Photos: Cititour.com
Maybe a sexy print in the front window is a symbol for the dress code at Principe, a new SoHo hot spot, because we haven’t seen this many mini-skirts and knee-high leather boots since the 1960s.
The suave Italian restaurant is located just off of Prince Street at 450 West Broadway. A beautiful marble bar surrounded by beautiful people, including the bartenders, leads the way into this indulgent space as Italian pop music plays in the background. A huge chandelier towering over a stairwell serves as a focal point. Chandeliers and massive wooden beams, set up cathedral-style, grace the modernist dining space with floor-to-ceiling olive green drapes. A raw bar nearby on a mound of pebble ice showcases the catch of the day.
The food not surprisingly is delicious and quite stunning. Chef Abram Bissell learned his craft in some of the city’s top restaurants, including Eleven Madison Park, The Nomad and The Modern.
Seafood dominates whether it is a lovely lobster salad served atop mini lettuce wedges with horseradish to vibrant red prawns that you swirl around in a neon green coriander sauce.
You can gorge yourself on oysters if you wish with a house martini in hand, or go bold with sea urchin and preserved tomato while enjoying one of several spritzes or an Abrato Negroni which drives home the Italian experience.
In between courses we were delighted to receive a warm disc of pillowy bread for dipping in Calabrian chili oil or house whipped butter. Our server told us it was farro sourdough served in the shape of plate, hence the name Piatto. It should not be missed!
Pastas bring Clam Bucatini with lardo, black pepper and egg yolk adding to the richness of the sauce; Basil Tortellini in brown-butter brodo; and Rock Shrimp Malfadine with sugo bianco. Mains include dishes such as Grilled Duck with honey and fennel, Crispy Chicken with basil aioli, and Charcoal-Roasted Branzino and Lobster for two. There are fun desserts to cap off the meal like coconut popsicles with hibiscus ice, and a key lime ice cream sandwich.
Principe is fun, adventurous, and inviting. Go!
- Thomas Rafael
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