Is the NYC Meat Packing District restaurant co-owned by Mario Batalit and Lidia Bistianich located at 85 Tenth Avenue.
I was fortunate to dine here with clients so everything was expensed. I liked the nibblies served at the bar - mixed nuts, home made potato chips and dried pasta coated with parmigiano reggiano (upscale cheetohs!).
I started with a Bellini cocktail ($12). At 7:30 the restuarant dimmed the lights so there are no food photos....sorry!
Our table was given a large basket filled with warm bread - foccaccia, olive rolls and long baguettes. We were also given creamy butter and house made lardo.
"M" and I both ordered Lidia’s Lobster Salad alla Catalana with Tomato and Celery for an appetizer ($22) - this had nice, big generous chunks of lobster.
"S" had the Insalata Primavera della Terra with Citron Vinaigrette ($16) and "J" had the Prosciutto (several slices).
"S" and "J" both ordered the Wood-Grilled Lobster with Malloreddus & Salicornia for their entrees ($39) - whole lobster poached, split and grilled.
"M" and I both ordered the Hand Made Orechchiette with Lamb Shoulder Sausage, Crispy Morels & Minted Soybeans ($24) - tender little ears of pasta with flavorful sausage and minty beans.
"J" had the Chocolate Ricotta Tortino, Toasted Sicilian Pistachios & Extra Virgin Olive Oil Gelato for dessert ($15) and "S" had a single scoop of strawberry gelato and decaf coffee.
"M" had a cup of black tea.
I finished up with the Pineapple Crostata, Champagne Vinegar Caramel & Vanilla Gelato ($15) - a wonderful grilled pineapple tart.
The plates and glasses were all over sized and several times we heard them being dropped in the kitchen. Ouch!
