Favourite Italian Restaurant & What do u have?

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Italian Cuisine in the USA

Would enjoy hearing your points of view ...

A few of the Italian restaurants that we had eaten in on our yearly trips include:

1) Los Angeles: Valentino´s which was owned by Sicilian Piero Selvaggio when we had dined there back in 1990´s ...

2) Manhattan: Felida´s

3) Manhattan: S P Q R

4) Manhattan: Ennio and Michael´s located at: 539 - 541 La Guardia Place, off the corner of Bleeker Street in Greenwich Village

5) Manhattan: Mario Batali´s Restaurant located on Mac Dougal Street, in Greenwich Village

6) San Francisco: Alioto´s on Fisherman´s Wharf and regional Sicilian

7) Whippany, New Jersey: Il Capriccio

8) Manhattan: San Domenico ( luxurious - special occasion )

9) Sacramonto, California: Biba ( Chef Biba Caggiano )

10) Washington D.C. : I Ricchi ( Tuscan style cuisine )

Has anybody eaten in any of these ? Would really like to hear your points of view ?

Margi.
 
Chains are NOT my cup of Coffee

Thanks for your post and forewarning on chain mentioned above.

I have never eaten in a chain restaurant ... Believe me, it is not my cup of coffee --- I say coffee verses tea, because I am not a fan "fast drink" tea bags ... nor tea from Lipton´s ... It reminds me of when I was a kid, and had a flu, and mom gave us tea with a tsp. of honey --- unpleasant to say least.

I do however, appreciate a real Earl Grey however, without milk and without lemon ... steeped in true British fashion ... with a watercress sandwich at 17.00 hrs. High Tea Hour ... Lovely tradition.

Chain food, is just not for me ... I do not chain it ... I enjoy and respect traditional and home made Italian cuisine too much to see it tortured.

Margi. Cintrano.
 
My two favorites are in San Francisco, Scomas on Fisherman's Wharf for Italian seafood, and Stinking Rose in North Beach for everything else.

At Scomas I used to order Snapper Romano but they took it off the menu. I emailed them to complain and their chef sent me the recipe so now I make it at home my own self. One of my other favorites is their cioppino, which is arguably the best on the Wharf, and their crab louie is also excellent. I think for my next trip I am going to try their Prix Fixe Dinner, but it will be difficult to choose between the Broiled Wild Pacific Swordfish with Tuscan White Beans, Pancetta, Tomatoes & Organic Rainbow Chard and the Seared Wild Mahi Mahi with Sautéed Spinach, Dungeness Crab Ravioli & Fried Leeks.

At Stinking Rose I usually order eggplant pramigiana because it's too troublesome to make it at home for just me, but just about anything on the menu is good.

Oh, one other favorite was Borrelli's on Long Island, where I always ordered Malangnone a la Sicilian, but I haven't been there for over 20 years and it doesn't appear to be on the menu any more. Fortunately I have the recipe for that, too! I will make this for guests, but not just for me. Maybe I should. They grow beautiful eggplants here.


We went to Scoma's years ago in SF. If I ever go back, I will try it again. As I recall, it took about 20 minutes before anyone came to the table. I noticed Stinky Rose is in Bev. Hills as well. Will put it on the list. Thanks. :)

P.S. JPB, you know, I knew you were joking with me.
 
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We went to Scoma's years ago in SF. If I ever go back, I will try it again. As I recall, it took about 20 minutes before anyone came to the table. I noticed Stinky Rose is in Bev. Hills as well. Will put it on the list. Thanks. :)

P.S. JPB, you know, I knew you were joking with me.
Glad you played along. Sorry you do not enjoy a nice broiled veal chop.
 
Lots of favorites.

In Rome, there is a little outdoor cafe right next to the Pantheon called "Di Rienzo". The food itself is good, but not spectacular. It's the atmosphere and the view that are memorable.

In Venice, we loved "Le Mistra" on Giudecca island. It's run by a happy German man. Not really any menus to speak of. The German came to our table and introduced himself as the owner. He said "you like fresh Lobster?". We said "yes", so they made up a family size platter of pasta with lobster sauce. It was excellent. They also had a squid sausage of sorts that was colored with the ink. Great place. I wonder if it's still around.

Locally, we have a couple of restaurants I like.

For everyday Italian, there is a teeny tiny little restaurant called "Giuseppe's". Hard to get into because they only have a handful of tables. They specialize in southern Italian fare. Lots of pasta. Lots of red sauces. I have never had a bad meal there.

For a more upscale dinner, we also like "i Nonni". Their prix fixe menu with custom wine pairings can't be beat, but you'd better bring your personal Brinks truck along when you dine there. :LOL:
 
Steve,

Thanks for your post. Yes, the place that you have mentioned on the little island of Guidecca and the German gent --- we had been there a couple of years ago ( 2010 October ) and it was there then. Phenomenal. They specialise in shellfish and seafood.

I was in Minneapolis and St. Paul in 1994. I recall some fine Italian especially in Minneapolis and Chicago --- which was the 1st stop on that trip before moving to Europe.

Thanks for posting. Appreciate.
Margi.
 
There is one chain that we will never return to again. Macaroni Grill. Karen ordered a clam dish that they served with unopened clams. It got sent back. They brought out the same dish and the clams were open. Open via prying, busted pieces of shell from thier efforts included.:mad:

I dont' mind paying for a dish, but I don't want to have to do the work of the kitchen in order to eat the food. Don't serve me shrimp with the legs and shell still on. I want to be able to pick up the food with my fork and put it in my mouth. I would have called the manager over and asked for a clam knife to open the clams. You would have gotten the dish for free.

For me it is Applebee's. I went to two different ones in two different cities. Both time I ordered my steak med. rare. It came to my dish ice cold inside. Barely seared on the outside. I sent the dish back both time, asked for mac and cheese in its place. One sent out a dish that was still frozen in the middle. By then I gave up. Got the whole meal free. Was with my sister. She didn't have to pay for her meal either. And the coffee was on the house. How kind. :(
 
My favorite Italian restaurant is in the North End of Boston. There is a little restaurant with only about four tables. I never order Spagett. and meatballs when I eat out. The gravy is too raw. But this place knows how to make it right. Don't know the name, just that it is off the beaten tourists path. The first time there I ate there they sent out as complmentary two meatballs with the gravy on them. They had it right. All day simmered. Now I take all out of town friends there for a true Italian meal. Even my friends from California who were born and raised in Italy. Everytime they come to visit, that is the first place they asked to go to to eat. The next day it is to the Union Oyster House. That is where JFK used to spend his Sundays reading all the Sunday newspapers from around the country. :chef:
 
I would have called the manager over and asked for a clam knife to open the clams. You would have gotten the dish for free.

If clams or mussels do not open via the cooking process, they are not to be served, period. They are dead.;)
 
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A 4 Table Restaurant - Love it already !

Addie,

I truly enjoy these small hidden venues that are located in a not too popular thorough fare, and have 4 to 12 tables and are just wonderful with fresh food ... They have a waiter or waitress tell u the carte of the day´s catch or items, and that is that. Many of these are located in Italia and Spain, Greece and France too ... Some are located behind a book shop, a bar tavern, furniture or antique shop or butcher or fish monger´s ... Always wonderful. Never had a bad experience ...

Your little gem of a venue sounds marvelous.

Thanks for posting and have nice Sunday.
Margi
 
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The Italian neighborhood in St. Louis called "The Hill" is home to several very good Italian restaurants. I swooned over a couple of meals there; sorry, but it's been too long ago and I can't recall specific names.

Here on the Florida Gulf coast, the Italian chains which abound are nothing to brag about. One Italian family runs a small place called, "Two Meatballs in the Kitchen," (their two sons). I usually order whatever their special of the day is and have yet to be disappointed.
 
The wrath of a journalist !

Addie,

The manager and the owner would of heard the wrath of a journalist about those clams and shell pieces ! I certainly would never stand for this type of treatment ... You should pack a Digital Camera in your pocket book and take a photo next time and complain ! Afterall, this is horrid food service treatment ...

Margi.
 
Heard about great Italian restaurants in St. Louis

I have a colleague who had travelled last summer to St. Louis and she loved the Gardens and the Italian restaurants ... Have never been ... Shall make note for future USA trip.

Thanks for post and sharing views.
Margi.
 
Son #3 took me to a very famous restaurant out near where he was living. I ordered shrimp scampi. When I got it, I could taste the alcohol. They didn't even give it a chance to cook off. I don't drink and I know alcohol when I taste it. It was horrible. They had to have used that cooking wine you get in the supermarket. Then the shrimp were tossed on top and were real tiny. The kind you get in the small can at your supermarket. I couldn't even get my fork into them. They were so tough. I didn't want my son to feel bad so I just played with the food. When the waitress came to clear the plates, she noticed my food hadn't been eaten at all. She asked what was wrong and I told her. I even demonstrated that I couldn't get my fork into the tiny shrimp. She took the dish to the manager and then to the kitchen. Every worker came out of the kitchen and was staring at our table. We got the whole dinner for the table for free. She got a good tip. Half of what the bill would have been. :chef:
 
Vieste, Italia

I had forgotten to post this memorable 10th century Slovenian Italian town which is famous for its walled streets and phenomenal seaviews ... Peschici is famous for its stunner fish restaurant called:
La Grotta delle Rondini which means The Cave of Swallows. The venue is carved out of limestone cliffs and the building houses port holes instead of windows. The wood burning oven, well ... if you are ever in Vieste, rent a car and go ...

Chef owner is: Antonio Mastromatteo.

Posted by:
Margi.
 
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Funny that you mention a Slovenian-Italian place. Or is it Italian-Slovenian. I went to Slovenia about 20 years ago, and we had some of the best pizza in Ljubljana and Dolenska Tolplice and some great Italian shellfood in Koper. I doubt either place even exists any more. But all of our food during that trip was wonderful. Oh, great risotta at a hotel restaurant, the swan (translation, I don't remember the name). honestly, it was right after the Iron Curtain fell, and all the food was great and really cheap, the concept of capitalism hadn't quite caught on.

In the DC area I used to love a couple of places I loved for Italian food, but have no idea if they still exist. One was called The Alpine and the other Michaelangelo's, both I think in Arlington. I'll have to google and see if they're still around.
 
Claire: Wow ! Slovenia & Puglia, Italia

Interesting and thanx for posting about your trip.

I am uncertain too if this seafood surf ship wreck restaurant in the cave of a limestone building is still there however, it is 20 km from Vieste.

When I have a chance over wkend, I shall do some research in Italian and check out ... I shall keep u posted ...

By the way, Slovenian red wines are absolutely lovely ... gorgeous aged wines and hardly known.

Thanks again for lovely post.
Margi.
 
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Claire,

Peschici is located on the Adriatic on the Gargano Peninsula ( www.peschici.it ), just north of Bari, very close to the airport, port, ferries to Corfu ... The Swallow´s Cave is still there ... of course, probably with another generation of cooks ... or Chefs .. we shall check out during Easter Week. This is a lovely area, and the Island of Tremiti is stunning ...

Kind regards. Margi.
 
Interesting and thanx for posting about your trip.

I am uncertain too if this seafood surf ship wreck restaurant in the cave of a limestone building is still there however, it is 20 km from Vieste.

When I have a chance over wkend, I shall do some research in Italian and check out ... I shall keep u posted ...

By the way, Slovenian red wines are absolutely lovely ... gorgeous aged wines and hardly known.

Thanks again for lovely post.
Margi.
I absolutely agree about Slovene wines. My favorite (it was a warm month) was cvicek (please be tolerant of my spelling -- pronounced svee-check to my ear). I also liked the cherno vino (again, it meant "black" because it was a very dark red) but the temperature outside was better for the pink wine. It seems like all pink wines sold in the U.S. are all too sweet for my taste, for me the cvicek was just perfect for sitting at sidewalk cafes or picnic on a sunny day and was usually chilled. We met a young man who's probably a relative of my husband's, and he gave us a bottle of the dark red to take home (made by someone in his family).
 

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