Cuisine:

• Italian

Scarpetta Description:
Scott Conant, who made serious culinary waves at Alto and L'Impero, sets up shop in the über-trendy Meatpacking District with this rustic-looking Italian eatery. The name, which translates as "little shoe," actually refers to the act of mopping up the remnants of pasta sauce with a piece of bread, an action that's generally acceptable in casual restaurants in Italy. But salt-of-the-earth eatery this is not. Instead, Scarpetta is an homage to haute rustic Italian fare. The sleek and sophisticated room with dark wood floors and a retractable skylight seems a bit at odds with 14th Street's bleakness, but the cuisine pleases uptown socialites and loaded food bohemians alike. Lead with either of the silky crudi, luscious slivers of citrusy scallop carpaccio or golden yellowtail, or a fluffy cloud of burrata, before sliding into the simplicity of spaghetti, tomato and basil. Bounce back with agnolotti del plin, a feathery pasta pillow filled with the essence of Italian bliss: meat and cheese. Caramelized boneless osso buco or roasted capretto will delight dedicated carnivores. Hungry or not, let the Amadei (arguably the finest maker of cacao) chocolate cake seal a memorable meal. Choose from a thoughtful selection of moderately priced Italian and French red and whites.


Be the first one to rate and write a review for this Scarpetta restaurant!