THE WALMAN REPORT®
THE SPIRIT
IL GATTOPARDO OFFERS A TASTE OF SOUTHERN ITALY
Elegant Italian Restaurant Stands Out From The Crowd
By J. Walman, Restaurant/Wine Critic
Il Gattopardo, an intimate, new southern Italian restaurant, is owned and operated by venerable restaurateur
Gianfranco Sorrentino, previous of Sette Moma at the Museum of Modern Art & Bice.
The sixty-seat restaurant located on the former premises of Restaurant Raphaël,
boasts a jewel-box outdoor garden that may be the most romantic in the city,
providing leisurely dining amid open air and flowers right in the heart of Midtown Manhattan.
It is named for the 1963 classic Italian film meaning "The Leopard" starring Burt Lancaster and Claudia Cardinale.
The restaurant serves traditional southern Italian and Sicilian comfort food
that has been adapted for the contemporary palate without sacrificing authenticity.
Executive Chef Vito Gnazzo brings a broad range of experience having worked at Rex II Ristorante in Los Angeles,
Osteria Del Ponte in Milan and Bice Restaurant in New York City.
Taking advantage of the season's fresh ingredients, chef Vito Gnazzo has prepared a wonderful
Spring Menu that proposes Braised Baby Escarole (filled with black olives, anchovies and pignoli),
a stunning vegetarian preparation, Scallops and Shrimp Salad (with fennel, frisee and micro greens),
Eggplant andBuffalo Ricotta Cakes and Homemade Smoked Veal Salad (with asparagus tips and baby greens).
Extraordinary pastas and risottos include: Homemade Spaghetti Chitarra (with traditional 'filetto pomodoro' sauce),
Paccheri Pasta with "Genovese" Sauce, Asparagus and Artichoke Ravioli in a Cream of Basil Sauce,
and Linguette (with baby clams and cherry tomatoes).
Entrees are not be slighted. Swordfish is lightly breaded and accompanied by seductively bitter broccoli rabe and oven roasted cherry tomatoes, |
while Thin Sliced Wild Bass is poached with herbs and served over a crispy salad.
Rack of Lamb resides in an herb crust with cheerful companions of a potato croquette and sautéed spinach.
It is served with a delightful fruit mustard sauce.
Desserts whether a refreshing Gianduia Semifreddo, plump Banana Tart with Vanilla Ice Cream,
or Pastiera, the traditional Neapolitan cheesecake, are scrumptious.
Il Gattopardo's simple, clean design provides an airy room with well spaced tables.
The all Italian wine selection is beautifully chosen and affordable.
Service, from the gracious reception from the gentleman at the door
to the helpful service staff is delightfully accommodating
and in keeping with the excellent food and totally rewarding experience.
33 West 54th Street, Between 5th and 6th Avenues (212) 246-0412
Hours: Monday-Sunday for lunch from Noon to 3:00pm
and Monday-Saturday for dinner from 5:00 to 11:30pm.
Sunday dinner until 10:00pm.
Appetizers: $8-$12. Pastas: $15-19 Entrees: $18-$32. Sides: $7. Desserts: $7-$8.
Wine List: All Italian & Beautifully Selected: 15 Wines By The Glass ($7-$18). Bottles Starting at $25.
IL GATTOPARDO Restaurant & Catering
33 West 54th Street / New York New York 10019 / Tel 212 246 0412 / Fax 212 246 3332
Reservations are recomended, please contact us at 212 246 0412
Lunch / Mon - Sun, 12 noon to 3 pm /// Dinner / Mon - Sat, 5 pm to 11:30 pm /// Sunday Dinner / 5 pm to 10 pm