Peachy Picks Canaletto
Canaletto was first featured in Tasty Tidbits:
You should not be one bit surprised to know it has graduated to Peachy's Picks. It's not who you know, it's Whom You Know and the talented restaurateur Zoran, you remember our friend from Istria: http://www.whomyouknow.com/2011/03/peachy-picks-girasole.html is behind this winner too. From the moment our panel entered, we encountered total hospitality and wonderful cuisine.
We began with the Laboret di Terra Rossa Chianti Classico, which was a great start to an outstanding overall experience. The salami and parmesean paired nicely with this choice, and we were entertained by some wonderful fresh bread to begin with as well. Jorge Gutierrez was a total peach all night and his wine suggestions were spectacular; we next tried the Terre di Tufi which was an Italian white with crisp notes of peach and pear, and guess who likes her wine peachy. Chef Luis Morocho's superb talent was enjoyed by all and this hit parade was just as fabulous as Girasole.To begin with, Peachy Deegan ordered the Gamberetti Con Figioli E Rugula which means shrimp with beans and arugula:
It was fresh, colorful and just what you'd want a starter to be: appetizing, but not overwhelmingly heavy. As we head into spring (hopefully! Mother nature, please help....) we think this is a great choice. For her main course, Peachy ordered the Veal Scaloppine with fresh tomatoes and asparagus, which was the proper texture and level of thin, and the vegetable choices with it were perfect. Shown below, it was a delight. What is special about this panel, however, is not only the excellence exuded by Canaletto, which is somewhat hidden on East 60th street in the hustle and bustle of this neighborhood, but also the panelists. You know in the history of Whom You Know we have not had more than two panelists in the original Miss Porter's School 10th grade English class on a dining panel; this time, we had three. So you know the writing and the grammar will be outstanding and though we are now 35, Mover and Shaker Mr. McQuilkin will probably be checking more than ever.
Our fabulous panel says:
Canaletto is the kind of restaurant to come you when can take your time to really enjoy a meal, savoring both the food and the company. The medium-sized dining room has an intimate feel, with dark wood molding and wine cabinets built into the walls. Before being asked to decide what to order, all patrons are given a complimentary platter of olives, parmesan cheese, cured meats and amazing focaccia, as well as fresh bread and crisp breadsticks. The green olives alone are worth the trip to Canaletto! Our waiter Jorge, who has been working here since shortly after the restaurant opened in 1999, showed phenomenal hospitality and truly made us feel right at home. He suggested we start off with a perfect Terra Rossa Chianti, rich in color and sweet and smooth in flavor. He also gave us trustworthy guidance to the menu and specials.
I started off with an asparagus and endive salad. The salad was refreshing and crisp, with a light olive oil dressing and grated aged ricotta cheese. We were given a leisurely break to build up our appetites again before proceeding to the main course! Jorge told us that Spaghetti and Meatballs, one the specials every Saturday night, is a favorite of the regular patrons from the neighborhood, so of course I had to try it. The meatballs were tender and perfectly seasoned, flavorful but not too salty and served with thin spaghetti with a fresh, bright tomato sauce.
This was just the comforting food I needed to get me through the lingering winter temperatures that have invaded the late March spring! For this part of the meal Jorge again expertly selected for us a Terre Di Tufi which wonderfully light, crisp and sweet with a pleasing straw color. A platter of the most amazing crisp potato slices with a hint of garlic was provided for the table.
We were fortunate to be offered a sampling of desserts which are all made in-house: the Tiramisu was among the best I have had, and the Black Forest Cake, a moist combination of decadent chocolate and sweet cherries was also delectable! The Ricotta Cheesecake was wonderful, light and with a touch of lemon. I relaxed with my companions over dessert while enjoying a perfectly foamed cappuccino. A tray of complimentary biscotti, crisp with a hint of almond and also baked at Canaletto, was served as well. Finally, to top off a wonderful evening I had an indulgent glass of 1976 Port. My family used to live right in this neighborhood for years and we never knew about this place- it is really a hidden gem! I am eager to share my discovery with my close friends who currently live nearby, and recommend it to anyone looking for the often elusive combination of fine dining and hospitality.
Walking into Canaletto Restaurant, I was pleasantly surprised at the intimate ambience, which hid behind the little front door. Easily making my way through the seductive, dimly lit bar, I found my friends and noticed the wine bottles stacked around the room, the little tables neatly in rows, and the paintings, of course. For me, the food was not over the top or even extraordinary, however, it was well prepared, flavored with finesse and accompanied by great wine! Starting with the Caprese Di Bufala con Arugula, I was a bit let down because I was expecting more arugula than a few springs for garnish. However, the mozzarella quickly made up for the lack of greens! The chardonnay accompanying the Caprese was incredible with its’ refreshing quality and hints of fruits.
For my main course, I decided upon the red snapper topped with an extremely light tomato sauce and served with clams and mussels. The snapper was cooked brilliantly. I also tasted the spaghetti and meatballs, which came highly recommended, and I was not disappointed. The meatballs were perfectly seasoned and the pasta cooked al dente. For dessert I enjoyed a sampling of sweets made in house, however, it was the tiramisu that stole my heart. The flavors balanced each other exquisitely. Overall, my experience was very good. The attentive staff and relaxing atmosphere made the food more enjoyable. But the best part was the 1976 Port after dinner combined with great conversation and friends! The port is shown below and it is notable that that was the year that these three classmates from Miss Porter's were born!
I had a wonderful evening at Canaletto: it’s a lovely, cozy Italian restaurant three steps down from 60th Street on the east side of Manhattan. The low ceiling makes for quite an intimate atmosphere and the simple compartmentalized ceiling design makes each section of the restaurant feel like you are in your own house…although the food is never that good in my house! ‘Canaletto’ means small canal in Italian, and everything about this restaurant is unpretentious but charming and exquisite at the same time. We were attended by Jorge during our visit, who is a wonderfully informative waiter who helped everyone feel relaxed and even joined us for a drink at the end of our meal! His wine choices were inspired: we started with a red Terra Rossa from 2005 and then moved onto a delicious white wine.
Appetizers were aplenty…I will state right now that I am partial to cheese, and the Parmigiano Reggiano was amazing! For individual portions I chose the slivers of cured beef with mushrooms and sliced cheese (well you already know about me and cheese) and the aged sirloin steak. Both were cooked to perfection and tasted wonderful. The steak also came with six delicious potatoes: I am descended from a long line of potato eaters. We devoured a sampler of great desserts, all made on-site: the tiramisu was a standout. There were also some very tasty cookies also made on the premises early that day: I graciously offered the last one to one of my female colleagues, as every 21st century gentleman should do! These were enjoyed with a cappuccino and followed by a glass of my favorite ‘afters’ drink: Baileys. It’s always exciting to happen upon a restaurant where they have great service, wonderful food and drink, and a brilliant atmosphere: this is a such a place. You could bring someone here and they would feel so special because it gives the impression of somewhere undiscovered: after dining there you want to keep it a secret and at the same time tell everyone you know about it! I would thoroughly recommend it for a great meal any day of the year: well actually 362 days: not Christmas Day, not Thanksgiving Day and not September 19, the feast day of San Gennaro, as they are closed for all three holidays!
When at Bloomingdales, Canalleto is a must on your route. After a hard day's shopping, the at-home feel of this quiet little gem is just the place for a recoup.
It’s an unprepossessing restaurant, and quite exclusive , given the recessed entrance. If you’re looking, you’ll find it, and be happy you did.
Start with a wonderful glass of fragrant Terrarossa Chianti classico reserva 2005, and add a plate of baked clams. The breadsticks could carry you through the evening, they’re that good. The clams are done to perfection with a touch of lemon, garlic and oreganata. Jorge , our affable maitre d’ for the evening, hinted at secret ingredients, as well. They’ll melt in your mouth.
There’s a plate of reggiano parmegano cut into chunks, with olives on the table. There’s focaccia , and more bread as well. This part of your meal could last well into the evening: no pressure to order, just a smooth continuity of good food and wine.
For the main course, I ordered one of the specialties of the house: the semi-boned quail. Tender, and so flavorful I had to be gauche and pick up the little legs with my fingers to finish off the meat.
There’s a truffle sauce that hints at smokiness adding to the delicate texture of the quail. For this course, Jorge had selected a Terra de Tuffi, an exquisite white wine, perfect for a Spring lead in, perfect for a summer’s evening, and perfect for the quail. It was served with morsels of polenta flan, and spinach. Eat your greens! The table was served with a mound of succulent string beans, and a pasta dish that proved why al dente is the only way to eat pasta.
Not enough? The try their home-made desserts. The tiramisu and the black forest cake are light enough to make you forget you ate dessert. The ubiquitous plate of Italian cookies appears with your coffee: light, divine little bursts of flavor. As an after-dinner drink , my amero averna was a great balance to the sweetness of the dessert.
I’ll be back. With friends. But if you want to go on a Saturday, or Friday night, call for reservations, as it’s a neighborhood favorite, and the regulars come in in droves.
Peachy Picks Canaletto!
208 E. 60th St., New York, NY 10022
