The Citiblog
Brooklyn Roots is Serving Up Classic Italian
February 4, 2023, 7:41.51 pm ET
Photos: Cititour.com
If you were wondering what ever happened to the Pig Guy, aka Thomas Perone, you will now find him at his red sauce joint called Brooklyn Roots. It originally opened in Sunset Park before settling in at its current location in Bay Ridge. The one thing we will say is come hungry. Even the heaviest of eaters will be leaving with a doggie bag at this family-friendly spot.
We first met up with Perone in the Meatpacking District when he was more focused on roasting whole pigs and catering to tailgate parties. His claim to fame was Bacon on a Stick made with slab bacon and a maple-sriracha glaze. At Brooklyn Roots, he's now focusing on over-sized plates of pastas and Italian classics.
Start with some Crispy Polenta with creamy shrimp scampi dripping down the sides or a batch of baked clams made simply with toasted breadcrumbs, garlic and lemon butter. Other options include Mussels Fra Diavlo with white wine or red sauce, Pan-Fried Meatballs made with a ribeye and filet mignon blend, and Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms topped with whipped parlsey-butter.
Larger plates bring the "Matty Guns Special," a huge platter of rigatoni swimming in vodka sauce topped with hot & sweet sausage, meatballs, whipped ricotta and fresh mozzarella on top. One plate could easily feed three people comfortably. Other pasta-bilities include Spaghetti Carbonara with pancetta; Lobster Pasta with mafaldine, a ribbon shaped pasta, creamy tomato sauce and lobster; and Pumpkin Ravioli with toasted walnuts and honey.
Brooklyn Roots is also serving up classics like Veal and Chicken Parmigiana, Berkshire Pork Chop with Chianti pear sauce, and Shrimp Puttanesca over pasta with olives, tomatoes, onion, capers and toasted garlic. During our visit, the special of the day was a flattened bone-in breaded pork chop that took up the size of a large plate served over a bed of rigatoni. We didn’t think we could finish it, but we did (it took three of us), and it was delicious to the very last bite.
For dessert, the tiramisu was sold out, so we shared tartufo, a ball of pistachio ice cream dipped in chocolate with nuts and cherries which made for a fantastic sweet finish. Now that's Italian! Be sure to pack a hearty appetite.
- TR
OUR LATEST BLOG POSTS
Places to Celebrate Mom in NYC on Mother’s Day
April 18, 2024, 7:20 pm ET
Brooklyn Kura For the natural wine loving mom, sip craft sake at Brooklyn Kura. Expert sake sommeliers will walk mom through a rotating list of nearly a dozen sake on tap, including exclusives like... READ MORE
Greek Easter Celebrations Planned at Estiatorio Milos
April 18, 2024, 6:22 pm ET
Greek Easter celebrations will take place at Estiatorio Milos - Hudson Yards and Midtown Manhattan locations - on Saturday, May 4th and Sunday, May 5th. -At Milos Midtown (125 W 55th St), offerings... READ MORE
SUPERBUENO Taps 5 Top Mexican Chefs for Cinco de Mayo
April 18, 2024, 5:58 pm ET
Acclaimed Mexican cocktail bar SUPEBUENO will mark Cinco de Mayo with a special collaboration featuring five exception Mexican chefs, each providing a signature cocktail. They include: • Chef... READ MORE