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CAFE FIORELLO

Last post 09-22-2009, 7:12 PM by JeremyC546037. 4 replies.
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  •  07-03-2009, 10:16 AM 21966

    CAFE FIORELLO

    For my sister's birthday, we decided to do a movie and dinner. Being so close to Lincoln Plaza Cinema, we opted for Cafe Fiorello. I had pappardelle with rabbit alla bolognese - all of it dreadful; it tasted like dog food. Huge limp noodles swimming in a pink glop with something looking like hamburger meat sprinkled with hot pepper flakes. I lived in Bologna and this was in no way, shape or form "alla Bolognese." My sister had linguine with seafood. Better than my dish but nothing to write home about. We had a small plate of antipasto which was just okay (caponata, delicious white tuscan beans, tough green asparagus, bland braised hearts of artichoke). So, a small plate of antipasto, two plates of pasta, one Campari and a glass of red wine, no dessert or coffee and the bill was $100.00. $100.00 for basically diner food. And the service sucked. I had to ask for a serving spoon for the antipasto, I had to ask for water. They brought bread in a basket with a tong which the bus boy served: One piece each of tough, rubbery foccaccia. Never again.
  •  07-10-2009, 9:14 PM 22176 in reply to 21966

    Re: CAFE FIORELLO

    Thanks for the heads up. I think if I were there reading the menu, I would ask the server what exactly is "Pappardelle with Rabbit Bolognese" (listed as such on their menu). Is it supposed to be the classic ragu Bolognese made with rabbit (which might have been a tip-off, as the classic sauce is made with rich meat--beef, pork, maybe some goose liver)? Is there a style of preparing rabbit in Bologna that I am unfamiliar with? Lots of head scratching going on over here. And I certainly would not expect to receive the dish you described!
  •  07-30-2009, 7:33 PM 22608 in reply to 21966

    Re: CAFE FIORELLO

    We live in this neighborhood & consider Fiorello's a tourist trap. Ate there twice - never again. Better is Josephina's, right next door. Better yet, take a walk up Amsterdam or Columbus Avenues for your choice of several better, & more reasonably priced, places. Venture away from Italian food (nothing wrong with it, but ubiquitous & getting trite); Bella Sguardo has terrific small plates; Monaco is excellent "Mediterranean;" Nice Matin is good & so is Citrus Grill.
  •  08-05-2009, 12:30 PM 22710 in reply to 22608

    Re: CAFE FIORELLO

    i am bringing a girlfriend with me to the city when i come in for a business mtg in about 10 days. i want to surprise her with a dinner somewhere where the possibility is very good that she will get to see a celebrity. i don't care much for it but she lives to see someone famous. can you give me a few restaurants where we might see someone? it would make the trip for her!!
    thanks
  •  09-22-2009, 7:12 PM 23752 in reply to 22710

    Re: CAFE FIORELLO

    I'm sure this is a day late and a dollar short, but maybe there will be another time for NYC celebrity spotting. Rather than restaurants, I can recommend neighborhoods: Greenwich Village has quite a few celebs living there; the Upper West Side has a few, and you might do okay in Soho. As far as restaurants, places that are rich in celebrities tend to be inversely proportionate as far as food and service go. A few restaurants for celebrity-spotting include: Balthazar, Pastis, Monkey Bar, Waverly Inn, Charles, and Da Silvano.
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