Del Posto Italian Restaurant – New York, NY: Del Posto NYC Italian Restaurant is a two star Michelin restaurant that calls itself “the ultimate expression of what an Italian restaurant should be”. Their description isn’t farfetched though; the restaurant is indeed a true Italian gourmet experience that pays a fitting tribute to the fine food legacy of traditional, home-bred Italian cuisine across generations. Restaurateurs, Joe Bastianich, Lidia Bastianich and Mario Batali each have their distinct style and experiences, which delightfully converge into wonderful treats for their patrons. Del Posto NYC sports a warm, cheerful and vivacious vibe in keeping with a true Italian spirit and serves up the best Italian in NYC.

Del Posto NYC features a lovely, elegant atmosphere with two levels of seating. Half of the first floor opens up to the second floor with second level overlooking the first floor. Del Posto’s fine dining feel is accentuated by sharply dressed servers in white shirts, black pants and ties and waiters in suit and ties. The linen cloths are crisp white and there are tall burnt leather orange chairs to contrast the light interiors with warm nuances. Dark wood ceilings and wall panels, chic lamps and soft lighting emphasize an intimate and sophisticated ambiance. There is a soothing piano music playing in the background for a lovely, old worldly fine dining feel. A spacious bar at the end with stylish, comfortable chairs was conspicuous for its relaxed aura. The concierge at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel told us that the dress code was smart casual but I would have felt much better in a suit and tie or at least a sports coat.

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The menu at Del Posto NYC was a combination of prix fixes (a smart option if you want to savor a little bit everything) and a la carte. A five-course fixed dinner menu is priced at $95, while the traditional seven courses menu comes at $125. There is a nice value for money Prix fixe Lunch menu at $29 with Antipasti, Primi, Secondi and Dolci. The menu mainly draws inspiration from “Cucina Classica” or classic Italian dishes, and truely is the some of the best Italian in NYC.

We started with Orecchiette (a small ear shaped pasta) with lamb neck sausage, cherry peers and broccoli rabe ($24.00), it was so delicious, I was already craving for another portion! Next came Garganelli (a small ringed, rolled egg pasta) Verdi al ragu Bolognese ($26).

I gorged on Grilled Pork Ode to Emilia Romagna (Northern Region of Italy) with sunchoke (a cross between a rutabaga, potato, sunflower seed and water chestnut-related to sunflower) crema and Lambrusco- I don’t recall the last time I had pork this good!

The Roasted Lamb Rack with tail ragu alla puttanesca (spicy tomato sauce) and sautéed basil was tender, juicy, a bit fatty, but amazing, delicious and perfectly done. It’s almost impossible to pit the lamb against the pork-both were mind-blowing.

The wine list was extensive and luckily for us they had a knowledgeable sommelier. The sommelier recommended a 1999 Arnaldo-Caprai Collepiano Sagrantino di Montefalco from Umbria, Italy which turned out to be a perfect match for both the pork and the lamb.

For dessert we had Butterscotch Semifreddo, Rhubabrb Marmellata, Crumbled Sbrisalona and Milk Jam along with Nectarine Crostata with Champagne Vinegar Caramel and Vanuilla Gelato, all sinful and outstanding. A 1999 Murana Martingana Moscato served as the perfect sweet wine.

Service throughout dinner was unobtrusive and although we did feel rushed at times, it was a splendid evening overall. The food was undoubtedly top notch and so was the service. Del Posto’s is truly the place to be for thoroughbred Italian fare in New York and easily gets a rating of Bombastic. If you want the best Italian in NYC then book yourself a table at Del Posto NYC.

What I liked:The excellent food (notably the lamb and pork preparations), the unobtrusive yet attentive service and the elegant ambiance.

What I didn’t like: Nothing really.

Rating: Bombastic

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