Peachy Picks Triangolo
Whom You Know first introduced you to Triangolo under Tasty Tidbits:
http://www.whomyouknow.com/2009/08/tasty-tidbits-triangolo.html
We are pleased to announce that it has graduated to Peachy's Picks! The fabulous Italian/Croatian cuisine, the warm atmosphere and the overall level of service really impressed us. Renato Mioele is just about the most upbeat and enthusiastic restauranteur we have encountered and you will feel the same way about your dining experience. Our dining panel was really looking forward to Triangolo and we were not disappointed one bit! When you are at your office desk at 3pm and just dreaming about the smell, taste and texture of the bread brought to your table as you arrive at a restaurant, that bread in your afternoon daydream would be just as it is at Triangolo. It was toasty, fresh and lovely with olive oil.l Everything about our meal was absolutely delicious and they had us at the bruschetta:
Like every aspect of the dinner, the bruschetta was of the freshest ingredients. All evening we were graciously served by Angelo Gomez who recited the specials flawlessly. Not only was he well-spoken, but Triangolo gets points for fashion too-they have the waiters dressed in Ralph Lauren oxfords with the Triangolo emblem on them.
For appetizers, the Whom You Know dining panel began with four amazing choices: the Insalata di Mare (fresh seafood salad), the Insalata Caprese (Fresh Mozzarella, tomatoes and basil), the Carpaccio di Manzo (Beef Carpaccio, arrugola, parmigiano, oil and lemon) and the world-famous Crespolini di Formaggio (crepes filled wtih melted cheese and chopped prosciutto.) Peachy Deegan loved them all but was most impressed with the crepes-they just melted in our mouths and could not have been more perfect. Here is is:
For her entree, Peachy had the signature seafood dish: Tagliolini Frutti di Mare which is fresh squid ink pasta with a mix of seafood. Usually this is served with marinara but Peachy was in the mood for a garlic white wine sauce and the Triangolo delivered just perfectly:
The shrimp and the scallops were especially decadent and the fresh squid pasta an amazing accompaniment to the dish. It is the best squid pasta we have encountered in Manhattan! Also, it is an example of what you see consistently through Triangolo's menu: small details make a big difference in the combinations of items put together that make Triangolo's menu choices unique and spectacular in our city with many restaurants specializing in this cuisine.
The red wine served to Peachy - Montepulciano - was top-notch and went well with the whole meal. The desserts of hazelnut ice cream, flourless chocolate cake, tiramisu, and cheesecake completed our dining experience. Peachy Deegan love love loves dessert and if she had to pick just one, the chocolate cake was the one she would die for the most:
Surely you are about to pick up the phone and order for delivery (212 472 4488) by now, but while you are waiting for your dinner to arrive please read what the fabulous Whom You Know dining panel had to say.
Our dining panel of experts commented:
"When you first enter Triangolo, you are immediately welcomed by the very gracious owner, Renato (an extremely genuine & overall nice guy). Italian Chef / co-owner Franco Brunetti and owner/maitre’d Renato Mioele’s culinary philosophy is that dining should focus on delicious food in a warm comfortable setting with family, good friends and great affordable wine.
At our behest, Renato enthusiastically guided us through many of his recommendations (dishes which remind him of his roots in an Adriatic coastal town in Croatia). Overall, the food was wonderful; and service was attentive and impeccable. Triangolo felt like an extension of an Italian home – warm, inviting - with the added benefit of the wonderful service and attentiveness of the owner and staff who made sure our dinner flowed perfectly. At no time did I feel rushed. I was able to appreciate and savor each bite with our accompanying wine(s) (and of course, enjoy the company of my dining companions).
I knew we were off to a good start when I took my first bite into the mouthwatering bruschetta (perfectly toasted country Italian bread, fresh ripe tomatoes and perfectly balanced with extra virgin olive oil), one of several appetizers that our group shared. Crisp, delicious and perfectly balanced.
The chilled Octopus Salad was cooked to perfection. The octopus was tender and flavorful, accented with potatoes, red onions and perfectly balanced with drizzled extra virgin olive oil. Although difficult to choose a favorite appetizer, this was absolutely mouthwatering (and left me wanting more although the portion was substantial)! I accompanied the octopus salad and other appetizers with a wonderful crisp light pinot grigio by the glass.
Appetizers shared:
We also shared a (1) chilled seafood salad (Insalata di Mare), (2) Beef carpaccio with arugola, parmigiano, oil and lemon (3) Crepes filled w/ melted cheese and chopped prosciutto and (4) fresh mozzarella, tomatoes and basil.
For the entrees I switched to red wine with a flavorful well rounded glass of Rossi di Montepulciano that worked very well with the Cornish Hen and Rotolo Montanaro.
Entrees shared:
(1)Taglioni Frutti di Mare (fresh squid ink pasta with mixed seafood and light marinara sauce). Renato graciously accommodated our request to substitute the marinara sauce with extra virgin olive oil, garlic, lemon and white wine.
(2)Rotolo Montanaro (rolled pasta filled w/ spinach, porcini lite pink sauce
(3)Grilled Striped Bass fillet w/ lemon oil and spinach _ It was done beautifully, moist and slightly charred, flaky and mildly sweet.
(4)Roasted Cornish Hen with spinach and potatoes – The hen was cooked perfectly, flavorful and moist
My Triangolo experience may be summed up as follows: they’ll make you feel right at home as you savor wonderfully fresh ingredients expertly prepared in this Italian restaurant. You’ll leave feeling satisfied and looking forward to your next visit."
"The atmosphere at Triangolo was cozy and relaxing, an inviting departure from my crazily busy lifestyle. I felt as if I was welcomed into owner Renato’s home, as it was interesting to hear about how Croatian and Italian dishes are very similar (Triangolo definitely won me over versus your everyday American-style Italian restaurant). I was impressed by the amount of seafood that was offered on the menu, and thoroughly enjoyed each dish I was able to sample. I would have to say that my favorite appetizer was the Crespolini de Formaggio, crepes filled with melted cheese and chopped prosciutto. It wasn’t your standard thin, soft crepe. The texture and size was more like a light and flaky empanada, but very filling. Another appetizer I really enjoyed was the Insalata di Mare, fresh seafood salad including shrimp and fresh squid.
When it came down to the entrée, I was very pleased with the special I had chosen – striped bass w/lemon over spinach. The bass was fresh and cooked perfectly, and the spinach was absolutely flavorful. My favorite dessert was the flourless chocolate cake. It was rich and indulgent – I most definitely got my chocolate fix. But you definitely can’t go wrong with any of the other desserts, from the hazelnut ice cream to tiramisu or cheesecake. The Upper East Side isn’t my neighborhood, but after sitting down and enjoying dinner and conversation for a few hours, it really felt like it was. I found myself wishing I really didn’t have to work the next day, as I could have easily stayed another few hours and enjoyed the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano red wine I was drinking. I feel like we are so prone to just eat our dinner and get up and go, but Triangolo is definitely also an after-dinner hangout, unwinding with friends and really enjoying the moment."
"For me a truly memorable restaurant is not just about the food, but about the overall experience: the chance to leave the troubles of the day behind and just relax in good company. Triangolo is a lovely neighborhood restaurant that respects this key aspect of dining out. Here, you could linger with friends for hours over your wine or cappuccino without feeling the pressure to clear out and make room for the next group. All hurried New Yorkers could benefit from an evening of relaxed dining at Triangolo! Triangolo serves delicious bread that is toasted and warm. We were presented with a Bruschetta that featured this bread with the simple ingredients of fresh tomatoes and basil and it was perfect. At the advice of our host, Renato, I had for my first course the Crespolini de Formaggio- oh my goodness it was delicious! This dish featured three crepes filled with cheese and prosciutto, and then baked with a parmesan topping that became crispy on top. Every bite was one to be slowly savored, and my dining companions agreed when they sampled the crepes too! I think I will need to go back soon and have these crepes again!
For my main course I was having trouble making a choice, and the kitchen was accommodating and gave me a split plate so that I could try more than one dish. The Rotolo Montanaro is considered Triangolo’s signature pasta dish. It is pasta generously filled with spinach and porcini in a very light pink sauce. What I appreciated about this was that it was not too salty or overly seasoned, rather the pasta showcased the fresh flavor of the spinach itself. For my second main dish I sampled one of the specials, a crispy grilled Cornish Hen with a Barolo wine sauce, accompanied by portobello mushrooms and spinach. If this special is available when you try Triangolo please try it! A glass of Montepulciano was the perfect wine to accompany my meal.
Our group feasted upon several desserts. For me the most memorable was an outstanding hazelnut ice cream, as well as the flourless chocolate cake. The chocolate cake had a glossy, smooth and decadent texture, with hints of both bitter and sweet to please the tongue. Renato tells us the restaurant has many local regulars, and we shared the dining space with couples, Upper East Side families with children, and also groups of friends enjoying the outdoor sidewalk tables. Triangolo is a restaurant with excellent food and hospitality that I would highly recommend!"
Whom You Know enthusiastically recommends Triangolo! Book your reservation today and tell Renato that Peachy sent you.
Triangolo Restaurant
345 E. 83rd St.
New York, NY 10028-4333
Open daily for dinner
Mon-Sat 5-12 pm
Sun 3-10.30 pm
For reservations, please call: (212) 472-4488
Email: triangolo@verizon.net
http://triangolorestaurant.com/
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On Peachy Deegan:
Smile by Dr. Garo Nazarian:
http://www.cosmopolitandental.com/
Dress by Donna Ricco:
http://www.whomyouknow.com/2009/07/dress-of-week-sleeveless-roll-neck.html
Shoes by Kenneth Cole:
http://www.whomyouknow.com/search/label/Shoe%20of%20the%20week-Women
Skincare by Clarins:
http://us.clarins.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/cosmetics-products_face__-1_10051_10204_Y_10315__
Hair by Erica Bennett:
http://www.whomyouknow.com/2009/08/erica-bennett-endorsed-by-whom-you-know.html
Makeup by Clinique:
http://www.whomyouknow.com/2009/06/product-alert-bamboo-pink-collection.html
Sunglasses by Jennifer Creel:
http://www.whomyouknow.com/2009/07/whom-you-knows-sunglasses-of-summer.html
