NYC: Torrisi Italian Specialties

Shots from dinner at Torrisi Italian Specialties with Celia. I walk past this restaurant on the way home every night and there has always been a line since the Serious Eats and NYT reviews. So when Celia and I made plans for dinner at the first seating (6pm), I showed up at 5:15pm with a book in hand. There were already nine other people ahead of me! Crazy.

Dinner is $50 for a set menu that changes nightly. The only thing you need to decide is "meat or fish" for the main course. There is one rosé, white, red, and sparkling offered, each glass reasonably priced at $8 or $9. Doesn't get any easier for indecisive people!

Take note that each seating is timed exactly for 90 minutes. We couldn't help but feel a bit rushed when the clocked ticked 7:30pm and the waitress rushed us out. That aside, dinner was worth every penny.

Photo breakdown below :)

......ANTIPASTI......
Warm Mozzarella (pulled to order o_O!), DaVero Olive Oil, and Milk Thistle Cream

Garlic Bread

Watermelon, Aged Goat Cheese, and Basil

Pickled Eggplant, Biellese Lamb Sausage, and Mint

Rabe alla Panama

Frank's Salami Bread, Baccala, and Cured Lemon

......PASTA......
Raffetto's Shells, Calamari, and Pepperoni

......MAINS......
Meat: Long Island Duck, Escarole, and Mulberry Mustard

Fish: Skate Francese

......PASTRY......
...started with a little taste of tart Lemon Italian Ice...

...and a whole plate of sweet bites. Clockwise from left: St. Joseph's Fritters (with pine nuts inside), Cherry Swiss Fudge Cookies, Pizzelle Cannoli with Salvatore Ricotta and Candied Orange, Blueberry Cheesecake Tart, and Rainbow Cookies.

My favourite from the plate was the "cannoli", a petite pizzelle, thin and extra crisp, piped with Salvatore Ricotta and candied orange. On top of being flat out delicious, they were quite beautiful to look at!

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Torrisi Italian Specialties
250 Mulberry Street
New York, NY 10012
(212) 965-0955