Peachy Picks Italianissimo!

Italianissimo was first featured in Terrific Takeout:
http://www.whomyouknow.com/2011/01/terrific-takeout-italianissimo.html


And terrific it was!  So, it was then featured in Tasty Tidbits:
http://www.whomyouknow.com/2011/01/tasty-tidbits-italianissimo.html


It's January in Manhattan, and it is snowing!  What could be better than a romantic night in a beautifully quaint Italian restaurant owned by cousins from Naples?  From shoes made in Italy by Mover and Shaker Anna Baiguera to people that do her hair like the fabulous Gabriele, Peachy Deegan just loves fine Italian everything, and we can assure you that Italianissimo is no run-of-the-mill place.  Nestled on 84th street just between first and second avenues, close to second, Italianissmo is a hidden gem you need to discover.


And romantic it is!  They are already booked for Valentine's Day but if he or she really loves you, don't they want to treat every day like Valentine's Day?  You should go here the other 364 days of the year too, and not just because they operate like a restaurant catering to your every whim like Peachy's Chicken Parm craze in Terrific Takeout.  Itailanissmo is pure class from the moment you walk in and they take your coat, and notice that you are the kind of girl that gets excited about bubbles-everyone on our panel enthusiastically sipped on the Prosecco during the evening adventure.  Peachy Deegan does not have a drink named after her for no reason, of course...and the panelists share the same enthusiasm.

Julio, host extraordiniaire, and his cousin, Chef Luigi, have been running Italianissimo for seven fabulous years and we regret it has taken us seven long years to figure that out. Edgar also was fabulously delightful.  You should talk to all of them when you visit!  Peachy Deegan began with the Antipasta Caldo which was a lovely array of shrimp, baked clams, stuffed mushrooms, and rolled eggplant.  So creative and exquisite, it was the perfect beginning to a beautiful friendship. The nice variety and beautiful presentation make this a winner of a starter. 

You know Peachy loves creatures of the sea and the Capelline Italianissimo was a terrific harmony of seafood and angel hair in red sauce.  The angel hair was cooked just perfectly and the shrimp and clams came to the party in a dish right when it was time to hop out of the cooker.  Freshly grated cheese, a bit of pepper, and total ambiance added to the whole experience.  
And you can't beat the chocolate mousse:

Listen to the panel now, because their expertise is extraordinary as well:

Italianissimo, tucked into the 80s on the Upper East Side, can best be described as an Italian comfort food bistro.  From the moment you walk through the door, you are greeted by friendly personnel, one of whom is an owner, and a wonderfully warm and intimate room that smells inviting and delicious.  Exposed brick walls on one side, wood paneling and peachy colored walls on the other, and wide plank dark wood floors with perfectly flattering lighting—off to a great start!

After sitting and being graciously offered glasses of bright and crisp Prosecco all around, several specials were recited, all of which sounded tempting. I started with a trio of mushrooms.  Served warm on a bed of arugula with endive leaves, the shitakes, porcini and creminis were fragrant and tasty on their own, but the white truffle oil was a welcome addition.  The porcini mushrooms particularly stood out-bursting with earthy flavor. 

I am a bit of a mushroom snob, so when I was told the porcinis were fresh and not dried I was impressed.  Typically it is the dried that are so pungent, so I would love to know where they get them!

Pasta is my favorite thing to eat anywhere, anytime.  I am often disappointed when I order al dente because more often than not, it’s not!  My Rigatoni al Quattro Amici with fresh smoked mozzarella, parmesan, pecorino, a touch of cream and tomato was most definitely al dente.

For dessert-who doesn’t always want dessert?-light and crispy cannoli shells stuffed, but not too much, with chocolate chip cream filling and pistachio ice cream keeping it company on my nicely sugar and cocoa dusted plate….a very satisfying end to a warm and cozy evening.  It is easy to see why Italianissimo is a true neighborhood restaurant that keeps folks coming back. 

Is there anything better than a delicious Italian meal on a cold winter's night?  Happily, the Upper East Side's Italianissimo Ristorante provides just such a meal, and then some!  As we settled at our table in the intimate, cozy dining room at Italianissimo, my panel-mates and I fell in love with the warm ambience, and eagerly anticipated our meals.  As we looked over the menus, we sipped prosecco (yum!) and nibbled on crusty Italian bread, which was served with pesto and olives.  The extensive menu had so many delectable-sounding dishes, it was hard to make a decision, but I ultimately ended up deciding on the salad special for the night followed by the Pollo Lucchese.  The salad was an arugula salad with cherry tomatoes, hearts of palm, walnuts, goat cheese, and crispy pears and apples.  Dressed in a light, tangy vinaigrette, the salad was absolutely outstanding!  The combination of flavors (the slight bitterness of the arugula, the nuttiness of the walnuts, the creamy tang of the goat cheese, and the sweet fruit flavors) and textures worked very well together - it was a thoroughly enjoyable way to start the meal!   

Next, it was time for the Pollo Lucchese, which was chicken breast with broccoli rabe, sun-dried tomato, and melted mozzarella.  Beautifully presented, and accompanied by a small side of mashed potatoes, this was simply divine!  The chicken was perfectly tender, and the broccoli rabe, sun-dried tomatoes, and melted mozzarella added incredible flavor.  It was warm, mouth-wateringly delicious, and the perfect comfort food for a frigid NYC night!  Somehow, I managed to make room for dessert - it wasn't easy, but when I heard that bananas flambe were on the menu, I had to go for it!  

Prepared table-side, complete with amazingly high flames (I always enjoy some nice pyrotechnics with my dessert), the dish was out of this world!  The warm, soft, caramel-y bananas were served atop vanilla ice cream, and the result was so delicious, I didn't want it to end!  The bananas warmed the ice cream, making for a melty, vanilla-banana-caramel flavored concoction that I would seriously like to have bottled!  All in all, an excellent meal, and a wonderful dining experience!

When you walk into Italianissimo Ristorante, you feel like you stepped back in time; also you feel an air of romance.  Upon arrival we were welcomed with a round of Prosecco for the table. There were gorgeous fresh flowers on all the tables that paired with the romantic art work had a certain charm that made me want to slow down; I felt immediately relaxed and welcomed in this restaurant.  The maitre d’ presented us with the specials; they all sounded amazing.  The staff was extremely friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. I started with Cocktail di Gambri; the presentation was beautiful. The shrimp were on ice with other colorful vegetables; moreover, the shrimp were as fresh as seaside.  

For my main course I had the Risotto con Porcini; al dente rice, tantalizing mushrooms and fresh Parmesan.  For those who don’t like mushrooms but are risotto lovers there are two other options:  McClintock’s Risotto Primavera or Risotto al fruit del mar.

For dessert I had the cheesecake; again a stunning presentation, powdered sugar, chocolate syrup, and raspberry sauce.  We also were presented with a plate of warm sugar cookies for the table.  No wonder the food is so delightful, Chef Luigi has also been part of the team at  ll Nido, Il Monello and Portofino Grill on the Upper East Side.  

I hated to leave the cozy restaurant to head back into the snow.. I will certainly be back though! 

Also, you should know that when you pay in cash dining there (not take-out), they take 10% off your bill.

Peachy Picks Italianissimo Ristorante!

307 EAST 84TH STREET (84th & 1st)
(212) 628-8603

http://italianissimonyc.net/