'Cesca Restaurant Review: Since it opened in 2003, Upper West Siders starved for topnotch Italian have been clamoring for reservations at this cozy-chic spot. From the open kitchen of chef Tom Valenti's second uptown venture came warmth, energy and heady aromas. That winning atmosphere remains but Valenti does not. Enter head chef Kevin Garcia, an alumnus of several Mario Batali kitchens. Garcia, in a shrewd bid to ingratiate himself with the regulars, held onto a few of the previous menu’s most popular dishes, including delicate vegetable fritto misto and pillowy Parmesan fritters. It may take a while, however, for the neighborhood to warm up to his gristly pork chop and crumbly over-smoked arancini. Garcia's rustic skills are more apparent in a charred octopus salad with sweet tomatoes, hot pepper and mint. His pastas, like a simple balanced orecchiette with rapini and sausage, also stand up to scrutiny. Light, enticing desserts, including a creamy hazelnut parfait, further tip the scales in the new chef's direction.
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Splurging at top-rated restaurants is fun for special events, but where can you go for a good quality meal that won't break the bank? Gather the change out of your piggy bank and sofa cushions and take it to one of our selections for the best cheap eats in your area.
