Dined at Cena for lunch and dinner and had a great experience both times. The food and service are great. Staff is very friendly. Portions are huge. The pizza is big with a nice thin crust, the Caesar salad was very good, served in a Parmesan crisp bowl which was delectable on its own. I didn't love the baked clams, too much breading, the clam itself was tiny and over cooked. The pasta dishes are easily shareable between 2-3 people. We tried the shrimp fra diavlo & drunken chicken and both were delicious. The shrimp was served with capellini (angel hair), the sauce was very light. The drunken chicken was served with a very rich and tasty vodka sauce. They have live music on Friday nights, the singer was very good. I'm surprised both times I went the restaurant wasn't that busy, I can't wait for the weather to warm up so I can dine in their beautiful outdoor area. read more

Cena 081 - Baked clams - Italian Near Me - Westbury, New York

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Four of us went out to dinner on Christmas Eve and had a 7:00 pm reservation. We arrived a few minutes early and were seated upstairs, tucked all the way into a corner next to two very large parties. There was no window, no decorations--just a corner. On Christmas Eve, it felt especially disappointing. I went back downstairs to politely ask if it might be possible to move to a more festive table. While speaking with the host (who was accommodating), I overheard the bartender walk by and tell him to "seat them at the bar." This comment really caught me off guard. Our party included my teenage son and my parents, both in their 80s, so the remark felt rude and unkind. It's Christmas Eve and she wanted us to sit at the bar facing the tvs showing basketball games. It left a very bad taste in my mouth and honestly overshadowed much of the evening. I've dined here several times before and never experienced anything like that. I completely understand that it was Christmas Eve and the restaurant was busy, but interestingly, a larger table was seated after us and their order was taken before ours and they were served before we were, which added to the frustration. As for the food, I was excited to order the Cacio e Pepe because the last time I had it here, it was prepared tableside. That didn't happen this time, which I was flexible about given the holiday, but unfortunately it tasted like plain pasta with butter--no pepper flavor at all. The calamari appetizer was just okay. My dad enjoyed his pasta with Bolognese sauce, and my son said his spaghetti and meatballs were fine. Typically, the food here is much better, which made this experience even more disappointing. However, the bartender's comment was the most disheartening part of the night and is the main reason I don't see myself returning. I was especially grateful that my mother didn't hear it, as it would have been very upsetting to her and unlike myself she would have and rightly so put the bartender in her place. read more

Came here tonight for wife's birthday dinner with my son and his fiancée. We wanted to try it out for the first time. We were disappointed. Server was nice but did not know the menu and was aloof. No specials at all this week we were told and he didn't know what the meatball meat was. Apparently they only have all veal meatballs. Strange. My shrimp fra diavlo was made to spicy when I asked for mild. The dish had capellini angel hair pasta that was over cooked to a starchy sticky pasta ball clump. Sauce was watery and it contained cherry tomatoes and chopped up shrimp that were mushy. . Where did they mention cherry tomatoes on the menu and what part of Italy does this come from? It's an insult to my Italian heritage. The other guests did not eat their food either. Most of the dishes were mediocre at best. When the waiter came over and asked if I wanted my 3/4 full plate wrapped I told him no it was bad. No apology no take it off the bill no nothing he just took it away. It was a wasted birthday celebration that I had to apologize for. Don't waste your time or money on cena081. It is not even a one star. read more

Nothing was the same. The bar was empty, the restaurant was empty except for our table and the food preparation was OFF on Sunday night before Christmas We had been dining there for 7 or 8 years, but never again. read more

My friends and I came to Cena 081 about 1:00pm on a Saturday. There is a parking lot and street parking available. Since it was a little chilly, we sat inside but there is outside dining as well and is beautifully decorated. The restaurant is very spacious with plenty of seating. A complimentary basket of bread and butter was brought to our table. I ordered the penne alla grappa. The penne alla grappa has chicken, broccoli, and prosciutto in a creamy vodka sauce wrapped in aluminum foil. This was the first time I had a pasta dish served in aluminum foil and it definitely sealed in the moisture and flavor. The sauce was rich and creamy and the dish was very filling. I packed some to go home. My friends got the linguine alla vongole and chicken parmigiana. They both enjoyed their food and took home leftovers too. The chicken parmigiana is definitely a HUGE portion. Our server was friendly and didn't rush as at all. When we received the check, there is a cash total and card total. Only a few tables were occupied when we were there and the restaurant was fairly quiet. It was a great atmosphere to catch up with friends and have a conversation. read more

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Tha staff, the foid, and the atmosphere were all top notch! Had a gathering of 20 people and they were wonderful with accomidating us. Highly recommend. read more

I follow a Facebook group that people ask for recommendations and someone had mentioned that Cena081 has a pasta in a Parmesan cheese wheel presentation and I was intrigued. I didn't see it on the menu, but I am going to find out if that's true because if it is, I'm definitely going back for that. It was a Saturday night around 8 PM. The restaurant was fairly empty. I think it was a pretty cold night so that's understandable, right after the holidays. we sat at the bar and the food that we ordered was absolute five stars delicious I have nothing but good things to say. The amount of food lasted me for the next day for leftovers as I do not eat big portions in one sitting. The pasta dish that I had was absolutely perfect right balance of seafood, and vegetables. The veal that my dining partner had was perfectly thin just right, and it heated up perfectly in a pan the next day. I would definitely recommend Cana 081 and I will definitely be returning. read more

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Parking behind the restaurant, outdoor area is really cool. Walking into the back entrance it feels like you're italy. You are greeted by a Vespa, Fiat and an APE. There are a bunch of covered outdoor seating and a really cool waterfall. Inside looks like a rustic villa. Lots of space, long bar and great lighting. The food was really good and served quickly, staff is friendly, drinks were great. Nice date spot or family or friends dinner spot. read more

Food was delicious, service was very good, considering it was busy. Fried calamari & broccoli rabe which are common dishes, but no one gets right were amazing. The place was buzzing on a Saturday night, dining room, bar & catering! The music in the dining room was a techno beat, which was not to our taste, but when the room was full you could hardly hear it, so it was ok. Even the espresso was top-notch. I'll go again. read more

Unfortunately a bit disappointed with service here due to the slow pace of taking orders and for delivery of food. Went on a Thursday evening around 8p so typically not a busy time. It took about 15 minutes for a server to come by to take our order. We ordered a salad to start and it took then nearly 30 minutes to come out, let alone our main dishes. The salad was as expected but very heavy on the dressing so the arugula got soggy quickly and the tang of the balsamic glaze really overpowered the other ingredients. I ordered the cavatelli which was served piping hot. There was a generous amount of cheese on top and the cavatelli and tomato sauce were both fresh. Overall, I liked the dish but the seasoning was a bit light. My friend ordered a mushroom risotto, but the risotto was mushy and the dish was slightly bitter. read more

Cena 081 - Cavatelli with sausage - Italian Near Me - Westbury, New York

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This was a beautiful dinner experience and I highly recommend the visit! Ambience, service and food were all great! I would highly recommend this place for a beautiful outdoor dining especially in these summer months. Its outdoor is beautifully decorated giving an Italian intimate vibe. I believe on the weekends they have a musician playing as they did when we went on a Friday night. For this dinner we had preorder family style menu serving for 15 people because it was a birthday dinner and wow, they absolutely outdid themselves with all the dishes. We had their antipasti- fritura mista, salumi and cheese platter, mozzarella in carrozza, baked clams, wood over fried pizza, for entrees- penne allá vodka, skirt steak, roasted salmon, pollo portobello, mash potatoes , grilled asparagus, and grilled zucchini . Nevertheless, I think we tried a lot from their menu and they were all cooked to perfection! Fav dishes were the skirt steaks, mash potatoes, pollo portobello, and pizza.I do recommend ordering wine over cocktails but overall we had a beautiful evening , with beautiful music and delicious food. read more

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Food, Service and atmosphere is superior. If you want great food and made to feel like you are family this is the place. From their Sunday Sauce to their daily specials I have never had a bad meal there. Its a restaurant that gives you a different experience throughout the 4 seasons. Highly recommend for couples, groups and parties. read more

This one bamboozled us. We came here the first time because my daughter saw they had a Parmesan wheel and clearly we couldn't pass that up. Suffice to say we weren't impressed. Portions were seemingly small, tastes were less than great, it just wasn't great. Not terrible, but definitely not great. I probably would have given it a 2.5. Also hated the parking lot and ended up with a flat that just led to a terrible night. We had no intention of coming back but maybe a year later, my daughter had a hankering for a cheese wheel, and we figured we'd give it another chance. Holy crap it was good. The food was excellent and the portions were insane. No idea what happened the first time but I'm assuming our second time was the "real experience" and the first was an off night. Providing this is the case, we'd highly recommend this place. Good service, amazing food and solid all around. read more

I honestly don't know how to rate this establishment. The food is always good to even great, but everything else is a mess. Tonight we had reservations at 07:15 PM. We were an early but no one greeted us at the hostess stand. We were eventually seated without any menus. Once our waitress finally showed up, we ordered drinks and finally received the menu. As far as drink order is concerned, we ordered a Chardonnay to only find out later that it was a Sauvignon blank. Our food order took so long that we were ready to leave, however the food came out just prior of us getting the check. My dilemma is that the food is tasty but the rest is an organized disaster. read more

My husband and I had a wonderful dinner at Cena 81 last night. From the second we walked in we knew it was going to a great evening! Everyone super welcoming and the restaurant had a really nice warm atmosphere. We started off with a Cabernet Sauvignon that was perfect and recommended by our super friendly waitress. For appetizers we shared the baked clams and crispy arugula salad. They were both were delicious! For main course I had the Cacio e Pepe, and my husband had the sliced strip steak with creamed spinach (steak was cooked to perfection). For desert (we were stuffed) but couldn't resist the Nutella pizza that was out of this world. This was our first visit and will definitely not be our last!! Everything was perfect, and the entire staff couldn't be nicer!! Cannot wait to go back!! read more

I went on a Friday night with friends. The calamari was the best! We had brick oven pizza which had a very nice thin crust. We sat outside. It was lovely. The wait staff attentive. It's a very nice place and I will definitely return. read more

Food is incredible I spend a few k a week doing business dinners and lunch meetings The place is so Beautifully designed I felt like this could become one of my regular spots. But the service needs help If they could fix that they would do so much better. read more

Quality food in a warm and bright surrounding....the "backyard" dining area is inviting and very pleasant....waitstaff is top shelf

We were given the food menu, but oddly, no drinks menu was offered. The white wine arrived much too warm, so we had to request a replacement. Although we mentioned all dishes were to be shared, no sharing plates were brought. One of our salads was never entered into the system and arrived quite late. After finishing the first two dishes, our plates were taken away but not replaced when the final dish came. The presentation was minimal, and the flavors didn't quite live up to expectations. For a $98 meal, we expected more care and professionalism from both the service and management. read more

This spot is a beautiful hidden gem. The service is welcoming and friendly. The food is superb. It's fine Italian cuisine at its best. The drinks are great and the bartenders Paul and Kayla are a delight and make the night pleasurable to sit relax and have a drink. Perfect go to spot after work. read more

My nephew had confirmation party at Cena 081 in the garden. The restaurant has beautiful decoration and good service. The party start with delicious Mozzarella & Tomato, Bake Clams, Fried Zucchini, Calamari Fritti and Classic Ceasar salad. Pasta has choice of Penne Alla Vodka or Linguine in Clam Sauce. For entrees has multiple choices, I pick grilled branzino and I also try grilled flank steak. For dessert has Neopalitan cake and fresh fruit. My mom and my aunts are so happy with the food and service. read more

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Decent entrees. We were a bit taken back by the $8 water fee we had no idea we were paying for a bottle of water we barely even drank. The margarita pizza is far from margarita more like a cheese pizza. read more

Cena 081 - Margarita pizza - Italian Near Me - Westbury, New York

Last night we met friends for dinner at Cena 081 in Westbury, and had a wonderful evening. Service was friendly and attentive from the moment we arrived, beginning with warm crusty bread and rosemary olive oil being brought to the table while we looked at our menus. We started by sharing a salad and their delicious eggplant parmigiana, which melted in our mouths. Next we moved on to their "Sunday Sauce". Listed on the menu as a dish for two, the portion was so generous it could probably have served four! This was like a trip back in time to my grandmother's house - rigatoni with pork ribs, meatballs, braciole and sausages. Served in an iron pot which kept it perfectly warm, it was a true feast - the pasta was al dente and the meats were all tender & delicious. A side of garlicky sautéed spinach was the perfect accompaniment. We ended the meal with Italian cheesecake which was light and creamy. We will certainly be returning soon to try some of their other dishes and enjoy their outdoor patio, which has been newly renovated and expanded. It looked beautiful (didn't snap a photo, but you can check it out on their instagram)! If you haven't been to Cena 081, I highly recommend it. read more

Needing better bartending skills here in terms of technique. It would elevate the presentation of the establishment. But otherwise great hospitality, clean,food is excellent read more

OMG the food is phenomenal! The waitress was not great, didn't write our order down and then messed up our appetizer and entree order, then barely came around to check on us and didn't even apologize for the mix up. The manager came over and did address the problem with the order which I appreciated. Other than the waitress everything else was above expectations. The best calamari, baked clams, spaghetti, tiramisu and zeppolis. We ordered the ribeye and asked for medium rare and it came well done - even with the mess up it was delicious so I can't complain. Absolutely a recommend place to try. Make reservations for sure and they have a small parking lot but there is street parking as well. I'll be back with my parents. read more

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Really lovely and spacious outdoor seating. I arrived during the week after 7pm and there were plenty of seats available. We were seated immediately. Staff was very friendly and attentive. Small but good wine selection. Food: I ordered the Linguine Vongole served in I believe a white wine sauce. It was very good and flavorful. The clams were small but plentiful. large serving. One star deducted because the plates were already on the table for the bread and they were kind of dirty. read more

Cena 081 - Italian Near Me - Westbury, New York

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I was so impressed with this restaurant on just my first visit. There is plenty of street parking and a small lot. It was a very easy in and out off Post Ave. I was with a small group of people and we setup outside. This dining area was wonderful. Extremely spacious and they have a very nice outdoor bar. It was so nice to be in this environment and have the opportunity to mingle with friends and business associates. Come dinner time they set up a buffet of salad, penne a la vodka and chicken francaise. I must say... a very simple meal and very enjoyable. The chopped salad was abundant with different vegetables and the penne was well cooked and topped with a delicious sauce. The chicken was thin, most and not swimming in sauce. I am definitely looking forward to an indoor dinning visit. It I was very impressed with their extensive menu and wine list. read more

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We recently came here for a baptism party and it was quite the experience! We had the first floor all to ourselves with the bar nearby. The food here is incredible. Trays and trays of fried calamari were brought out and it melted in your mouth like butter. Pans and pans of thin crust pizza which was perfection. For my entree I chose the chicken francaise and it was just okay. The apps were much better. The chicken was a bit dry and chewy and it didn't go well with the mashed potatoes. Next time I come here I'll stick to apps but this was a party and it was a Sunday so I was eating! There are two deep steps to the dining area with no handrail which proved to be an issue for some of us. I don't know why they need to be so deep but I had to knock off a star for that. Also there is only one restroom for each gender downstairs. The ladies room was not available so I snuck into the men's room. The bar is nice but only one bartender during a party? I felt bad for her. Nice spot with a few issues (also almost no parking) and I'll be back for that fried calamari. read more

Went for dinner at the bar. Bartender was not friendly. While we were having drinks they turned up not Italian music so high and loud it was annoying. The music was beyond blaring. We had to tell them to turn it down because they had no common sense. I asked for a cup of coffee and he gave it to my friend because he was not paying attention and we were the only one there. That's what happens when managers are not around supervising the staff.Never going back there again. As the only "Italian" restaurant on Post Avenue they need to play "Italian" music and not other ethnic music. read more

Was good food nice environment people were friendly only thing was service was slow great atmosphere

This was our 2nd time here at Cena 081. We came back because although the service was not great the food is fantastic. But unfortunately we will not be returning. The service was subpar once again. Made a reservation for 6 people and the table was set for 4. The waiter seemed to be annoyed because we had questions about some items on the menu and then huffed when someone in the party asked for butter on the side pasta instead of a red sauce. He never came back to see how we were after our meals were served and had to flag down the hostess to get a spoon for the table. Such a shame because the food is delicious. read more

We came here specifically for one thing - pasta in a wheel of cheese. * They have some pretty good happy hour deals on drinks at the bar. We had some limoncello martinis before we sat for dinner and they were good. * we ordered the pasta in a wheel of cheese for me, my daughter and friend. We were excited about it BUT missed pretty much the whole thing. They do it away from your table in the corner and didn't tell us. When we happened to look around and saw it, we walked over and the server just said "oh you guys missed it, you were supposed to come here." No one told us and so that was a big disappointment. * The pasta was still delicious, but things are a tad overpriced. * The restaurant is small and dimly lit and parking is atrocious because it's pretty much non-existent. Even though it was cold, we did get to see the outdoor area which looked really nice and the hostess was kind enough to take pictures for us. read more

Cena 081 - Italian Near Me - Westbury, New York

Very nice restaurant; good food, nice patio in the back. Service was good. Will return again read more

This place is wonderful! I went with my coworkers on a Tuesday evening for dinner. We sat outside on the patio and we felt like we were transported to Italy. The decorations are beautiful and really create a nice atmosphere. We ordered the cacio de pepe made in the cheese wheel and it was delicious! The chef was kind enough to demonstrate how he makes the dish for us along with some background on the cheese wheel. Apparently they are only 1 of two restaurants to offer this dish! Service was great and the waitstaff was very attentive. I definitely will be coming back! read more

Incredible restaurant, the service is the best! The food is excellent, everything was delicious, from the bread to the dessert! It was really amazing!! Definitely recommend this restaurant! read more

Our new favorite work event place ! (Or any day really!) We made a reservation for 13 people & were seated immediately as we got there Appetizers & drinks came out quickly & they were delicious, the baked clams were amazing, that sauce was to die for! We all agree you could eat that sauce with anything!!!! Amazing !! The waiter & the rest of the staff were so attentive at all times The place is clean, pretty. Inside & out! Originally we wanted to sit outside but it got rained out. Outside is beautiful ambiance (& indoor too!!) they have private rooms for party indoor &out. Dinner was amazing, I had the chicken piccata & again with the sauce !!! Delicious!!! It came with a side of mash &spinach so good! Everyone else loved their meals too! For dessert I had the cannoli & it was so good!! I also got the Nutella pizza to go & my kids loved it & finished it right away! (I had a slice too, so good!!) This pace is definitely a 10 out of 10 if not higher Would definitely recommend & will definitely go back read more

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Was out in Westbury and wanted Italian food. Searched Yelp of course and decided on Cena 081 because of how close it was to where we were. Called first. No wait. Entered very nice decor. They have a nice size outdoor space that was being decorated for a private event. Lots of seating . we were 1of 2 tables being served. It it was 4 o'clock perfect for social distancing. Bread crispy and warm. Food fresh and hot. Desserts not too sweet. Perfect 3 course meal. We'll be back read more

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Horrible horrible experience last night. I've been coming here for years and have always enjoyed myself, but tonight was disastrous. My friends and I were in the back area by the dj and when we tried to get drinks the blonde bartender was very rude and even said "you have to effing wait", she only seemed to be catering to the men there and was making the women wait and by the time we finally got our drinks they were made completely wrong, and she went back to flirting with the men and having shots with them. We ended up having to go inside to get our drinks remade. Unfortunately me and my friend group will no longer be coming back due to how unwelcome we felt because of this experience. I don't know if she was drunk but I've never experienced such disrespect just simply trying to get a drink. The food was delicious but the service and drinks were terrible. I hope this gets fixed soon. I'd hate to see such a great place turn into a trashy establishment. read more

Had a great experience at this restaurant, from the ambiance to the service to the FOOD. We rented out the private room on the second floor in lieu of dining out on the patio, because it was drizzling out. We thought it would have been really nice to enjoy our private party outside, but it worked out quite nicely on the second floor - the bathroom is right there, and there was plenty of room. Oh and there's also a TV if you were interested in that. A teeny bit chilly up there, but I'd prefer the slight chilliness to a humid outdoor dining experience. Even if it were sunny. The fried calamari was perfectly crispy and flavorful. The Caesar salad dressing was kind of...tangy, in my opinion, and I wasn't a huge fan of it. Adding some parmesan was able to offset the tanginess a bit. By the time we got to the pasta, I was definitely starting to get full, though it was very good! My friend and I did splitsies on our eggplant parmesan and salmon orders. The eggplant was ok (presentation was nice!); I liked the salmon more. I think there was some butter in the salmon that I detected - very tasty. Our waiters were attentive and made sure that our glasses were never empty. 5 stars for a seamless experience. read more

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I came here to celebrate my cousins engagement. The outdoor area of the place was incredible. They had a waterfall, they had heat lamps, stone walls and it was just fantastic. They had a dj to set the mood for the restaurant. The food was good and so were the prices. We both the rose bottle of wine and it was fantastic. The service was a little slow which was my only complaint. We got there at 7 and left at 11. The decor and the vibe of the place made up for it and my cousin was absolutely impressed with how everything turned out. I would return but maybe on weeknight when it is less busy to get faster service. Thank you Cena 081 for a good night! read more

Cena 081 - Aragula and prosciutto pizza - Italian Near Me - Westbury, New York

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