Sistina Ristorante.
Sistina Ristorante
When given a choice of restaurant, Denis will almost always choose Italian cuisine, and it looks like Woody Allen may have the same preference. This past January, he opted out of attending the Golden Globes and instead took his family to a Broadway show and then on to Sistina Ristorante on the Upper East Side for dinner.
Sistina Ristorante
I don’t know what the Allens ate, but I can tell you that as Denis and I savored our 3-course Italian lunch, we had the poignant sensation of being back in Italy.
Sistina Ristorante
Host/owner/chef Giuseppe Bruno was most attentive, and helped us make our selections. By Day 3 of our visit to NY, following an intensive day of food-hopping, you can understand we did not have a large appetite, but we were after quality, not quantity.
Sistina Ristorante: Zucchini flowers stuffed with sheep’s milk ricotta on a bed of hot tomato coulis
I began with utterly delicious zucchini flowers stuffed with sheep’s milk ricotta on a bed of hot tomato coulis, followed by a deep fried soft shelled crab flavored most refreshingly with blood-orange segments and braised fennel.
Sistina Ristorante: Insalata Caprese
Denis had Chef Bruno’s own take on an Insalata Caprese, with chunks of Heirloom Tomatoes and Buffalo Mozzarella, paper thin slices of cucumber and finely chopped red pepper with fresh basil, followed by a extraordinarily flavorful Bucatini all’Amatriciana.
Sistina Ristorante: Bucatini All’Amatriciana
Our meal was very appropriately accompanied by a light, fruity Rosso di Montalcino, and it was absolutely no problem at all for the 2 of us to finish off the bottle in the middle of the day.
Sistina Ristorante: Soft shelled crab with blood-orange segments and braised fennel
For dessert, we shared the Italian pastry chef’s Torta della Nonna, intensely flavored with lemon and pinoli .
Torta della Nonna
After I repeatedly begged Chef Bruno for the recipe, the pastry chef — an Italian woman in her early 30’s appeared at the bar wearing her hat and apron, and proceeded to write down her recipe from memory – in Italian no less as she doesn’t speak English.
Sistina Ristorante : Recipe for Torta della Nonna
Speaking of authentic! We departed Sistina with every intention of returning to the restaurant where we found the service to be excellent and layers of flavor seem to characterize every dish.
Stay tuned to BonVoyageurs.com for more Countries of the World as we share our joie de vivre from around the world. Luxury escapes and city breaks to Quebec City, New York, Washington, Buenos Aires. In Europe, places like Paris France, Nice France, Provence and the Cote d’Azur (French Riviera), Tuscany and Florence in Italy, Rome, Napoli and the Amalfi Coast. In Asia, countries like China, India, Nepal and so much more!
I’m vicariously enjoying every spectacular bite (and sip), and wishing
we were truly with you!
All I can say is, take me with you!! My friend Marinetta, Italian, is coming for dinner tomorrow. I will ask her to translate this recipe!!
What a wonderful description of a great Italian meal in NY.I am convinced that you know where to go to create a beautiful moment in time .
I want that wine, zucchini flowers, and spaghetti! AMAZING.
I grew up dining in a lot of NYC Italian restaurants. There were so many wonderful places and that was before the current tend to beautifully plated food. The dishes here look exquisite.
Sistina’s sounds like a place worth remembering should I wind up in New York. How is your Italian? Will you be able to translate the recipe?
There’s a small Knish place with a wall full of memorabilia from Woody Allen’s visits. It included in my post about Walking Tours in New York City: http://www.tripwellness.com/walking-tours-in-new-york/
Oh, the zucchini flowers look divine. What a heavenly experience. The restaurant is aptly named, isn’t it, with what borders on a religious experience with the food!
Wow, what a great meal at Sistina Ristorante. Next time I’m in New York I would check it out just to try those zucchini flowers!
This looks like a wonderful meal…on my list for a NYC must-visit. I love just about any dish “della Nonna”, too, and find the pastry chef’s recipe worth trying, as well!
I’ve been kinda less than enthralled with Woody Allen ever since he left Mia Farrow for her 21 year old daughter (i.e. his step-daughter), but I won’t let that deter me from approving of his choice of Sistena—- based on your description and endorsement. Reading this before lunch makes me know that I’m bound to be disappointed in my lunch today.
I wonder if there’s a way to get the same table as Woody? Sistina sounds like a great little spot to stop for a great little meal in NYC.
I get to NYC often. Will have to add this ristorante to my list. Just found your blog via the Boomers Travel Facebook group. Love your site, especially the background wallpaper.
Looks like a great way to feel like you are in Italy. What avenue is the restaurant on?
Wow that must have been quite a meal! My husband prefers Italian, too, so this is good to know for when we are back in New York. Last time we went to Ai Fiore on Fifth!