Del Posto Ristorante, New York City, 5/24/16

Exterior
Exterior

It’s been 5 1/2 years since we’ve been to Del Posto and it’s as excellent as ever. There were a few similarities to our last visit but overall the food, service and atmosphere are  all first rate. It is a fairly large place but a comfortable, well dampened room, with the tables spaced nicely and live piano music the afternoon we were there. The room is decorated such that you get a cozy feel even though the space is large.  At lunch they offer 2 tasting menus, of 3 or 6 courses. For the 3 course you pick your antipasto, second and dessert course (some of which have a supplemental charge attached to them)  and can add a pasta course for $10 (which I would heartily recommend).

downstairs
downstairs

On the 6 course, or Captain’s Menu the waiter chooses the courses for you but our waiter was kind enough to ask whether we’d rather have more “second” courses or pasta. We chose pasta and that was definitely the right choice. They also offer wine pairings which are about 3 ounces per pour and are accompany each course. They were generous pours and he was not afraid to bring more if needed.

interior
interior
interior
interior
Frankie loves it when there's a purse stool to hang out on
Frankie loves it when there’s a purse stool to hang out on
table set up
table set up
lunch tasting menus
lunch tasting menus
Antipasti/Primi
Antipasti/Primi
Secondi/Dolci
Secondi/Dolci
Beverages
Beverages
Frankie found a fun lamp
Frankie found a fun lamp

 

While we’re deciding what to order the amuse bouche arrived which were quite good. The cacio e peppe puff pastry was amazingly delicate and tasty.  The capon broth had been cooked for 36 hours and then accented with fresh vegetables, dill and a wonderful ball of polenta that further exposed your taste buds to an explosion of corn flavor – great!  the last was a crunch rice ball stuffed with peas and gooey cheese. A double yum here!

begining sparkler
begining sparkler
amuse bouche
amuse bouche
Cacio e Pepe puff pastry (with fresh Romano and pepper).  Amazingly delicate.
Cacio e Pepe puff pastry (with fresh Romano and pepper). Amazingly delicate.
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Rice stuffed with peas and cheese. Rice was crunchy and cheese melted inside. Double yum!
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36 hour capon broth with polenta. Vegetables still crunchy with flavors of dill. Polenta is the bigger ball and it was a wonderful burst of corn flavor. Great!
Frankie liked the warmth of candle light
Frankie liked the warmth of candle light

 

After ordering they served a warm baguette and butter/oil spread. The bread had a good crust and some substance to the interior and when adorned with the butter oil mixture it was quite tasty, but the bread was also a good option to soak up bits of sauce on the upcoming courses.

Bread with whipped cultured cream with Sicilian olive oil and pepper
Bread with whipped cultured cream with Sicilian olive oil and pepper

 

Our first course was a lobster “Caesar”salad which had a nice amount of lobster and a fun smokiness probably from the grilled lettuce. The dressing was divine and with the nice slice of cheese also on top, it was just a great dish.

wine with lobster salad
wine with lobster salad
Lobster alla Cesare: Grilled Romaine, Pane Grattato & Sweet Sour Onions
Lobster alla Cesare: Grilled Romaine, Pane Grattato & Sweet Sour Onions
another view
another view

 

The braised veal was served with capers, bread colored with squid ink and tuna sauce. The veal was very rare, tender and succulent; the sauce accented with a few herbs- another total winner.

wine with veal
wine with veal
Vitello Tonnato: Olive Crostone, Capers, Lime Cells & Lemon Basil
Vitello Tonnato: Olive Crostone, Capers, Lime Cells & Lemon Basil
as plated
as plated

 

Next was the Bauletti stuffed with nicely strong black truffle and ricotta. I think the pasta name means ‘trunk of the car’ but this seemed more to me like ravioli cheesecake. It was scrumptious and one of those courses that needed the bread to soak up the last bits of sauce and cheese.

wine with Bauletti
wine with Bauletti
Bauletti: Roman's Sheep Milk Ricotta & Black Truffle Butter
Bauletti: Roman’s Sheep Milk Ricotta & Black Truffle Butter
as plated
as plated
inside
inside
Frankie wondered where it all went
Frankie wondered where it all went

 

The Orecchiette had lovely bits of velvety lamb sauce in their curves and a contrast of bitter broccoli rabe puréed on top. The pasta had a perfect chew left in its texture and was all covered with tasty cheese. It was just plain excellent!

wine  with  Orecchiette
wine with Orecchiette
Orecchiette: Lamb Neck Sausage, Broccoli Rabe, Ricotta Salata & Crispy Porcini
Orecchiette: Lamb Neck Sausage, Broccoli Rabe, Ricotta Salata & Crispy Porcini
as plated
as plated
Frankie caught a quick nap on the fluffy bathroom towels
Frankie caught a quick nap on the fluffy bathroom towels

 

The last savory dish was the lamb chop cooked perfectly and served with a tender piece of braised neck meat.  Both pieces were packed with flavor and there was no doubt that this bone needed to be picked up and every last bit devoured.

wine with lamb
wine with lamb
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Seared Lamb Chop & Neck: Golden Chanterelles, Favetta, Bruised Mint & Yogurt Sauce
as plated
as plated
Frankie got her tail stuck in the frill
Frankie got her tail stuck in the frill

 

They served us each a different dessert.  The flourless chocolate cake was fine but the hazelnut cake with apples was very good. Both gelati served were perfectly smooth and mildly flavored.  The intense tastes came when the last box of treats were served. The dehydrated and sugared cantaloupe was to die for – just divine. The amaro caramel in edible rice paper was also wonderful. The cookie was incredibly buttery, but the coconut milk chocolate pieces were the least of the offerings but only rate a good where the others were incredible.

wine with desserts
wine with desserts
Torta Barozzi: Coffee, Almond & Whipped Mascarpone
Torta Barozzi: Coffee, Almond & Whipped Mascarpone

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Box of extra treats
Box of extra treats
Cantaloupe, dehydrated and sugared and cookie with chocolate
Cantaloupe, dehydrated and sugared and cookie with chocolate
Chewy in edible rice paper and Cocnut milk chocolate
Chewy in edible rice paper and Coconut milk chocolate
Frankie thought there should have been at least one with catnip
Frankie thought there should have been at least one with catnip
looking toward the entrance
looking toward the entrance
bar area
bar area
Frankie thought she'd play piano for us
Frankie thought she’d play piano for us

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