There was an attraction, but, alas, It was not a memorable first date.

Ci Siamo did everything to impress.

It is attractive, welcoming, provided great personality but the potential for an ongoing relationship was negated from first bite.

The expansive modern restaurant has a lounge area, bar, two dining rooms and a large outdoor dining area.

Italian/Mediterranean influenced Ci Siamo from restaurateur Danny Meyer’s hospitality group, is the splashiest of the restaurant debuts inside the Hudson Yards-adjacent Manhattan West development.

The word of mouth had been strong so I made the inconvenient schlep over to the far west redeveloped district.

We took the elevator to the second floor where we were warmly greeted and quickly seated.

We started with Sungold Tomatoes with fennel pollen, chiles and orange zest. They were delicious ($20).

The highly touted Carmelized Onion Torta with pecorino Toscana was just too rich and gooey for my taste.  it was tasty and beautifully presented, just too much of a good thing ($25).

We planned on sharing the main course, a  Grass-fed Rib Eye with luscious mushrooms and salsa verde. It presented well, but the steak was tough and fatty. We regrettably sent it back. The chef agreed with our assessment of the state of the steak ($43).

We ordered Braised Beans with Parmesan and olives and it was bland. My cannelloni bean dish is much better ($15).

I just was not that into the Rapini Agnotti pasta dish with ricotta and broccoli rabe in a creamy butter and lemon sauce. Uninspired and it arrived lukewarm ($25).

Having not eaten that much we ordered a very good Lemon Tart which was tangy with a lovely crust and comes with a little pool of olive oil set in a delicious mound of browned, cloud-like meringue ($15).

Chef Hillary Sterling, previously of Vic’s and A Voce where she worked with Lilia’s Missy Robbins, has created a menu that centers around live-fire cooking.

Ci Siamo tries hard. The server and Will the sommelier were engaging, but is a one and done for me.

Ci Siamo West 33rd Street 2nd floor New York City. Open Monday-Friday 11:30am-3pm and 5-10pm, Saturday and Sunday 11:30am-2:30pm and 4:30-10pm. Reservations on Resy.