Saggio
“I'm a huge fan of the bar area and the happy hour (which is 7 days a week and features half beers).”
“You can pick apart the menu if you like, but I always enjoy what I get, whether it's brunch or dinner.”
“But yes, the crostini are $3 each (though two of them would make an excellent lunch), the starters averaging $7, the entrees an astonishing $11.”
Saggio
Takes Reservations: Yes
Delivery: Yes
Take-out: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Bike Parking: Yes
Good for Kids: Yes
Good for Groups: Yes
Outdoor Seating: Yes
Waiter Service: Yes
Caters: Yes
Price range.
$$ Price range $11-30
8 reviews
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This is my second review, I still do enjoy the food and atmosphere, the only reason why I don't give 4 stars instead of 5 is because they overprice the wine (bottle). Other than that, I really like it here.
We again ordered from their special menu of the day, and they always deliver excellent food. From their appetizer to pasta, seafood, and of course their desserts, they are pretty delicious. I like that they have a different special menu each day (addition to their regular menu) so that we can always get something different if we want to. The service is pleasant, even though we couldn't get a table (for 3) so we sat at the counter seats. We were well taken care of during the entire time we were there. Read my full review of this restaurant and food on my food blog, foodlovergirl.
This area of Washington Heights could use a quality, non-fast food type of Italian restaurant, and I was excited to try Saggio. Unfortunately, I can't lie: it fell short of expectations on a couple of counts, and in an effort to reduce grade inflation here (and thus convey a more accurate rating), I'm going to have to give it a 3.
I had the meatball appetizer and a chicken lamb ragu pasta dish. Both came out way too hot, so you basically have to sit like a dope for a few minutes waiting for things to cool down. True, this is preferable to getting something cold, but I've been to a lot of Italian places, and "burning hot" is not a pre-req for quality, I assure you that. Meatball was OK but nothing spectacular. The garlic tang is nice, but I actually wanted a meatball, not just a bunch of small ground beef marbles. The pasta dish was also too hot. Pasta itself was fantastic, as was the lamb ragu sauce, but the chicken was overly cooked. A charcoal taste is a real mood killer to an otherwise sumptuous flavors, and I ended up really regretting this additional meet component. P2P ratio here is excellent (price to portions).
So why not a 4? Other reviews here warned of lackluster service, and they are correct. It's a small restaurant, and there were a lot of staff on hand when I was there during a lull mid-afternoon period. But it took forever for someone to ask what I wanted, and I ultimately had to flag someone down after 10 minutes of this. In the lead-up to doing this, I noticed the hostess look at me a couple times as I scoured for a server, but she didn't do anything to get someone. My finished appetizer dish also sat until my entree arrived and wasn't cleared.
Other reviewers have speculated that certain tables (read: ones with more people) seem to get more attention. If true, I can't stress how dumb it is for establishments to unevenly distribute decent service this way. Sure, you may get $100 more this time, but think of all the accumulated revenue you lose by alienating those who come in smaller parties.
With so many good places in Washington Heights/Inwood, it'll be a while before I come back here, especially when better food and service is a mere 4 stops away.
When writing a review there are many things that must be considered. For instance, I do not think Saggio is a five star Italian restaurant relative to some other Italian restaurants in Manhattan; however, for Washington Heights and probably north of 125th it is he best, hence the five stars.
I think that their food is consistently good and their desserts delectable. I cannot say that anything stands out or has a WOW factor, but I appreciate they consistently serve above average food. That my friends, is apparently quite difficult to achieve.
The price point is also fair. Etc etc. Five stars. If you go here you won't be disappointed, nor will you be blown out of your mind, but that's less relevant to me.
Came here for dinner and wanted to try something a little different than a local diner. Saggio is located down the hill from the 181 A train stop and is totally worth the trip to the Upper West Side. I started out sitting inside which was a little crowded, but then noticed the outside patio area. A word of caution about sitting out in the patio are though, be careful not to sit under the apartment AC units or you'll be getting dripped on.
For an appetizer, started with some calamari and not the fried calamari, just the regular made with some delicious seasoning. Gotta have the mussels as well. This isn't like some places that serve you up mussels with empty shells, cooked to perfection, these mussels are tasteful and can get you full quick! My main course was the chicken with homemade potatoes and gravy. I know, I was in an anti-pasta mood and needed some meat, but it was good!! I highly recommend it if you're not in the mood for some pasta.
There are plenty of homemade pastas and the menu is simple with one page to look at. Not like those other places that give you 3 pages of pasta and you can't make up your mind of what you want. Friendly staff and great atmosphere.
I finally tried Saggio last night… and I definitely wasn't disappointed.
The food was delicious and well prepared (I ordered the pappardelle lamb ragu) and the ambiance was perfect. I just ordered a few glasses of the house red, and enjoyed it, but they have a good wine list outside of the house selections. The staff were super friendly and welcoming. This is a great date spot in the heights but also good for casual dinners, as some of their entrees only run $10.
Can't wait to visit in the summer when their patio is open.
This place is a real gem in the midst of all the other places up here, I had a great homemade pasta with sausage and meatball, cooked perfectly and a glass of nero. I really the like vibe of it, cute small and just a nice quite place to eat.
A friend of mine lives near this restaurant and we ate lunch there today. Apparently they just recently began serving lunch – and as an aside, she told me it gets very crowded and noisy at dinnertime. In contrast, it was very quiet during (a Monday) lunch and we were able to linger; that was really pleasant. The server/bartender was friendly and the food was *delicious* (I had the gnocchi [$12]). It's a small place, with a lovely ambiance.
My girlfriend and I live in the Heights and we recently discovered this place and love it! I'm a huge fan of the bar area and the happy hour (which is 7 days a week and features half beers). They also offer $2.50 crostinis and they're all delicious. My favorites are the mushroom and the liver pate.
Julissa (forgive me if I'm misspelling) is friendly and cheerful, as is the rest of the staff. The dining room is also nice and we have had great table service as well. Last time I had the lasagna special and it was excellent. Came out piping hot and tasted fresh and delicious. Rotating specials, from what I can tell.
One of my favorite places in the 'hood!