Update 9/30/14:
Another fantastic meal at one of my favorite Italian trattorias in NYC. While the entire city is still recovering from their brunch or stands in line to see the new Central Perk, we enjoy our traditional early Sunday meal at a half full restaurant.
Breaded Grilled Calamari as good as before, except that I’ve enjoyed the little salad with the yogurt a little bit more this time. Used the bread to “Scarpetta” the heck out of this thing. When in Emilia you eat the Salumi which is top notch here. Mortadella from Bologna, not upstate NY as you find in other places. Funky aged Prosciutto di Parma, and even funkier Felino Salame. I will be passing by the town of Felino where that Salame is made in the ER in about a month time. Wait until Mrs Ziggy finds out that we have an hour drive for lunch that day
Had another great round of the fabulous Cappelletti and Stracci as the middle course. The Stracci with mushrooms especially is addictive. Its wide ribbon pasta that takes a lot of that braised mushroom juice with a little bit tomato, garlic, and rosemary oil. I wouldn’t mind eating just those mushrooms as its own dish. Tagliatelle Ragu is as good as Tagliatelle Ragu Bolognese can get in NYC. The freshness of the pasta is very evident. The only thing we didn’t care for was their deconstructed oversalted Porchetta. Cauliflower and Escarole Gratin side dish was fine. No dessert, 2 glasses of wine, 2 kids, one wife, $210 after tip
Original 9/24/13 Post:
Its the last Breaking Bad reference this month I promise you readers. I have no doubt that when I will look at this post a year from now I may either not understand the title, or feel too embarrassed about it. I already feel that way when I look at my old posts. At the very least some posts trigger a “What was I thinking” like this one. Did I really take that picture just so I can have a picture. Whatever! Sometimes, the content correlates with the mood at the time. And when I read them with a different frame of mind I cant help but wonder.
I not only have trouble keeping up with NYC restaurant scene, I have trouble keeping up with the Kardashians, and Michael White, who is opening new places left and right seems like. I already wrote about Costata where I met the man, and Marea has long been my favorite. While I still haven’t made it to Ai Fiori, I finally made it to Osteria Morini today (yes with the hummus whisperer yet again). I have to admit I was a little skeptical about this one, but boy was it good.
Calamari breaded, “cheesed” and lightly fried was some of the best calamari Ive had in a while. Served with a yogurt sauce and a nice salad. Fantastic starter.
Prosciutto and Mortadella Meatballs – Cant get much more flavorful than this. Melt in your mouth tender goodness. Well don
e!
Stracci (wide ribbon pasta) with wild mushrooms and Rosemary Oil – Delicious! Mr White sure loves his Rosemarys. Ive seen this pasta on some “Top 100 pastas in NYC” list. You may think this is not saying much, but in NYC it does. Its an honor to be nominated.
Cappelletti (above)- Basically ricotta ravioli with prosciutto and hints of truffles – Outstanding. Airy sweet and savory ravioli, reminiscent of a similar dish at Giovanni Rana.
This is Emilia Romagna cooking at a high level. The only other place I know that does ER well is Da Andrea but something tells me without setting foot in ER (planning next year) that Osteria Morini stays a bit truer to the region . Here White pays homage to his mentor Gianluigi Morini owner of the famed San Domenico near Bologna. This is the source of Mr White’s inspiration
Mr White is a trend setter. He Is The One Who Knocks!
Osteria Morini
218 Lafayette St
$$$
Recommended Dishes: Meatballs, Calamari, Salumi (choose 3 or 5), Stracci, Cappelletti, Tagliatelle with Ragu
Eating With Ziggy 