accomodating, nice and funny. But despite the very cold temps in the restaurant, my first visit, it was really cozy and super romantic. So romantic it was hard to read the menus. The food though was FANTASTIC. My husband and I left our plates clean!!! The other couple that joined us got full on these Crostini's, so they couldn't finish their meals. Hubby had the Roasted Rosemary Chicken. I had a taste of his mashed potatos and they were delicious. I had a big bowl of Mussels, then the Shaved Fennel with arugula and both were great.

I ate here twice while I was staying in NYC. I went for dinner and ordered the squid ink linguini with calamari. The sauce was perfectly seasoned, the pasta was delicious, and the calamari was tender and fresh. I was seriously impressed with the standard of food. I came back for a birthday brunch, and had steak and eggs. The steak was juicy and tender with a lovely char-broiled flavor. The waitress made a good job of interpreting my British description of how I like eggs cooked (burnt on the bottom and runny on top), and they arrived exactly as such :) I also tried the pancakes that one of my friends ordered, and they were gorgeous too - fluffy, thick, and moist. I also tried a bellini cocktail, which was very nicely made too. The food is really reasonably priced for the quality, and I think the only criticism would be the slightly slow service at the brunch. However, we were a party of about 20, so it's maybe understandable. I would definitely recommend Saggio!

Found this restaurant after searching on Google for a location convenient for our visit to the Met Cloisters. Food was great even for our friend who was visiting from abroad, and for my husband who’s normally very picky with Italian food. Vast number of menu items—they have 4 separate menus! Quite a few vegetarian options for yours truly. However, what impressed me the most was the quality of service—place was packed, especially with a large group of elderly women on a reunion (seemed like) but we were still looked after well. Despite being a bit cramped, the servers squeezed in and out with everything we needed. They were very patient and attentive. The only 2 reasons why I’m removing one star here is because of the limited space, and because their single restroom has a long waiting line outside it. Also pretty reasonably priced. Overall, I highly recommend this place.

Dined here with a friend to celebrate his birthday. The small lively bar area was pleasant, the happy hour provided us with reasonably priced drinks and the waiter was very friendly and helpful. All wait staff were friendly and the service was good. The pappardelle was fresh and delicious. I especially enjoyed the Black ink linguini.

A friend and I had brunch here recently. We had a wonderful meal with terrific service. i had the baked eggs in the pomodoro sauce and my friend had the mushroom omelette with a side of bacon. Both dishes were great and the portions were substantial. Both dishes came with a nice, thick slice of toast. Bloody Mary was great. If I lived in the neighborhood, this would be one of my staples, and it is for my friend. Above all, the prices are terrific. It is hard to match these prices in DC! This is a real gem with a neat neighborhood, casual vibe. I loved it!

It's a surprise to find a place like this in such a sedate part of town, far from all the action. Despite a nondescript and unpromising outside, the interior is cosy and done nicely and there is lots of space in the back for large parties. Service is thoughtful, reliable, and efficient. We were with a very large group and the wine and food flowed, and the cutlery and crockery appeared and were whisked away with great efficiency before and after each course, and yet they found the time to make a gluten-free pasta dish specially for one person. The squid ink pasta has wonderful texture and great sauce and all the dishes were done well. This restaurant, easily accessed from the 181st St subway is what you would need to travel to Italy for, and where you would pay much more for. your meal. A great dining experience.

I've eaten here many times and have always enjoyed it . It's not your usual red sauce Italian fare that you find everywhere , rather it's food found in Italy . The fish and pasta has always been fresh and well prepared . I'm getting hungry , I may stop in tonight .

Good quality food but I felt it was a little expensive for what we received - it is worth a visit though.

Just recently went back to Saggio's and it was fun and we had a great meal. There were 4 of us.The pastas are somewhat like Grandma made. Good and lots of it. I just love the lemon spaghetti, its light and a great summer dish. One of us had the rigatoni. My friend got sliced steak and really enjoyed it. The arugula salad is wonderful. They have a nice wine selection.We waited for our table and had a cocktail at the bar. Bryan the bartender is friendly and makes a great drink. If you're not sure what to order, he is helpful with suggestions.

The good news is the happy hour at the bar - every day, snacks (like crostini topped with caponata, my favorite) and half-priced drinks and excellent bartenders. It's not a scene - rather it's locals stopping for a drink on the way home - alone or with a friend. The other good news is the food - pasta dishes can be heavy (good for splitting). Fried calamari excellent. My favorite pasta is the gnocchi with tomato sauce, but there are lots of different kinds, plus specials each night. Wonderful string beans with garlic and oil. People who eat here are happy - Saggio was worth the wait.

We went for late Saturday dinner, and it was so good we came back for Sunday brunch! Reasonable prices, great fresh pastas, nice people. The perfect neighbourhood restaurant!

I moved to Washington Heights from Hell's Kitchen (sigh, I know, what I get for getting engaged to a nurse at Columbia and couldn't turn down the gigantic hospital housing apartments)... ANYWAYS. So I was bummed, Sad, to move from probably one of the most foodie parts of Manhattan, to a place I didn't even know was on the Island! But then I found Saggios!!! It's as good as the best Italian in East Village and LES (Sorry HK, your pre-theater mediocre italian was a huge negative). Here's my one tip- ALWAYS ORDER FROM THE SPECIALS MENU!!!!!!!!! I always come for dinner and am NEVER disappointed. I still talk about their langoustine linguine-- and I got in 8 months ago! So go, I know it might be a trek for most but I promise a great night out!

Tucked away in a beautiful location of Manhattan, Saggio is a gem worth searching for. As a resident of the neighborhood, I hate to draw attention, but you have to go. The food is amazing, the stack is professional, friendly, and fun, and the atmosphere is cozy. There happy hour deals are great so I would even suggest getting there early for drinks and then getting dinner since the happy hour specials only apply to the bar area. Only steps away from the A train on 181st street, you can't go wrong. My wife and I love this restaurant and consider ourselves fortunate that we're only blocks away. You won't regret the trip, but you might want to call ahead since it's a small space. Enjoy!

A lovely evening with friends in the Washington Heights neighborhood of Manhattan. The service was truly gracious. The hand made pastas are very special. The Caprese was fresh and tasty. There is also a really nice wine selection.

I live on the upper west side near Columbia University. My friend, Marshall invited me to his neighborhood to have Thanksgiving dinner at Saggio at 829 W. 181st Street in Washington Heights. What a scrumptious idea it turned out to be. They had a Thanksgiving special. We started out with scumptious Chestnut Mushroom soup. This was followed by a gorgeous and abundant plate of white and dark turkey served with delicious homemade turkey stuffing, sweet potato mash, roasted butternut squash, sauteed kale, gravy and apple cranberry relish. The food was SUPER tasty, and so abundant I couldn't eat it all. Of course, I managed to save room for the yummy pumpkin pie with fresh whipped cream. The wait staff could not have been kinder or more attentive. It was a wonderful way to spend Thanksgiving. I surely wish this place was nearer to where I live. But what a treasure Washington Heights has in this restaurant. It's my friend, Marshall's, favorite restaurant, and I can see why. I HIGHLY recommend it.

What a nice surprise this restaurant was. We came down from Westchester County to take my Aunt and her friend out to dinner. My Aunt said there was a good Italian restaurant right up the block from her apartment so we decided to go there. The restaurant was very crowded with a busy bar and people waiting to eat. We are seated very quickly considering this. Everything we ordered was delicious. We tried a crostini, the sauteed calamari, the veal meatballs and the fresh mozzarella and tomatoes for appetizers. The mozzarella was homemade - soft and delicious. The veal meatballs were tender and the wine and garlic sauce that the calamari were sauteed in made you want to dunk the delicious bread they serve you right into it. Dinner was just as good. I had the pappardelle with veal ragu special that reminded me of a dish I had in Tuscany last year. Homemade pappardelle with tender pieces of veal - it was outstanding. My partner had a flank steak that was served with arugula and shaved slices of fresh parmigiana that was the same dish I had in a small restaurant in my family's hometown in Italy. The poached pear with fig gelato is not to be missed if they have it on the specials. Order one to share though because the portions are large. The wait staff seemed a little frazzled and somewhat inattentive at times but it was extremely busy. We did not feel rushed at all. Prices are very reasonable too. The noise level is a little high but you can still hear your guests. All in all a great restaurant. Wish we had one like this closer to home!

We were looking for reasonably priced pasta and stumbled upon Saggio by accident. Nice decor, tight so it was loud but not uncomfortable. The staff was friendly and came by a few times to make sure everything was okay. We had two yummy apertizers: garlic bread and matzorella and tomatoes; 3 entrees: salmon and two pasta dishes with mushroom sauce and veggies; and chocolate cake and ice cream. With tip it cost $100. we were stuffed and satisfied. Great date place they even have a garden space. Would definitely go back.