The Downfall of Cipriani?

What to expect during your night out at Cipriani Downtown.

By: Carmelo Musacchia

November 28, 2022

Outside a crowded day at Cipriani Downtown with a taste of luxury.

Cipriani Downtown is a staple of luxury Italian cuisine in New York City. A vibrant scene with an
exclusive crowd. Cipriani attracts a crowd of celebrities, elite businessmen, and foreign models,
which may attract scandals. Sports cars and limos will be parked outside, and the waiters will
speak poor English. Such an exclusive menu creates high expectations. Cipriani swears to
replicate authentic Italian cuisine. The service is exactly how I expected. The waiters are polite,
but it is easy to break character when there is so much going on around you. Getting up to go to
the bathroom is a puzzle of its own. But the experience is one to remember.
Cipriani is a world class name. A family business known for re-crafting authentic Italian cuisine
overseas and taking care of European luxury. The Cipriani empire is famous for their world-class
Bellini’s, as the creator of the drink is in the family. The empire started out with a bar in Venice,
now expanding to hotels, clubs, and restaurants. Four of their restaurants are in New York City.
The first opened in the 1980s located in midtown called, Harry Cipriani.

Eventually, exclusive names like Robert de Niro, Calvin Klein, and John F. Kennedy became
regulars. Reserving a table required connections. Cipriani was able to make a name for himself
in the big city as he opened his SoHo location soon after. This restaurant is known as Downtown
Cipriani. The Cipriani franchise is big in the restaurant business. It entails a high status based on
the crowd they attract. It is known as a restaurant to “see and be seen.” Cipriani restaurants
compete against the world-class Carbone, which also has a lot of hype behind the name.

A packed night at Cipriani with a view of the bar.

I had high expectations for my experience at Cipriani Downtown, but I did not anticipate the
problems I encountered. When you pay top dollar for a meal, you expect a top of line
experience. Prior to entering the restaurant, you may notice the Rolls Royce’s, or Mercedes
Maybach’s.

As I approached the restaurant, my sense of surroundings started to fade as English turned into
Italian. Getting to my table was like solving a puzzle. For this kind of money, nobody should
have to maneuver around crowds of people standing and sitting. The tables felt like they were
on top of each other, forget about getting up to use the restroom. But once I sat down, I could
start to appreciate the hype.
 Outside Cipriani Downtown on a crowded summer night.

Looking around everyone looked like they were pictured in a Vogue Magazine. The crowd
consisted of upper-class New York City business elites, or beautiful citizens straight from Italy.
The staff was clean cut, good looking, and fitted in white tuxes. I somewhat felt like I fit in since
I am Italian, but this is not an Italian American crowd. This is authentic Italian.

The restaurant was packed, so the service went as I expected. We waited a long time before
bread and water arrived, and the conversation at the table started to dry out by the time the
food came. Someone with poor patience may not be able to handle it. But I can confidently say
the food made up for it. The food is an exact replica of true Italian cuisine. American styles have
changed it for the bad, but Cipriani prides themselves on this aspect, and they delivered.

The atmosphere and the food provide a top-of-the-line experience for an outgoing person who
loves material goods. For those who are on the quieter side and enjoy personal space, this is
not the place for you. Aside from the crowded layout, and slow service, Cipriani Downtown is
an excellent spot if you are looking for a scene.

A photo of Cipriani Downtown’s tight seating arrangement.

The downsides of Cipriani seem to bother some more than others. Alex Kuczynski is a reporter
for the New York Times and did not deal with Cipriani’s issues as well as myself. Personally, I
enjoy the outgoing, lavish scene at Cipriani. But for Alex, he cares way more about the price
compared to the experience.

Alex emphasized, “In the brutal New York restaurant business, competitors to Harry Cipriani
open every year serving better food at more reasonable prices and catering to patrons with
slavish care and roomier seating and promptly go out of business” (Kuczynski). Alex does not
want to pay top dollar just to hear two conversations next to him as he eats. Most would like
some peace and quiet when they are enjoying an expensive meal. But that is not the experience
you will find at Cipriani, and it comes down to preference.

Jennifer Lopez, Alex Rodriguez, and Diddy eating at Cipriani Downtown.

Alex explained, “It’s not a restaurant. It’s a party. You go, you sit for a couple of hours, people
are well dressed, people look nice. It’s like what the Stork Club must have been like years ago”
(Kuczynski). That is what the experience is. It is to make the customer feel special, which is why
many top dogs call it home. Alex does not favor that aspect, most food critics wouldn’t. But to
someone who appreciates lavish Italian culture and cuisine, it is a perfect spot for you.

At Cipriani they are selling you an experience, or a dream. The waiters will treat all the same no
matter your status. Cipriani does a fantastic job replicating authentic Italian cuisine, but it pays
a price. You will have to sacrifice comfort as you eat, but you will also get to look at who walked
through the door and try to sneak a photo. You will see vibrant outfits, and beautiful people. It
is a true taste of Italy and luxury. If you’re willing to pay the price, I would advise a night out at
Cipriani Downtown. Cipriani is open seven days a week from 12pm-12am. You can reserve a
table on their website. It is a worthy experience.
 Works Cited

Askinasi, Rachel. “I Dined at Carbone, the Italian Restaurant Beloved by Rihanna and the
Kardashians, and I Get Why It's a Celebrity Hot Spot.” Insider, Insider, 31 July 2022,
https://www.insider.com/carbone-new-york-italian-restaurant-dinner-review-2022-7.

“Cipriani Downtown New York City.com : Profile.” NYC.com,

https://www.nyc.com/restaurants/cipriani_downtown.539372/.

Dai, Serena. “Cipriani Restaurants Used as 'Hunting Ground' for Harvey Weinstein, Report
Alleges.” Eater NY, Eater NY, 25 June 2018,
https://ny.eater.com/2018/6/25/17500698/cipriani-restaurants-nyc-weinstein-hunting-
ground.

Fabricant, Florence. “Harry's Table Is a Food Hall by Way of Cipriani.” The New York Times,
The New York Times, 6 June 2022, https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/06/dining/harrys-
table-cipriani.html.

Fox, Author: Anthony. “The Cipriani Empire: A History of Bold Moves, Beauties and Bellinis:
DDW.” Don't Die Wondering, 16 July 2021, https://www.dontdiewondering.com/the-
cipriani-empire-then-now/.

Gray, Geoffrey. “A Timeline of the Cipriani Family's Troubles -- New York Magazine -
Nymag.” New York Magazine, New York Magazine, 11 Dec. 2009,
https://nymag.com/news/intelligencer/topic/62708/.

Grimm, Christie. “Well Cipriani Was a Shit Show Last Night...” Guest of a Guest, 23 June 2020,
https://guestofaguest.com/new-york/nightlife/well-cipriani-was-a-shit-show-last-night.

“Harry Cipriani.” GAYOT, https://www.gayot.com/restaurants/harry-cipriani-new-york-ny-

10022_1ny99440-01.html.

“Harry Cipriani.” Home, https://www.cipriani.com/us/harry-cipriani-ny.

Kuczynski, Alex. “Drink, Be Merry and Eat If You Must.” The New York Times, The New York
Times, 20 Jan. 2008, https://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/20/fashion/20cipriani.html.