Great food, service, and properly socially distanced tables and seats during Covid times!

Loved, loved this neighborhood restaurant in the Upper West Side! Food and cocktails were fabulous! I had the prosciutto e spinachi ($14). The pasta was cooked perfectly! Then when we got the check we were pleasantly surprised that Pisticci grows their own vegetables and is NYC's first carbon neutral restaurant! They also have a market at the restaurant on Tuesdays and sell sauces and produce from their farm. read more

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Great brunch! Nice outside seating, attentive and pleasant staff and most importantly great food. Try the French toast and/or the pancakes! Stay positive...just not COVID-19 positive! read more

Love the mission of this restaurant, especially the focus on locally sourced ingredients, which adds two stars to the food. I enjoy previewing menus beforehand (especially at a place with such a great selection like Pisticci!) and was very excited to try the Uova Contadine (poached eggs with a rich peperonata sauce and greens and potatoes). Sadly, the poached eggs were overcooked and the potatoes lacked seasoning. While the greens and COVID-19 precautions did make up for the dish in stars, more of a 3.5 meal for me. read more

We went to Pisticci as a group of 6, and they were very accommodating of our last minute change in reservation time. The server was very kind though not very attentive. They brought our bread out pretty late. Our group ordered the lamb ragu, pasta pisticci, and the special of the day. I had the pasta pisticci which everyone raved about and it was tasty, especially with the chunks of melted mozzarella on top but I wish it were more flavorful. We then ordered a few desserts -- coconut cake, pear tart, and chocolate mousse. The mousse was soooo good! I highly recommend it! Overall a nice place, good ambiance, and cut little spot! read more

The food is excellent and well prepared. The setting is lovely. The staff is helpful and attentive. This is a place to come back to.

So so good!! This was my second time here. My first time, I got Michael's Pasta, which was fine but definitely not great. It lacked flavor, and overall wasn't the move if you're looking for good Italian food. BUT, this time Pisticci really redeemed itself! Along with their goat cheese garlic bread, we had the Fiocchi di Pere special, which was "purse" pasta stuffed with 4 kinds of cheese, pears, and sautéed with tomatoes and greens. The mix of sweet and savory was so yummy. Moving onto dessert, we decided to try the Tartufo... and boy are we glad we did. Chocolate and vanilla gelato, plus a cherry and almond slices, all encased in a chocolate shell, which was then 'bathed' in a shot of espresso. We were hesitant about the espresso since we both don't like coffee, but after it was brought out and immediately bathed without us realizing, we both decided the espresso added a slight bitterness that really made the dessert unique. We really, REALLY enjoyed it and highly recommend getting it! Apart from the food, our waiter was very personable and made us feel welcome and comfortable. The food was brought out very quickly which we appreciated because we didn't have a lot of time. The only (slight) issue I had is that it took quite a bit before the staff came to give us water or give us the bill. But, the restaurant was getting busier so I didn't mind. Otherwise, great service. We'll be back :) read more

This place has lovely outdoor dining (they have blankets and heating lights too), and have really good desserts. They have brunch menu too. I like their chicken paro dish, it's quite good. Oh and they have good wine! read more

I rarely frequent this part of the west side, however they did take same-day dinner reservations for a party of three Monday night. Although seemingly small, the interior is actually quite spacious, and the tables are spread out enough to have comfortable conversation. For the food, started off with the Garlic Bread ($7) to share, and then the Tuscan Bean Ravioli ($15) for the main course. The bread is served as four large slices of ciabatta drenched in a garlic olive oil combo. Found the bread to be a little over-toasted, but it went well with the sauce of the main dish. The ravioli is drenched in a creamy tomato sauce that wasn't overbearing. The pasta itself is stuffed with ricotta (love) and cannellini beans which I couldn't really taste. To end the night, we shared the Chocolate Gelato ($6) - two scoops of super rich chocolate, a great ending to the meal. Generally I do not like spending money on pasta at restaurants (feel like they're overpriced), but the ambiance/service made it worthwhile here. Highly recommend this spot for a date or quiet conversation over good food. read more

This place has a great comfortable feel to it and the food is excellent. The restaurant really prides its self on the specials which to me have always seemed like the best dishes on a given night. The specials seem to be very freshly and seasonably sourced, so the ingredients a step above the standard fare. They also do a great job with the cocktails which also seem to be seasonally influenced. All of this makes for a more inventive Italian restaurant than most and keeps the menu interesting, and me coming back! The service is also always great, the servers have always been helpful in guiding you through the menu and attentive. read more

Great dinner and a great brunch! Indoor seating is nice, outdoor front seating is great, however the outdoor seating in the building side feels like the trash disposal area and is poorly lit. read more

The food is fine. The service is fine. But to be honest, not even having an off-menu option for kid's meals? You want me to pay $19 for an entree for my toddler? Guess what, I'll just share with them. Then you'll make less money than you would have putting some of that rigatoni in a bowl and me spending an extra $10 on that. read more

I have been going to this restaurant since it first opened, I grew up in the neighborhood and it's the best thing to have ever happened to Morningside Heights. Their spaghetti and meatballs should NOT be overlooked as a simple dish - it is by far the best spaghetti and meatballs and has been for at least 10 years. read more

Worst service ever. They do not follow instructions for the food, charge you for items without serving them, and are terrible when it comes to organization or preparation for special events read more

After staying in the area for over one year, I finally visited Pisticci! Saturday lunch hour was not that busy and had a great time catching up with my friend. We ordered penne and fettucini and both were great! The texture of the noodles was perfect and the slightly creamy sauce really brought out the flavor of fungi. We were also interested in the drink list and might try some next time. read more

Pisticci - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

Some of the best food in the city, imho. Brunch is delish a try the lemon ricotta pancakes - and any of the dinner pastas are to die for.

This is a great place for casual or formal dining and special occasions. (They had a music college graduation today so dinner was out). I had the halibut. It was generous portion in a tasty balsamic sauce, melted in your mouth. Sides were greens, sliced tomatoes, and new potatoes. Got the fennel salad which I shared and garlic bread which was perfect with rosemary infused olive oil. Definitely a great choice for a restaurant to visit! read more

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Delicious food and great service. Price point is great as well! Very homey yet quick service but they don't rush you. Very enjoyable!

I went here for my second masters graduation form Columbia and I have to say I wasn't impressed. It was definitely a busy night but the service was off by a lot, the food we mediocre and expensive for what you got, and I'm one to try 3-4 things off the menu at a single meal. Being Italian I was hoping for more, alas that just wasn't the case. Maybe it's improved in the last year. One could only hope. Still I wish them luck. read more

Absolutely everything we tasted was delicious. This is the greenest restaurant in NYC from what we were told. The food is full of flavor and all organic. We loved the special carbonara artichoke gnocchi, chickpea spinach soup, garlic bread and creamy polenta. We also loved the bartender Cullen! read more

Pisticci - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

Update: After not going here for a year, we decided to try again. The food was pretty terrible, although the service was outstanding. I ordered grilled eggplant with mozzarella and ricotta and they must have run out of eggplant. The dish was one thin slice of eggplant with mounds of cheese. Couldn't eat it, but they did remove it from the bill. My husband ordered the skirt steak which was gray and like shoe leather. The artichoke was good as were the mussels appetizer. I think I'm done with this restaurant. read more

Wow, talk about hidden gem. Absolutely love this place. The food is FANTASTIC and incredibly fresh, not to mention the staff here are so helpful and patient! The prices are extremely fair based on the quality of food and ambiance. The MALTAGLIATI WITH RICOTTA,SPINACH, AND LAMB is SO GOOD and their penne is also a huge winner for me! They also usually have the most amazing seafood pasta specials! Yum yum yum! read more

I had a reservation for me and my wife's 4th anniversary we wanted to go somewhere nice so we decided to come here that was a huge mistake as soon as they saw us the staff wanted to sit us near the garbage when there was plenty of seats on the deck my wife asked to use the bathroom and was told to put on a mask but another people were walking around without a mask I will never eat hear again i felt very uncomfortable the only good food they got is garlic bread dessert seems like they got it from coscos the place sucks overpriced tasteless food read more

This is our go-to place for office lunches. They have a pretty limited menu but varied menu. Can't go wrong with their pasta. I like to pick from their daily specials - they always have an excellent seafood option which has become my go-to. Can get super crowded and noisy around lunch, so call ahead if you have a large party! read more

Best Italian restaurant in town! We have been clients since 2004. Food is amazing and love the ambiance. Staff is super friendly. Never a disappointment and everyone leaves happy! read more

Adorable little place, we went here for my brother's graduation from Columbia and the service was awesome and the food was even better.

It was on a Saturday evening I entered an Italian restaurant on a small corner of La Salle Street & Broadway, near the 125th Street IRT elevated subway station. The ambience couldn't have been more welcoming. The accent is on warmth ! It is a cozy place, even when bustling with activity. It has a personable staff that isn't Italian, but decidedly American. The restaurant's American social overtone is somewhat a surprise, just as much a surprise as is the authenticity--and seriousness--of the Italian dishes that were produced from the menu. The presentation of the dishes has a nouveau touch, a touch that doesn't detract from the excellent--and I must say successful--understanding of Italian cooking that goes on in their kitchen. What I found impressive is the fact that Pisticci is committed to being a "Green" restaurant. Outside of the City, the owners maintain a farm that grows all the fresh produce the restaurant needs. If that isn't integrity, I don't know what is. If anyone is reading this review, I suggest checking Pisticci's website under "Inspire." Bravo ! Going to a particular restaurant for the first time should be an "adventure," and that is how I felt when I had the salmon, cooked just right, with broiled potatoes and broccoli rabe. It was done with care ! The bread served was fresh, although the bread basket, to me anyway, seemed skimpy, with only three slices in it. Other Italian restaurants I've been to had at least six varietal slices per basket accompanied with both butter and olive oil. Small differences aside, Pisticci has its own folksy, informal and "American" idiosyncrasies, less traditional than other Italian restaurants, especially if they're run by Italians. Pisticci is a place that, if it were located in an enclave of American ex-pats somewhere in Italy, then that restaurant would look and feel like Pisticci. There is a unique stylistic fusion of the American with the Italian like none other I've experienced. What I should've mentioned is that Pisticci is located in an area of the Upper West Side of Manhattan dominated by Columbia University on the one hand, and a strong, diverse and cosmopolitan residential population on the other. Pisticci is a fun, stimulating place to sit down for an excellently prepared meal, in a gorgeous European-style interior space, slightly submerged below an incline street. A delightful surprise all the way around ! Buon Apetito ! read more

Looking at previous reviews, I was super excited to try this place because others noted that it didn't taste like pasta you could simply make at home. However, I unfortunately have to disagree because I'm not a great cook but I would definitely be able to make everything we ate at home and as such, everything felt overpriced. The garlic bread was just french bread with a little bit of garlic paste on butter that I've prepared for myself numerous times. We ordered the Penne Pisticci and the Spaghettatta, both of which probably were cooked with the same canned sauce that was super watery. Lastly, we finished with the Tiramisu, and while it's hard to go wrong with such a classic dish, the dessert was too syrupy sweet. All of that being said, I will note that the service and the ambiance were not bad. I loved the decor of the place as well as the diversity in seating options. Our waiter was also incredibly attentive and recommended several dishes to suit our taste. If you want a truly wonderful dining experience (service + ambiance), then I would definitely recommend this place. However, if you want the entire trifecta (service, ambiance, AND wonderful food), I would recommend you take your business elsewhere. read more

Very cute Italian restaurant! There was a wedding rehearsal happening right behind us so my immediate thought was, okay the food has to be good. I came with my co-workers who all ordered the pasta dishes. I was striving to avoid carbs that night so I ordered the grilled chicken dish. Big mistake. My chicken was not half as good as the ravioli, and it was more expensive. So don't order the chicken! My friend ordered the Affogato dessert which was one of the best desserts I've had! That is a must try! Overall, good restaurant I just ordered the wrong thing. read more

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Came here twice in 2 days and was amazed. The drinks were really good in the 1st evening. Then I had the caprese with tiramisu afterwards. The next day, I had the cauliflower and orzo salad and it was delicious. It had just the right seasoning. read more

I ate at Pisticci over a month ago and I cannot stop thinking about it. Such an inviting atmosphere, a delicious menu, and heck great music too. I hope to make it back again one day soon to try another great meal with a wonderful wine pairing. See you in my dreams, Pisticci. Until next time. read more

Good solid Italian, pastas are particularly good and cocktails and wine are excellent. (I almost minus-ed one star for the most insanely bad host. Walking in we have to be ready for distracted, uncoordinated and kinda disrespectful checkin! Has deterred me from going!) read more

Excellent large neighborhood Italian restaurant tucked away. We were in the area to see Hillary C at the church. The restaurant had organic and home made pasta - everything was delicious and well prepared. I can't remember what we ordered but if I was in the area, I would certainly be a regular customer. read more

This is my fave go-to local spot! The staff are friendly and welcoming, and many are also gifted musicians, singers, actors, and artists. The food is always great, from the menu staples to the ever-changing specials, many of which include farm fresh veggies from the Pisticci farm in Westchester. Pistcci offers a farmers market on Tuesday evenings and it was the first restaurant in NYC to be carbon neutral, thanks to their eco-friendly, sustainable practices. I have been coming to Pisticci since they first opened in the early 2000s, and have enjoyed seeing it expand in size build a loyal clientele and stellar reputation over the years. I highly recommend its "Wine Cellar" room for private group dining, parties, and special events like a rehearsal dinner. Be sure to make a reservation as this place is very popular, rightly so. read more

Since this is quite a popular restaurant in the area (which doesn't seem to have many restaurants), I do suggest making reservation if you plan to go. Our walk-in led to a ~30min wait, which wasn't so bad cuz they notify you thru text, and we got the chance to explore the Sakura Park nearby. When we got back, live jazz was on in the front (every Sunday night I think). We took a seat in the back. The overall seating condition was ok, not too crowded. The brick wall and all the interesting decor was a huge plus to the dining experience. And the dim light makes it a good dating spot too (the Sakura Park as well!). We ordered fettucine ai funghi and maltagliata with ricotta, spinach and lamb. They came up super fast, which made me think they are probably premade and reheated, but who cares, the important thing is that they both tasted super good! The maltagliati looked small at first but it turned out to be a good portion for a kinda heavy pasta. The mushrooms are amazing. We ordered tartufo as dessert which wasn't quite impressive, but the espresso made it a nice wrap up of the dinner. When we finished, it was almost 22:00, and no one was trying to rush us to the check, so we got a solid half and hour just sitting there chating. The service is pretty nice too. read more

Pisticci - Tartufo. Chocolate and vanilla gelato with maraschino cherry and almond slices encased in chocolate and bathed with a shot of espresso. - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

Went there with a family member Sunday night, April 22nd , jazz was great and I had the salmon and my guest had the steak.. wine was great and our server was wonderful (wish I could remember his name). Went back again Friday night, April 27th for my daughter's birthday celebration with her and the same guest from the previous visit. She had the olive and cheese plate and the Black Sea bass, he had the meatballs and pasta, I had the grilled apple and feta salad and the Black Sea bass as well. We had 2 different wines and the coconut cake as a birthday treat. Our first server's shift was over.. lovely guy with beard and glasses hair on the lighter side and he was from Kansas I believe. Our next server was Ryan.. amazing server and human who sang happy birthday in his gorgeous tenor voice in unison with our other guest. It was a night to remember for sure! read more

Brunch Review The set up for covid outdoor dining is really nice. They're using paper menus. Each table had an umbrella or was in the shade, although we went at 1pm on a 90 degree day and it was HOT. Pasta Carbonara - not really too flavorful or creamy, quite oily, but big portion. Caesar salad - just leaves and dressing and not enough dressing, most of it was dry. Lemon pancakes - delicious! Light lemony, very delicate but full of flavor. Comes with syrup and creme fraiche. Overall, good service/ price but wouldn't come back for brunch. read more

A local neighborhood favorite. The ambiance is perfect, the food is amazing, and the prices reasonable. Love the roasted garlic bread as a starter. For my entree, the La Spaghettatta is to die for, and a large serving, definitely add the meatballs to the order. Only issue- they need to dim the lights a little more. read more

I love this spot! Couldn't believe it had been about 12 years since my last visit. It's delicious from cocktails to pasta. Had a great outdoor dining experience (during Covid). Everyone was friendly and lovely. Great service. Their orecchiette rabe and spicy sausage is *chef's kiss*. Go there and support this great spot if you can! read more

Pisticci - Cocktails, spicy spritz, pumpkins, outdoors. - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

You'd have to know the full story of our weekend trip to NYC to know how important this dinner was to our family last night. We had an absolutely lovely meal. It Is a cozy, friendly, relaxed restaurant tucked into the Morningside Heights neighborhood just north of Columbia University. I'm Italian and it felt like I was eating at my favorite Aunt's house who cooks like a professional chef. Our waitress Rachael and the rest of the team treated us to a first class luxury dining experience, but with a family attitude (no formality or fancy uniforms). We all loved the idea that most of the food is grown at a farm upstate. Rachael made sure we had drinks and bread before ordering. We split one of the special salads among us; arugula, figs stuffed with goat cheese, mango & heart of palm. The arugula was as fresh and tasty as it could be and the figs were a luxurious sweet compliment. Almost everyone (7 of us) got something different as an entree. The bread and seasoned olive oil was as fresh and good as I've ever had. I ordered the proscuitto y spinacci (w/spaghetti). It was full of both and a healthy helping of tender spaghetti and garlic sauce to complement. The grated Parmesan was a flavorful enhancement and the portion size was 'just right'. My husband got the spaghetti di mare special which was loaded with calamari and shrimp, spinach, capers and a light, fresh tomato sauce with garlic. We also split a healthy serving of tiramisu, which was light and creamy with a delicate hint of Amaretto in the cake. Everyone else was just as delighted with the presentation and taste of their dish. We will definitely return in the future when we visit NYC. Thanks for a wonderful dining experience, Pisticci! read more

Pisticci - Spaghetti w/prosciutto & spinacci and the most creamy tiramisu I've ever had. - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

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