It's been two weeks since we returned from Florida. In that time we've tried two new restaurants. One, Insieme, was quite good. The other, Persophone, was a good neighbourhood find. It was such a pleasure to be back in NY. It might be cold outside, but we're happy eating out. The restaurants around Palm Beach are large and glitzy (and expensive) but the food is institutional, lacking in flair and finesse. It reminded me of a cruise ship, where food is quite respectable, but not special. One example, we went to La Sirena, the highest rated restaurants in the Palm Beach area (Zagats gave it 27 for Food). The restaurant was small and comfortable with attentive service. But the food was right out of the 1960's - pastas with heavy red sauce and veal cutlet a million ways. It highlighted the problem that Zagats ratings outside of NY are inflated by the smaller number of raters "voting" for their favorite restaurants.
Insieme is the latest restaurant of Marco Canora of Hearth in the East Village. The menu is eclectic Tuscan with both classic dishes and contemporary. The only negative is the physical restaurant. We tend towards small and cozy. This is small and austere - very austere - with several larger tables in the middle and small tables and booths along the walls. We sat at the booth which was comfortable, spacious and cozy.
We went with our neighbor, Jane Parver, after it appeared on a list of the 10 Best New Restaurants in the Times. We agree with the designation. We tried a wide variety of dishes, all were good, some excellent. The wine list is extensive with some good values.
Insieme
777 Seventh Avenue - Hotel Michelangelo
212-582-1310
Perspohone was recommended by our neighbors, the Dells. It's really new, open only a few months. The menu is classic Greek with a focus on fresh fish. Everything was well prepared, but maybe a little ambitoious in the presentation. We will certainly go back when it's open a bit longer. Service was friendly and attentive, but they need to ditch the dead flowers.
Persophone
115 East 60th Street
212-339-8363
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