Scarpetta
355 West 14th Street
212-691-0555
Finding Italian food in New York City is easy, but finding that combination of fine and delicious food that takes you well beyond your Italian mother’s dinner table is part of the adventure in discovering new restaurants.
Scarpetta, Scott Conant’s intimate restaurant in the Meat Packing district has achieved the almost impossible, that rare ability to maintain a dish with a homecooked humbleness, while raising the sophistication level of the food beyond your mother’s kitchen.
First the setting. Located in a small old wood-framed building, the restaurant has the feeling of stopping by a neighborhood restaurant that has been in that location for decades. Rustic wood siding add a level of charm to the space. Brown leather banquettes and mirrors add warmth and intimacy. A large glass ceiling above is a great way to feel a part of the city while enjoying Conant’s food delights. The openness of the space won’t swallow you up, but rather provides diners enough elbow room to avoid those sometimes awkward maneuvers to get in and out of tight seating.
Now the food! The most popular dish at Scarpetta’s and the one that will drop your Momma’s spaghetti like a bad date, is the simply titled “Spaghetti, tomato and basil.” A simple dish, but with a sauce that has the right combination of zest and sweetness. Conant’s attention to detail includes hand selection of each tomato that goes into the sauce. The homemade pasta completes the meal and is a fine detail that makes this the most ordered item from the eatery’s menu.
Other items on the menu include:
Fennel Dusted Black Cod with concentrated tomatoes, baccalà mantecato & black olive oil
Pancetta Wrapped Pork Chops with baby turnips and fennel purée
Dry Aged Sirloin of Beef with baby vegetables, parmigiano and pickled shallots
A wine list that offers a solid range of reds and whites to choose from with prices between $40 and $80.
Scarpetta isn’t new by New York standards, but if you haven’t checked it out it is worth a visit or if you have, may we suggest a follow-up visit? And, if you can’t select the right dish, don’t be afraid to opt for the basics and order the Spaghetti. It’s that good!
– Kevin Feather
Kevin is the Lifestyle Editor and a contributing writer for LuxuriousPROTOTYPE. He is also a contributing writer for the Examiner.com. He can be found on Twitter @Kfeat and also on Google.
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