Nessa

I wanted to like this place. It was not great. Especially for the money they charge. Food was very bland for Italian. This place would have been acceptable years ago but the bar has been raised in this area and there are much better places close by. Service was ok. Wine was way too expensive. I will not go back.

I have a story VERY similar to another reviewer here, disappointed to know I wasn’t the only one who’s New Year’s Eve experience at Nessa was terrible. I have been to Nessa over the years a number of times, even went for New Year’s a few years ago and have always had a good experience, I will never go back after dropping $ 400+ with three friends on New Years Eve, it was such a waste of money.
When we got there the restaurant was half empty and we waited a good 5+ minutes for someone to come and seat us, that is a long wait when you have a half full restaurant looking at you, it was absurd.
Nessa offered a four course pre-​fixe meal for this night, we were told they were out of the skirt steak and the mousse but they would replace the skirt steak with chicken on the bone, not one of my staples when I got out for an $ 85 pp dinner. Anyway, the first course was okay, small and nondescript. The second course was pasta, the cavatelli was literally (I mean literally) a spoonful of pasta, it was embarrassing how small this portion was, I don’t know how the waiter brought that out without apologizing. The pasta with eggplant was maybe a spoonful and a half and lukewarm to cold, not even hot, it was terrible. The main dishes were smaller than a normal portion, probably because of the pre-​fixe but being that the first two courses were tiny a full size meal should had been served. We finally get to dessert where our only option was zeppole, as mentioned they were out of the mousse, and we were advised they were out of both desserts but that they had bread pudding. Two of the four of us got the bread pudding (my other two friends were too irritated by the whole night to get dessert), the dessert was disgusting, bread pudding should be rich and sweet and decadent and this was sour and tart, it was strange, I don’t know what chef threw that together at the last minute for the late night diners but he/​she should be ashamed of themselves.
We left there all contemplating if the restaurant was going to close and figured they don’t give a crap anymore which is ironic because I read that same thing in Gregg Gs review on this page, his table also thought the restaurant might be closing. Not a good impression to leave a customer let alone two tables.
Finally, I called to complain the day after and spoke to someone who advised ‘they knew who I was and that they tried making it right by giving our table 15% off our check’, we were not that table, though he made me wish I had complained at the restaurant because maybe we could had gotten 15% off that mess as well (not surprised there were other complaining about the night was well).
If this is how Nessa treats their customers going into 2016 I would suggest you keep walking or driving on by, there are so many nice options in Port Chester nowadays.
I want to add I don’t like posting bad reviews, on the one or two occasions where I had a slight criticism I went on to talk about the good with the bad, this was just bad all around, I don’t want to see anyone waste their money like we did unless you have money to burn and don’t mind bad food and an inattentive staff, if that’s the case then this is the place for you.

Went to Nessa New Years Eve 2015. Had been there at least 6 times previously and enjoyed it, food and service. Sorry to say this night was a complete disappointment. Was seated promptly but it took more than 15 minutes to be helped by a waiter (who apparently was covering the entire restaurant by herself). Ordered glasses of wine and dinner (price fixe) at the same time. The wine took another 15 minutes to be served, and our first course (Cesar salad-​extremely small portion as we’re all the courses) did not arrive until 30 minutes later. The salad itself was non descript, store bought variety. The next course came in relatively good time, pasta with eggplant which was actually very good, but again a minuscule portion. Had the skirt steak done perfectly median, but the cut of meat was not the best, too much fat and grizzle around the edge. For dessert, we ordered both the mousse pie and zeppoles. The waitress came out with just the zeppoles saying they were out of mousse pie! How do you run out if those are your only 2 choices? Huge disappointment. As a side note, within 15 minutes after being seated, the table next to us left, and the dirty table with dishes was not bussed for at least a half an hour, leaving us with a not so ambient view of the remains. All in all a terrible dinner on such a celebratory night. It almost seems as if the restaurant will be closing down soon, as it was less than half filled, apparently word is getting out about its downhill slide. Will not be going back there again.

Nice ambiance, lively place, staff attentive, good varied menu of choices and wines, food was okay. Calamari was crisp but overcooked and rubbery Ordered a garden salad got a Cesar which needed a dressing with more flavor .
Chicken dish was well made and tasty no complaints there good portion size too. Cavatelli with broccoli rabe and sausage –this is a dish I’ve had many times in other places — here it was a dish in need of a makeover — pasta was fresh and al dente and the sauce was rich and tasty but
Sausage had a hard chewy skinlike crust — difficult to eat and not good and in addition to the broccoli rabe which could have been a bit more plentiful there was a weird soapy flavored herb used in this dish that just really ruined whatever good flavor was there — Maybe cilantro? It was overpowering in this dish. Other dishes — pasta with mushrooms was just ok. We had a pleasant evening and the place is lovely but there needs to be some tweaking in their kitchen.

Been hearing about this place for a couple of years and finally made it. Chose it for a small birthday dinner party for a dear friend. Our waiter, Rickie, was amazingly attentive. Got us drinks right away; suggested dishes and appetizers. Food was good. Drinks were delish. Small place but so nice and cozy. Try it!

I’ve dined here several times, for dinner & one time for brunch. The food is excellent & I love the fact that they offer small bites for those times I’ve just come for drinks & wanted just a little something to eat. The staff is always friendly, especially our waiter from last night Ricky. He was so professional & 100% attentive throughout the evening. I don’t know the host by name but I know he was formally at Zeppoleme. He is always very welcoming & friendly. I also love love love the ambience in this place as well. Perfect for date night. Will definitely keep coming back!

I hadn’t been here in years until last night, when my date and I stopped in for a quick drink and dessert. Although the place was empty when we walked in at 10, the staff was very friendly and accommodating, not rushing us so they could hypothetically get out a little early on a Saturday (like I used to do as a young waiter!). The bartender was really nice, offering us samples of a couple different great wines, and his sample sizes were legit 2 oz each!
We tried the Nutella panini dessert, and it was delicious, albeit served cold (seemed as if it had been sitting out for a while). That aside, nice place, friendly staff, and beautiful bar.

We were one of two tables for an early dinner. Waiter took a long time to come to the table. Food was not prepared as requested and did not taste anything special (salmon). Selections in Chardoney by the class are only two similar tasting wines. Have been here a few times because of location and the charm of the interior. Just can’t go back there again because the food just doesn’t call for it and neither does the staff. You never feel like a repeat customer.

Wow! What a hidden gem! Was in town to see a show at The Capitol. Nessa is a little of the beaten path – 2 blocks before «Restaurant Row.» But that makes this place even more enjoyable. Great staff, great bartender – Al made a few of the best cocktails we ever had – real craft cocktails, with top quality ingredients, and made with great care.
The food was just as good! The bruschetta was simple with well balanced fresh ingredients. The entres were the same. Rigatoni Bolognese with a sauce made overnight. Roasted chicken was simple, fresh and cooked perfectly.
Really fantastic experience!

Customer service, food and bevs — all deserve 5 stars!
The owner and his team are extremely accommodating and welcoming.
I LOVE the eggplant parmesan antipasto.
The bartender makes delicious, authentic drinks with the freshest ingredients.
Highly recommended!

Great cozy trendy place food was delish service was good. what morw can you ask for definitley will go back. Great date night place.

Best service in my life… And I have been in a lot of restaurants. Food was wonderful and the chef changed the menu just to made us happy. From now on, this is my favorite romantic place.

Horrible service, manager started cursing out the table next to us… the whole restaurant left… I’m calling the owner tomorrow… PERIOD

Good food and wine selections almost made up for the inattentive service and the fact that I witnessed no less than three servers chewing food, one while taking our dessert order! I don’t mind casual service, but not at these prices. My water glass was left unfilled for the duration of our appetizer course, and about ¾ths of the way through our entrees we were approached, asking if everything was ok. A bit late to be checking from a service standpoint: if anything’s wrong the time to rectify it would be in the moments directly following entrees being served. This place has a decent ambience and if the service matched the prices, it would be a great date spot. Overall the food is very good, but not quite justifying of the prices. However if they can elevate the level of service, their reach will no longer exceed their grasp.

Started with the Ness salad… very flavorful arugula, fennel, shaved parm, r o mates and a tart lemon vinegarette.
Lobster tagliatelle was… excellent. light crème sauce, cherry tomatoes, asparagus… it paired well with a Sicilian chardonnay
Terrific mixologist named Colin… Great conversationist.

On a Friday night, I called and asked how long the wait would be for two if I came in immediately. The hostess told me it would be 30 minutes. Upon arriving 5 minutes later, I found 4 tables empty inside and an entire outdoor patio available.
The service was fine, a nice gentleman took our order, wine and food was brought in a very timely manner. We had calamari, which was good, not spectacular but good. We also got two pastas, the eggplant siciliano and lamb ragu pappardelle. Both were ok, again nothing out if the ordinary. Only downside in service was that we were never asked if we wanted more wine, even though we ran out half way through our meal and we were asked twice about getting desert after we had already asked for the check but it was done in politely so didn’t bother me much.
The scene when I was there at 8pm on a Friday was majority an more senior crowd– maybe 50’s up. The bar looked like more fun, wish we could have sat there for experience.
Anyways, in the end, nice atmosphere, decent service, but the food was not amazing.

Needed to find a restaurant in Port Chester for dinner with friends from CT. Not knowing any I turned to Unilocal for help. I selected Nessa after reading the reviews and looking through their photos.
I was impressed from the start, easy to get to from Queens, valet parking, warm welcome from the staff, beautiful warm décor and the amazing service. I’ll get to the food in due time.
Our entire party of six were so happy with this place that we will be back.
I’ll start with the service. Our waiter was aces, the type of service you wish every restaurant had. He was patient, honest about the menu, made suggestions and even gave us a discount on the check because we were going to a local concert. A discount we were not aware of. Total perfection.
Okay, now for the food– all highly recommended. Appetizers– meatballs, beef carpaccio, crostinis, Caesar salad, egg ioli. Dinners– brick chicken, skirt steak, pasta with eggplant, pork chop and the salmon. Cocktails– the gold rush and martini.
If you want to experience a restaurant doing it right go to Nessa.

Came here on a spur of the moment Friday evening date with my boyfriend. Initially we sat outside in their little garden but the weather turned bad suddenly and we moved inside. The restaurant’s décor inside is very romantic and they have a nice bar with a fun drink selection (I didn’t try any of the drinks but the ingredients looked yummy).
I’ve read other reviews for Nessa and everyone seems to rave about the truffle egg toast. This was the one thing I HAD to try. We did order this as a starter and at last minute decided on some bruschetta as well. While the truffle toast WAS great I enjoyed the bruschetta more. I recommend the bruschetta for the more sophisticated palette. My favorite was the prosciutto with ricotta and figs in red wine reduction.
One order of bruchetta = one piece but is big enough to cut in two for sharing. I recommend sampling all of them.
We ordered one pasta dish and one item from the «piatti» section. It was difficult to select a pasta because they all look very good. Our selection was the pappardelle with lamb ragu. It was excellent. Loved the touch of sheeps milk ricotta. Our «piatti» selection was the grilled skirt steak. The polenta fries it comes with are to die for.
The service was excellent!
I checked out their brunch menu and will be coming back to try it out for sure!
Also, check out the sister restaurant next door «Zeppole Me»

I’m enough of a fan to go back for more. The pastas are quite good and the crostinis are too. The lighting is low and it’s perfect for a date. I don’t have too much to say but I will go back to put my mind in critic mode and then give you a fair update.
The service seems a little rushed for my liking.

The small plates were better than the main dishes.
The lack of sophisticated seasoned servers hardly match up w the high price menu.
The drink selection is nil.
The wine list requires a revisit– only regional Italian wines are served– limited at best– & the white wine selection is bland.
The interior is wonderful (bar the beige vinyl tablecloths covering whatever boosts the hostess sation underneath). The sheer drapes dividing the bar from the dining area is a nice touch.
Highlights: GRILLED OCTOPUS CROSTINI was excellent, «INO» TRUFFLE EGG TOAST, Meatballs over risotto– huge, moist & tasty, SEAFOOD SALAD w
calamari, octopus, shrimp, celery, lemon, pepper flakes, & the GORGONZOLA AND HONEY bruschetta was very nice.
Disappointment: crab cakes were encrusted in Panko breadcrumbs & saturated in oil, the SKIRT STEAK w cabernet reduction, mashed potatoes, brocolli rabe tasted as if the meat was freezer burned, the portion was very small & the «reduction» was a sauce that was watery & did not glaze the meat.
SWORDFISH PUTTANESCA tomato, capers, anchovies, black olives, garlic, chili flake, shallots — again small portion & a barely memorable flavor.
The hand made cavateli were tender but the sauce was very, very salty & the un– sautéed sage leaves (that should never be!) were bitter, & the Swiss chard was barely detected.
Our party of 4 were not impressed. It may have had it’s celebrity following hay-​day but that previous pomp & circumstance doesn’t carry it now.