Welcome readers! Now while it's obviously no surprise that New York City enables the plucky and enthusiastic visitor any
number of experiences, summer or
winter. A few musts, depending on the
season are strolling The Highline in
summer’s heat (wear a tank top, trust me) ice skating in Central
Park, (Don’t wear a tank top), or seeing that same Central Park
in full bloom in late April (bring a blanket for an afternoon snooze) or
catching a ferry to of the city’s many public beaches, to swim and explore the sights of New York’s migratory sunbathers. There truly is
something for everyone.
This was certainly the case for one certain Saturday Night in the City. This
past Holiday season I was invited to a festive,
read fancy schmancy, holiday party in the West
Village. Awesome… I LOVE parties. Any excuse to dress up, eat
fancy finger foods and hobnob like I’m at the Oscars I’m all for it. (You like me, you REALLY like me!) Let me just say, this soiree deserves its own
accolades and review from the Novice Fork. Put on by mutual friends in their
lovingly restored and amazingly tasteful West Village brownstone, (what a house!) it was the event of my season. I even met a celeb (Australia’s Next Top Model, anyone?) I
had a blast. Catered, bartended and robustly attended, and complete with a
beautiful Christmas tree around which guests placed toys for a local charity, I was high on life (and gin).
Definitely “thank you note” worthy.
Before this party, to make sure my hunger needs were
attended to, my friend and I decided upon a restaurant of the Italian persuasion. Best. Decision. Ever. So this 4th
installment of the Novice Fork “New York City Edition” brings us to a fantastic
Italian restaurant smack dab between
Chelsea and the West Village. Crispo
is its name and so we being.
Crispo
240 West 14th Street New York,
NY 10011
212-229-1818
www.crisporestaurant
.com
Novice Fork gives this cozy Italian nook 5 stars
for its value, fun atmosphere and authenticity
Put very simply, I
love this place. When I’m craving good Italian food I think back, very
fondly, to the meal I had here. The first night I experienced everything that
is Crispo it was cold, but a very festive atmosphere clung
to the air. Holiday season in full swing and decked out in our finest, my
friend and I made our way to our table of the cozy and warm restaurant with
exposed brick, dim lights, and roaring laughter and glasses clinging. Dining
room atmosphere? Check. The fun thing about this restaurant is that not only do they have the bar area and main dinning room, but they have a year-round garden room and carriage house with a beautifully rustic "family style" long table. Its beautiful. for my first time at Crispo we were seated at a very small table right near
the bar area and large, garden level
window and promptly watered and breaded and a bottle of white wine selected. Service?
Check.
The regular menu at Crispo
has the usual Italian suspects, all of which I can boldly assume are great and
they a have a decent wine list and a full bar to keep customers happy and
hazily full of grappa and limoncello. The night I went here there
was an additional specials menu that
had a half dozen supplemental pasta dishes and salads. As a rule of thumb, I
usually order the special, if its only around for a limited time I might as well take advantage, no? Featured was a special Caprese Salad, or quite
consistently the best thing on the planet. So naturally I had to order it. Here
at Crispo? They knocked out of the park.
The Mozzarella was imported buffalo straight from the Italian source and this
is what sets a good Caprese apart. With excellent
tomatoes and a very rich balsamic
drizzle and fresh basil it is my
favorite salad and they did it very well. Ok ok, enough gushing. But damn it was tasty.
Now, the entrée. I
again selected from the special menu and I am BEYOND glad I did. The dish I received was easily the best pasta I
have ever eaten. Granted I haven’t, sadly, been to Italy (an issue) but suffice to say any visiting Italian to
this restaurant would agree with me, or at least approve. Ladies and gentleman,
may I present Lobster Bolognese over Squid Ink pasta. OMG. To say I overreacted when taking my initial bites would be a gross
understatement. I felt like Meg Ryan
from, well, every movie she has ever been in. (Love you girl.) People stared,
but did I care? NO, dammit! The pasta was salty but light and perfectly Al dente,
the lobster perfectly cooked (and important distinction for a Mainer to bestow)
and the sauce? Plate-licking good. Food?
A massive, enthusiastic check.
For only $19,
this dish was a steal— nuanced and
well crafted. I was a happy holiday camper. I can’t even
remember what my friend had. Chicken?
Who knows. Does it matter? No. I had a great meal here. Seriously one of those
dishes I’ll always remember. Go to this restaurant the next time you are in the
city. Honestly it should be your first stop. Enjoy!
-NF
-NF
