Centolire (CLOSED)

This is pretty expensive by the standard of the Upper East Side (where it isn't as easy as in other parts of Manhattan to find a good restaurant), but worth it. The upper floor ambience is nice, especially if you get to seat by one of the large windows. Try the appetizer portion of their pastas, it's plenty of food and it will allow you to enjoy some of their actual appetizers, particularly the artichokes Roman style.

I found the service to be quite good, a pleasant waiter. I guess it is like any other restaurant, it depends on which waiter you get. The food was very good indeed. The decor was not my style but it was not off-putting. Recommended for good Italian food.

We've been going to Centolire for a few years, and it's our favorite restaurant in the neighborhood. Because it is pricey, we don't go often, but when we do, it is always a treat. The riccotta that they serve with bread is always amazing. It's hard not to order a second one. The artichokes Jewish style are terrific. Pastas are excellent (especially with peas and sausage), and the meat dishes (steak, lamb, etc) are always great. We've had a few less than stellar dishes over the years, which is always disappointing, but it's easy to find winners. It's got a very upper East side feel , and the clientelle is a typcial crowd of 50 year old rich folk who look like they've been taxidermied. So, don't expect a cool scene. The service can also be typcial European obnoxious waiters, but occasionally you get a guy who doesn't take himself too seriously. So, if you want a magical experience that will transport you to Italy, it won't be this place. But, if you want a special night out with terrifc food in a rich setting on 86th and Madison, you can't go wrong.

Very disappointing restaurant...food is mediocre but most of all the service is not good at all! I eat out once a week at high-end restaurants and would never visit this restaurant again!

The food at Centolire is delicious. I am a vegetarian and its very hard for me to find a meal in a mainstream restaurant - but not at Centolire - there is always an excellent selection soups, salads, pasta, delicious sides of broccoli raab, spinach,... This week there was a wonderful artichoke dish with eggs, and a gorgeous spring salad with fava beans. The pastas are also wonderful, as are the souffles, tarts and ice creams. The room is beautiful and the service is attentive and lovely. The prix-fixe lunch is the best bargain in town.

yes, i agree, the service left something to be desired. i had to catch the waiter's eye to get a bit of bread. sorry, but i am not a big one for the hard as a rock rustic bread, the waiters, while pleasant, were not very attentive. they just kind of gaze through the windows at the beautiful view. i must say the fish i had for my main course. it was scrumdilicious. it had a simple but appropiate lemon/oil sauce. the broccoli rabe was quite nice as well. overall it was a nice treat.

This is my favorite Italian place in the city, bar none. It's a little on the pricey side but I never leave feeling that I didn't get my money's worth. Try the pasta it's incredible.