Whom You Know: Peachy Picks Toscano's

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Peachy Picks Toscano's

If you are looking for a casual dining spot for a lovely Italian meal, Toscano's is a good choice! Brand new to the upper east side, owner Benny, above, aims to please and is very dedicated to what he does. If you had been to the prior establishment, you will feel this is entirely a step above in decor and family dining.
We began with a pizza, half Toscano. That was Peachy's half! Just lovely. Mozzarella, San Marzano Tomatoes, Broccoli di Rapa and Sausage totally hit the spot. Executive Chef Walter Donadio, who studied at the French Culinary Institute, came out and greeted us and is quite an up and coming talent; he previously worked at Nobu, Brasserie and Winespot.
The House Green Salad Peachy recommends you start any meal with! We love the red and yellow cherry tomatoes-not only are they cute and halved perfectly, but also they are so fresh. The salad was a knockout.
The Lasagne al Forno was a delightful mixture of pork, beef, ricotta, mozzarella, and San Marzano Tomatoes. The mixture was not as heavy as some other overwhelming lasagnas can be so it is really a great thing to order as we head into summer.

But don't only listen to Peachy. Our esteemed panel adds:
Tucked away on the Upper East Side, Toscano's provides a welcome respite from the hustle-bustle of midtownManhattan. Barely three weeks old, this family-friendly trattoria features excellent pizza, delicious pasta, and more. While it would be easy to play it safe and simply stick with basics, Toscano's provides classic comfort fare but with a little extra creativity and care. Pizzas are not limited to Margherita, Quattro Formaggi, and Napoletana (although they are offered and, no doubt, terrific), but include selections like the Verde (goat cheese, garlic, and pine nuts) and the Toscano (mozzarella, San Marzano tomatoes, broccoli di rape, and sausage).
We couldn't decide which to try, so the chef concocted a hybrid Verde-Toscano pizza for us to sample. My half was the Verde, and it was absolutely delicious. The combination of flavors was great, and the thin crust was perfect. I also quite enjoyed the house-made fresh mozzarella, which was served Caprese-style, with tomato, basil, and drizzled balsamic vinegar. The freshness of the ingredients was remarkable, and I was quite impressed with the quality of the homemade mozzarella.

For my main course, I opted for the lobster ravioli, which was one of the day's specials. I truly enjoyed this dish - the lobster was tender and sweet, and the cream sauce in which it was served was the perfect complement. At the recommendation of Benny the owner, we enjoyed a delightfully fruity Nebbiolo wine with our meal, which was a terrific accompaniment. Overall, a lovely dining experience - highly recommended for families or anyone seeking great quality Italian comfort food in a relaxed, welcoming environment.

Peachy Picks Toscano's

Toscano's
212 327 2800
1544 Second Avenue

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