Sistina

Amazing food and service to match, we will definitely be going back

We found this little gem while we were waiting for our laundry (we were traveling). We stopped by for a drink and a snack in the late afternoon on New Year’s Eve. I had a glass of prosecco and my husband had a glass of Malbec, I believe.
Our bartender was really nice and smart and attentive. I don’t recall her name but I recall that she was from Ukraine.
I was really surprised by the free items that we were provided. In other restaurants we surely would have paid for the delicious olives that were provided.
For a snack we had the crab cake and it was really good.

Not a place to go if you are not part of the ‘family’. We tried once, and that is the only time we will ever try again. This is 2^nd Avenue, not Park Avenue. If you only want a Park Avenue crowd, how about moving to Park Avenue? As it is, the restaurant could have a wonderful mix of both if it wanted, but they obviously don’t. And even if you are from Park Avenue, you won’t be treated nicely unless they know you! The attitude simply isn’t worth it at any price. Save your time!

I wouldn’t call this place affordable luxury, but this place is indeed luxurious. We went to celebrate a family event and had an amazing time. The service is great and the food had very high quality! Highly recommended!!!

If you like elegant italian food, look no further. I was truly astonished with this restaurant. At first glance it seemed small and slightly pretentious. I mean come on! $ 45-​$ 60 Entrees, $ 18 Salads, $ 25 Appetizers. But I can honestly say, if you can afford it, its worth the money. The Service is, and I quote, «Impeccable» by Zagat. And it truly is just that.
The Crowd to my surprise was mixed with older generation and an even amount of tables filled with middle/​younger people. It is an elegant place, so don’t come here dressed in shorts and a Tee. No Blazers required.
The server started us off with drink orders and then proceeded to elaborate on the specials/​entire menu. They all sounded so good that we never even open the menu. I ordered the bean salad to start and the squid ink pasta as my entrée.
The Bean salad, although pricey, was excellent. Very refreshing, good portion and just the right dressing. It was filled with over 10 ingredients and I say that because I counted. The squid Ink pasta came with Clams and calamari. The plating was attractive and not light on portion. The flavors on my first bite blew me away. Pasta Al Dente and seafood fresh, not overcooked or chewy.
Opted not to choose dessert after that dish, but regretted it later when I glanced on their website at the choices.
This place really got a great kitchen and phenomenal staff running the place. I would love to meet the chef next time I’m there.
Old School Italian join with skills on plate. Well done Sistina! See you soon.
Oh and the bread and butter is on point… Especially that special recipe infused butter had me going and going for more… And I usually hate butter.

Absolutely delicious Italian restaurant and best I know of on the UES. Menu is fresh, seasonal and the service was impeccable. Yes, it is pricey but it well worth every dollar.
I just can’t understand why it was so quiet on a summery Saturday night in July unless all the locals were just living it up in the Hamptons.

I love this place! Great atmosphere, small, intimate and fun. The menu is wonderful northern Italian food. Personal favorites the rabbit entrée and asparagus starter. Love how they bring around a jar full of truffles to shave on anything for an up charge.

Went here for an early dinner with a friend & colleague on Wednesday, the 17^th, after the ballet and an unsuccessful search for another restaurant that probably bit the dust — sigh.
Didn’t matter, as it turns out. Sistine gave us a delightful dining experience! The food was fresh, above average delicious and we had a great time with the staff. Everyone was fun, friendly and attentive. The place started to pick up at around 7:30, and everyone seemed to be as pleased to be there as we were. Will be back again, for sure!

The food here is pretty good but watch what you order — especially with those items without price tags. The salt crusted Branzino (for 2) MP was $ 110! That is some piece of fish.

Came here with a party of four, and we all agreed that it was «unmemorable.» The service is professional, and they have a decent if 1980’s menu, but the food taste hasn’t kept pace. The zucchini flowers were the highlight of the night; flavor-​filled pillows of tastiness. Wine list is heavy on expensive bottles, not much for the average consumer looking for a good, value wine. Pasta was lukewarm and not particularly special, and there are better options in the area. Not a bad meal, just… boring.

This is my first five star Unilocal review. Sistina is not cheap, but the food, and service are worth it. The «special» tuna app was the best I’ve ever tasted, and would be a main course in many restaurants. The whisper-​breaded swordfish Milanese with tomato salad was to die for. Deserts? Fuggedaboutit! I think I’m now diabetic. Highly recommended but you’ll need reservations, of course.
T

This was hands down the best meal I’ve had in the city. My mom and in stopped in here by accident. With an unassuming front, you might not guess the deliciousness that awaits. My mom had the ravioli with goat cheese and artichoke and I had the paparadelle with veal sauce… We both cleared our plates. We shared profiteroles for dessert and it was heaven.
Great place to take a date or go with anyone for a delicious meal

I am very, very conflicted about this review. I have been going to Sistina for years, long before anyone ever heard of Unilocal, I loved this place. It is the best Northern Italian food I have ever eaten in my life! So why the conflict? The owner only cares about his regular diners and can be very ignorant to people he doesn’t know. It’s no way to run a restaurant or any business for that matter. In fact, I only go when I’m with a regular and he’s paying. On principle, I won’t spend money at a place where I’m treated like a second class citizen. Yet when I’m an invited guest, I go. The food is so amazing, rich, and luxurious that I actually compromise my principles for a meal here. Does that make me a food whore?
The bottom line is this fellow Unilocalers, I have never lied to you and I won’t start now. If you’re rich, pretty, White and look like you live on Park Avenue, you’ll have a fantastic dining experience. If not, you’ll end up paying a boatload of money for fantastic food, but won’t get much appreciation or attention for it.

I gave this place one star because I couldn’t give it 0! I came here last dec but have not had time to post my review until now.
I don’t mind spending money on quality restaurants, in fact I have eaten all over the city and this by far was the worst experience I’ve ever had.
Owner was rude and arrogant, food was nothing to brag about. Flavorless, cold, tasteless and not even good presentation. White wine was served warm and waiter was deceptive, sneaky and untrustworthy.
NEVER come back!

This restaurant has been busted for hiring discrimination against men and fined $ 5,000. Like so many other American businesses, Sistia thought they would save a little money and decrease the likelihood of strikes or unionization by hiring only women. What did they get out of it? A fine and tons of bad publicity. Let this be a lesson to other corporations who believe it is OK to violate the human rights of men… DON’T…EVEN…THINK…ABOUT…IT…you are being watched!

The owner needs a reality check… His food or wine isn’t worth it.

Went here on Mother’s Day and we were the only people in the place, which I thought was a bit strange since they said we needed reservations. The food was great, service was great, ambiance was great. Only giving four stars because it’s a bit expensive.

I spent one of my most memorable bar dining evenings at Sistina. Because they have a TV at the bar, two mid-​20s bros sat with me, after making the choice to eat well and see the game, instead of dropping money at Nevada Smith’s. (No disrespect to Nevada Smith’s.)
I liked the food and wine, and the company was great, BUT — this is a big one — due to pricing and location, if you venture out from the bar to the restaurant, you will be surrounded with a crowd that is the opposite of hip, young, and well-​dressed. My rubbing elbows with these fine gents was the restaurant unicorn of the UES, never to be repeated.
Also, the food is good, but formulaic. They had a pasta on their menu that was too fancy for my taste. I asked if they could pare off a few ingredients and make a classic Sicilian preparation well-​known to anyone who has knowledge of Italian food (okay, I’m a brat), and this was a tip-​off that the chef is more a one-​trick pony than a great mind under the toque.
So, good for dinner with Nana or watching the game and eating fiori di zucca, but for a date, skip it.

This is one of those reviews… where I can’t believe I didn’t write one for this restaurant. I’ve been coming here for years and love Guiseppe and his passion for wine and great food. Really impressive wine list and definitely someone who understand how to make his customers happy.
Now. if price is an issue this may not be the place for you… because the bill can get up there if you’re not paying attention to the wine you’re tasting or if you have an affinity for truffles… but. Each time I’ve brought people here they have had a fantastic time.
Delicious, fresh, lovingly cooked to order. Thank you Sistina for always making sure we have had a great time.
The Scene: Upscale, Family, Italian
Destination Rating: 5 (Great spot if you’re close by)
Date Rating: 7
Hob Nob Potential: 4 (nice little bar if you’re dining alone)
Strong Suggestion: Their desserts are really amazing. Don’t miss them :)

Sistina must have taken into account all the mediocre reviews from 2011, because the 2012 edition is simply spectacular. Great service from beginning to end with courteous, smiling and personable waiters. But you don’t go to Sistina for the service, you go for the authentic, mouth-​watering Italian food.
I went there a couple nights ago with a party of 4, we all had an appetizer and entrée including stunning fried zucchini flowers filled with ricotta, an artichokes salad with fava beans, parmigiano and truffles, and a beef carpaccio. The pasta dishes were freshly made and full of flavor. Very copious portions.
Great, great experience overall. I’ve been going to Sistina for a few years now and will continue to come back.