Christmas Eve at Cibo E Vino - The NYC Appetizer Crawl Continues!

CIBO E VINO
2418  Broadway
New York, NY
212-362-0096
www.ciboevinony.com

On a chilly Christmas Eve I ventured out with my friend Bud and knowing Christmas was going to be a big "cooking" day, we opted to walk around the corner to the very charming Cibo e Vino.

Considering it was a major holiday we thought the restaurant might be empty. No such thing. It was packed solid with groups of people waiting to be seated. Opting to sit at the bar, we quickly ordered a couple of smart cocktails and decided to do a festival of appetizers.

Bruschetta

Split between us we ordered the bruschetta. Towers of taste treats! Micro greens sat atop seared ahi tuna followed by vine ripened tomatoes, avocado, and a crispy toasting of Italian bread all enhanced with a balsamic drizzle. More than a mouthful, we decided to use knife and fork so as not to miss a morsel of this appetizer. Fresh, bright and surprisingly light, the bruschetta was a great choice. 
 

Meatballs

Next up were the meatballs swimming in the house tomato sauce with dollops of basil burrata puree. Tender and flavorful, the sweet tang of the tomato sauce was the perfect juxtaposition to the addition of the aromatic basil burrata. Plus it looked very Christmas-like, with red and green. (Or the Italian flag with the white plate.)

Cauliflower

But wait, there's more. The crispy cauliflower with truffle béchamel sauce was our favorite of all three appetizers. Cauliflower is the perfect blank canvas for any culinary artist and the chef didn't disappoint. Quickly deep fried and topped with a delicious white sauce scented with the truffle, it had the perfect sprinkling of salt, that took the app to the next level.

The next time you find yourself on the Upper West Side in Manhattan, New York, check out Cibo e Vino.

Buon appetito!

 

Outside At Cibo E Vino - Foodie Alert!

Just a quick update and Foodie Alert!

Look how beautiful Cibo e Vino is with their

outdoor garden seating!

2418 Broadway @ 89th Street
212-362-0096 

Summer has arrived in NYC.

Buon Appetito!

Delicious Return To Cibo e Vino!

CIBO e VINO - NORTHERN ITALIAN

2418 Broadway @ 89th Street
212-362-0096

Hotel Note: If in need of a hotel in this area check out: The Lucerne.

A last minute decision to celebrate author Bud Santora's birthday and his newly released novel The Green Storm had me happily returning to my favorite neighborhood restaurant Cibo e Vino.

And we were immediately greeted by the beautiful and gracious manager and entrepreneur, Elena.

A chilly night before St. Patrick's Day warranted a round of heartwarming martinis.

The beauty of returning to such a wonderful establishment serving Northern Italian cuisine with Mediterranean influences means I get to try new and different items on the menu. Previously I've raved, and still do, about the flash-fried mushrooms with truffle oil, but tonight I had to try the Polenta Ricotta Beef Meatballs.

Polenta Ricotta Beef Meatballs

The ultra smooth polenta juxtaposed perfectly with the moist and spicy ricotta meatballs. I could have devoured an entire entree size of this dish. We also ordered the Mussles steamed in a sambuca broth. The anise-flavored liquor was a perfect pairing with these sweet, plump and oh-so-fresh mussels. Cibo e Vino should think about bottling and selling this broth!

Mussels with Sambuca Broth

For entrees, the birthday boy ordered the Gnoochi Con Gorgonzola - homemade potato dumplings with a light gorgonzola cheese sauce and a crunchy surprise sprinkling of walnuts. The gnocchi were pillows of perfection.

Gnocchi Con Gorganzola

I ordered their Horseradish Encrusted Salmon. Served with an orange and carrot sauce and over a bed of sauteed greens, I inhaled this dish. The sweet, citrus sauce combined with the pungent spiciness of the horseradish was sublime. I must try this at home. Heck, I'll just go back to Cibo e Vino.

Horseradish Encrusted Salmon

And surprise, surprise, a birthday Tiramisu was presented to Bud. Light and airy, it was eaten up in an instant.

Tiramisu

And I was treated to their Apple Tarte Tatin served with a cup of ice cream and fresh berries. Not too sweet, not too tart - just wonderful.

Apple Tarte Tatin

I am so happy that the Upper West Side has such a special and inviting restaurant.

Cibo e Vino is also open for breakfast, lunch and they deliver!

Buon Appetito!

Foodie Alert! - Cibo e Vino - Manhattan

CIBO E VINO

2418 Broadway @ 89th Street
(212) 362-0096

Upper West Siders in New York City have patiently anticipated the opening of Cibo e Vino (Food and Wine) and boy was it worth the wait!

Hotel Note: If looking for a hotel on the Upper West Side check out: The Milburn.

Georgia's Bakery occupied the space previously and it always had an awkward feel about it. We all can walk into an environment and know instantly if there is flow or not. Feng shui! For such a small space, Cibo e Vino did a beautiful and clever renovation which has created a warm and inviting restaurant that seems to wrap its arms around you from the moment you enter.

My favorite spot already is at the bar. It only seats 8, so I tend to go early or late, when the crowds are lighter. But the restaurant is also open for breakfast and lunch.

Dizzy Note: Anyone, like myself, who has vestibular disorders, if you're sitting at a bar with more than one friend, make sure you are on either end of and not in between them, to reduce the amount of head-turning. No need to set off vertigo when the food and atmosphere is this sweet.

 

A broad description of the fare would be Mediterranean but more specifically, it's Northern Italian. On my first visit I was strongly encouraged to try their flash fried mushroom appetizer. On my own, I probably wouldn't have ordered it thinking it may be . . . fried mushrooms. But it's oh so much more.

You can taste how fresh the oil is and with just a bit of rosemary, salt, and truffle oil these bite-size taste treats are addictive. So light and airy with a bit of crunch. (Sorry, this pic I took does not do them justice.) Every time I have returned, I have ordered this.

I also love their fritto misto - fried calamari, shrimp, and zucchini served with a tomato dipping sauce.

Other delicious appetizers are their cutting boards. You can pick and choose from the menu - a selection of Italian charcuterie: chicken liver paté, coppa (pork), bresaola (beef), prosciutto, and felino salame AND/OR their selection of Italian cheeses: parmigiano, taleggio (thin crust, strong aroma), brie and caciotta (soft and mild).

You can see that they serve it with fresh grilled bread, mustard, preserves and fruit.

You can make a complete meal from these delicious appetizers but I also tried their steak pepe verde with herbed fries. The green peppercorn sauce has a mild kick to it and fries are crunchy on the outside, creamy on the inside. Real comfort food and prepared to perfection.

We also enjoyed their filet of roasted branzino nestled on a bed of tomatoes and olives. This sea bass was so simple but luscious - it almost tasted buttery.

Days of only drinking white wine with fish and red wine with meat are over. Glasses of New Zealand's Sauvignon Blanc, Matua, 2012, with hints of gooseberry and lime were perfect pairings with these entrees.

Absolutely too full for dessert, we were surprised when the very charming and beautiful restaurant manager and hostess, Elena, brought to the table glasses of limoncello and a serving of their tiramisu. A heavenly pillow of yumminess! Of course it was devoured.

I'm so lucky to have this new and wonderful restaurant so close to my apartment. The Upper West Side really needed this fresh and delicious addition to our eateries. Now I must try their breakfast and lunch!

Buon Appetito!