Sistina Reviews

I’ve been going to this restaurant for years first when it was located on 2nd Ave. and now it is housed in a glorious mansion on 81St Street between Madison & fifth Ave., the cuisine absolutely delectable- The proprietor/chef is mostly in the kitchen appearing to visit his customers to make sure they are having the most perfect dining experience. Truly the food and the ambience simply cannot be beat -seafood salad, fresh pea soup with a dash of mascarpone, the best field chop in New York City to an array of wonderful desserts. Replere of course with an astounding wine list and inventive cocktails at the beautiful romantic bar!

Amazing Deserts . The food is good but the deserts we had were out of this world. Good service and a nice atmosphere too

We had a graduation celebration dinner for 8. We were in a festive mood laughing and enjoying our company that had traveled for the occasion. It was at this point a disheveled man barked at us to “keep it down”. Shocked I asked our waiter who was this cantankerous goat? Turns out he was the OWNER! He ruined our $1,300 meal and left us stunned and furious. If you are looking for overpriced food that fails to be authentic, that is served in a room full of octogenarians who’d rather be in a library; you will love this place and the curmudgeon of an “owner”.

Everything about this restaurant was perfect. The food was amazing (including a perfect cacio e pepe), the ambience so cozy and at the same time so charming. We sat at the bar and it was a really nice experience. The bartender was also very kind.

Let’s start by correcting the address after it moved from 2nd Av two years ago. It is now at 24 East 81st Street between 5th Av and Madison Av, a half block from the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Excellent upscale Italian in a beautifultown house setting. Long swanky and snazzy bar, a more formal dining room with ornate ceiling, then a more casual garden styled room with hanging cloth from the high ceiling and nice dropped Italian lighting. We liked the latter for being less crowded. Comfortable seating with plenty of pillows. Excellent service. Large menu and many specials. Delicious vitello tonnato and stuffed zucchini flowers. Nice range of pastas including seasonal white truffle pastas. Tasty baby shrimp with spaghetti. Nice fish and meat choices as well. Tasty homemade gelati and sorbetti. Coconut and blood orange were delicious. We liked the original location, and the new one even more. We look forward to returning.

I was here with a teenager and her adult siblings to celebrate the 16th birthday. Food was to die for. The asparagus with truffles= A+. The Bolognese= A. The Steak was $50 but was an A+++++. Their were little courses in-between the courses. They had made her a cake in advance which was fanamonal. I am not quick to declare a restaurant amazing but I am confidant saying this restaurant was amazing as it should be for $100+ a person (not including alcohol) if you order all courses. Best italian I have had in NYC. Very expensive but good for special occasions.

A total dining experience. A warm welcome and a new well designed and comfortable dining room makes the experience even more gracious. The menu has plenty of good choices. The long list of specials make choosing very difficult. Each dish is excellent with fresh high quality ingredients and artful plating. Wonderful -

One hour for appetizers to arrive Ordered sardines as an app, and they gave us anchovies. Rude waiter, and rude owner. Though the check came quickly

Four of us were seated on a recent satufday evening. After the amuse bouche, we had one of our all time favorites, the risotto with shaved white truffles. The owner comes over with the truffles lying in arborio rice in a jar and gave each of us a whiff.....oh, what a pungent aroma! He then shaves the fungi all over your risotto right there on your plate. We consummed each forkful in quiet rapture stopping only briefly for a sip of a terrific Brunello. For the entre, my wife had the Dover sole and the other woman, scallops. I had the house made pork sausage on top of a creamy polenta. The other gentleman had rabbit. We enjoyed our entire experience. The food was fabulous and the service attentive and friendly. We split one dessert and settled for cappucinos. The entire meal including a $200 bottle of wine, tip, tax and truffles, was $900, about $225/person. Not cheap but well worth it considering the quality of the experience and that WE DESERVED IT!!

We arrived late because of a snow storm and they did everything to make this a great dinner. We enjoyed a nice Italian re wine although the prices were very high. But a great wine list. I enjoyed a fine seafood and pasta dish. Will return.

We were a party of 10...service was outstanding and the food was wonderful. Extensive wine list....need to read it online as there are many great choices to review before you go...the list itself could be overwhelming. I think each in our party chose something different and all dishes arrived perfectly prepared...A must if you are in the City

Had dinner which was good cooking, ok service, not any atmosphere beyond the basic for an expensive place. Walked out feeling we had paid a lot for nothing special. No need to go back when lots of other more interesting Italian restaurants in this great city.

Had a birthday dinner reservation at 6:30. Walked in with a gift in my hand rather large gift. My husband was at the bar and i wanted to show him the gift leave it at the coat check. However before i could enter the owner/ chef screams at me you can't take anything to the table blah blah blah. I said excuse me this is s gift for my husband i will give to him at the bar and coat check. I mean give me a minute. This is the most rude welcome i have ever had at a restaurant in NYC. The god was mediocre extremely expensive. Walking down to the restroom i heard the waiters yelling at each other for seating someone that wasn't having dinner. Just a bad night that costed us $750 with the wine. Please go elsewhere

While it is true that in fairly typical fashion the tables are close together, the food was very good. Any place with olives with the bread is always a plus for me. We have one vegetarian who was not overly impressed with the gnocchi but was happy with the flour less chocolate cake for dessert. We had two of the pork dishes that were tender and juicy but done properly. Our one complaint was not having a cocktail menu. The only choice was wine and it was the business expense account price list. Although there are some nice choices in the $75- $95 range. Worth it's rating but is not a low cost night out.

We had read good reviews about Sistina and decided to book a couple birthday dinner there. The pictures ‘spoke’ to us as a romantic venue where we could enjoy a meal with good ambiance. Environment: we were seated in the back of the restaurant in a cozy corner and enjoyed the decor, however we were cold as the restaurant has a single AC governing front and back. The smaller bar area is quite hot and restaurant has to have AC on high just to cater to the front area. It was in the 50s outside, no AC needed. It was freezing. We had live music, but not the good kind. A couple, regulars I am assuming, sat next to us and the woman had karaoke on her phone and was singing loudly at the table. Nobody from the staff said a thing. Menu: good options. Recipes were many, and recited too fast to grasp any one of them so we relied on the menu items alone. Beef carpaccio was good, but cauliflower steak was pretty basic and tasteless. Veal tortelloni was ok. Customer service: overkill, and I love good customer service. Somebody was at our table or vicinity of it almost always. Very little privacy. Will try a different restaurant next time, given all the choices that NYC offers.

U wanet to talk about service very bad unprofessional I was ther February 2013 glasses chipt wine goes in one day 1.200 next day 2.000 for gaja u just hade last night ,appt from22&30$pasta 30$38 branzini from40$60 dessert12-20he rips u off waiters don't now the wine they bring to the table special wines oh the brunello is bergandy come on man what r u talking about you go to dinner ther gives u crapy table runurs they walking on top of u rush I out they have only 13 tables I was ther 2010waiters they wher good profesenal like cipriani the capt nat the waiter jimmy bartender slash actore we use to call him James dean he had that look, was joy to go ther.Joe pesci Use to say I love those waiters they made us feel special that's priceless now it's not worth at to go no service no good food and we see roach coming out of air condition and mr Giuseppe the owner don't even come to say I'm sorry for that bug can we make something else how kind righte and u want to go ther please give me a break never again ther is thousand off restaurants in ny city .

Snobby Upper East side establishment My family visited Metropolitan Art museum yesterday and once we finished we walked over to Sistina, which is just a block away from the museum. It was before 2pm and Retaurant stop service lunch by 3pm. There were 3 tables available outside, but we were told that Retaurant completely booked. We inquired about empty tables and were told again that restaurant is booked. We went and had. a quick bite around the corner on Madison and then purposely walked back by Sistina and the 3 empty tables were still empty at almost 3pm. They could have easily served us lunch, but I guess with two kids we didn’t look like an upper east side crowd…

Well let me start off by saying I am a born and bred New Yorker...not a tourist...This establishment for some reason has an overinflated reputation not sure why..maybe the address..Lets start by saying the place is really beautiful...the wait staff is attentive not overbearing or pushy...lets cut to the chase...food is mediocre at best...a glass of Barolo was $30 come on guys really? the apps of lasagna (nothing special) stuffed zucchini so so..the mains of cacio pepe terrible..not what we had in Milan..now for the coup de gras two soft shell crabs special edible but for $75 crazy!! Deserts soufflé bitter tartufo just passable and the total bill with tip $399..Ive had better at Carmines on the upper west side...do not be taken in by the 5 star reviews..never again

Excellent food and excellent service. The decor in the back room is absolutely amazing with orchids and fresh greens. Unfortunately, we were unable to eat there because Jill Biden and her security detail. We’re having lunch. For young women returned away at the door because they were wearing shorts. I’m glad that there is still a dress code in some places.

We had heard good things about Sistina from a very reliable source so we gave it a try. The food was unremarkable at best. We tried a verity of dishes including Cacio e Pepe (good), fettuccine with truffles (something we get often have at Italian restaurants this was quite bland), a strip steak which was not seasoned, veal scaloppini also bland, and lamb, which was described as spring lamb chops and turned out to be lamb shank but was judged to be tasty. Two of us had desert and enjoyed it. The service was slow with a long wait between appetizers and the mains. All in all the food was not terrible but did not live up to the price tag. We are hopeful that this was a one off and that the food is usually better.

The new space adds a new dimension to the experience. The garden room at the back is light filled and the e tensive menu plus specials continue to create dilemmas - oh what to choose? - the food is many steps above you 'goof' NY restaurant. Service is excellent.

For us, Sistina is a truly special dining experience. The Italian-centric food is always outstanding. The service is just that- service. Not rushed, but if you have another appointment deadline after your meal, these connoisseurs of concierge dining understand. Always a fun and memorable evening! We celebrated our daughter's 40th birthday together with her boyfriend recently. They are vegan and were wowed! I love the roasted artichokes (starter) and osso bucco( main).

This restaurant used to be on Second Avenue and now is located in the former location of the Crown restaurant. There are two dining rooms, one is elegant and the other is fancy. They start the meal off with complimentary lightly fried olives, which were delicious. I ordered the soup of the day which was Pasta Fagioli ($22). It was very ordinary and excessively priced. They were out of the Braised Short Ribs that I wanted so I ordered a delicious Whole Wheat Penne with Veal Bolognese and Wild Mushrooms ($26). It is LISTED ON THE MENU as Pappardelle Sistina, I just changed the pasta that the dish comes with.

As former New Yorkers this was a standby for a really good Italian dinner. It still is! Host/Owner/Chef Giuseppe Bruno, is usually on duty in the evenings and keeps things well in hand. The service is top notch. The atmosphere is a pleasant, unremarkable background to the food -- and this is a restaurant where you can actually have a conversation and enjoy your meal. The important part is the food. First, don't worry about the menu, it's there as a back up, it's the always long list of specials you should focus on. This is great Italian food! We travel to Italy a great deal, and Sistina holds its own versus the "real thing". If you are there in the Fall, the white truffle dishes are spectacular (but, of course not cheap). As to other dishes, there are just too many to name, so let the specials be your guide, and enjoy.

An expensive meal, but delicious. Service was excellent and the ambiance is that of a classical fine restaurant in NYC.

The restaurant has wonderful food and is not al all pretentious. A great place to share with other couples for a fun and delicious meal.

first timers at Sistina but we'll definitely come back for more! We enjoyed a lovely lunch and the service was top-notch.

Very expensive upmarket dining experience. Tuna tartare delicious but top top end pricing at €45. Salmon also delicious but another eye watering $46. Wine not even worth considering, perhaps I’m just not their target market.

Lovely restaurant very crowed service was excellent we ate the special pasta with truffle Superb i had the swordfish Milanese loved it and the chicken meatball was good as well

i go to Sistina once a month. have been there at least 10 times, all for dinner. before my party of 2 for dinner on Feb 17, i would have had nothing but praise for them. but we were there on a Monday night which is slow so maybe the A Team wasn't working that night. We had a Puntarelle Salad, cost $28. it was small, had chicory greens with buratta cheese on top. greens were wet and wilted. salad may be worth $8. then we had a Papa Sistina pasta which was good. $26. we spit these, had bread, wine. and that's it. the waiter Jovani made me feel like i was cheap for not ordering more. total bill was $95 and i tipped $20. and not a thank you or a good bye. sometimes you must be very VIP to be treated well here.

Note that this restaurant moved some time ago from 1555 2nd Avenue to a new and more elegant location at 24 East 81st Street. It,has definitely upped its game. After a couple of dinners there with friends, I chose it for a milestone family celebration, and it did not disappoint. The rooms are warm and elegant, the service polished, and the food reliably delicious. The refined preparations are authentic, with some luxe variations. It was expensive but worth it, the perfect place for,a treat.

Sistina began in its new location 6 weeks ago. It's now at 24 E. 81st Street, between Madison and 5th. The new location is much bigger and has two rooms as well as a much bigger bar area. Four of us met for dinner here last evening. We all started with the fabulous white truffles; two of us had it on fettuccine and two, on the risotto. Utter silence as we savored each forkful and added a sip of a wonderful Chianti Classico....pure heaven! Two then had the impressive Veal Milanese, one had the rabbit and I had the Veal Scallopine in a tasty lemon and butter sauce. We finished the meal with delicious home made ice cream. Service was excellent. Prices are high, but you get what you paid for and we were wonderfully satisfied. Noise level was exceptionally high and you've almost got to shout to be heard across a table. But everyone was having fun and it was a party atmosphere.

Stay away!! This place is ridiculously high-priced with the rudest service I have encountered in years.... I know and frequent high-end restaurants regularly, but this place is both pretentious and possessing of the worst waiters I have encountered. And the food is ok, not outstanding for what they charge. For example, on a recent evening there with my wife and 2 other couples, my wife and I each ordered appetizers and then my wife told the waiter (a tall bald fellow) that she and I would like to split the soft shell crabs. He looked askance at her, saying "well, madam, the portion is too small for you to split." When my wife inquired how many crabs were on the plate, he said "2". She said..."that's fine, please split them into 2 plates." He barely acknowledged the request...looking at her like..."you just cut into my tip!"...and went around taking the rest of the orders. When the food was delivered, he placed a plate of crabs (not 2 but indeed 4) with my wife, so he lied, placing no plate in front of me, and then disappeared. Thus everyone else was served. Upon calling him over to remind him of the split, he looked at her rudely, took away the plate and returned with 2 plates of 2 crabs each...at last...with a true wince on his face! The other couples could now start eating. I guess he figured that with $50-60 entrees, he just didn't want to reduce his expected tip with our splitting an entree. Sorta hard to believe. We complained to the Maitre D upon leaving; getting a mild response. You don't need this kind of service and food! So many other great options in this neighborhood, where we live. Stay away....

Sistina has been one of our wonderful stand-by super choices. The food is always superb -- the specials are always so extensive that their terrific menu is almost superfluous. The very best treat around this time of year is to have one of their white truffle dishes -- no restaurant does them better (even their sister restaurant, Caravaggio). The service is, as always, very attentive, gracious and helpful. However, their new townhouse location is, though beautiful, acoustically very disappointing -- one has difficulty carrying on an easy conversation. We will certainly go back.

Sistina is an amazing restaurant I have been going there for years - simply wonderful. Staff is terrific and the food is amazing!!

a step above your typical Italian restaurant. Some slightly unusual dishes along with usual fare. But don't expect to get away cheaply...a drink, salad, pasta, without even a main course or dessert will set you back about $75 without tip. It was very tasty and the service was excellent, but it is pricey.

Sistina is a must do for dinner in NYC. Our family ate here a few days ago and it was a very memorable dinner. Do not miss the truffle pasta! Donald Baechler paintings on the wall added to the experience.

Always order from the specials, usually good seafood and pasts. The staff is always very helpful. Setting quite pretty in a UES townhouse and greenhouse glass area in the back.

One of those ridiculously overpriced restaurants in New York that really have no justification. The owner/chef was incredibly rude. To be avoided. Go to Sant Ambroeus a few blocks away. Much more delicious and fun and reasonable.

The meal was very appetizing and the ambiance quaint. The restaurant catered for 6 of us as a walk in.

I have been here several times over the years. It never leaves us wanting. We spend a lot of time in Italy and end up comparing our experiences with Sistina. Sets a very high bar. A must visit. Not inexpensive but worth every penny.

From the moment you arrive, you know this restaurant is special! - Host and owner, a charming Italian man who makes you feel special. Its all about great food, great experience and the goal that you want to return! - Seasonal vegetables, freshest fish available, for the waist watcher - Gnocchi, turkey meatballs available for the slight splurger - Divine desserts, including the best chocolate delights

We were walking in the neighborhood and decided on Sistina for a late night dinner. Sat at the bar, with the doors open to the outside. Wonderful staff, I don't remember the bartenders name, but I do know that he plays soccer at the park every morning! The food was outstanding. We had the Veal Bolognese with wild mushrooms, and veal stuffed tortellini with veggies in a summer truffle and veal jus. We then had the after dinner assortment of cheese and bread - perfect finish to the meal. This was one of the best meals of our 5 day trip.

The food, wine, drinks were good. The service was excellent and it was a fairly comfortable place to be. But there was nothing which would justify the high prices for the appetizers and the main courses.

I have rarely had such a relaxing and enjoyable meal. We felt welcomed and never rushed. Delightful salad with pears, parmigiana, and arugula, perfect spaghetti cacio e pepe. I had a little trouble with my veal chop (it seemed to have an extra small bone where it wouldn't usually, plus some bits of cartilage, which made it hard to cut neatly), but my friend loved the veal scaloppine. The deserts were divine. I had chocolate souffle, which I haven't had in a long time, and it was SO marvelous. My friend had the profiteroles, which she said were equally wonderful. Really, everything was pretty perfect except the veal chop which was fine.

Close to Metropolitan and good. I was only expecting high prices, given this location. But the food was very good, interesting and flavorful. I had the lasagna Bolognese. The service was excellent and the atmosphere is lovely. Warning, lots of steps !

We actually were here for a reception . The service and the food were spectacular. The shrimp served were amazing in quality and size. Was impressed by the quality of service as week. We were actually in a new look cation on 81 street and Madison in a refined classic space.

We stumbled across this restaurant while walking to the Met. Fabulous is an understatement. Sistine is on our list as mandatory every time we go to New York now.

Had lunch at Sistina and wow… what a meal. Kicked things off with the zucchini flowers — light, airy, just flat-out delicious. Then the amatriciana hit the table. Ugh, how I love thee. Perfectly cooked pasta, sauce that clings the way it should… comfort and elegance in one bite. But the soufflé? That was the knockout. Warm, rich, flawless — honestly one of the best I’ve ever had. Service was exactly how I like it: attentive without being all over you. Just the right touch. Sistina isn’t just good — it’s memorable. I’ll be back, no question.

We had dinner at Sistina with my parents and husband. The place has a pleasant enough atmosphere and the food was fine, but for the prices they are charging, the service was atrocious and the food is not worth it. The waiter/bus boy/somelier could barely speak English, had no concept how to describe or recommend any entree, and was basically clueless. All the waiters were all stumbling all over the place looking like silly penguins. The price of dinner was $120 a head with no wine. There are a million other (much better) Italian restaurants in the neighborhood with reasonable prices where you don't feel like you've just been raped. The menu is uninteresting, it's not the best food and the waiters suck. Go to Elio's instead. DO NOT GO HERE!!!

Had not visited this restaurant for over ten years but was pleased to return recently and discover that all that was good about it had remained. The warm welcome, a drink at the bar while studying the wine list and menu and a chat with owner ( and also his son) were good reminders of the past. The food and service were excellent considering this visit took place late on a Sunday evening. Great to return and I hope it will not be another ten years before I sample the delights of Sistina.

I’m 77 and been to great Italian restaurants in Italy, Europe and the US, and all three of us found every aspect of our meals to be exceptional. The waiters were on top of everything and very well trained and attentive. I rate this as probably the best Italian restaurant I have ever been to - definitely 5 stars from us.

The owner/chef was so rude and aggressive when we asked for a table in a quieter part of the testament for a special family occasion so we could hear each other talk, that we left the Restarant before we even ordered our food! As we left he shouted obscenities at us. Never before have any of us experienced such appalling behaviour in a restaurant. Fortunately, we managed to get a table at Caviar Caspar next to our hotel, which was excellent, with polite and friendly service. Sistina should be avoided like the plague until this person learns how to behave in a civilised manner. We suggest he receive rage counselling, failing which, we are not optimistic about him staying solvent in the service business. Most people are reluctant to pay to be abused.

The food was very poor. My son had a raw tuna special that was cut too thickly and not perfectly fresh. He then had soft shell crab which looked horribly dry. I ordered lasagne and it was a mulch of overcooked grey pasta and dry edges. It tasted like a low quality ready meal. The Malbec wine by the glass was delicious and the service was slick and friendly but I’m baffled by the good reputation of this restaurant and at over $100 a head without dessert, it was anything but a bargain.

Food is good but the staff (except for the two receptionist) are not friendly. I find the staff quite rude, they don’t use words like “please“ “may” or “ excuse me”. Tonight, I came with my family and I said that I am going to pay by card the waiter just said “Come, come, come with me you pay here.” I don’t find that behavior fit on this type of restaurant I don’t even think fast food staff do that to their guests.

Dining at Sistina is like being invited into a friend’s home—a stylish, sophisticated, funny, and warm friend, who is also an amazing chef. You are greeted warmly and walk into beautifully decorated rooms, one of which overlooks an open space—a sort-of-garden—with big windows and lots of light. The wait staff is delightful—just the right mix of professional and friendly and the food is divine (try the chicken meatballs--yum!). Even with masks, in this crazy pandemic time, Sistina is a haven. I love Sistina and every friend I bring thanks me. A gem!

It used to be a very high end Italian restaurant that I will miss very much. The owner was a welcoming host and the food was many levels above the norm. I think of it often.

We went here on a recommendation and accompanied by our friends Nicks and Jeff. We were so surprised by every aspect of the place - the decor the food and the service — Thanks Gianni! They had truffle on special and many many specials. I suggest bringing a long a great appetite and a thirst for wine and cocktails and you won’t be disappointed. We shall return!

The manager assembled a special menu for our family gathering. The choices offered us gave us many combinations from their original menu. The food was incredible as we seemed to taste each other's food. The sauces, seasoning and careful preparation made this special occasion even better. The service was excellent and I'm very pleased with the food and service.

A wonderful restaurant, with superb food and service. The outdoor setting is delightful. The only downside is their reservation system, which charges you if you cancel the reservation. This makes it tricky for reserving for business dinners, given that business plans often change at the last minute, and you wind up holding the bag.

Vegan or not, this is a good restaurant. This pasta restaurant with its house made pasta makes pasta every bit as good as those using eggs. The truffle tagliatelli pasta, casarecce kale pesto pasta, stuffed peppers were were all good. Skip the garlic bread and caprese salad. The Budino is chocolaty and not sweet.

Lovely space, well prepared food, extensive (albeit pricey) wine list. The only miss was desserts - which was not up to the rest of the fare. Don't miss the soups, btw, definitely a hidden gem on the menu.

…a spot of lunch at Sistina, but a hop and skip from the museum, is a very good idea. Light and airy, particularly in the extensive glazed room in the former garden of this elegant town house, the tables are well spaced and the noise level suitably reduced by the napery. However, be prepared for the menu. Not an extensive document, it does give you a basic outline of good Italian cooking, nothing to frighten the horses and more than enough for a pleasant lunch. Wait for it…..wait….the waiter will then approach the table and reel off a list, an extensive list, of ‘specials’. Probably 20 dishes, in morbid detail, all un-priced and impossible remember or digest – literally. So, be warned not to even glance at the menu until the oracle has spoken. We were able to order directly from the menu as the litany was too long to even begin to remember. The gnocchi with tomato sauce and mozzarella were particularly good, a generous portion and well-suited to the chilly weather outside. Italian lagers were served in elegant pottery mugs. Service was good once the spouting oracle had retreated, seeing as how were weren’t in the ‘specials’ category, but as I say, Sistina is ideal of a good lunch after a morning of art at the Met.

In their new home at 24East 81 St NYC the decor and spaciousness finally matches the incomparable quality of the food. Guiseppe, the owner, runs a well oiled machine but with grace and care for his upscale clientele. While all dishes are superb my favorites are soft shell crabs,chicken meatballs and eggplant parmigian. The wine list is extensive but like the food is a bit pricey but well worth it.

The restaurant was recommended by a friend. Location is prime, ambiance great, service very good but the food was average. Pasta was oily, fish was ok and the chocolate soufflé was average. Prices were ok.

Excellent food, beautiful setting, very friendly professional service. One of the best Restaurant in New York. We are returning as often as we can.

seriously the tuna tartare was the best we ever had. and the shrimp and scallop appetizer honestly was perfect. we didn't even know what to do with our excitement when we got the risotto and they shaved fresh truffel all over it. then came the crispy beautiful branzino along with my crispy beautiful girl and I had this crazy angel hair pasta with every imaginable seafood in it. great dinner we will be back

My wife and I dined here on 12/22/2012 for her birthday. The restaurant was simply decorated. I would not call it romantic. Service was exceptional, as was the food. The menu, including specials, was quite varied with lots of choices. However, the cost of wine service was ridiculous! We own quite a nice cellar ourselves and always inquire about the availability of bringing our own wine. No outside wine was allowed. I was not surprised as they boast a 65,000 bottle wine cellar. After we were seated and settled in, I requested the wine list. Our waiter proceeded to bring over 4 "special" bottles on sale that night. Nice bottles indeed. But not one was less than $180. As I looked over the wine list, the price of bottles started at $82, and there were less than 5 choices, then went up drastically to $120 and beyond. My wife and I love wine, but I don't like being forced into outrageously expensive wine that was tripled in mark-up. Final cost, including tax and tip, $400. Never again!

After the excellent Caravaggio we visited Sistina , owned in the same group , and excellent it was .....great welcome , superb service ....outstanding black truffles with pasta , great asparagus and a very good red Toscana wine ....quite expensive but for a special evening well worth a visit ...

Definitely will return for this very authentic Italian dining experience. Fabulous food, service and wine selection. our head waiter Jean was wonderful.

We had a fabulous, happy experience. The food, service and ambience were all top notch. Before dining there, I read the reviews on this site. While experiences can vary, it is hard for me to imagine how this spectacular restaurant received some poor reviews. First, the space. The back room is gracious and frankly beautiful. For a dinner in the summer before the sun went down, the room was filled with warm natural light. Second, the service. The waitstaff was attentive, professional without being overbearing. Our waiter had a capacious memory for the many specials offered that night. As to the owner, he was charming and engaged, appearing in his white chef jacket to check on the guests. Perhaps he may rub some the wrong way, but to our party which included a long time patron, he was a consummate host. Third, the food. Everything I ate was simply delicious and beautifully prepared. And everything I ordered was a special. It began with a Bellini with fresh peach purée. I have to say it was the best I can remember. My appetizer was a white asparagus and morel mushroom dish. Both light and rich, it was the perfect size to capture the flavors and texture. For a main course, I had a medley of fresh, perfectly grilled seafood. Light and flavorful, it was a superb summer entree. For dessert, I had a memorable scoop of gelato topped with caramelized pistachios and cherries. My friends equally enjoyed their meals.

I had a lovely lunch here with my mother in law. I chose a fancy place for my birthday that was walkable from her apartment. Our food was delicious; my fried artichokes were amazing, soft hearts and crispy leaves in a yummy cheese sauce. Better than in the Jewish ghetto of Rome! Her lasagna was good too. The back skylit room was beautiful. However, our host attempted to seat us in the empty front room before noticing our displeasure. The servers were professional but not warm or friendly. And they made us feel ignored compared to what appeared to be a room full of regulars all much older than us (and we are 60 and 80 lol). I wondered why I was never here with my own parents who lived nearby and now know why; stuffy (not hip modern or fun) overpriced and not as fabulous as the staff thinks.

This is our second time dining at Sistina. Our first experience was in 2022. We returned because we had a wonderful dining experience. This time was just as incredible! We were seated at a cozy booth in the corner, looking out to the rest of the dining room. (Coincidentally, it was the same table we had the first time-and the same server). The dining room is beautiful, refined but not stuffy. The service was 5*, from the water constantly being refilled, our server’s pleasant and professional attitude, to the sommelier’s knowledge and helpfulness. The food was ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS-just how we remembered it! The chef worked his way around the room, engaging with all the patrons. I’m not sure what all the negative reviews are about? We can’t wait to return again during our next visit to NYC and highly recommend!

My husband and I are true foodies and have been to many restaurants in Manhattan and around the world. I can honestly say neither one of us has ever seen such a pricey wine list anywhere. We also collect wine and the markups for these wines (some we even own) were insane. However, to give credit where credit is due, the food was incredible the service was outstanding. We would love to go back, but we might need to have our heads examined due to the ridiculous wine prices.

We had lunch in this restaurant after having visited the Metropolitan Art Museum. The place is amazing, great style decorations, elegance, very classy restaurant. We shared one linguine with clams and one mussels and ravioli with artichokes. Both delicious. The check was expensive but it was worth considering both the quality of food and style of the place!!!

Inedible over salted Clam Risotto and unclean toilets - what’s to like ? Recommend to avoid at all costs

I was curious to try this restaurant in a nice location. We ordered "specials" including asparagus and egg. 65$ for 2 asparagus and a small egg not even special. Oysters off the lunch average menu at a cost more than excessive for the 3-star restaurant that it is not. Not to mention the desserts 4 strawberries and two small scoops of ice cream cost like an appetizer. I don't think I will ever go back there again

We had a strong recommendation from a Florentine connoisseur, so ended up at Sistena on the Ipper East Side. The decor doesn’t look particularly Italian or sophisticated, and so represents a relatively plain backdrop to the food. The menu was pure Italian and the ingredients were authentic and must have been mostly flown in from Europe. Also, the most extensive wine cellar I have ever seen outside that of the George V in Paris. Overall, a flawless experience - great staff, incredibly fresh ingredients, and a great meal was had by all

Excellent food Interesting ingredients very well prepared Beautiful room Excellent service Not cheap Worth every penny Really good

Disgusting,we were served olives in a bowl that had been left over by others as some were eaten and seeds left in the bowl,

Very enjoyable restaurant serving classic Italian in a friendly environment. The restaurant is a little out of the standard tourist route but worth the trip. The wine list is exceptional.

We lucked by this spot. After a morning and early afternoon at the Met we walked back along Madison looking for a place for lunch, hoping to find something to end the trip having eaten in interesting and fine restaurants over the weekend. Sistina exceeded our expectations. We enjoyed a leisurely lunch which began with refreshing and delicious signature cocktails, perfect for a summer day. We enjoyed watermelon vichyssoise, sea bass, pasta with asparagus, and mushrooms. All delicious and elegant dishes. The service was welcoming, helpful, and attentive,

Visited Sistina for first time and probably will not return. Expensive and food is good but not exquisite. Biggest problem was service-- high price wines and drinks, expensive food, but do it quickly as the next seating was in 60-90 minutes. No leisurely dining at this place so if you want to catch up with a friend, find another alternative. Not sure if this is only on Saturday evenings but food was not so great that we would want to return to check it out. Same group owns San Pietro on East 54th off of Madison but for some reason, the personal attention and pleasant atmosphere of San Pietro did not carry over to Sistina.

The service was very good. Nice place to meet my college friend. I may or may not come here again. Didn't blow my mind.

Rudest people I’ve encountered in New York in a long time. Especially the chef. Don’t know where they think they are but manners matter. We got up and left.

This place is a great spot for some high end and expensive Italian. Every time I go here with my uncle we have a great time. The food is fresh and we usually order the specials. The service is slow at times, especially if the restaurant is packed, but overall a very welcoming and enjoyable experience.

Excellent Italian high end restaurant. They do the "smell the truffles" thing but you can easily shut them down by saying "you know, I don't usually ask but how much does that cost". Once you are through with that, it's a very nice restaurant with excellent food and staff. We find that it we ask for a table where we can hear each other, we generally are seated where that's possible.

We had a wonderful experience having a late lunch here after a short visit to the Met. It was easy to make a reservation (although credit card was required) and the restaurant is literally across the street from the Met on 81st. Prices are a little high but this is upper East Side. I had crispy skin branzino which was more plentiful than some other similar restaurants, and my kid’s spaghetti was well made. The best part was the dessert: they had mandarin and chocolate soufflé on this day. I was a big fan of the mandarin soufflé but rest of the fam liked the chocolate soufflé. Overall, it was a great spot for a special occasion.

Today I arrived with a party of 5 for lunch. They take walk-ins when not fully booked. I called ahead and asked if they would take us in. We got there at 2:47pm. The host said they don't take walk-ins after 2:45pm. Yes you read that right. TWO minutes late! The host called the owner to make an exception at 2:48pm and he confirmed that we were too late! What a joke! Boycott this place . There are plenty of other better choices in the area.

This Italian style restaurant offers excellent food in a pleasant setting. Extensive menu is complemented with a long list of daily specials. Tables are well spaced and background noise is low. Efficient and professional waiters. My appetizer of lukewarm sardines on arugula was very good. Main course of calf's liver was excellent. Good wine by the glass.

This elegant eastsider has moved to 24 East 81st Street between Madison and Fifth and the food is better than ever. The rigorous standards set by the owner pay off in dishes with exquisite taste made from the freshest ingredients. Everything is good. My favorites are the seafood , including swordfish Milanese and halibut and my husband loves the pasta. There’s an incredible wine list including premium wines by the glass. The space is much larger than the second avenue original, in a classic brownstone. The high celinged dining room is beautifully decorated with fresh flowers. This is our favorite place to bring friends because we’ve never had a bad meal.

The pluses- several nicely decorated rooms in an UES townhouse; good and attentive service. The minuses- while some dishes were good and well prepared, others simply did not measure up to what one would expect of a first rate restaurant (it really came down to "hit or miss"), the tables are close together, so the room feels somewhat cramped. For the price , there are better choices that are as good or better.

Went there after visiting the Met. Got the oration of the "special day menu". Ordered a bowl of pasta from the oral menu. Received the blandest, most pathetic pasta EVER. Zero flavor. Small. And the bill arrived - $150 for that one insulting bowl of pasta. Thought there was a mistake. The explanation was the membrane-thin bits of "white truffle" put on top of it. And, the waiter added - "their clientele" gets offended if mentioned the price of food. It would not have mattered if the pasta was garnished with unicorn's insides, and their clientele was the CEO of the universe. That was one sorry, tasteless, cheap pasta. Finally, the atrocities that hang on the restaurant walls - after the old masters at the Met, completed the experience. Never. Again. Never. Never. Never. Never. Never.

Truth be told, the old world deference of the all-male staff doesn't do it for me anymore. The food was fine if not inventive, and I have to admit I like a bit lighter fare: the carciofi dish seemed skimpy. One bottle of wine was off and they pleasantly took it away. I know folks for whom this would be the perfect spot but for a hipper more gender-balanced place, go elsewhere.

We had never dined at Sistina on the Upper East Side before so we really didn't know what to expect. Luckily, we took the recommendation from our hotel concierge and what a wonderful surprise it was! First, the decor is classic; it looks and feels like a high end restaurant should feel. There are two dining rooms and a bar area. The first dining room is a formal dining room with wood paneling and subdued lighting; the second is more of a garden dining area. Both are gorgeous. The service is EXCELLENT! A step back in time when dining was formal and classy. Very, very professional. The food was incredible; every dish that we had was superb!

This is probably the only fine establishment to dine if one was to visit The Met. Located less than a block from the museum in a gorgeous townhouse. Service was wonderful and the wine list beats most others at this level in both selection and price. ‘John’ the headwaiter was superb, friendly and professional. The key is to order off the menu and listen for the specials as they bring in top grade seasonal ingredients. (Wild strawberries from Malaga when I was there). Very impressed and will definitely return on future visits to The Met or Central Park.

Make your reservations early for this Italian bistro on the Upper East Side. The list of specials can be overwhelming, 29 items when we were there. I suggest you listen, here what intrigues you and ask again after thinking about it. Our party of 4 all made selections from the specials and none of us were disappointed. Service was impeccable, attentive but not intrusive. Wine list was quite extensive but once we narrowed to a specific taste and price of wine the sommelier was most helpful. All in all, highly recommend this Italian bistro.

The staff and the food at Sistina were exceptional when my wife and I had dinner there this weekend. There were very accommodating our choice to sit outside, and the temperature started to cool a bit as dinner went on, they were gracious enough to offer blankets and promptly turned the heater on. Our host and waiter were very helpful in offering suggestions and very attentive. The food was definitely a highlight with great flavor and creative spin on traditional dishes. Many locals seem to come to this restaurant as a routine weekend dinner which says a lot of about their hospitality and quality. The next time I visit the Met, I will make plans again for dinner here.

This was my first visit to Sistina. I had read reviews that focused on the price and was apprehensive, expecting high prices with average food. It was expensive, but worth it. Perhaps the best Italian meal I have had in Manhattan (I live here so I have been to many of the better restaurants). I had a seafood appetizer and one of the pasta specials, which was fantastic. Beautiful setting with excellent service. Nothing casual about the restaurant, including the rich and famous that come to dine. But not overly formal or stuffy either. Not an everyday neighborhood restaurant but good for the occasional splurge.

The restaurant has a large variety of choices on its menu and specials of the day. It’s decor is elegant and a restaurant ideal for special occasions. The food was delicious! Wonderful service The only negative thing I can say is that for our taste, both found the veal scaloppine a bit salty.

Fabulous Italian food, after seeing the Medici exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum. Amazing food, the specials on the pricey side, excellent service, beautiful decor , no background music!

This is a charming, friendly, upscale Italian restaurant in one of the most beautiful neighborhoods in NYC. Our food was excellent, our wine was fantastic (and not marked up too high), and both the space and waitstaff are world class. Do not hesitate to dine here. In fact, go out of your way to do so.

We were a big group, 5 families with teens and a 3 yr old. The staff was great, no stuffiness or attitudes for our large party. The food was excellent and we had a beautiful New Year’s Eve early dinner. It’s beautifully decorated too. The bar is tiny and in right by the door, so I would not recommend to go for the bar unless you are in the neighborhood and just want a quick cocktail. the only disappointment was to have to watch some of the politicians in the room 🤢😂

I have been coming here for 35+ years. Each time I come it is a new culinary experience. I have never had a bad meal. I have never had a so-so meal. Each meal has been superb. I do not understand why it does not have a Michelin star.

We again visited Sistina with another couple for dinner. Reservations were a must, especially for a Saturday evening. We waited for our table with drinks by the bar. My wife had a nice whiskey sour and I had the worst Tom Collins served in the wrong glass. At almost 20 bucks a drink you'd think they'd get it right. Finally, at our table, we all had the white truffles; the other couple had theirs on a risotto and we had it on their fabulous fettucini. Each bite was sublime. We washed it down with a Chianti reserve, wonderful! Two of us had the Bollito, a massive amount of mixed boiled meat in a delicious broth that also came with several sauces. I had the veal scallopini which came topped with spinich and it was tasty as I remembered. Another had the veal Milanese which was so big she took half of it home. Two of us had the strawberry Zabiglione for dessert, outstanding, and two the chocolate ice cream, not outstanding. Service was very good throughout the meal.

We hadn't been to Sistina in 4 years and they have moved to a rather gorgeous townhouse between Madison & Fifth Avenue. Food is wonderful as is service. We very much liked it.

I loved the food we ate. Impressive ambiance. Great respectful staff. Were with a group of friends from overseas, the loved it. We loved it , they were very accommodating with our infant son and 8 year old baby. Great place.

I was wowed by the setting, a town house on the Upper East Side with a gorgeous dining room which must be spectacular in the summer. Very roomy seating although plenty of noise because of the high ceilings. From the moment we were seated till our departure, we were very well looked after. Our every request was immediately met with a smile. There seemed to be dozens of people available for the 25 table room. The waiter recited an endless list of specials which had to be repeated in some part because there were so many. Why not print them daily and insert them in the menu? I guess because this is a classic Italian restaurant where reciting the menu is common. There must have been 15 specials and we told him not to do the meat because we planned to stick with fish.We were given a fried olive as an amuse bouche which I felt was inedible. The opening course of burrata with blood orange in a salad was delicious, probably my favorite dish of the evening. The mozzarella with figs and prosciutto was also well made but nothing exceptional. The tuna tartare was excellent but it should be for the $25 price tag. For the main course, I ordered fluke and it was well prepared but for $50 I expected to be wowed and I was not. I also shared a special pasta with peas and mint that I thought was bland. Our dessert of profiteroles was a disappointment, the pistachio ice cream inside the pastry puffs was a tasty novelty but the puffs themselves were hard and difficult to cut. Try the same dish 4 blocks down at the Mark and you will be amazed at the difference. The chocolate souffle however was excellent. Sistina has an incredible wine list but you would be hard-pressed to find anything under $100. Our $85 bottle of La Scolca Gavi was fine but predictable and overpriced. I am sure there are people ordering the $150 and up wines which comprise 80% of the list but that would not be me. In summary, although it is a beautiful place with wonderful service, the food does not justify a repeat visit.

I give it five stars because of the delicious food, outstanding service and ambiance/decor. I find the food to be priced correctly for the excellent quality and overall experience, but the prices for drinks and especially the wine are way too high. The content of the wine list is amazing, however the prices are extremely high. Good luck finding a decent bottle of red for less than $150. I would recommend balancing the list a bit more with some value alternatives. As an example, all the Chianti Classicos were either Riserva or Gran Selezione, hence the high prices. Another example was the Aperol Spritz (called Famous "Putana" Spritz). I found the name a bit particular for a cocktail, but you kind of get it when you receive bill and realize that it's $45 per glass. That was exactly the word that came to my mind... I will definitely go back, but will definitely do my homework on the wine list and drinks before going back.

Comfortable, small enough, you can talk with each other. Food is excellent as is staff. Nice...........though no vibe to speak of.

We visited Sistina after a long day at the Met. What was most striking to us initially was the exterior. It was quite lovely with blooming flowers and elegant lighting. We were just walking on the street, remarked on the beauty, and then realized that was the restaurant we were searching for! Although we arrived quite late for dinner and had no reservations, we were seated in the main dining room. The host was accommodating and kind although we were underdressed. The townhouse atmosphere was charming, but some of the locals were clearly disapproving of tourists. The portions were generous and the meal was delicious. Our server did not actually put in our order (technical difficulty) so every other table around us ordered and received food but we waited for more than 50 minutes. Once he realized his mistake, the food came quickly. Our waiter Goran was very friendly and accommodating. There was an abundance of servers,at times it was too much. Overall ... very Upper East Side ... a pleasant dining experience if you are willing to pay for it.

Sistina is a lovely restaurant. Service is very attentive, however not warm. Our meals were well prepared with fresh ingredients. The menu offerings are extensive and very expensive. The noise level is moderate to loud.

For sometime I had heard of this restaurant and never got the chance to try it out. I was pleasantly surprised about the great service and the quality and outstandingly delicious food. Try the truffled pasta! The neighborhood can’t be better but be aware of the wine menu. The prices are ridiculously high, very little offers below $100. The price tag is high but it is worth type experience. I will surely return.

We went for a business dinner. The restaurant was very expensive and we felt pressured to spend more. The food was good, but not better than at restaurants costing two thirds of the price. I think the focus is more on projecting a feeling of luxury than offering a really fine meal.

N.B. The pics of the dining room are that of the previous location and some comments about a hotel (?!) are irrelevant I am one of Sistina's pioneers since the early 80's, and I came often with the same pleasure, but living in Paris, I had to bear the frustration of not being able to come every other day. When someone needed to know whether I was in NYC or not, the only secure way was to check the reservations book at Sistina! This has always been a great place, but now in their new house, it's even more pleasant . Long standing success has not lead to negative effects, as often...quality still is at the top and service too, with many staff from the old days (nice to have met again) and new ones who are good too (including a smiling sommelier Enzo). No miracle...JUST the full dedication of the "founding father" GIUSEPPE, every minute over 30 years and more...he is not only the owner and boss, he IS the restaurant. It was such a pleasure to see him as always during our latest visit 2 weeks ago, after many years of absence and he came to us as if we had been there the week before! Excellence has a price, but it is worth it.

We came here for the wine list and the intimate setting. Both were superb, though the wines were extremely expensive. We had a 2015 Produttori Pora for $200 that had a slight hint of cork, though not bad enough to send back. The Sistina pasta was good, not great, though the rabbit main was huge and tasty, as was the chocolate soufflé. Service was excellent. For >$500 for 2 for 2 appetizers, 2 mains and dessert? No thanks.

We have been coming to Sisitinas since they were first located on Second Avenue. Now in its new elegant and spectacular home it is simply the best Italian restaurant in NYC. The service is of the highest European quality, the ambiance is like a movie set from Florence and the food is always remarkable and creative. Pricey but you are worth it, aren’t you?

Absolutely superb on every score - lovely, refined atmosphere; our waiter (Nestor) professional and flawless; menu choices we made were delectable (including the somewhat ubiquitous spaghetti primavera, but at Sistina - by far the best I’ve ever had). Can’t wait to go back.

Just for.the amazingly light pasta alone i must give this 5 stars. The service was poor but in spite of that i.am staying with 5 stars. It was over a month ago and i.forgot everyrhing else. It was pricey but amazing

We love Sistina! Extraordinary food and wine (always a Wine Spectator best of). Service impeccable. Beautiful venue in an old limestone mansion on the UES.

Only regulars get very good service here. Others will find a pretentious and stuffy attitude. The food is good, but there are so many better Italian restaurants in New York. If you like being treated with respect and appreciate good service, don't come here.

Food has become mediocre at this once great restaurant, it is highly overpriced, and run by the most obnoxious people I have ever experienced in New York City. Our food was terrible. We complained to the manager who basically told us to go to get lost. I will never go back again. The manager and the owner are extremely rude. Been there probably 100 times and once reviewed it with a perfect score but these clowns will never see me there or at Caravaggio ever again. I wouldn’t go back again even if the meal was free.

Fantastic authentic Italian food, with rotating monthly menus to compliment their standard classic dishes. Service is friendly, with the owner often working the tables to introduce himself and explain the menu, restaurant and vision. Wait staff are all knowledgeable on the food and wines to pair with your choice. While food can be a a little bit expensive, it's well worth the prices. My wife and I enjoyed some of the best pasta we've had in a while - I opted for veal ragu with baby rigatoni and my wife had wild hare pappardelle, both of which were delicious. The restaurant is cute, with bright modern art and there's a fun little corner bar to sit at if you want to enjoy a drink before (or after) dinner. We'll certainly be visiting again.

My friend suggested this place for Lunch. It does not appear as much when entering but unfolds, as you move to back, to a wonderful solarium place with tasteful decor. Lunch was absolutely amazing, authentically Italian. Could have used some guidance from the waiter on size of proportions as well as summarizing our order as we ended up getting a dish that I had canceled. Nevertheless, I would go again for more treats.

We have never been rushed and in such an aggressive way in all of our extensive dining experiences in New York City, the country and Europe. We were immediately treated very rudely by one man in particular who told us he needed the table for two seatings and that it was important for him to make money with the restaurant. To make matters worse, the two pasta dishes ordered arrived cold and gloppy, while fresh figs tasted musty in another plate. We strongly suggest you dine in another restaurant. New York City has numerous options.

Loved this cozy Italian restaurant on the upper east side. It is tucked away on the ground floor of a brownstone between 5th and Madison. There is a beautiful bar and two lovely dining rooms. The service was excellent and attentive. The wine list is extensive with several moderately priced options. We were luck enough to be there during white truffle season and had excellent fettuccini. I could have licked the bowl. My husband had veal and I had the John Dory. Both were excellent. We finished with a chocolate soufflé with grand marnier. We will definitely be back!

True Italian cuisine with a 93 page wine list. Amazing Sommelier will help you choose just the right wine. We spend several months each year in Italy and can say Sistina’s chef is amazingly true to form when it comes to Italian cuisine. Don’t miss Sistina when you are in NYC.

We all love a bit of pomp when dining out even in the best of restaurants but the waiter took this to the next level by being as standoffish as he could we were indeed lucky to actually be there at all. However, we survived his presence and the actual meal was lovely as was our bottle of wine. I may add when looking around the winter garden room I noticed a smashed glazed panel in the roof above my wife's head that had been taped up for some time as the tape was starting to curl I certainly won't be the only one thinking surely with the prices in Sistina they could afford to have this replaced if not for safety reasons but for aesthetic ones.

We went to Sistina after the theatre. The service was excellent. The decor was average for an upper east side Italian. The pastas were excellent and the service was excellent. The wine list was broad and expensive. My only gripe was that the oysters in the expensive mixed oyster appetizer were extremely small . The prices were above similar places in the same area. All in all a pleasant but expensive dinner

We ate here upon the recommendation of our concierge and we were not disappointed. We really enjoyed the ambiance and the food was delicious, especially the orchiette and lamb pasta dish and fish entrees. My husband had the mixed grill fish and I had pistachio encrusted strip bass with spinach. Dessert was outstanding! We ordered the special strawberry parfait and sorbets. The service was good except for a brief period when they mistakenly thought we were waiting for two more people because they sat us at a table for four and didn’t remove the other two place settings. That was only a minor glitch in a very enjoyable dinner. Would definitely recommend!

For what appears to be a neighborhood restaurant, albeit on the upper east side of Manhattan, it is a tad pricey. If it were a destination restaurant I would understand, but it isn't of that quality or atmosphere. Greeted by a very friendly hostess, and escorted to a nice table in the dininig room. The lighting in the dining room was odd, not quite at a candle light level, but one step away from full brightness. At the peak hour of 8 and on a Thursday, the dining room was only one third full. There was an amuse bouche that was very good, chick pea soup and a crostata with fig and prosciutto. I had the tomato and burrata appetizer, which was very good and generous. I had the crispy skin red snapper special which was also very good. My friend had the pasta with rabbit ragu as an appetizer and he loved it. He also had the swordfish special prepared breaded and fried, much like the way veal chops are prepared in Italian restaurants, and it was also good. We ordered the least expensive bottle of wine, a chianti at $65, which they were out of, so they gave us a more expensive bottle at the same price. That was a nice touch. I would say the restaurant is very good, it's just hard to make this a regular place with apps that are priced around $20 or above and entrees $35-45. Can't say I will go back.

3 couples dined and our experience was wonderful in every way. The wait staff was not only knowledgeable but helpful regarding every detail. The restaurant is well located and finely appointed. Don't miss a meal here.

I'm used to pricey Manhattan meals but the deceptive practices here are unacceptable. First the white truffles. Available many ways but no discussion re pricing. I didn't ask but didn't order. Then we were shown several bottles of wine "on sale". I did ask the price. 250 a bottle! Don't worry, marked down from 375. No thanks. We ordered a low priced bottle at 95. I looked it up on line. A five fold markup. It's a pity because the room is pretty and the food good.BUT, it is priced like a Michelin 2 star in Paris but with far more overpriced wines.

Fantastic dinner celebrating a colleague. Sistina offered the right setting for a remarkable and memorable night!

This used to be one of my favorites and had not been there for a few years, for no particular reason, so was excited to be going back. Sadly it did not live up to expectation and the host gave us a slight acknowledgment that w head been there before, but that was it. The meal is very good but somehow the bill creeps up and you just feel like you could have had equally or better food elsewhere in a less sterile environment. And yes, waiters were very difficult to understand..do not think they were born in Italy!!

Sistina provides excellent Italian cuisine in a very stylish interior inspired by the nearby Metropolitan Museum of Art (and other 5th Avenue museums). I was here for lunch and had the clams & mussels over linguini. The meal was very tasty, as was the red wine poached pear I had for dessert. The interior & service was very elegant (and you certainly pay for that). A good restaurant choice if you like fine upscale dining.

We found it only because it was a half a block from the Met. Museum of Art on Park. It is a bit difficult to see, as it is in a wonderful old townhouse. Long, long bar as you enter, but we recommend continuing into the dining room. Literally, the best Italian food we had this trip to NYC and we visit many Italian restaurants. The waiters and staff are friendly and know their menu and wine lists. Worth a trip up to 81st.

We dined at Sistina's on 81st between Madison and Fifth. A magnificent townhouse which is very well appointed! The bar and bartender was just delightful, the service and food spectacular! The owner, who we did not see the last several times we went, was so rude and offensive to the two little ladies next to us my husband bought them a drink. As we were leaving my husband mentioned that he could have been nicer to them and everyone around us nodded in agreement. He didn't accept the suggestion and now yelled at him. Too bad..... we will not be returning. Neighbors of the restaurant.

Very average, not worth the price of 27 dollars for carbonara pasta with cream (it's not Italian). Go your way. Pizza

Why have we, frequent restaurant goers that we are, been reticent to cross the street to a fine-dining restaurant just a block away from our home? Fear of what we thought was its reputation (gathered from where I know not) of being wildly expensive and perhaps over-wrought? The snooty posturing (we thought) of its predecessors in that spot? But then, seeking an escape from two bad moods, we booked and dined there on a Saturday night. We were impressed, and a bit ashamed of ourselves for not at least trying it before. Yes, it's expensive, but not wildly so, at least in comparison with top New York restaurants. (About $300 for two for a modest dinner, with including alcohol, taxes and tip.) Ambience: a bit big and on the formal side, but nicely appointed Drinks: Common cocktail: Good, generous, cold--as it should be. Wine by the glass--like anything else, hard to judge in one visit, but ours were very good and downright reasonable compared to more or less comparable places in the neighborhood. (We should have told the wine guy -- does that make him a sommelier? -- we weren't ordering by the bottle. We would have likely saved him the threat of a hernia lugging out what was apparently a massive wine list.) The waiter rehearsed something like ten non-menu specials without notes; we couldn't remember them without taking notes. Guided by his advice here and there, ordered the specials (including dessert) and were both pleased and impressed, in that order. Fruit and mozzarella; sea bass. pasta with meat sauce, interesting dessert, etc. So our view now? Something special and (woe is us) something of a surprise. It won't take two bad moods to get us back there when we feel a desire to celebrate.

Old world service and setting with attention to cuisine and presentation. Local place where you feel at home. One of our favorite spots on the UES for an excellent meal and experience, Outdoor tables make dining outdoors a pleasure

No one was in the restaurant for lunch on Saturday but the owner. Didn't bring a menu. Asked for a wine by the glass list and he brought over an open bottle of cheap white wine from Umbria, and a cheap Italian Cabernet. However when he brought the bill they weren't cheap. When I asked for a glass of Chianti Classico he said Rosso is better. Brought over open bottle of Rosso di Montalcino which he calls a baby Brunello? He gave us a choice of two pastas and one fish dish verbally as well as 3 salad choices. Told us not to have a meat dish. Never saw a menu or prices. We had three basic pasta dishes, 3 salads and three mediocre glasses of wine for $224. Ridiculous. We won't be back and Normally I would have questioned the prices and lack of menus but we were with a good friend from NYC who said it was his favorite restaurant. Obviously the owner only wanted to bring us what was easily available in an empty restaurant. I didn't even get a breakdown of the individual food items or drinks, only totals after simply writing $63 on a plain piece of paper which he put down as the ticket to get my credit card. Turned out $63 was the drink cost which did include an ice tea and capacino. A real rip off and blatantly so. Food is good but attitude and service is awful.

We were staying nearby at the Carlyle and came in for a late dinner at the bar our first night in town. It was outstanding - 5 stars. The bartender was warm and engaging, the food was great, yes expensive but we weren't drinking so not too bad. Veal tortoloni and the bass. We liked it so much we decided to cancel our Saturday night dinner elsewhere and come back - a completely different experience. Also at the bar but the server was rude and indifferent, focusing only on locals. They have many specials and he rattled them off so quickly I couldn't even understand one. The food also was less good, my $55 pounded veal chop was dry and tasteless and my wife's $50 chicken meatballs also not great. We also got to see the chef confront a poor woman who was unhappy with her food and threaten to call the police on her. So from 5 stars to one. Just depends on the night I guess.

BEWARE! They are not welcoming to WOMEN ONLY patrons! Arrived there with my mother and daughter to celebrate my mother's completion of cancer treatment. We were the first patrons to arrive at the restaurant and were seated at the rear of the restaurant next to the kitchen and carving station. When asked if we could sit elsewhere, we were advised that EVERY table had been already requested! When they presented the feature wine of the day, I tried to find out what kind of wine it was and was actually told it was, "Italian". My influencer/ media savvy daughter opted to find another restaurant nearby and we found a much much better place to enjoy before our broadway show. Too stuffy for us. Do not return without your male escort!!!

the food is amaizing . I have been to so many places and this is just the best italian food in NYC . every time I visit NYC i come to this place. Prices are reasonable anb you can find as well affordable wines. Service is friendly. This is the place to go for real italian food conoisseur. Love the food . Place is a bit old fashioned but who cares!

We went to celebrate a special occasion and knew it would be pricey, but... We did not expect poor service (rushing us to order), waiting 10 minutes for a glass of wine, or paying $14 for a side of broccoli which was literally as small as what you get in a frozen box from the grocery store with some garlic cloves thrown in. The veal chop ($52) was large, but aside from 3 forkfuls of sautéed mushrooms on the side, the chop was barely seasoned and was in desperate need of salt, pepper and garlic at the very least. They did give a nice amount of bread in the bread basket but that's about it. We also had a fresh oyster plate to start. The oysters were small - each about the size of a big clam. All in all, a lot of money was spent with nothing to back it up. We (my husband and I) spent over $200 for one glass of wine each(least expensive choice), shared one appetizer, and each had one entree. We did not have coffee or dessert. And by the way, forget romance, it is very loud in there.

Went to Sistina with a fairly large party. We were initially impressed with their attentive demeanour and the the convivial atmosphere. We began to get a certain vibe...The wait staff came by asking if we wanted charcuterie for the table. This was not on the menu; and therefore, we would have no idea as to the cost. Also, the waiter impressively listed off the top of his head a whole bunch of specials for the appetizers and the mains that they had that night, again, without mentioning the price. In any event , we ordered, and the food was acceptable; but NOT spectacular. At the end of the meal, the wait staff tried to tempt us with dessert. The bill came...here is what we found AFTER the fact: 1) There was an up charge on several of the alcoholic beverages... (We were charged more than what was listed on the menu). 2) There was a $6 up charge on one of the pastas. 3) We ordered 2 of the "appetizer specials" that the waiter had suggested . We did not know the price...and they turned out to be exorbitant! When I called the next day to provide feedback in a constructive, helpful and respectful manner - to the manager, he was not receptive and frankly rude. Needless to say, given the choices of exceptional restaurants that we have in NYC, I will not be returning.

We came here (party of 2) for Easter Brunch. We we immediately brought to our table where we were immediately greeted by our Waiter. We ordered off the special menu and had a mushroom soup and bisque that were both excellent. We shared an arugula salad which was good but somewhat of a small portion. We also shared the bone in ribe-eye as our main course. This was not quite as I anticipated. The steak was not as tender as I would have liked. Also, it was quite expensive for two people to share. The desert, NY cheese-steak was somewhat dry. I still give this restaurant a high rating as I am chalking it up to being 1 data point. I will come back again and next time I will try the pastas as it seems to be their expertise. I also recommend to ask the waiter for prices of the items on their special menu as we spend almost $400 for two people.

Terrible experience. We asked to be accommodated to a more suitable table with my elderly parents and got up to leave after a rude and unhelpful response from the owner, after which he told us to f-off at the top of his voice in front of the other guests. Impossible to believe someone thinks they can behave like this. Reading previous reviews, it seems as though we’re not unique in having such an experience. How he retains a faithful clientele, I have no idea

I can't find any fault with my lunch experience. The outdoor seating was lovely, the food was delicious, the service was first class. The gave us a plate, of exquisite cookies, compliment's of the chef. There aren't that many restaurant's in the neighborhood, on this level of excellence. It's on the expensive side, but most in the neighborhood, are also expensive, and not nearly as good.

This is actually the third time I've been to the restaurant and I do enjoy the food, however I don't remember ever having been price gouged the way I was this time. So let's start with the food. The wild mushroom soup was actually very nice not spectacular but extremely good. We got the risotto with the fresh truffles scraped in. I asked to share and when they brought two bowls I thought that they were actually splitting it for us. I'll get to the bill later but suffice it to say that they didn't give us one portion. My girlfriend got this seafood bouillabaisse which surprisingly was pretty average maybe even a little less than average. I got a John Dory fish special with artichokes that was very good. We also got a mixed vegetable to share that was spectacular, it consisted of chestnuts and brussel sprouts and a few other things and it was great . I guess I should have started my review with the wine. We were going to a show after dinner so I really didn't want to get a bottle. Most inexpensive glass of wine was $15 going up to $30 a glass. They suggested a half bottle of a 2010 Barolo instead. They didn't tell me the price but when I asked they said it was 100 dollars for the half bottle! Totallybout of line. I am actually a wine snob in training and have nearly 500 bottles of wine at home so I do know what I'm talking about with wine. I found that and the entire wine list to be obscenely overpriced and obnoxious. But not nearly as much as the bill when it arrived to find out that each of our appetizer portions of risotto with the fresh truffles was $60. That's right one hundred twenty dollars just for the two appetizers that had fresh truffle in it. Of course there's nowhere on the menu that says it and not the waiter or the manager nor the owner openly let us know what the cost was. So here's the bottom line. The food is very good and the place is adorable. But no way it's worth this. I've been there 3 times. But the prices are completely obsene and as a result of this latest I will not be back

A classic old style sophisticated location for a romantic dinner or small business group. Quiet enough to actually have a conversation! They miraculously produced our favorite champagne which was not on the wine list after sensing our disappointment! That was the beginning of a lovely evening from start to finish.

Classy great waiter and a wonderful food I’ll be back for sure !! The place is very comfortable and clean ! Everything was perfect We had a great experience there Amazing less is more Love it

We went for dinner with our daughter and son-in-law. Nice bar, but we went right to our table in a beautifully decorated dining room. Our waiter came promptly for our cocktail order, and then began telling us about the nightly specials. It must have taken him 5 minutes to tell us about all the special appetizers, soups and entrees, there were so many! We started with zucchini flowers stuffed with ricotta cheese and the Italian crudo, with several different sashimi style fish. The zucchini flowers were very special! For entrees, I had the spaghetti alla vongole (spaghetti with white clam sauce), which is my "go to" dish at a new Italian restaurant. It was very good, but I've had better. My husband had Spaghetti Trapanese (crushed pistachio, walnuts, pine nuts and almonds in a spicy tomato sauce with pecorino romano cheese) and loved it. The wine our daughter selected went perfectly with the dinner, but I don't recall the name of it. Service was excellent: attentive, but not intrusive.

My wife and I were entertaining out of town guests, and looked forward to taking them to Sistina. We had been many times before, and I had regarded this restaurant as amongst the best on the Upper East Side. The restarant was very quiet, following the Jewish holidays. It seems that many of the waiters were new, and they really looked poorly dressed, and somewhat amateur for a restaurant of the quality of Sistina. They were slow taking orders, but as normal, the food (with the exception of mine) was excellent. I had ordered the cornish hen, and when it came, I thought that it tasted a little odd, but I didnt want to send it back, as it would have disrupted the whole evening. However, when I reached the bone, it was all red, and the hen had clearly not being cooked through properly. At this point, i stopped eating and sent it back. The waiters all conferred, and they told me that they would give us a $10 credit. I told them that we would accept whatever they decided, but that maybe they ought to ask Mr Giuseppe - the owner. They told me that he couldn't be disturbed as he was dining at the table of Mr Chase of the Sopranos. I know Mr Giuseppe, and went over myself. He told me that $10 was cheap and that they were to credit the whole $32 for the cornish hen. I wanted to talk with him about our experience, but he only had time for his VIP customer, Mr Chase. I left a message the following day asking Mr Giuseppe to call me - but he was clearly far too busy There are many other excellent restaurants - and sadly, it seems like our continued patronage of Sistina is over.

Absolutely delicius and charming !!!!!!! On second avenue this very upscale restaurant is A definite winner. Innovative dishes bordering on italian....try the chicken meatballs.....and outstanding beet salad! Zucchini flowers like on the riviera!!!!great wait staff!!!

Very good Italian on the Ues. This is not for budget minded eater but if u have the resources it's well worth the prices.

They have moved, though the old place still has the name on the front, but no note saying where they have moved to. We had to call for directions. The new place is 24 E. 81st, between Park and Madison. It's popular, crowded, ungodly expensive, and loud. The wine list is ridiculous, bottles marked up 5 times. Dinner for 4, with wine and tip, was almost $600. It was good but not earth shaking. Waiters memorize a 5 minute list of specials which are almost impossible to understand beneath the thick Italian accent. They speak better English in Rome. I ordered off the menu.

We ate at Sistina after a late afternoon visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art (about a block away, off Fifth Ave and 81st). Made the reservation for convenience, but enjoyed the restaurant for its excellent food (zucchini flowers appetizer and pasta with crab entree, etc.) The wait staff was plentiful, very professional and attentive (unusual to have adequate staffing in these post pandemic times). Prices of the food were reasonable for a fine dining establishment. The wine and cocktails were expensive, which is how restaurants make their money these days. We stayed away from the high priced specials, and got a bottle of wine instead of overly expensive glasses of wine. This not a budget pick. Enjoyed our dinner thoroughly!

I ordered salmon with roasted potaotos and a slice of cheese cake. the salmon was slimy because the skin was on the top. I asked if they could overcook the roasted potatoes and they weren't and the cheese cake .... I might as well have a twinkie. the food wasn't good, it looked pretty and they were very nice, but it said it included a 20% gratuity and came to close to $86.01. I found out I forgot to tip and was shocked to know that was the price without the tip. I want to support all the restaurants but was shocked at the price especially for the quality. I pray that cheese cake wasn't home made or that makes it even worse. I can't believe the prices for the quality of the food.

I have been going to the restaurant for years, but not in the last 5 years. Two couples went. we ordered three different dishes and two of the three were disappointing especially the duck breast but not as diasappointing as the check, The bill was very high close to some of the most expensive in NYC and the quality was not equal to the bill. Service was very good 4 star and ambiance was very good 4 star. we will never go again

Posted on behalf of my mother, a neighborhood semi-regular:want to share an experience I had this afternoon at an UES restaurant called Sistina. " I have been a customer over the last several years and enjoy having lunch there occasionally or dinner with a friend or two. It was around 2:15 on the afternoon of June 2 and I was returning home and decided I would have lunch and stopped at the outdoor area where they have been serving since covid. There were several empty tables and I asked the waiter if lunch was still being served. He said yes and he would get the hostess. I had to ask another waiter before she finally came into view. When I requested the table she asked for one? Yes, just me I replied. She told me in a very undiplomatic way that I could not be seated unless I was going to spend a minimum of $65 because I was alone. You would think I had asked for a free lunch. I inquired if my lunch cost $53 would they just add additional money to the bill to bring it to $65? Since I had not inquired about cost as I have eaten many times here I was shocked that such an upscale business would initiate a policy like this. I told her to look in her book and she would find my name there as I am a client. And, delivering such a message in the condescending way the woman spoke was insulting is the only way to describe it. Is this now becoming a trend - to penalize people who either just prefer having a quiet lunch or are we considered undesirable because we are not coupled or have no friend to bring along at that moment. In a city where so often people express concern for those who are alone and in need of friendship here is a business who is driving singles away causing you to feel undesirable because you are a party of one? In a restaurant that is discriminating against someone who merely wants to have lunch and pay the same as the 2 or 3 who are sitting at a table together is an odd way to show gratitude to clients who supported you throughout the pandemic. I chose to sit down and have my lunch preferring to bury the ugly reception. I met my responsibility and the waiter was most gracious. With all the restaurants to choose from I dare say I will probably never visit the place again.

The NEW ADDRESS is 24 East 81st Street. This is a beautiful old New York mansion and the dining room setting os really lovely. High ceiling and plenty of space around one’s table. The food is as good as ever. Never need to look at menu because the list of daily specials that your waiter will reel off is all you will need. However, vitello tonnato as a starter was absolutely perfect!, and that was not on the long specials list, but on the regular menu. This is a special place. Go and enjoy.

Ultra expensive. Rather pretentious. When we sat down the wait person brought around a huge jar filled with truffle pearls. He then told us to sniff them. Our table was in the back of the huge restaurant in an area that could be considered outside in warm weather. Huge skylight and surrounded by windows which were curtained. It was quite cold and we had to request them to put on the heat. The specials were rattled off competently by the head waitperson and when I made my selection he came over to me with a pad and pencil, scribbled something down that he showed to me. He wanted me to know that what I had selected as my main course was $120 because it had truffles. Of course I told me no thanks. Every chair in the restaurant was a high back leather chair except for me and my dinner companion. Our chairs were woven outdoor chairs. Something you would use on a patio. I found this very strange. In the bar area there were giant television screens depicting the latest sports event. It was like a sports bar and was very visible from the dining room. The food overall was very good, but definitely not worth the mediocre experience I had.

We stopped in this past Saturday afternoon without reservations, but that was not a problem. We sat in the patio room. Which was lovely. The food was excellent. The service was amazing. Not the cheapest place, but that’s not what we were looking for. We wanted to be pampered and we were. We started off with the cold seafood salad, so fresh. BF had the pork special, which was amazing and I had the Cacio E Pepe also delicious. Would definitely go again. Next time we’ll make reservations for the inside main dining room, looks really romantic.