ok back in harness after a layoff for awhile and where better than manhattan to try again, leaving what for and of course for what aside, an essential issue these days and double-so here where you're constantly asking yourself wtf am i doing with my time anyway. so let's start with a place that makes writing a review difficult because i came away scratching my head, not of course due to some sort of communicable insect and certainly not a reaction to the food here (management please relax). if what i do in these reviews works like it once did, by the time i'm done i hope to understand what caused this itch, and if you've read more than the past few of my "reviews" here you've realized already this is how i meander into a beginning that makes you want to read on, or at least another paragraph, which i was chided sometime ago, specifically that i should learn how to create paragraphs simply by hitting the return bar twice like this... upper east side restaurants along lex and madison aren't where i normally spend my time and money. These days I have reason to be in fairly toney hoods in this city. between say e 60th to e 81st was never and still is not today where i feel belonging. on a recent visit I couldn't sleep one night so walked aimlessly up down and around the blocks. like a flash in the night a purpose for all this came to me. maybe see if I could draw a composit of eateries here. Overall these tend to be italian small / cozy dimly lit dark woody fixtures and waiters who do passable Italian though and moderately overpricey. The menu selections really aren't so unusual compared with downtown or across a bridge, but the prices are without a doubt multiples higher. so we ate here the next night. the wine list was easy, just pick something red and priced not too much more than a benjamin. that way you could have two, which you'd only want to do in case the wine was remotely interesting. with these guidelines the ever-popular tuscans are unfortunately the inevitable choice. piemontese is usually no-show. whatever i ordered, it didn't qualify for a round two so for bottle 2 I switched to white. our waiter was really attentive, overall an excellent server and actually from italy. he had been here more than a couple decades, but wanted to go back home once he ratholed enough. he made some good suggestions on the menu, which is really interesting in itself but in execution i have to say meh. i ordered sauteed spinach as a starter, followed by a pasta with bolognese and then shared an order of lamb chops. for the four of us, the bill was about $700. how it got so high was that everyone had desserts, some form of espresso and a nightcap. pleasant ambience, good service, interesting menu in the reading and overall not worth the tab. but consider the location: walking distance so you don't uber over the east river to brooklyn. read more

Stopped by at a causal Sunday. Traditional family owned style, clean classic local Italian restaurant In the Neighborhood. Not your high end service fine dinning grade service, but they are professional, friendly. Random picked dish were very decent considering this just 1 of the place on Madison. Cute date spot. During lunch there were groups of family maybe little noisy. read more

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Everything is great, the balsamic vinegar, the pasta, the fish, the meatballs, the wine, the coffee, the desert. I'd come back and explore more. Maybe the bread is not as fresh as I would have hoped for. Service is excellent too. read more

Come Prima Ristorante - Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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Walked in on a Sunday evening and was seated immediately. The service was prompt, professional and friendly. The kitchen was offering so many specials for appetizers and main courses, I had trouble remembering all the options. Food was well prepared, served at our pace and very hot. Both my wife and I had pasta dishes that were well prepared and tasty but were not exceptional. I am keeping this establishment on my list to revisit. Please expect to pay NYC prices so do not be surprised by the bill. read more

Disappointing Experience -- Premium Prices, Subpar Value I stopped into Come Prima on Madison Ave. and 72nd for a quick glass of wine while waiting for a haircut next door at Nunzio's salon. The space is charming and I've heard the food and the chef are excellent. I ordered a glass of Chardonnay. What I received was very average -- not buttery, not bright, just plain. Out of curiosity, I asked the bartender what it was. He told me it was William Hill -- a basic California wine that retails for around $14 a bottle. Then came the real surprise: the bill. I was charged $26 for a single glass! As someone who worked as a bartender prior to finance, I understand the markup game -- you're paying for ambiance, service, overhead. But this was egregious! Charging nearly double the bottle price for a small glass of an inexpensive wine isn't just bad value -- it feels dishonest. I mentioned it to the bartender before leaving, because it didn't sit right with me. I wasn't trying to make a scene -- just calling out what felt like a complete disconnect between price and quality. It's not about the money (I was on my way to spend $400 on a haircut) -- it's about respect for the customer. A place that aspires to fine dining shouldn't be cutting corners or gouging on basics. Come Prima may have a talented chef and great food, but this experience left a bad taste in more ways than one. Chardonnay lovers beware! read more

Come Prima Ristorante - Bars Near Me - New York, New York

Food is good, but not worth the price tag. You'll pay $75 for 4 lamb lollipops and fried potatoes (see photos); $40+ for a pasta dish; my glass of wine was $38 (Castelli Martinozzi Brunello di Montalcino 2019, a Tuscan wine that is currently going for $49.99/bottle online). BEWARE: The prices at the restaurant are much higher than the prices on theirwebsite. For instance, the previously mention ed lamb lollipops was listed as $59. That's more than a 20% markup! It might have been worth the price tag if the experience had been better. I've had better service at diners. The server was never interested in us and never tried to connect with us personally, it was all business. He never came back to ask how the food was. He never asked us if we wanted another glass of wine. Or more water. I saw him come back into the area and he leaned over from afar to catch a glimpse at our table to see how we were doing, but never came back to the table. Maybe I was supposed to flag him down if I needed anything? He was relying on his busboys to do all the work. The pasta was made fresh and cooked al dente. The wine reduction on the lamb was not reduced to a glaze the way most wine reductions are done at US restaurants, which made it less sweet and more homemade, both of which I liked, like it was cooked in a red wine instead of a reduction, the type of food you might get if your Italian friend brought you back home for one of her mother's home cooked meals. It was satisfying, but not really elevated. The crab salad special I started with was very nice and lemony and they gave you a lot of crab, served as a stack with just a few pieces of lettuce on top. That was the most elevated they got. Decor was forgettable and tables were quite close together. It was a large restaurant but felt cosy. We decided that we would not have dessert, mostly because we didn't want to give this place any more of our money. It was a nice date night, but we wouldn't go back. read more

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6 years in the neighborhood and I can't believe we just got to try this place. Very friendly staff. Went in without reservation and sat at the bar for dinner. Loved talking to our server(s) and the owner. Had one of my best "old fashion"s. My husband's steak was strangely plated and served, but my pasta bolognese was one of the best I've had in the city. We will return! read more

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In truth, I don't think that the food here is worth the inflated Madison Avenue prices. The pasta and the salads were good, not great. My carpaccio was clearly frozen and then slightly thawed just before serving it to me, lacking flavor. The "Grand Marnier Creme Brulee" was a generic creme brulee, without any vanilla grains or flavor of the French orange liquor. The space was sweet, but the food a bit disappointing. read more

We have been to Come Prima at least six teams in the past and enjoyed good, if expensive meals. Last night was unacceptable. First, the prices have gone through the roof. Second, the food was not good. Our $30 salad featured a BROWN avocado which we could not eat and should have sent back. How it made it out of the kitchen is a mystery. It feels like the restaurant is coasting, which is sad for us. read more

Since the day it was called "Rosi Salumeria" it has been waayyyyy over priced - evidently we are all paying for their rent, but there is a limit to honesty - pasta and tomatoes sauce $39 - whatts? I recall ordering ravioli....I got 4 ravioli for $34, went home and made myself a sandwich!!! Come on!! There is nothing special or highly above anyone else's quality level in the neighborhood. Very disappointing to see that customers, especially local customers, who could literally "go donwstairs and have a pasta" are totally taken for a ride!!!! Sorry, Done! read more

I highly recommend Come Prima as one of the finest Italian Restaurants in NYC...Upper East Side Every morsel of everything was so delicious All pasta is homemade to order. Service, extraordinary. Ambiance a pleasure. Atmosphere, I am in Italy Please give it a try and let me know. Returning shortly with friends, or family and colleagues. read more

Stumbled upon this place looking for some lunch. Amazing find and great conversations with the owner and bartender. read more

Come Prima Ristorante - Vermicelli pomodoro - Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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The bartender was wonderful and friendly. She is from Parma and adds a sparkle to an already beautiful place.

I had the wonderful pleasure of dining at Come Prima last night. As I entered the restaurant I was met by the owner, Salvatore Lombardi, whom I've known for over 30 years. Salvatore makes you feel like you're a VIP and could not be more warm and gracious. I only wish I took pictures of our food as it was some of the finest Italian dishes served in New York. We let them surprise us with appetizers and a pasta sampler that was absolutely fantastic. I followed that up with a Veal Chop which was perfect. They brought out a dessert sampler which was out of this world. Come Prima is a gem on the UES that is a must. Salute Salvatore and thank you for a fabulous evening.. read more

Come Prima Ristorante - Rolf Hess, Salvatore Lombardi and me. - Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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Service here is excellent. Mostly quiet atmosphere with light background music is playing to set a laidback feel. I ordered the Egg Fettucine Bolognese (wonderful btw) and my mother ordered the Branzino that was grilled to perfection. We ordered pistachio ice cream, tortino with raspberry sorbet, and chocolate covered vanilla ice cream and chocolate covered chocolate ice cream special with fresh blackberries for dessert. It was divine. read more

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Walk off Madison, step into Italy -- Viva Italia in NYC! From the complementary hunks of parmigiano reggiano, taralli with fennel, and mixed olives, Come Prima continues to be our go-to for fresh and authentic Italian with the best service. Recently had the most delightful fennel, apple, walnut with smoked pecorino salad and the freshest red snapper in a silky lemon, white wine reduction, absolutely delicious. The walnuts had that just-cracked crunch and layered in a seasonal combo of fruit & fennel is, off-the-charts goodness. Full bar of Italian aperitivo & digestives but don't miss the perfectly chilled espresso martini or the classic Vesper. Truly, the perfect place to have one! read more

Come Prima Ristorante - Espresso Martini - Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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Good food, good service. Took 2 guests for dinner in the neighborhood. Good average Italian restaurant. Very pricey. There are many just as good options at this price in the upper east. read more

Great food and excellent service. They took us in even though we got caught in a rainstorm and were drenched.

Great food, great service. Can't wait to return. The Chicken Parm was amazing. Easy walk from the Met. Went for a late dinner.

This photo popped up in my FB memories today from 5 years ago, so I thought I'd finally give this place a long overdue review! I love Chilean sea bass and this was one of the best I'd ever tasted. Looking at the deliciousness is making me think I really should go back to this place soon! read more

Come Prima Ristorante - Chilean sea bass - Bars Near Me - New York, New York

Came into the city for an impromptu Central Park adventure with my 15 month old and mom on Easter Sunday. We enjoyed a lovely afternoon strolling through the park and built up an appetite. We happened upon Come Prima and asked if they could accommodate a hungry 15 month old. Unfortunately their only high chair was in use but they were more than happy to seat us. I was relieved when they sat us in a nice spacious table away from other crowds (we entered our terrible 2's a few months early). The staff we so attentive, kind, and understanding. They brought us bread before the menus which was SUPER essential to keep the beast tamed. The owner was there and he was so sweet! He brought us a business card holder to keep our phone upright so Miss Rachel could keep the beast entertained. For grandma and I, we order the grilled octopus, arugula salad, and tuna tartar. Unfortunately we could not partake in the pastas because we were observing Passover tradition. My son on the other hand had the pleasure of eating their Spinach and Sage Ravioli which smelled absolutely delicious. He was very happy and took the rest to go! We are so grateful for the wine, the food, and the welcoming environment the restaurant provided. I hope to come again in the future with the rest of the famiglia! read more

Food is fair at best and prices for small portions are very high. The restaurant is attractive and service nice.

Stopped by for lunch on a Monday. They have two tables for outdoor seating which we sat at comfortably. The waiter was prompt and friendly so no complaints. We ordered the vongole pasta and bolognese. Both were good. The fettuccine that came with the bolognese had really good texture but the ratio was off to us. There was way more sauce than noodles but they gave table bread so we ended up scooping the meat sauce with the bread. Can't say the portion sizes justified the price but we were able to enjoy a quiet meal with our 10 month old so we're happy. read more

So pleased to stumble across this hidden gem. Strolling down the street, we decided to stop in. We promptly met Sal the owner who I understand had been in the business for many, many years. A handsome Italian gent that you'll find sipping espresso at a table on the sidewalk. A pleasant greeting as we enter. Lovely appointed with white crisp tablecloths with a warm, spotless environment. Loved the round tables & white leather chairs that turn. Easy to get in & out of your chair. Very modern, attractive decor. We ordered drinks & chatted with both Sal & the maitre d- interesting gents from the old country which we always love to discuss. Needless to say, we had our wine & relaxed- were not rushed like so many other restaurants. I'm tired of being pushed along & finishing dinner with-in 30 minutes after arrival. Not the case here- felt pre-COVID, something we long for. The food came out perfectly repaired. Not terribly expensive & worth the price. Can't wait to return. Feeling like this will be a regular for us. read more

Cute place and bigger than I thought. I liked how the staff greeted us in Italian right when we walked in. Took a little while for the waiter to bring us the menu but thats not necessarily a bad thing, I didn't feel rushed at all. At the start the waiter was a little rude when we asked to see a drink menu he scoffed and said they have a full bar. But besides that the waiter was super attentive and nice for the rest of the night. The food is amazing. Very fresh and good quality ingedients. We had the artichoke salad to start and they were fresh artichokes, not from a can! You don't usually find that. Also what you don't usually find in NYC is a restaraunt offering to split the food on two plates for you when you say you are sharing it. They were super accomadating when it came to sharing food and that warmed my heart. We then had the crab cake next which was also delicious, big and good enough to share as well. It was all crab! No filler. Then we shared the Bucanti all'amatriciana which was delicious as well. Pasta was cook perfectly al dente and the meat chuncks were so buttery and carmelized and the sauce had a great flavor as well. I went to Italy recently and had Amarone wine. I prefer white wine but when I had that I loved it. I was surpised to see it on the menu and ordered it! Expensive at $27 a glass but worth it. For dessert we had the tiramisu which I think was the best tiramisu Ive had. Very rich and creamy and not completely soaked in coffee. It has the right flavor balance and consistency. Very good end to a great meal. Terrific place for a nice fancy date night :) read more

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In NY for 1 month, my son Father Mario invited us for a 9pm dinner, after figuring out the right subway from midtown Manhattan we finally arrive at our stop. Now we got turned around and didn't arrive until 45 minutes after our reservation. From the time we arrived, we felt special, from the hostess who took my coat, to the amazing waiters. This restaurant has to be the best experience I have had in a very long time. Also the food was magnificent. I highly recommend to everyone. I will return before I go back to California. Thanks to the entire staff who made me and my wife feel special. Come Prima Rocks! read more

Come Prima Ristorante is in a modern space that could be in Milan or Rome. Sadly the food does not live up to the slick atmosphere or what one would expect from a high end Italian restaurant in either Italy or New York. The food looks quite good, almost picture perfect. Unfortunately the taste does not match the promise of the looks. The pasta we had was also over cooked. The wine selection is good and the service is spotty. With a little attention to detail and more flavorful food, Come Prima Ristorante could be my go to spot on the UES. I hope they can get there, but they will need to try harder to do it. I wish them luck. read more

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Excellent atmosphere for an afternoon refreshment while shopping Madison Ave!! The Caesar was soooo good and soooo very fresh. The staff was very attentive while not hovering. Btw, the wine suggestion was cold and tasted great! read more

Come Prima Ristorante - Wine suggestion - Bars Near Me - New York, New York

This restaurant was very good, but I probably wouldn't come back because of the price. We had the following: -mixed green salad ($17): the dressing was very good (balsamic vinaigrette) but it was just lettuce, some carrots, and 1 sliced tomato. Definitely not worth $17. -eggplant Parmesan appetizer ($25): this was sooo good, but how is an appetizer (without any sides) $25?? -branzino ($49): this tasted good and was well prepared, but it was just fish. For $49 it should come with something on the side. It would be very cheap for the restaurant to even serve a potato with it and you would feel like you're getting much more for the price. -spinach and ricotta ravioli with butter and sage ($39): this was good, but I probably wouldn't get it again as the filling was a little dry. Also for 12 ravioli that's a pretty steep price -tiramisu: probably the best I've had -$17 for a small glass of rose. I've been to a lot of restaurants in the city and don't mind paying for food that's amazing, but this was a little over the top for what it is. I know everything in the review is centered around price, but it's pretty disappointing when you order pretty average dishes and then walk out spending over $200. I also overheard a table next to me saying the same exact things we were thinking when we walked out of the restaurant. It's the upper east side, but come on. read more

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Overall a negative experience. The service was spotty (forgot to bring a drink, no silverware for entree) and most of all the Manager didn't show any interest in our experience instead fawning over what I assume were regulars. The food was good if a bit overpriced. Can't say I would recommend. read more

What an incredible surprise! We are in town for a few days and love Italian. Picked this restaurant based on others reviews. Their were no online reservations available so I called and was hopeful they could accommodate us. Well they did, with open arms. We have an 18 month old and a 7 year old. Both well behaved but we are often looked at like we have the plague when we bring kids to a nice place. Not here, we felt welcomed and appreciated. The food is another story and it was amazing. Appetizers were the burrata and the shrimp. Incredible! I had the clams and linguine for an entree and they made this simple dish spectacular. My wife had the sea bass and could not believe how good it was. We had a bottle of the cakebread Chardonnay. Can't go wrong with that and it was not overpriced. Waiter was attentive and great with the kids. We left feeling like friends We will be back! read more

I was staying at The Carlyle while my wife was recuperating from surgery and Come Prima is right around the corner. Wandered in and had a seat at the bar. The owner was gracious in welcoming me. He made me a great Manhattan (when in Rome?), as I started to look at the menu - in addition to a long list of specials - for takeout. I watched as the owner continued to welcome what was obviously a long line of regulars. That gave me increased confidence. Most importantly the food was delicious. Can't wait to come back with my wife and dine in. read more

The service is top tier. The food presentation is amazing but the food just is so underwhelming... Its pricey too $37 for a pasta but it at heart really id rather eat my neighborhood pizzeria's pasta. I left 2/3 of my pasta . read more

Come Prima Ristorante - a plate of pasta with parmesan cheese - Bars Near Me - New York, New York

Another great meal at Come Prima. Although I do suffer sticker shock when I receive the $$$$ bill, it's still worth it. I suposse we're paying for the location, location, location. TF read more

Came here with a friend at the last minute and it was a wonderful experience. We sat outside and there was a waiter there all the time in case we needed something even though we were the only people outside. He wasn't hovering, just reassuringly available. Food was excellent. So glad to have this in the neighborhood. Will be back:-) read more

The food was amazing!Delicious burrata ,delicious Caesar Salad and the Carpaccio was exquisite.Definitely going back!!!Service was impeccable,very happy to have passed by ,remembered name and went to try read more

It was a very rewarding experience having an incredible early dinner this past Sunday at Come Prima. The service was spectacular & the food was beyond delicious. Excellent selection of fish dishes. The Chilean Bass & Tuna were incredible. The desserts were fresh & extraordinary. Great selections of wine & terrific selection of cordials. Yes, they had my favorite Sambuca, Molinari. Looking forward to returning. read more

The bolognese is so so, nothing spectacular and prices are crazy. Have dinner somewhere else. Service was great though.

Come Prima- absolutely the best and most authentic neighborhood restaurant in New York!- been bringing friends and family for 10 years and keeps on getting better- Salvatore, we love you read more

So tonight it was dinner with my dear dear friend James C Metzger--Mr. Insurance at a new place on Madison Ave Come Prima. Here we dined and experienced the warmth an personality of Salvatore Lombardi, the owner who treated us like kings and made sure that the meatballs were perfect--which they were; the sea bass cooked to perfection and the veal chop scrumptious. And the berries with whipped cream was simply the best. This is the place to go when one wants great food, attentive staff and the ever wonderful Salvatore to be your host. Thanks James for a delicious evening. IJS. read more

Come Prima Ristorante - Mr. James C Metzger, President of Whitmore - Bars Near Me - New York, New York