#PeachysPicks #TerrificTakeout @BrunettiPizza #Brunetti A Peachy's Pick Since 2014 Now by #JamesShields @Jamesashields Brunetti Winter 2024
James Shields, new owner of Brunetti
Check out this Chicken Parm!!!
Ask yourself: Do your meatballs smile at you like this?
It's not who you know, and it never has been.
It's WHOM YOU KNOW and we have known Brunetti for a DECADE because it's absolutely delicious and was started by the talented father and son team of Michael and Jason Brunetti, who earned many accolades here on Whom You Know in the past, dating back a solid decade.
Yes, since 2014.
Like another great brand (see header above), Brunetti began in 2009.
Brunetti was featured in 2014, when it earned a spot in Peachy Dines Al Fresco, a rare privilege and feat for any restaurant:
Brunetti was first featured:
Brunetti joined the ranks of Peachy's Picks in 2014:
We have known them so long we looked at our first email exchange, and in 2014 @Manhattanpeachy only had 13,000 Twitter followers. As our Twitter has gotten better, so has the pizza at Brunetti and we loved it in the first place.
Brunetti was last featured in 2018, and we are delighted to meet the new owner, James Shields!
We don't always continue coverage when the original owner sells it, but we do in this case because James showed us he is in it to win it.
James has been in the industry for 22 years including with Jean Georges among others, and he's born in New York.
Avid readers know that Peachy Deegan was crazy for the Brunetti meatballs before, and this time they might be at their best ever. Ever!!!
They are all beef, and waltzed like a dream dancing in their signature sauce and sheep's milk ricotta, which is to-die-for. If it were socially acceptable to lick one's plate, one would want to do that in this case.
The produce, and therefore the salads, are outstanding. Above, meet the Artichoke Salad. Ms. Uberpicky does not care for black olives, and they graciously accommodated her. Charred and marinated artichokes teamed up with tomato, onion and arugula to wow us! Salad goes perfectly with pizza, and the Kale Salad reconfirmed that. Again, they listened to our preferences and did this one without blue cheese, because Peachy didn't have her favorite blue cheese connoisseur with her. Fried chickpeas, AMAZING pistachios (the absolute nicest surprise), pumpkin seeds, shiitake mushrooms, and obviously KALE (Dr. Oz, are you still reading? Peachy misses seeing your smiling face so much from being a frequent visitor in your audience) compose this winner, shown below. Balsamic vinaigrette amps up the party.
Chicken Parm Glamour Shots
Avid readers know Peachy Deegan often ate Chicken Parm in grinder form in college, where the food was spectacular...and she never cooked. But she did learn to write quite well. The Chicken Parm at Brunetti right now is at its highest level. It is quite literally like a steak, evidenced by the pictures. Bell and Evans chicken stars in this entree, which will silence even the talkative by its presence of excellence. It's organic. It is simply the best chicken parm we have had in ages, and we have had a lot we liked but this one we love. It is a harbinger of more great things to come in this restaurant's next incarnation...keep reading.
We reveled in the simplicity of Bucatini and Truffle butter and every luxurious bite is to be savored. It's not overwhelming and the authentic nature will impress even the most discriminating as your palate rejoices. Also, the atmosphere here is great and we heard Sinatra in this neighborhood gem, clearly loved by locals.
Bien sur mes amis the piece de resistance ici is the PIZZA!!!!
San Gennaro is a hearty wonder and colorfully presented.
Note Kansas City dynasty enthusiasts: not only do they show football here, but also you can eat the team colors.
Sweet sausage, caramelized onions, fabulously roasted red and yellow peppers, ricotta and San Marzano sauce elevate your pizza game to greater palate touchdowns. From the pillowy crust to the luscious ingredients that are of the utmost freshness, this clincher is what you are looking for for dinner.
The classic Margherita with the trifecta of San Marzano, Basil and fresh mozzarella, of course in the three colors of the Italian flag, show that less is more and you cannot beat a classic.
Finally, the Funghi e Cipolle boasting Cremini Mushrooms, caramelized onions, truffle honey and goat cheese tells us on the other end of the spectrum that they are capable of creativity.
Oh and P.S. guess what the best of the best do?
They get better.
But that isn't news to you, readers after 28,000 posts.
James Shields tells Whom You Know that a New American Place will be opening in this location, 626 Hudson Street, this spring! We look forward to checking it out in person.
Brunetti continues to be Highly Recommended by Whom You Know!
