Aielli & Benevento

Grom: A Little Scoop of Heaven … 

For those who have tasted the divine gelato d’Italia the “made in the USA” ice cream will never quite compare.  Grom, one of the most popular gelaterias in Milan www.grom.it/eng came to New York City flying slightly under the radar…but not for long.  You can now pick up a scoop of the best gelato from Milan at two locations in Manhattan.  A piece in the food section of the New York Times reveals that Grom is not just another imitation:

“Where do you get your lemons from?” The answer: “Amalfi.” Check!“Where do you get your pistachios?” Answer “From Bronte.” (A town in eastern Sicily famous for their flavorful, pea-green pistachios.) Check, again!

www.themoment.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/04/18/sweet-tooth-groms-genius-gelato/     To those who have always wanted a cup or cone of the real deal:  Buon appetito!  These parlors are definitely worth a visit at either location.

> Grom. / Upper West Side at 2165 Broadway (and 76th Ave.), (212) 362-1837 or…

> Grom. / Greenwich Village at 233 Bleecker Street (and Carmine), (212) 206-1738, www.grom.it/eng/  , infony@grom.it  

As Venice sinks, one neighborhood might outlast the rest. Dorsoduro translated roughly as “hard ridge” was built on higher and firmer ground then the other six sestieri (districts) in the city. Before the flooding begins, here are three not-to-be-missed restaurants serving up classic Venetian dishes along Dorsoduro’s modest streets.

> Al Bottegon

Fondamenta Nani, 992; Tel #041 523 0034; Hours: Mon-Sat 8am-8:30pm, Sun 10am-1pm. Hailed for its impressive wine selection and great local dishes, Al Bottegon has been owned and operated by the same family for three generations. Closing early, this is best visited for lunch after a morning tour of the nearby Gallerie dell’Accademia. Try one of the extra large paninis or the house special baccala mantecato—a creamy cod paste whipped with olive oil.

> Osteria ai 4 Feri

Calle lunga San Barnaba, 2745/A; Tel #041 520 6978; Hours: Mon-Sat 12:30-2:30pm, 7:30-10:30pm, Closed Sun. The old bistro décor adds to the comfort of this osteria’s simple, yet delicious, seafood dishes. This is a great spot to sample the morning’s catch from the Adriatic. 

> L’Incontro

Rio Terra Canal, 3062/A; Tel #041 522 2404; Hours: Tue 7:30-11pm, Wed-Sun 12:30-3pm, 7:30-11pm, Closed Mon. This trattoria, a local favorite, serves traditional fare with a lot of flavor. Those who are not fish lovers will appreciate L’Incontro’s carne (meat) selection, and every diner will enjoy the courteous service.

Giovanna Palatucci 5.25.09

Italy Transplant Seeks Special Brew   

Those who pride themselves on enjoying the divine brew of quality Italian coffee will never be satisfied with omnipresent Starbucks which serves its java in paper cups.  The New York Times  profiled an authentic Italian émigré who decided to just say no to the American way of doing cappuccino or espresso.  Isabella Gligora, a transplanted New Yorker by choice, was “inspired to open…because the neighborhood did not offer a cup of Italian coffee that was up to her standards.”  There is little hint of American consumerism in Gligora’s small coffee temple…. Ballarò Caffè Prosciutteria  is a locale straight out of the streets of Roma or Napoli. You can find Signorina Gligora in the East Village, where, “coffee drinks, including shakeratos made with espresso shaken over ice, are served at the generous bar.”

Need to snack with your shakerato?  “To eat or take away are items like bread pudding; crostini topped with tomato or artichokes and pecorino, among others; salads and prepared dishes like grilled eggplant, and a long list of domestic and imported cheeses and cured meats.”  The shelves are filled with every Italian condiment desirable.

> Ballarò Caffè Prosciutteria. 77 Second Avenue (East Fourth Street), 212/ 228-2969, www.ballaronyc.com