#InauguralReview #BenvenutoCafe by #PerryMallas Since 1998 369 Greenwich Street @BenvenutoCafeTr #Tribeca #FastCasual
Owner Perry Mallas with the LBD (little black dress) of Benvenuto Cafe, the Perry No. 5!
Our favorite! The menu says Panini but we shall call it Perry a la Coco Chanel naming terms.
Our second favorite is the Reuben, which you should not walk but run to:
...and yes they do have wine!!!
It's not who you know and it never has been to the proper English speaking world.
It's WHOM YOU KNOW and finally we know Perry Mallas! Born to be in the restaurant business, Perry exemplifies a smart, personable business owner and we could not be more delighted to tell you about his gem in Tribeca. Also, up with people who have names beginning with a P.
This is our first visit ever to Benvenuto Cafe and our first time meeting Perry. Benvenuto Cafe opened in 1998 at 23rd and Broadway and was there until 2013; this location in Tribeca which is the one and only now opened in 2008. Perry hails from Greece and specifically, Chios. Benvenuto Cafe has an extremely extensive menu and narrowing it down is tough. We did not even get to the Hot Entrees section or the Seafood Entrees or the Create Your Own Pasta or Grinders or Side Orders. So we do have future ambitions...note also they are open 24/7!!!
We started with Panini 7: Sette.
Above, roast beef, caramelized onions and cheddar team up on a perfect panini and note there is mustard on it - mustard is not detailed on the menu.
Below, please meet the Roasted Salmon Salad. This is summer perfection! Crispy romaine is the base for their delicious roasted salmon salad mixed with olives, onions and roasted red peppers in perfect proportion with tomato, onion, and cucumber.
We highly commend Benvenuto Cafe for their illustrious salad list. We count ten specialty salads and even more Fresh Tossed Salads which we have yet to address.
The two salads we tried are found in the Specialty Section, and note you nearly need a roadmap to navigate the menu as it is so thorough! That is a compliment.
Chile Glazed Shrimp with baby spinach excels with mandarin oranges, tomato, red onion, bleu cheese, sliced almonds and normally comes with caribbean mango dressing, but you know Ms. Pretty Picky does not want any salad dressed and they listened.
Obviously, this is not a run-of-the-mill cafe: this is a pinkies-out simply fabulous cafe.
Mere words do not do the Reuben justice. Too bad for you the computer screen is not scratch and sniff but too good for you you can have this 24/7 in Manhattan obviously!
Pastrami, sauerkraut, melted swiss and dijon team up on rye of course, and it's made on the grill. We do wonder whether they have russian dressing maybe as is often found on a reuben? We are classic reuben eaters however understand that dijon is probably a better bikini wearing helper this season!
Peachy is a Deegan not a Vegan so she tried the cheeseburger and meatballs!
Note the brioche bun above, and the beef is a proper 80/20 ratio and note there are 9 cheese choices and we picked Havarti! Now everytime we see cheeseburgers with fewer than 9 cheese choices we are going to think to ourselves: but PERRY HAS 9 CHOICES for cheese. The burger was solid and hit the spot as did the meatballs which are also 100 percent beef. They are under the fresh pasta selection but you can have them on a grinder or in pasta or straight like Peachy did below. Or you can call it neat like Scotch? They make a great appetizer too.
Yes the wine is terrific and the pasta is even better; we count 16 pasta dishes.
Obviously, this is what Lilly Pulitzer would order.
For the non-preps or aspiring preps, note she is Queen of Pink and Green and we think she is reading up there: she was the 15,000th post.
So yes, it really does look this spectacular in real life.
We never edit pictures.
We are honest and show you the truth.
The truth is Perry is excellent and you need the Carbonara Sauce, Peas and Prosciutto di Parma in your life. It is also a favorite of Perry and they chose Fettuccini. This had a short lifespan in close proximity to Peachy and her fork; actions speak louder than words.
Father Perry and Son Billy Mallas
Also quite convincing is the succulent Shrimp Scampi!
Of course this is another hit from the Pasta section, and these beauties waltz in linguini! Every bite htis the spot. However, the real piece de resistance of this venue is the Panini Number 5. There are 19 Panini choices but Cinque is the hottest item on the menu and once you taste it, it will be evident why. They make their own fresh pesto and it is among the best we've ever had. The winning Chicken Pesto is a feast with arugula, tomatoes, romano cheese and pesto mayo and you're going to want to order about three of them if you don't live in Tribeca because you will want to eat more than one!
It's among the best sandwiches we have had anywhere this year.
We are so happy to have introduced you to Benvenuto Cafe and we can't wait to see what they do next.
