The service and the meal itself was very good. However, we were given (not offered) a free round of champagne that to be clear we did NOT order which we were ultimately charged $9 a glass for ($36). While the gesture was appreciated at the time it's unacceptable to charge for something we did not ask for and the charge should be refunded at the very least.
What a lovely and unique experience! Loved that everything was run and operated by the students. They were all well trained and very professional. Service was great and food was fantastic. Definitely worth going to experience!
elsjeb
Hubby and I were very lucky to score a 1pm at the Medici for the lunch special. Their Spring menu had just updated and looked delicious. A beautiful restaurant that felt like a trip to Italy. Great table with a view of the busy kitchen. The place was packed. Hubby ordered Gemeli , scallops (+3) and tiramisu. I chose the burrata and lamp chops plus the Copetta. Unfortunately the scallops were no longer available. A very disappointed hubby he was urged to try the beef shank. We will not order a 1pm seating in the future. Even the bread was limited. Peter's pasta looked boring but tasty. My cheese burrata with roasted asparagus was excellent. Beef shank was butter soft and the pesto sauce amazing. My 3 lamb chops were tasty, too fatty but flavorful . The mint sauce was bland. The spring salad was very disappointing. I think the dressing was omitted. Peter's tiramisu was strange. Not what he expected. A deconstructed dessert. Not great. Mine was very disappointing. Too heavy. A huge glass with what was shaved flavored ice, with layers of cream, pudding and jam style fruit. This had a layer of puff cereal. Too make matters worse I chipped my molar on a slice of semolina bread crust. Not a good day.
Duane Sharrock
We were very happy with the food and experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
lovetoeat
What a delightful first experience at the CIA. This stand alone restaurant has a wonderful, bright, cheery ambiance matched by the eagerness and pleasant disposition of all the young people working there. The food was delicious, servers were great, and we had a wonderful time. Will definitely return!
JamesB
Very disappointing food this time. One of the pasta dishes was undercooked. They kindly replaced it with another dish that was unfortunately even less cooked. We were not charged for one of the meals which was very fair.
Absolutely the best value fine dining experience anywhere! Luxurious food is exquisitely prepared and expertly served by cheerful students who are eager to please. We can't wait to return!
GPK
This is a student learning center...hey their learning..some were good...some less good.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Tiramisù
Kelly Yang
We had a table of 7 and I think the front of the house was a bit frazzled. I had to ask for bread but after asking, they made sure to keep it going. They placed the dishes one person off every course but not a big deal. The food was delicious as always.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Tiramisù, Pizza Margherita
This was a wonderful experience filled with great tasting food and an enjoyable experience. You would never know you are in a classroom filled with students learning the culinary trade. Looking forward to going back to try the other restaurants they have on campus.
Our first time at Caterina and it didn't disappoint! Exceptional food and service in a lovely setting - made so much more enjoyable when we got the chance to speak to student servers and chefs about their experience at CIA! Highlights included a fresh pasta appetizer, Italian prosciutto sliced table side and the olive oil cake for desert. Steak for two was mouthwatering and delicious.
Fussydiner1
I think our waiter must be very new because the service was really uneven. He asked us when we arrived if any of us were celebrating something and two of us said we were celebrating our birthdays. Nothing ever came of that as it had in the past. He didn't ask about coffee or tea before our desserts arrived. It got to be a joke how often he said "Awesome," apropos of nothing in particular. My osso buco was tough and when I mentioned it to him he said, "I'll tell the chef." No one came to apologize or offer compensation. We've been to the restaurant many time in the past and won't let this experience keep me and my friends from returning because we know it wasn't our usual experience.
MariaC
As always , the service is so good& attentive. The students are excellent. We wish them luck in their future endeavors Leo & Rachel are so friendly. And of course the food was amazing.
BobbyK
One of the most treasured meals we have had in recent cafe and restaurant visits. Service, primarily by Jack and Catie, and other students was valedictorian in quality and they helped to set the stage for a very enjoyable, though rather rainy, evening. We have visited the Caterina room on several occasions, even had a special birthday party there, some years ago, and tonight, with the braised beef and fish stew, along with super desserts, ranks up there with some of our pleasant gourmet outings.
Maricar T.
Sitting-In Class at CIA Here's a class I would gladly attend. Reasonably priced below $50, we were practice diners during two concurrent classes at the Culinary Institute of America for Front of House (FOH) and Back of House (BOH) training. Undergraduate CIA students are from all over the world and I had fun chatting with them as much as sampling their work. The meal is comprised of three courses: appetizer, entree and dessert. The drinks menu is an impressive list of well curated local and imported wines, specialty beers, and creative cocktails and mocktails. The class also has a student sommelier! There are three restaurants currently offering pre-fixe courses by students: Caterina de Medici for Tuscan cuisine, Paul Bocuse for French cuisine and American Bounty for New American cuisine. Reservations are required. I liked the Tuscan restaurant more than the French and is looking forward to attending one class at the American cuisine. #curious_eater #culinaryinstituteofamerica #hydeparkny
The service and the meal itself was very good. However, we were given (not offered) a free round of champagne that to be clear we did NOT order which we were ultimately charged $9 a glass for ($36). While the gesture was appreciated at the time it's unacceptable to charge for something we did not ask for and the charge should be refunded at the very least.
What a lovely and unique experience! Loved that everything was run and operated by the students. They were all well trained and very professional. Service was great and food was fantastic. Definitely worth going to experience!
Hubby and I were very lucky to score a 1pm at the Medici for the lunch special. Their Spring menu had just updated and looked delicious. A beautiful restaurant that felt like a trip to Italy. Great table with a view of the busy kitchen. The place was packed. Hubby ordered Gemeli , scallops (+3) and tiramisu. I chose the burrata and lamp chops plus the Copetta. Unfortunately the scallops were no longer available. A very disappointed hubby he was urged to try the beef shank. We will not order a 1pm seating in the future. Even the bread was limited. Peter's pasta looked boring but tasty. My cheese burrata with roasted asparagus was excellent. Beef shank was butter soft and the pesto sauce amazing. My 3 lamb chops were tasty, too fatty but flavorful . The mint sauce was bland. The spring salad was very disappointing. I think the dressing was omitted. Peter's tiramisu was strange. Not what he expected. A deconstructed dessert. Not great. Mine was very disappointing. Too heavy. A huge glass with what was shaved flavored ice, with layers of cream, pudding and jam style fruit. This had a layer of puff cereal. Too make matters worse I chipped my molar on a slice of semolina bread crust. Not a good day.
We were very happy with the food and experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
What a delightful first experience at the CIA. This stand alone restaurant has a wonderful, bright, cheery ambiance matched by the eagerness and pleasant disposition of all the young people working there. The food was delicious, servers were great, and we had a wonderful time. Will definitely return!
Very disappointing food this time. One of the pasta dishes was undercooked. They kindly replaced it with another dish that was unfortunately even less cooked. We were not charged for one of the meals which was very fair.
Absolutely the best value fine dining experience anywhere! Luxurious food is exquisitely prepared and expertly served by cheerful students who are eager to please. We can't wait to return!
This is a student learning center...hey their learning..some were good...some less good.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Tiramisù
We had a table of 7 and I think the front of the house was a bit frazzled. I had to ask for bread but after asking, they made sure to keep it going. They placed the dishes one person off every course but not a big deal. The food was delicious as always.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Tiramisù, Pizza Margherita
This was a wonderful experience filled with great tasting food and an enjoyable experience. You would never know you are in a classroom filled with students learning the culinary trade. Looking forward to going back to try the other restaurants they have on campus.
Restaurantji Recommends
Our first time at Caterina and it didn't disappoint! Exceptional food and service in a lovely setting - made so much more enjoyable when we got the chance to speak to student servers and chefs about their experience at CIA! Highlights included a fresh pasta appetizer, Italian prosciutto sliced table side and the olive oil cake for desert. Steak for two was mouthwatering and delicious.
I think our waiter must be very new because the service was really uneven. He asked us when we arrived if any of us were celebrating something and two of us said we were celebrating our birthdays. Nothing ever came of that as it had in the past. He didn't ask about coffee or tea before our desserts arrived. It got to be a joke how often he said "Awesome," apropos of nothing in particular. My osso buco was tough and when I mentioned it to him he said, "I'll tell the chef." No one came to apologize or offer compensation. We've been to the restaurant many time in the past and won't let this experience keep me and my friends from returning because we know it wasn't our usual experience.
As always , the service is so good& attentive. The students are excellent. We wish them luck in their future endeavors Leo & Rachel are so friendly. And of course the food was amazing.
One of the most treasured meals we have had in recent cafe and restaurant visits. Service, primarily by Jack and Catie, and other students was valedictorian in quality and they helped to set the stage for a very enjoyable, though rather rainy, evening. We have visited the Caterina room on several occasions, even had a special birthday party there, some years ago, and tonight, with the braised beef and fish stew, along with super desserts, ranks up there with some of our pleasant gourmet outings.
Sitting-In Class at CIA Here's a class I would gladly attend. Reasonably priced below $50, we were practice diners during two concurrent classes at the Culinary Institute of America for Front of House (FOH) and Back of House (BOH) training. Undergraduate CIA students are from all over the world and I had fun chatting with them as much as sampling their work. The meal is comprised of three courses: appetizer, entree and dessert. The drinks menu is an impressive list of well curated local and imported wines, specialty beers, and creative cocktails and mocktails. The class also has a student sommelier! There are three restaurants currently offering pre-fixe courses by students: Caterina de Medici for Tuscan cuisine, Paul Bocuse for French cuisine and American Bounty for New American cuisine. Reservations are required. I liked the Tuscan restaurant more than the French and is looking forward to attending one class at the American cuisine. #curious_eater #culinaryinstituteofamerica #hydeparkny