Another special dinner at Cesco's. We have never been disappointed. Unfortunately, it was a farewell dinner since they are closing tomorrow. They need to vacate the space. Hopefully, they can reopen in the area soon.
Steve
We have been going to Cesco Osteria for years. The food and service has always been great. This is one of the better, if not the best, Italian restaurants in Bethesda. We are so sorry to learn they will be closing down. Our hope is they will reopen soon in a location in Bethesda. We went, last night, for the last time with a group of friends that feel the same way. Steve Shapiro
Never taken the time to write a review but the service was so terrible that I decided to do so. With an empty restaurant and a waitstaff of 5, one would think that we would have seen our waiter more than just when he took our orders. Had to ask multiple times for clean bread plates, glasses etc. I understand and appreciate these may be first world problems but the level of service received at a restaurant should be commensurate with the cost being charged, which is far from the case here. As a local who lives in downtown Bethesda and with many options, and this restaurant not being right in the middle of the downtown food scene (2 blocks away) it would stand to reason that they would try to stand out in some form or another with either service, and or food. Lastly, I would think that it's better to not advertise at all than to advertise “ fresh homemade pasta” when in fact it clearly was not “homemade / made to order”.
R S.
Belated review. Food was excellent. This place should be better known. Will update after the next visit.
HollyH
We enjoyed a really delicious birthday celebration. The staff was friendly, informative, and very professional, making great recommendations for food and drink. We enjoyed a variety of dishes. Be sure to try the fried calalmari! Portions are generous. The fresh pasta is wonderful, but the filet mignon and salmon were terrific, too. A great special occasion place, and quiet (carpeting is a plus!) so that anyone who struggles with their hearing can participate fully in the fun.
EuniceD
It is a very nice Italian place, good food quality and amazing Aperol Spritz. There's also a very complete wine selection. Recommendable for celebrations. There's also a very nice Latin live music group every Friday.
DHRockville
Nice decor and friendly environment. Raw oysters were large and delicious. Lamb ossobuco , salty branzino and seafood linguine were all amazing . Rack of lamb chops was a bit disappointing. Very small and sauce was somewhat sweet. Barolo wine is as good as it gets . Excellent service and a very pleasant evening. Main complain which is a serious hazard is the amount of visible dust on the lamps above the tables. Clearly they weren't cleaned for weeks if not months . One can see visible pieces of dust that makes you wonder if it doesn't fall in your food while you're eating it. We mentioned it to both our server and the owner. We didn't get the impression that they cared much about our complaints. SAD.
Our waiter was so impatient and not interested in our party. He was rude when we wanted to change an order. Was very curt to the one minority member of our party. He was rude all the way around. Wanted to place our dinner order before ordering drinks and apps. Food was ok but not what it used to be. Disappointed in the $400 experience.
PattiK
Our waiter was so impatient and not interested in our party. He was rude when we wanted to change an order. Was very curt to the one minority member of our party. He was rude all the way around. Wanted to place our dinner order before ordering drinks and apps. Food was ok but not what it used to be. Disappointed in the $400 experience.
We celebrated our son and daughter-in-law's birthday! Cesco always provides great atmosphere inside and outside and the food and service are terrific. They also time the meal well so we are not in and out in under an hour. Service was very nice! Wonderful evening and we will definitely celebrate more memories there
Service was very poor and we notified them of our daughter's wedding anniversary but there was no mention and nothing was done for the kids. Water glasses were not refilled and I was never offered a coffee refill.
DeeOne
A warm evening so it didn't matter that the heaters were not on outside. The patio is lovely. The food was delicious. I had butternut squash ravioli. The pasta was clearly handmade and the filling excellent. The gratis pre-dinner serving of vegetable frittata was a very nice addition to the meal.
annE
The food was not as good as it was in previous visits. Risotto was undercooked and gummy with too much cheese. The crab and avocado tower was very sloppily assembled. I will try it again but not for sometime.
Chuck
We have been to Cesco many, many times and have never been less than delighted. The service is discreet and appropriately attentive, the menu diverse and the preparation outstanding. We will be back often.
Marilyn P.
Food is just average and expensive. Not worth the price I'm sure there are better italian restaurants
Another special dinner at Cesco's. We have never been disappointed. Unfortunately, it was a farewell dinner since they are closing tomorrow. They need to vacate the space. Hopefully, they can reopen in the area soon.
We have been going to Cesco Osteria for years. The food and service has always been great. This is one of the better, if not the best, Italian restaurants in Bethesda. We are so sorry to learn they will be closing down. Our hope is they will reopen soon in a location in Bethesda. We went, last night, for the last time with a group of friends that feel the same way. Steve Shapiro
Never taken the time to write a review but the service was so terrible that I decided to do so. With an empty restaurant and a waitstaff of 5, one would think that we would have seen our waiter more than just when he took our orders. Had to ask multiple times for clean bread plates, glasses etc. I understand and appreciate these may be first world problems but the level of service received at a restaurant should be commensurate with the cost being charged, which is far from the case here. As a local who lives in downtown Bethesda and with many options, and this restaurant not being right in the middle of the downtown food scene (2 blocks away) it would stand to reason that they would try to stand out in some form or another with either service, and or food. Lastly, I would think that it's better to not advertise at all than to advertise “ fresh homemade pasta” when in fact it clearly was not “homemade / made to order”.
Belated review. Food was excellent. This place should be better known. Will update after the next visit.
We enjoyed a really delicious birthday celebration. The staff was friendly, informative, and very professional, making great recommendations for food and drink. We enjoyed a variety of dishes. Be sure to try the fried calalmari! Portions are generous. The fresh pasta is wonderful, but the filet mignon and salmon were terrific, too. A great special occasion place, and quiet (carpeting is a plus!) so that anyone who struggles with their hearing can participate fully in the fun.
It is a very nice Italian place, good food quality and amazing Aperol Spritz. There's also a very complete wine selection. Recommendable for celebrations. There's also a very nice Latin live music group every Friday.
Nice decor and friendly environment. Raw oysters were large and delicious. Lamb ossobuco , salty branzino and seafood linguine were all amazing . Rack of lamb chops was a bit disappointing. Very small and sauce was somewhat sweet. Barolo wine is as good as it gets . Excellent service and a very pleasant evening. Main complain which is a serious hazard is the amount of visible dust on the lamps above the tables. Clearly they weren't cleaned for weeks if not months . One can see visible pieces of dust that makes you wonder if it doesn't fall in your food while you're eating it. We mentioned it to both our server and the owner. We didn't get the impression that they cared much about our complaints. SAD.
Our waiter was so impatient and not interested in our party. He was rude when we wanted to change an order. Was very curt to the one minority member of our party. He was rude all the way around. Wanted to place our dinner order before ordering drinks and apps. Food was ok but not what it used to be. Disappointed in the $400 experience.
Our waiter was so impatient and not interested in our party. He was rude when we wanted to change an order. Was very curt to the one minority member of our party. He was rude all the way around. Wanted to place our dinner order before ordering drinks and apps. Food was ok but not what it used to be. Disappointed in the $400 experience.
We celebrated our son and daughter-in-law's birthday! Cesco always provides great atmosphere inside and outside and the food and service are terrific. They also time the meal well so we are not in and out in under an hour. Service was very nice! Wonderful evening and we will definitely celebrate more memories there
Restaurantji Recommends
Service was very poor and we notified them of our daughter's wedding anniversary but there was no mention and nothing was done for the kids. Water glasses were not refilled and I was never offered a coffee refill.
A warm evening so it didn't matter that the heaters were not on outside. The patio is lovely. The food was delicious. I had butternut squash ravioli. The pasta was clearly handmade and the filling excellent. The gratis pre-dinner serving of vegetable frittata was a very nice addition to the meal.
The food was not as good as it was in previous visits. Risotto was undercooked and gummy with too much cheese. The crab and avocado tower was very sloppily assembled. I will try it again but not for sometime.
We have been to Cesco many, many times and have never been less than delighted. The service is discreet and appropriately attentive, the menu diverse and the preparation outstanding. We will be back often.
Food is just average and expensive. Not worth the price I'm sure there are better italian restaurants