[NYC] Locanda Verde (lunch)
Locanda Verde (Lunch)
Categories: Italian
Date Visited: Aug 2015
Address: 377 Greenwich St, New York, NY 10013 (TriBeCa)
Hours: Check website for details. Breakfast, lunch, brunch and dinner hours available.
Best to make reservations.
Price: ~$35 per person (lunch) before tax & tip
Verdict: Yes! Classic Italian but with a farm-to-table style touch to it. Love the vibe, and great food and service. Definitely try the lemon tart!
www.locandaverdenyc.com | Instagram: @locandaverde | (212) 925-3797
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Complimentary olive focaccia bread at Locanda Verde
First impressions matter. Service was superb from the second I stepped through the door. Lighting, ambiance, soft music – check, check, check. The restaurant had it all. And it looks very chic! I knew (or sincerely hoped, at least…) that the food would live up to high expectations. The restaurant was packed, even at 1:30pm on a weekday. I was told this was typical. Reservations a few days ahead are necessary to secure a table at this TriBeCa hotspot.
Complimentary toasted focaccia olive bread.
Probably some of the best toasted focaccia bread I’ve had in my life. I will come back here for the bread alone… no kidding.
Insalata di Tonno chicories, confit albacore & anchovy vinaigrette ($20)
Light and refreshing. I would have preferred it if the confit albacore pieces were sliced a bit bigger (but with fewer pieces) rather than smaller but more pieces; nonetheless, the dish was great overall. The albacore was fresh and had a buttery taste to it. Lean and delicious.
Insalata di Tonno chicories, confit albacore & anchovy vinaigrette
Broccolini & roasted carrots
Homemade Bucatini pasta with rock shrimp, calamari & cherry tomatoes ($22)
Solid. The sauce was light but flavorful. Seafood was fresh and pasta cooked al-dente. Not the most inventive dish on the menu but classic and satisfactory.
Roasted carrots dried herbs & sesame seeds ($9)
A must-order side dish. This makes me want to eat all my carrots roasted with EVOO and sesame seeds in the future.
Broccolini toasted garlic & peperoncino ($9)
The broccolini was sautéed and cooked to. The texture of the veggie was crispy-tender and the toasted garlic and pepperoncino added a nutty flavor to it. Simple but appetizing.
Locanda Verde's homemade Bucatini pasta with rock shrimp, calamari & cherry tomatoes
Lemon Tart with limoncello granita, buttermilk gelato
Lemon Tart with limoncello granita, buttermilk gelato ($11)
I normally don’t go for lemon tarts but it was highly recommended so I trusted the waiter. Oh dear I don’t think I’ve ever had a better fruit tart. It was the perfect summer refreshment, especially given that the day I visited was the hottest day in New York this summer. This beautifully prepared lemon tart came on the table glowing. Spot on for both the texture and taste of the lemon custard filling—not too firm and not too soft, it was easy to pass a spoon through. Not overly sour or sweet, the curd was luscious. The tart base was nice and crisp.
The limoncello granite (slushie like accompaniment) reminded me of crushed lemonade sorbet. Also accompanying the tart was a scoop of buttermilk gelato. All I can say is that I would’ve licked the plate afterwards, if it weren’t for etiquette… so yes, this dish was superb all way ‘round.
One scoop of amaro gelato
Amaro gelato ($3)
The gelato had a more mild liquor flavor as expected. I liked the consistency; creamy and velvety. Taste wise it was good but not amazing. I would try another flavor next time (the buttermilk gelato that came with the lemon tart was amazing).
Altogether I had a spectacular lunch at Locanda Verde. Well done; excellent in both concept and execution. I will be back to try some of their pastas and other desserts next time!