Peachy Picks Amali Our Coverage Sponsored by Fresh Origins
James Mallios, Owner of Amali
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Farm to table is an up and coming concept in restaurants, but before Amali, we do not recall seeing it in a Mediterranean restaurant. Amali is a clearcut escape from the frenziness of Manhattan, bringing you to a modern version of Amali, an old geographical term, which in the 1800's was a region of Turkey, Greece and Italy all together. And with this new and improved adaptation, you don't even need a plane ticket! Located on 60th street just past Bloomingdale's between Park and Lexington, Amali is led by James Mallios, a total peach pictured above holding Peachy's entree: Salt Baked Branzino. James is a 1996 graduate of Cornell and he's a native New Yorker.
In this derivative of the Roman Empire, the commonalities of the Mediterranean countries is the focus, and the Executive Chef, Junior Borges, hails from Brazil. Previously, Borges worked in the J.P. Morgan dining room which all of our banker readers know is at the top of the Pan-Am/Met Life Building in the Sky Club. At Amali, health is emphasized with whole grains, olive oil and bread of the Mediterranean not to mention gorgeous fish and beautiful cuts of meat. Lauren the host delightfully greeted us and Nicole was a terrific server for the duration of the evening.
Amali was first featured in Tasty Tidbits:
We are pleased to announce Amali has graduated to Peachy's Picks! Its fantastic, refreshing cuisine, engaging owner and lovely staff and atmosphere make this a spot you should frequent.
We cannot recall ever having such an attractive Bordeaux served from a box! It really impressed us with its fresh, full flavor by Chateau Tassin. As you can tell they are totally serious about the organic philosophy-see the closeup above of the certification mark.
Amali gets accolades for creativity with Peachy's starter: the Green Tomato with Smoked Asparagus, Garlic Scapes and Fried Egg. A lovely concoction that was just interesting enough without going overboard, the green tomato was the shining star. Lightly breaded and terrific, it is what you should start with too.
If you roll your eyes at the thought of simple spaghetti-ordering at an institute of fine dining, discard that thought! In the pasta section, we were absolutely blown away by the quality of the Spaghetti! With fresh San Marzano Tomatoes, Fiore Sardo, and the freshest grated cheese we've seen recently which rested atop like snowflakes in a beautiful fashion, this is a total winner and you should not leave Amali without trying it. Fiore Sardo is the name of the cheese to be exact!
If the Salt Baked Branzino of two pounds is an option on the menu the night you feast at Amali, Peachy Deegan believes you should go for the gold. You do see that it is what James is holding above! It was every bite as fresh as you'd expect and of course, it is filleted for you. We were impressed to not find one bone, and it is unlikely that you will be able to finish it all at once!
As you can see, the presentation is beautiful and please note that Amali as a whole is aesthetically pleasing. From the reclaimed pine from an 150-year old ceiling to the intelligently placed mirror lining one wall to the lighting which was just bright enough to see your food (a must! Peachy does not like to eat in the dark!), to the photographs on the walls, you will feel that you are in a place that is committed to giving you a gorgeous experience.
And, Amali must be reading as they know that chocolate is one of the four food groups! We recommend the Dark Chocolate Ganache, served with refreshing lime in dollops and in shavings alike. Some roasted cherries literally are the cherries on top of the evening!
Our esteemed panelist adds:
Amali is one of those rare restaurants that come along that has everything that I’m looking for in a quality dining experience: exceptionally tasty fare in a relaxed, friendly neighborhood restaurant atmosphere, an attentive staff, it’s sustainability-minded, dishes are moderately priced and it's just a stone's throw from the midtown Bloomingdale's! Upon first sight of the restaurant, the exterior is comprised of wood panels that lend it a zen and serene feel, which isn’t the usual décor for a Mediterranean-style restaurant, but it’s a draw for me & I found the interior to be a reflection of the outside too, it’s like an oasis in the middle of the busy and bustling city. James, one of the owners of the restaurant, explained that the restaurant, from its food to its wine and to the décor is one that embraces sustainability. He explained that the wood used in the design of the restaurant, from the wall panels to the table tops to the menu boards, are all repurposed wood. Even some of the wines that are served are from wineries that practice sustainable viniculture. This mindfulness is definitely felt just sitting there and soaking up the atmosphere throughout the course of the meal.
As for the dining experience itself.. as a starter, I had the Heirloom Tomatoes, which consisted of a plate of 2 varieties of thinly sliced heirloom tomatoes that were delicately flavored with fresh basil, sea salt and olive oil. It's a simple and light dish but the combination of the sweetly ripe tomatoes and the fresh basil certainly hits the spot.
Next, upon James' strong recommendation, my dining companion and I shared the Spaghetti with cured San Marzano tomatoes and Fiore Sardo as an appetizer. Now, this dish is easily glanced over on the menu, but in my opinion, it really should have a big star or a 'must order' label next to the listing on the menu.
The spaghetti is house-made and has a texture that's unlike any pasta I've ever had before. It's soft, fine, yet just al dente enough and the San Marzano tomatoes, along with the finely-grated Fiore Sardo (almost like snow), elevate it to a sublime level. I'd come back to Amali just to have this dish alone! I could've stopped there for the evening and left happy, but I wanted to find the next gem on the menu. The Maine Monkfish with heirloom carrots, Greek yogurt and parsley was my main dish for the evening and that too did not disappoint. The monkfish was delicately cooked and tender, and the pairing of the sliced heirloom carrots and Greek yogurt sauce was simply perfect, the flavors complemented the fish without overpowering it.
To end the evening, I had the Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta with strawberry, basil, and almond biscotti.
The panna cotta was lightly creamy, and the dollop of strawberry granita and strawberry slices on top gave it just the right amount of fruitiness and sweetness that left me wanting more. As a cocktail pairing for the entire meal, I had the Lavezzi cocktail (Greylord Gin, blueberry puree, lavender and soda) and the Strawberry Basil house-made soda (non-alcoholic), both excellent choices for this sweltering summer evening.
Nicole, our server for the evening, was exceptionally personable and helpful, ensuring that every segment of our meal was to our liking and answering all of our questions. Thanks too, to James, for sharing with us the background and history of Amali, it certainly made for a more enjoyable dining experience.
Peachy Picks Amali!
Amali is Recommended by Whom You Know.
