'Cesca

Frommer's Review

It's not easy to describe the Italian food served in 'Cesca; it's like nothing many New Yorkers have experienced. Where else have you had roasted sardines paired with a "soft" egg? With a roaring wood-burning oven as its centerpiece -- which is used to roast everything from oysters to peppers -- this is as rustic as it gets. It's like you're in an Italian farmhouse where you are served slow-cooked meats like pork shank, the fat cooked off and the meat falling from the bone, or a potato gnocchi with tender braised duck. The food is so intense here; a little goes a long way. But save room for the equally interesting desserts like honey goat-milk gelato or fresh figs with fig gelato. Service is friendly and informal and the restaurant is spacious and comfortable, with a large bar area with long tables where you snack on marinated olives, fritto misto, or spicy parmigiana fritters while sipping Italian wines from regions like Sicily, Puglia, or Trentino. This is one of the most popular restaurants on the Upper West Side, so call well ahead for reservations.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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