It's been a very busy summer and it seems that my birthday keeps getting celebrated over and over. My hair and makeup artist, Mary Curren, wanted to take me out to dinner in Manhattan and it was suggested that we try Salumeria Rosi located at 283 Amsterdam Avenue (73/74th St.).Cesare Casella, the Executive Chef/Partner at Salumeria Rosi and I have been friends for many years. Cesare successfully opened two other New York City restaurants, Beppe and Maremma, which received rave reviews when he was in the kitchen. Salumeria Rosi is a small neighborhood restaurant and salumi shop, much like what you would find on any street corner in Italy - very authentic and very delicious.
Lisa Wagner joined Kevin, Mary Curran, and me for dinner at this fabulous new restaurant – Salumeria Rosi.
On one side of the restaurant, home cured hams, pork, salamis, and homemade condiments are for sale.
Here I am with Cesare – The fresh herb sprig in his pocket are a trademark.
The tables are communal and each place is elegantly dressed.
The homemade breads are crusty and flavorful.
A map of Italy adorns the ceiling and walls. The restaurant was designed by Italian Oscar-winning set designer Dante Ferretti. It looks like a traditional salumeria found throughout Italy.
Each diner is served a spectacular aperitif of prosecco – sparkling white wine, aperol – an Italian apéritif, and tonic.
We are toasting to another year!! Ugh!!
Fresh, hot popovers of cheese and proscuitto – so yum!
The salumeria platter – notice the amazing assortment of meats
Fresh white anchovies served on a bed of dressed radicchio.
The house bread pudding with a creme anglaise
A wonderful ricotta cheesecake with gelato
An amazing semifreddo of mocha
Chocolate mousse – a large snowball
A fresh and cold fruit soup.
A rich gianduia of chocolate and hazelnuts
We drank lots of lemoncello, and wine, and spirits.
Kevin and Lisa after a glass of wine
Here I am with Mary.
Cesare gave me a large bag of wonderful dried beans, which he imports from Italy. www.republicofbeans.com