Andie and I had been talking vaguely about trying Spiga since it opened and seemed intent on stealing some of the thunder from Celeste, another Italian place located around the corner on Amsterdam. Then we’d usually end up just going to Celeste. I was in the neighborhood tonight, and stopped by Spiga. And it’s not bad, just a little too “new Italian.” Next time I’m in the neighborhood, I know I’ll find myself back at Celeste.
Spiga’s artichoke lasagna sounded promising and it was hearty but non-distinct with no readily identifiable flavors of cheese or spice. My salad, with fresh pears, was similarly common. The decor? Wooden, literally and figuratively. And everything’s much more pricey than Celeste. True, the tables at Spiga are more than one inch apart, but the experience was a bland one, not an exciting, bustling one involving amusing overheard conversations, as usually happens at Celeste.
Spiga
- 200 W. 84th St. (between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue)
- (212) 362-5506
- Meal 13 of 52: glass of Luna Rossa merlot ($12), arugula-pear salad ($9.95) and artichoke lasagna ($16.95).