Il Postino by Luigi Russo Inaugural Review Our Coverage Sponsored by Fresh Origins
Owner of Il Postino, Luigi Russo
White truffles from Alba, Italy at Il Postino!!!!!!!
Excellent beyond belief in their Gondolette ravioli.
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We were delighted to recently meet Luigi Russo, who hails from Rome, at his venue Il Postino! Opened on New Year's 1997, Il Postino, co-owned by Alfio Ruocco from Naples whom we did not meet, is celebrating two decades of success in midtown Manhattan on the fabulous East side. They are also the proud owners of Scalinatella.
Luigi attended the Abruzzo Culinary School and Il Postino proudly sources their meats from Pat LaFrieda.
When we were seated, we were graciously graced with marinated zucchini and seafood salad: shrimp, clams, calamari, scallops, mussels, onions, celery and crushed red pepper to go with the commendable bread basket.
It's clear when you arrive at Il Postino that the fine clientele and upscale experience is qualified by the top quality ingredients and imaginative yet classic selection. Luigi tells us they are constantly striving to improve and make their guests happy; they do not cut corners and we'd agree.
Who says you must save the best for last?
We started off with a bang!
The best pasta we have had in the last month (and this is really saying something if you've been counting) is without a doubt the Gondolette ravioli, stuffed with cheese and spinach in a truffle cream sauce with fresh white shaved truffle from Alba, Italy on top. This is shown in an appetizer portion. The five ravioli were decadent and positively intoxicating! Pure luxury are white truffles just like this and Luigi tells us every November and December he has them. If Peachy Deegan ever gets a dog she wants it to be one that finds truffles and does not eat shoes, especially shoes made in Italy.
The day we visited, a salad that they had on their specials that Luigi encouraged and was indeed unique and set them apart was the Spelt salad with bottarga. The magnificent dry fish was captivating as it danced among the arugula and splendid tomatoes, which by the way are some of the reddest and freshest tomatoes we've seen in the dead of winter.
All pastas of Il Postino are made on premises regularly; we tried a tremendously delicious, authentic classic pappardelle embellished with mixed mushrooms and fresh tomatoes. It was hearty for winter yet elegant concurrently. Il Postino has specials every week we were told and they introduce new dishes seasonally; this was our first visit.
For our meat entree, we selected the fabulously majestic Veal Chop Milanese, which was gorgeously presented. Pounded to perfection this Veal Chop was succulent and juicy in every bite! Of course it was, since it was from Pat LaFrieda! The Mesclun greens and halved cherry tomatoes added to the experience as did the cooked vegetables which happily surrounded the carnivorous delight. There are never too many great Italian venues in Manhattan and we are pleased to add a new one to our list.
Finally, for our fish entree we chose the superlative Chilean Sea Bass, wrapped in a proper layer of speck doing a waltz in white wine lemon sauce that announced its divine nature. Carrots and sophisticated broccolini come to this party on a plate. The delicate poisson reminded us that in only a few short months it will again be time for Manhattanites to return to the sea locally!
Il Postino is Terrific Takeout and we look forward to seeing what they do next.
