A (Fantastic) Alto Adige Dinner
January 10, 2017
I’d heard great things about Italienne, the new restaurant on 24th Street, but I was unprepared for the pure pleasure of the relaxed ambiance, caring service, lovely wine list and wonderful food.
We happened to land there on Monday, which the restaurant devotes to regional meals. Last night honored Alto Adige, which is as close to Austria as Italy ever gets. This meal, which began with the plate above, was proof of that.
On the left, light, almost lacy slices of speck. In the middle, cheese and potato cakes – rich, crisp, completely seductive. And on the right, little herbed fresh cheese dumplings which were perfect on the restaurant’s flaky rolls.
There was also this faro soup, redolent of a rich meat stock.
On to canderli –
remarkably airy bread dumplings surrounded by apples, red cabbage and horseradish.
Next a major meat plate
smoked pork loin, a rib so rich it shattered at the touch of a fork, gorgeous sausage, sauerkraut and little nubs of roast potatoes.
Finally
apple strudel with a fior di latte gelato as soft as frozen velvet.
Finishing this fantastic meal I had two thoughts: I wish my German father could have been here. He would have LOVED this meal.
And… when can I come back and taste the rest of the menu?
Categorised in: restaurants
7 Comments
These are my favorite emails of yours, Ruth. When you give us a glimpse of where you have been, and what you have been eating. Although, honestly, they also make me a little jealous and a lot hungry! Especially since I am home battling a rough cold. But the pictures do bring me some joy, so thanks!
hi mrs. rothacher
I’ve never had cheese dumplings. Are they cooked?
The apple strudel looks divine!!
Ruth, enjoyed your mouthwatering description of your Alto Adige meal. I did however note two typos…farro is spelled with two “r”s, and the dumpling you ate are called canederli, not canderli.
I keep going back to the cheese and potato cakes…
Thanks for the great words and pictures. At age 70 I don’t eat nearly as much as I used to and am currently preparing and eating a lot of Thai food at home. But…I have to tell you…I could make a meal of either the farro soup or the meat dish shown here.
Can’t wait until I get the NYC to try this beautiful restaurant.
Michael Upper