Primola Winter 2017 Our Coverage Sponsored by Fresh Origins
Branzino by Primola: Perfect for Fridays in Lent!
From the spaghetti ai Frutti di Mare to the current special of Roasted Quail with wild rice and black truffle sauce, the decadent choices of Primola continue to rank it among the highest
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For dining perfection in Manhattan, go see our friend Giuliano Zuliani, Owner of Primola.
Along with Executive Chef and Co-Owner Samuel Morocho, he creates one of the best dining experiences in Manhattan and we are proud and honored to say we've said so for years. It's always packed so we'd encourage you to make a reservation, and in the depths of winter as you dig yourself out from our recent blizzard, nothing is better than a fabulous dinner.
We got there before everyone else! Also we continue to love that American flag, always up and think EVERYONE should have this up in their place of business always. Giuliano likes his veal and steak the best but we must say over the past five years we have sincerely liked everything by Primola.
Primola was most recently featured in the Summer of 2016:
Primola has been a Peachy's Pick since 2012:
Primola is not only among the very best, it is also among the most consistent. Every time we visit, the bread basket is perfect. The cut vegetables, which is another thing Giuliano does that everyone should do, are also quintessential. And of course they include Peachy's favorite vegetable, cheese also. They understand what half a lemon quartered means the first time when you ask for it in your water squeezed with no ice. Everything is just right at Primola for Goldilocks Peachy (but she has dark hair now). In their dreams, the three bears dine here too.
We began with a warm, comforting, healthy appetizer which was sublime: Grilled Mozzarella, prosciutto, endive and tomato. This magnificent classic is the most elegant pigpile of goodness you can find in Manhattan right now. The grilling aspect is exactly what you want it to be. The endive beautifully cascade over on top and everything underneath is pure deliciousness.
We chose a cold green salad to follow the appetizer and look at how interesting this concoction is, but it's not over-the-top ridiculous trendy like places that try too hard. Giuliano is one cool cat and so is the Insalata Ortolana. Baby string beans with petite bite-sized mixed peppers and mushrooms blossom out of the endive in nutritional ecstasy. It radiates the cool flavors of spring that hopefully are not too far away (listen to Mover and Shaker Lonnie Quinn for more on that.)
You know everyone is going to be eating traditional Irish tomorrow, but for all other Fridays in Lent we suggest this smashing Spaghetti ai Frutti di Mare! Perfectly al dente pasta dances around an array of seafood; this includes: baby shrimp, scallops, mussels and clams that circulate the plate's diameter. Chunks of wonderful tomato punctuate this deliciousness that you deserve for your dinner.
A current special right now that you should not miss is the roasted quail with wild rice and black truffle sauce, paired with a couple of triangles of polenta. It arrives in front of you with the most succulent sensational scent that is both delicate and demanding of a spot on your palate. The truffles add a layer of sophistication to this dish that is ideally moist and tender. If you think you won't like quail, you are wrong and you must try this.
You will like PRIMOLA's quail.
There it is smiling at you. This one was not a past VP although it also appreciates the USA flag up it told us.
We have been looking all over the city for great fish to feature especially during Lent and this is the one to beat right now. It is an honest-to-goodness whole Branzino that Sam personally buys and is delivered every day. When it arrives in front of you, you'll think it's artwork from the Met except even better, it's edible. One of our pet peeves is ordering a fish and discovering that a sliver or a slice of fish is what lesser venues call an entree. This is an entree and fish is great for you! You should be eating fish. Zucchini, carrots, diced potatoes and a half lemon round out this Pesci perfection of flavor from the sea.
The dessert tray is beyond gorgeous and we were elated to see that a rhubarb tarte was a choice. We love whipped cream or ice cream on anything like this...and it looks like Mario and Giuliano know exactly how much Peachy loves the cream to come to the dessert party! A divine dessert and a bright star in the dead of winter. They even have skim milk for your coffee.
Go to Primola! We love it.
Primola continues to be Highly Recommended by Whom You Know.
Giuliano is very old school and we have yet to convince him to have a website or Twitter but maybe someday!
1226 2nd Avenue # 1 New York, NY 10065
Contact: (212) 758-1775
Open Weekdays 12pm-3pm, 5pm-11pm; Weekends 5pm-11pm
