Dinner at Ci Siamo at Manhattan West

Photos: Cititour                                                                                                    

The clock struck 5pm and Ci Siamo, a stylish restaurant at Manhattan West, began to fill up quickly. The space is elegant, yet approachable with blue and white tones against rich browns and mosaic floors. A lounge and bar area gives way to two dining spaces with oversized windows brimming with light. And like other Danny Meyer restaurants the food is superb.

Executive Chef Hillary Sterling, who learned her craft at Bobby Flay’s Mesa Grill and Bolo before turning to Italian at A Voce, offers an array of exciting plates starting with Cast Iron Focaccia, a pull-apart masterpiece. There is Pizza Bianca, a torpedo-shaped pie topped with garlicky salsa verde and briny anchovies, and Little Neck Clams swimming in a spicy Calabrian chili broth laced with basil and zucchini.

Other sharable plates include Caramelized Onion Torta, Mortadella con Pistachio, Smashed Potatoes al Forno with rosemary and pecorino, and Roasted Mushrooms with thyme and lemon.  Pastas abound, like Ravioli with basil and pine nuts, Stracci with rabbit, wine and shaved parmigiana, and Rigatoni with cured pork jowl.

From the wood-fired oven comes whole trout with mustard greens, roasted chicken with Tuscan kale and braised lamb with celery pesto, pistachio & peppers. Pork Milanese, a flattened pork cutlet with crispy breading took up an entire plate. It is a showstopper and delicious. It’s served with bagna cauda, similar to a fondue, with hints of tahini for dipping.

Whatever you do, don’t pass up on dessert, in particular, the Bomboloni with chocolate amaro. It is the fluffiest doughnut we have ever tasted dusted with sugar. They are shaped like flowers and arrive two plate. Pull off one of the petals and dunk it in the chocolate. It is simply divine.

To accompany your meal there is a well thought out wine list, craft beers and inventive cocktails like Frutteto with apple aperitif, rum, lemon, abano, apple butter and cardamom, or the Ci Siamo Martini made with Occitan gin, Irish gin, blanc & dry vermouth, orange bitters and accoutrements. It arrives with a side shot on ice.

Ci Siamo is the perfect place for a special night out or a friendly meal at the bar.  You won’t be disappointed!

Ci Siamo is located at 440 W 33rd St Suite #100, New York, NY.

For more information, visit www.cisiamonyc.com 

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