Terrific Takeout: Il Gattopardo Our Coverage Sponsored by Fresh Origins
Our friend owner Gianfranco Sorrentino and one of his favorites, Traditional Neapolitan Meatloaf
They are peachy, literally: Peach Semifreddo:
Fresh Origins is America’s leading producer of Microgreens and Edible Flowers. Combining the benefits of an ideal climate with a deep passion for quality and innovation, Fresh Origins products are sought after by the finest restaurants and top chefs. The farm is located in the picturesque rolling hills of San Diego County, where the near perfect weather allows for production and harvest all year. Fresh Origins produces almost 400 Microgreens, Petitegreens, Edible Flowers, Shoots, Tiny Veggies™ and related items. Many are not available anywhere else, with new introductions nearly every month. Fresh Origins products are on top of the finest cuisine in the world! Fresh Origins supplies distributors of specialty produce who serve fine dining restaurants and resorts nationwide. There are also a few online sources of their products available to private chefs and home cooks. Read our first Culinary Queen interview with Kelly Sasuga:
For more information about Fresh Origins, visit their website at
"Passion is our main ingredient."
-Executive Chef Vito Gnazzo
"When people leave we want them to smile and be happy. Sincere hospitality from the heart is paramount to success."
-Gianfranco Sorrentino
It's not who you know, it's WHOM YOU KNOW and it has been far too long since we took a walk on the wild side to Il Gattopardo, where we last went in 2011 in Peachy's Picks:
http://www.whomyouknow.com/2011/05/peachy-picks-il-gattopardo.html#.Vg6cTvlVikq
http://www.whomyouknow.com/2011/05/peachy-picks-il-gattopardo.html#.Vg6cTvlVikq
For the non-Italian speakers, Il Gattopardo means The Leopard (you know, like the movie! and the book!) and is owned by Executive Chef Vito Gnazzo on the left and Gianfranco Sorrentino on the right. (You know who is in the middle, and dress designers we challenge you to get a dress as appropriate for every one of our favorite restaurants! Thank you Edward and Joel for your excellent work on our hair-by Warren Tricomi.)
This is our second visit ever to Il Gattopardo and in 1985, Gianfranco came to the USA from his home city of Napoli. He met Vito when they worked together at the MOMA, and Il Gattopardo recently celebrated its 14th anniversary. Their current location at The Rockefeller Townhouses 13-15 West 54th street is absolutely gorgeous and they've been here since September 2, 2013. Gianfranco tells us some of his guests have included Paul McCartney and his wife, Stanley Tucci, John Eastman and most importantly to our MLS Peachy readers, Andrea Pirlo and Frank Lampard. Paul we like you too, however you have not granted us any interviews yet! There are 85 indoor seats on the main level with an additional 8 outside, and 120 downstairs for private parties. Downstairs:
We took a lap as the last time we were in this space, we were reviewing an entirely different restaurant that of course has since left. Gianfranco and Vito own two other Manhattan spots also so stay tuned for more on their hit parade.
We began with an impressively fresh Crispy Salad. Radicchio, frisee, fennel and carrots teamed up for a winning nutritious starter accompanied by red wine vinaigrette, which they thoughtfully placed on the side. As you know we eat a green salad at every meal and this was a great one!
The appetizer we selected was the tremendously extraordinary "Crudo di Branzino." For seafood enthusiasts everywhere, this is light and decadent and celebrates the essence of fresh Mediterranean Sea Bass. It's marinated with lemon and extra virgin olive oil from Cilento, over fennel and mache salad. Just perfect: One of the biggest hits of every hit of the night. Other than dessert which was PEACHY, we liked this best.
When in Rome we'll follow the Romans, however, at Il Gattopardo, you are in Napoli. Gianfranco tells us a traditional dish of Napoli is the Parmigiana of Zucchini.
Your senses will be warmed and heightened by its splendid heartiness! It's accentuated with smoked mozzarella, fresh tomato sauce and basil. You'll revel in its simplicity. Less is more and everything is made with quality ingredients at Il Gattopardo.
Though we like sports, our favorite sport is fork-lifting. You know us well enough by now to know we work out to eat, and all the miles on the elliptical we dedicate to this Mezze Maniche pasta which will wow you in one big way.
The spicy anduja (from Calabria-33% of each beef, pork and red pepper) sausage ragout highlighted by sweet onions and scented with rosemary is so fragrant and delicious the Rockefellers are probably coming back to eat it in their next life. Anyone that thinks pasta is ordinary clearly has not eaten this dish.
Some days when you read about our culinary endeavors you might think the column should be called 101 places where Peachy Deegan is happy eating Italian food in Manhattan (and she's not even Italian), so when we go to an Italian place sometimes we like to pick out something you might not expect to add diversity to this column. This time, for our entree we chose the Traditional Neapolitan Meatloaf with mashed potatoes and sauteed spinach.
It was smashingly delicious! It is the ultimate in comfort food this fall in Manhattan, and you should know that in Napoli this dish is traditional on a Monday. Gianfranco's meatloaf is composed of both veal and beef and poached egg, prosciutto, salami, pecorino, parmigiano and parsley also come to this meat composition after simmering in tomato sauce. And the mashed potatoes? They are wonderfully enhanced by parmesean and the spinach is sauteed in garlic and evoo.
Would we like to try dessert?
A PEACHY one?
It surprises us that more people don't put more peach in their menu, but Gianfranco knew who was coming to dinner. We must say though we enjoyed every dinner component the one we liked best was of course the Peach Semifreddo with peach compote and almond croccantino!
You also must try it.
You will also be impressed with the Cassata, inspired by the 11th/12th century during the Arabic domination of Sicily. It's almond paste, candied fruit and chocolate chips over spongecake Sicilian style garnished with dark chocolate sauce.
Il Gattopardo continues to be highly recommended by Whom You Know.
