Lisca (CLOSED)

I have tried Lisca a couple of times. The food is so average. Bland and not impressive in the least. The service is terrible. When I ordered a cosmopolitan the waiter asked if I wanted it "on the rocks". I had to repeat a couple of times to him that cosmos aren't served that way.

We tried Lisca on a whim, and were immediately impressed - from the friendly voice that took our reservation over the phone, to the post-dessert espresso with a perfect crema, our evening at Lisca was a non-stop phenomenal experience. The food is incredible in choice, taste and presentation the service is top-notch, staff is attentive and thoughtful, and the atmosphere is relaxing - casual and elegant at the same time. If you love fresh seafood cooked to perfect temperature and complemented with just the right everything, Lisca is the spot for you. The primi piati selection of homemade pasta with shrimp, basil pesto and truffle oil is simply a must-have, and a generous serving. After one bite, everyone at our table wanted this dish. The seafood stew of lobster, clams, scallops, mussels and shrimp bathed in a rich and thick spicy tomato and herb mixture absolutely burst out of the bowl with flavor. An excellent bottle of Chianti Classico is a perfect partner to these dishes. Light as air, smooth as fresh sweet cream and delicately scented with orange, the marscarpone and ricotta cheesecake is a delicious ending. Lisca is truly lovely, in every sense. It's like a spa for your palate.

I love, love, love this place! The food is soooo good, especially the daily risotto special and the rigatoni with sausage and peas. And the mushroom appetizer is addictive! Also, the carrot cake that the owner's wife makes is absolutely some of the best I've ever had (and I bake frequently and am very critical of baked goods). This is a go-to place for my friends and me for birthday celebrations if we want elegant, delicious food. I love the atmosphere, too. Some people might find it a bit austere, but I like the clean lines. The service is amazing...and if you go even a few times, you become a regular and everyone there knows your name and greets you as a friend. Great wine selection, great service, fabulous family-owned, friendly atmosphere...you can't go wrong here.

I ordered delivery for the first time recently and it was so good! I was getting very tired of ordering mediocre Italian from different places, and this place is a cut above the rest. And all at very reasonable prices! I can't wait to also dine in at the restaurant. Definitely check it out.

We love going to Lisca! Whether it is just the two of us sitting at the bar for dinner and drinks, or entertaining friends and family, Lisca is always the perfect spot. The recent changes to the menu are great, with some lovely additions. Food is fresh, beautifully prepared, and delicious. It is always served with a smile. My husband and I have been coming in since Lisac opened, and have been made to feel like a part of the family. This truly is a great neighborhood spot, but DEFINITELY worth the trip uptown if you don't live here.

Snotty, uptight west-side yuppies make this slightly overpriced fair food a place to avoid on the weekends. We were crammed at a table that forced the waiters posterior to brush by us every time he needed to reach an adjoining table. The packing tape that inexplicably covered the vent make the restaurant a little hot. The waiter, although kind and prompt nevertheless had an eerie resemblance to the character Poppy on Seinfeld. Food was decent, but overpriced. The rigatoni was not altogether bad.

Lisca has become a habit for me. There are plenty of Italian restaurants on the upper west side, but generally the service and food are mediocre, and they're more interested in turning the table than making sure they have repeat customers. I think these are the reasons I keep going back to Lisca. Don't let the four dollar signs fool you - this is not Per Se. The best pasta dishes I've had on the upper west side are priced at about $14 or $15. Granted, this is a couple of dollars more than at restaurants like Acqua, but the ingredients are so much fresher, and the food is consistently good every single time. It always arrives hot, and the pasta is very high quality. This is not a place that heats up pasta dishes from the fridge. I had filet mignon the other night that was delicious, and the fish is always fresh, never seems to have been frozen. The owner is always friendly and accommodating - this is clearly a place that values return customers and tries to make a personal connection with each - customer service is job number one. In New York, it's rare to be appreciated as a customer as much as Lisca appreciates theirs. I've been to Lisca perhaps three dozen times since moving to New York, and have never had a mediocre meal, and the personal touch of the ownership family makes eating here feel very comfortable, and never rushed. Lisca is also a great place to meet for a quiet drink with a friend or two - glass of wine at the bar, or a Peroni. In short, the food is a little more expensive than some other Italian restaurants on the upper west side, but it is still affordable with entrees between about $14 and $26. The freshness and quality of the food, along with the service and true appreciation for my business, is what keeps me going back to this consistent favorite of mine.