Loved loved this cozy Italian place - it felt like dining in someone's library. They have a fantastic happy hour with prices that are tough to beat. We got the vitello tonnato, which tasted just like what you'd get in Piemonte. We also shared the arancini, which was pretty good, though the crust was a little overwhelming for me. The lasagna was delicious and cheesy, and I would've loved a bit more meat sauce personally. My partner ordered the tagliatelle, which was just perfection - I'll definitely be getting that next time! read more

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What a great little find! We were looking for a spot before our show at Lincoln Center and we found this happy hour in UWS. It is a daily HH from 4:30-6pm and you can get reservations. We fortunately were able to walk in at 5pm to get an outdoor covered seating. If we came 15 minutes later, we would have not gotten a seat. We overheard it would be a hour wait for a couple who came in later. First off, they offer $30 bottles of wine during HH which is such a good deal and it includes lambrusco, one of my favorites. The HH has $7 appetizers and $15 pastas and burger. We ordered all 3 appetizers and they were decent sized portions. We would not order the crochette ai funghi again, the truffle aioli with it was delicious but the crochette just fine. 100% recommend the fritto misto and casear! We ordered the tagliatte and pucherri pasta. We looked up what pucherri was and it reminded us of rigatoni so we had to order that. Tagliatte was lacking in flavor but the pucherri was very good. Very simple but the tomatoes in it was so sweet. Can't wait to go back for their HH! read more

Osteria Accademia - Tagliatelle and puccheri - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

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When balancing food, service, price, and accessibility, Osteria Accademia is my favorite Italian restaurant in NYC. Came here via a somewhat random reddit recommendation, but otherwise had not heard about this spot somewhat close to my neighborhood. Naturally, we overordered. The happy hour deals are great here and run every day from 4:30-6PM. We started out with the fried calamari, fried artichoke hearts, and caesar salad. The fried calamari was lightly breaded, which made the veggies and squid stand out more. The caesar salad was simple, but I liked the extra flavor the kale added. The fried artichokes were my favorite of the 3 and for a non-happy hour item, a great price for the amount. Delicious! The pastas were the standout of the meal in my opinion. The sweet corn ravioli was the most unique, but the squid ink pasta was perfectly al dente, and the tagliatelle texture was delicious paired with a hearty meat sauce. I would come back for the pasta alone. And all were affordably priced. The secondi dishes were ordered were excellent as well, but I still think the pasta was better. The lamb chops were perfectly cooked and made to highlight the natural flavor of the meat instead of being drowned in marinades/sauces. The short rib was delicious - but when directly compared to the lamb was a little less memorable. Service was attentive, quick, and very friendly. I will definitely plan to return to try some more pastas here! read more

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Charming atmosphere. The walls full of real books give this tiny osteria an old fashioned European vibe. Get reservations--there's not much seating space, and this place is popular. Tables kept changing Thursday night. Not a good place for groups bigger than 4. Only a limited quantity of seating space for 2 and 4 available indoors and outdoors. Because the space is tight, the noise level gets super loud, as everyone's tables are situated very close by. Prepare to raise your voice when conversing, and to strain your ears. Good service. We weren't too bothered to be left alone to enjoy our experience without too many check ins. Only one restroom available, so that gets annoying if you really need to go. Don't wait until the last moment, or you'll be in a pickle. Everything we ate was delicious--would gladly return to some good happy hour deals. $16 octopus bruschetta was a good portion for an appetizer to share between two people. Fresh and tender octopus and fluffy, slightly toasted foccacia were light and refreshing. I could've used more balsamic drizzle to make this less dry. $19 frito misto--fried calamari--was tasty. Surprisingly light--batter was flaky and easily fell from the calamari. $27 papardelle was hearty and filling. You'll be full and content and warm after this portion. $34 cotolette di agnello--three lamb chops were superb. Loved this dish. Lamb was tender and flavorful. Good seasoning that didn't overpower the meat, yet, gave it taste. Artichoke stew with green peas and mushrooms was delectable--could eat this by the bucketfull, if I could. This was salty and strong and satisfying. The $13 glutten free chocolate amaretto tortino was superb. Looks like a simple lava cake, but don't let looks deceive you. So rich, decadent, and velvety. Buttery perfection. Mousse like consistency that melted on the tongue. Subtle sweetness--perfect for anyone who doesn't want a dessert that's too sweet and overpowering. If you're watching your sugar intake but still want to treat yourself to something worth the indulgence--this is your dessert. I'd order this any day and end any and every meal with this qualiy chocolate delight. read more

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Just wow. We didn't have much to have a full dinner, but we did order the paccheri and squid ink pasta, and they were both delicious!! The pastas are handmade fresh, and the flavor was just perfect! The cheesecake and cannolis were amazing too. The place itself is very cute as well. We enjoyed the vibe, and they had a high chair for our 7 month old. Service was great. Can't wait to return and try other items on the menu! read more

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This place is everything you want from a true Italian restaurant. From the moment you walk in, you're greeted with warm, attentive service that makes you feel like a regular--even if it's your first visit. The atmosphere strikes the perfect balance between cozy and upscale, ideal for date night, family dinners, or entertaining friends. The food is outstanding. You can immediately tell everything is made with care and quality ingredients. The pasta is perfectly cooked, the sauces are rich and balanced (not overly heavy), and every dish we ordered was full of authentic flavor. You don't feel rushed, and each course comes out at just the right pace. What really sets this place apart is consistency--great food, great service, and a genuine passion for what they do. It's the kind of restaurant you keep coming back to and confidently recommend to anyone looking for real Italian cuisine done right. Highly recommend. This is a gem. read more

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This is the best Italian restaurant on the Upper West. I've been here for brunch, dinner, held a private event here. The food is incredible, the service is excellent, and it feels like you're dining in the library of someone's private home. read more

The food here is delicious. We had the lamb burger, juicy and flavorful. Service was excellent. The wine was perfect, very memorable. It's a small cozy space with outdoor seating. Highly recommend it if you're in the area. read more

Osteria Accademia - Appetizer, burrata with honey I believe - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

Loved my meal at Osteria Accademia! The scallop risotto was amazing, as was the pistachio pesto pasta. Delicious eggplant parmesan as well. All in a lovely environment, served by friendly staff. No complaints, would go back in a heartbeat! read more

I came to have dinner with my husband to celebrate our anniversary and we couldn't have chosen a better place. They brought us a glass of champagne right after seating us to congratulate us for our anniversary (the Prosecco was VERY good). Our server, Maria, gave us some recommendations and we decided to get the arancini balls as an appetizer and then the Caccio e Pepe raviolis with truffles and the lasagna for entrees. Everything was very flavorful, the pasta al dente and just delicious. We decided to bring a bottle of wine and pay the $35 corkage fee. We didn't try any desserts because we were already full but we might try the tiramisu next time we come. The place is sooo cute inside, very romantic and beautiful decorated. Maria was the nicest server and made our dinner even better. read more

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A favorite local Italian place. Always a crowd, but go anyway, it's worth it. Charming library decor, a warm and friendly staff, and delicious food. The braised short ribs, spaghettini with class and polpettini were standouts. The y also have a very good Vitello Tonnato. It's a small space, but in warmer weather they have more spacious outdoor seating. In the winter its very cozy. read more

A+ for big groups. Especially since close to Columbia and Barnard. Great service and food. Prix fixe was perfect for party of 8.

This cozy Italian spot should be visited by everyone at least once. After finding this beautiful little Italian restaurant in the upper west side on social media (TikTok). I made it a point to venture into unknown territory & try them. They did not disappoint! Not too far from Central Park this restaurant is a well known gem. Beautifully decorated (small restaurant) with ceiling high book shelves & dim lighting (which probably looks amazing after the sun sets). This quaint restaurant serves high quality meals that give you somewhat of the feeling of a home cooked meal. Not pictured, we started with the Caprese Bruschetta that was delightful with a delicious mozzarella & pesto sauce. For the entrees we tried the tagliatelle & braised short rib. The tagliatelle was extremely delicious, house made pasta that was served fresh & hot, paired with a delicious but not overpowering red meat sauce. The braised short rib sandwich was served on house made focaccia that was soft & delicious, paired with a short rib that was tender to the bite, did not have a ton of extra fat & seasoned well. The service was great, attentive but not overly attentive. They make everything fresh to order so if you're looking for a quick bite while you're on the go, this may not be the place for you. If you're looking for somewhere to have a good meal & relax, this is exactly where you need to be. I will definitely looking to make a resy to have dinner here in the near future. read more

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Good food, good service and if you're a bibliophile lots and lots of books! The pastas are excellent!

Get yourself to this bookish nook sooner rather than later. Especially if you're the type who would like to have dinner in a tiny library. In the bookshelf behind me was a book on Topology. How could you not be charmed? They had a very nice montepulciano on the wine list. Oh and let me not forget to add. They have a happy hour which starts at 4:30 or five and runs till seven including both drinks and food menu. My dinner companion, and I shared a salad and a ravioli. To be honest the salad was not amazing, but I loved the corn ravioli. Surprising, delightful, delicious. read more

Good Italian Restaurant on the UWS! Looks like you are in the library with all the book decor. Location: It is located in Amsterdam Ave. There is an outdoor and indoor dining but we did the indoor cause they have a display of books on the walls. The table was tiny and also the plates. Kinda congested but it's a very cozy spot. Service: the staff were nice, they are very attentive and give us recommendations. Food: The food was good! I felt like everything was fresh and made the same day. OVEN ROASTED GARLIC BREAD: omg this was the best garlic bread I had! It was perfect with the burrata. BURRATA: it was so fresh and creamy. The beets were sweet, i was shocked cause it was so good. FRITTO MISTO: the calamari was soft inside and the outside was crispy. CACIO E PEPE RAVIOLI: omg this was the best dish! The pasta was cooked al dente and the inside is so creamy! Plus there are shredded truffles on top! Get this!! RISOTTO: this one is a must have as weel! The risotto was cooked perfectly! I can eat this everyday! BRAISED SHORT RIBS: this one is my least favorite, even though the short rib were so soft and melts in your mouth, there is nothing extraordinary about it. The sauce and mashed potato were alright. MOCHA TIRAMISU: you have to order this! It is so good! Perfect dessert! Soft and if you like mocha this is the best dessert for you. CREME BRÛLÉE: I was not a fan, the flan was soft but it has lavender flavor in it that it makes it taste like flower. ARANCIATA ROSSA: get this soda drink from Italy! It's basically blood orange but it is so good! Price rating: 7/10. To be honest the price is not bad for the good food. I will definitely come back here and try their other food. Must haves are Risotto, ravioli and mocha tiramisu! read more

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Food 8/10 We ordered the octopus bruschetta, vongole, and papardelle. The octopus bruschetta honestly was the best, the bread was fluffy and chewy, not hard at all, while the octopus was also very tender. They were very generous with the octopus too. Both pastas had a great al dente texture, but I think the vongole was a little too salty. Great homemade pastas. The garlic bread was fire. Atmosphere 9/10 Super cute interior, vibey and homey feeling. Bookshelves lining the walls. Dim, warm, cozy lighting. Service 7/10 Couldn't tell if the server had rbf or did not like our table lol but the food came at a good pace. read more

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Came here on a Saturday Evening with my wife and cousins. Just a note: The word 'Accademia' means "a life, community, world of schools, teachers and education" and is quite appropriate as the place is close to Columbia University & many schools in the neighborhood. Luckily, we had reservations, there was not a table to be had. As our first time we had many questions for our waiter, and he was very patient and informative. For diner I ordered the Cacio E Pepe (Parmingano Butter & Black Winter Truffle) and so did 2 others in our party and a Chicken Parmigiana (Aromatic Breadcrumb & Arugula salad garnish). For dinks we had the Birra Italia Larger which our waiter recommended to pair well whit our meals and it did. Our dinners came out in a short while as we were enjoyed the atmosphere which make you feel like you are in a library with books on the walls. Very different and peaceful. Our food came out together and hot. I enjoyed it with my beer to wash it down with. We passed on desert, but I could see they has several interesting items on the menu. It was a nice evening to enjoy with friends and family. read more

Osteria Accademia - Birra Italia Larger - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

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Excellent value with small cozy atmosphere. Enjoyed the Orata and Fennel salad. Would definitely reccomended read more

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Super sweet little Italian spot in the neighborhood. Absolutely LOVED the library decor and vibes. Because of how small the space is, it does get quite loud in there so wouldn't take anyone hard of hearing. Service was also 10/10. I wasn't blown away by the food itself. We started with mortadella, prosciutto, and pecorino and it was great. Then the lasagna and cacio e Pepe ravioli were both great pasta dishes, but not AMAZING. I would certainly go back and try other dishes, this is a great spot especially for cozy wintertime vibes! read more

Pleasant "academic" ambiance. Friendly, attentive service. Food was quite good, though not 5-star good (whatever that means). Given what I had read on Yelp, I expected this restaurant to be a little quieter. Now it isn't nearly as loud as many NYC restaurants. But the tables were pretty close together and the room pretty full, which made things louder than I had expected. I know some folks love this. But I prefer a place where it's easier to have a quiet conversation. These places can be hard to find in NYC. Now, on the plus side, the prices here are somewhat better than similar restaurants in the area, and we didn't even take advantage of the 1/2 price Sunday PM wine deal. So, all in all, a very positive experience. read more

Osteria Accademia is cozy and inviting, with wam vibe. The caramel banana French toast was rich and tasty, paired perfectly with bacon. read more

Osteria Accademia - Caramel Banana French Toast - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

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At Osteria Accademia, you're definitely paying a premium for the ambiance. It's quite fancy, the interior reflecting the name with books and bookshelves lining the walls. Even sitting outside is rather romantic. Though we only had dessert, i have to say that it's scrumptious. The cannoli was a perfectly blended mix of sweet and bitter, and the creamy ricotta filling was textually delicate. The tiramisu is on the firmer, creamy side, so if you're a fan of the wet, drowning-in-liquor style, you might be a bit disappointed. Still, the flavor is complex, and again, they do a great job combining sweet and bitter. Overall, it's quite pricey here, so don't be surprised to thrown down at least a C-note for a full dinner for two. But you're getting your money's worth here. It's fine dining. read more

Osteria Accademia - MOKA TIRAMISU - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

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Fabulous Italian food. Simple, well made, and delicious. We found out the chef is Turkish. Guess you don't have to be Italian to make great Italian food. It was so good we went back twice. read more

Very cute Italian spot on the UWS! Overall, the food was hit or miss. The "bread" basket to start you off was...odd. Two tiny pieces of bread and two crispy baguette like pieces. The appetizers were solid - the funghi arancini and burrata with beets were quite yummy. As for the entrees, not so great. The chicken parm was quite miserable. Chicken was tough, breading was soggy, and ratios off for sauce and cheese. Side arugula salad didn't have any parmigiana slices like I'm used to, just one cherry tomato. The short rib paparadelle was good, but nothing to write home about. Probably won't be back. read more

This is a good little neighborhood Italian restaurant. I really liked the bookshelves, but the place is much brighter than I imagined. ("Accademia" not conjuring the most welcoming environment, I confess.) Service was very friendly and attentive. Food was good. Husband had the tagliatelle from the bar menu -- he said it was pretty solid. He also ordered a Caesar, which he described as "fine." I ordered the garlic bread, which I thought was great -- very very garlicky. I also ordered the trout, which itself was cooked perfectly. The pea sauce, however, had a really weird texture to it, which I didn't like at all. The roasted carrots were really roasted, which is fine -- a carrot can handle it. But overall, I didn't like the dish and I sort of regretted not getting a pasta. The meal was saved by dessert. The cannoli were the best I've ever had. My other regret: sharing them with my husband. He also got the crème brûlée. read more

I'd recommend making a reservation if you plan to come here for dinner, especially on the weekend! We came at 5:30 on a Saturday and it wasn't too busy at first, but all the tables filled up as the night went on. It's a smaller restaurant but the ambiance is very classy and the decor is beautiful. You can just tell the food is going to be good when you walk in. We got the burrata and garlic bread as apps - both were really good but the garlic bread was my favorite! I got the short rib pappardelle as my entree, which was delicious and very fresh. They also have a nice wine menu to choose from. I don't remember which wine I got (it was a white wine on the happy hour menu), but it was really good! The service was also great, and our waiter was very attentive. If you're looking for an aesthetic restaurant that almost feels like being Italy, this is the place for you! read more

Osteria Accademia - Short rib pappardelle and chicken parm - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

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Food, service and Ambiance ...all 5 star Overall amazing experience, will be back. Waitress Maria was attentive and incredibly informative read more

Loved this cute Italian joint on the UWS. It's intimate with adorable decor like sitting in a nonnas kitchen filled with books. Food was delicious and the happy hour fab! read more

Stopped in here after church one freezing evening and they sat us right away. I had heard this place recommended by Michael Imperioli (of 'The Sopranos' and 'White Lotus'), it definitely gives old Upper West Side neighborhood standby vibes. Old ladies wearing red berets and strong New York accents abounded. The bookshelves definitely set a romantic mood. The food was solid; I love short rib and their rendition braised in red wine was definitely up to par. My wife thoroughly enjoyed the pistachio pesto mafaldine. I loved the briny and hearty clams, was not as used to the parsley-heavy flavor but perhaps that is more of a classic method. The service was pleasant and quick. This is a solid spot for an Upper West Side Italian date night. read more

Caveat Emptor Osteria Accademia advertises Monday night as wine night: 50% off any bottle of wine. Sounds good, right? Unfortunately, it's a come-on of sorts. Any wine that is available by the glass, which includes all sparkling wines, is not eligible for the discount. OK, we worked around that. While service was good, it appears the kitchen had an off night. The crocchetti were left in the fryer too long and had acquired a burnt crust that was tough to cut. The fritto misto contained bland calamari and almost taste zucchini. We've had the gnocchi before and found it very tasty. Today, it was unclear what cheeses were in the 4 cheese sauce. And it arrived lukewarm at best. On the other hand, the tagliolini was nice and hot but overcooked and hence a bit mushy. We entered a standard tip on their pocket terminal and requested a paper copy of the bill. We noticed the total was out line and were told their "system" calculates the tip not on the actual bill -- but a hypothetical bill -- one that excludes the 50% wine discount. We rejected that and requested a corrected bill. We're never going back here. read more

The food here is amazing! Every dish melts in my mouth! The wine, particularly the sparking wine, is dry and wonderful. The servers are friendly and provide great service. The ambiance is incredible. You feel like you are inside a small library in someone's private lounge. read more

Osteria Accademia - Background of books in the restaurant - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

Every time we decide we want something new to eat, we might head for Italian. It is just our nature to do this. Even in New York. We walk in our neighborhood and usually find the places to go. But sometimes we want to try something different. Not the same pizza. Of course, here in New York it is always the same. It looks the same. It tastes the same. It tastes like the American version of Italian food. But then we find something different. Welcome to OSTERIA ACCADEMIA. Our hostess, Stephanie, came over to speak with us. Like a librarian she is soft as she speaks. You can ask questions and she has answers. Stephanie also discussed the specials for the evening. It was all freshly made that day. Nothing is old. She will recite everything from the appetizer to desserts. If you have another question she will answer. By the time she was finished we were already locked on the specials. It sounded wonderful what we could have and could not wait to try. The first thing we did was order a glass of wine. One thing to remember is that when you order a single glass it is like receiving two glasses. This is not filling the glass to the top. You fill it as you would if you were at a wine tasting. It is a portion at a time, so it becomes two glasses. Appetizers are the way to start the meal. Again, there is no rush. This is the way you can experience something different with each bite you take. For us we started with the SALUMIE & FORMAGGI. We went for three items. You can go for five. We selected Speck and Mortadella, along with Piave as our cheese. This is not what you buy in a store or a local deli. These are the items you will find if you went to Italy for dinner. The Piave is something you find in the northern part. It is firm, solid and has a taste you will enjoy when you take a bite. Since you are having wine you understand how to eat as you compliment each item. Take some Piave, then take a slice of Speck or Mortadella. The meats are handmade. They have been aged properly to develop the taste and richness you would expect. They could have been the meal itself. They were delivered with slices of fresh bread that is ideal with the selection you made. Naturally, this was delivered with our EGGPLANT PARMIGIANA. This is not as you might expect. This was definitely something you would have in Italy. The eggplant was lightly sliced and thin. The sauce was made that morning and was tasty. Not spicy. It had the right ingredients and spices to give it the right flavor. Over pasta this would be ideal. But with the eggplant it was wonderful. Topped with mozzarella that was baked for a few minutes this alone could have been dinner. It was not heavy. It was light and had the flavor you want before you continue. Once we were finished with the appetizers we went into our first course. In this case we decided to share it since it was the pasta course. Today it was the special. GNOCCHI. The difference is that it was gnocchi in a cream sauce that was mixed with some cheese and a fresh variety of mushrooms. Perfect for the fall season. It too was homemade today by the pasta maker in the kitchen. It was not heavy. It was rolled and cooked. It could have been eaten alone, but with the special lightly creamed sauce it was ideal. And the mushrooms were freshly made. For entrees we naturally had one of the specials of the day. Fresh SCALLOPS with ARTICHOKES. For someone who likes seafood this is special to have. With its smooth texture and mild flavor, a scallop can be quite a delicacy. Here you receive three large Diver Scallops resting in a light tomato and cream sauce. It is topped with fresh artichokes that were first fried in a pan and then baked. They are gentle to cut with a fork. Their flavor compliments the scallop that is pan fried lightly so that the item is fresh and not over cooked. It is as it should be ready to enjoy. The other selection was the RAVIOLI and Veal. It is served with butter, sage and a light parmigiano. Very light to add a slight flavor. The ravioli was made that morning and perfect. The veal was also freshly made for a perfect selection of veal. The sage and butter is a good mix especially for the fall. This ravioli is as you would have in Venice. Just enough sauce that gives a slight touch to the ravioli itself. Once you finish the meals you feel like you have finished eating. But in Italy you need room for dessert. For us we had to have the CANNOLI to start. Once more, this is what you would have overseas. It was not sweet. The crust was fresh. Naturally you have to try the MOCHA TIRAMISU. This is very Italian. It is a mix of chocolate and coffee flavor with a creamy filling to create a scrumptious dessert. I finished with an espresso of course. Welcome to Osteria Accademia. Walk into a library like you used to, and learn about a new way to dine. Today. Grazie. Prego. read more

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