L’Amico In New York City’s Flatiron Is A Must Try Restaurant With Authentic Italian Fare Fitting For The American Palette
In the heart of the Flatiron district, it’s one of the city’s hot spots…
From the street, L’Amico may look like any other New York City restaurant, but it’s when you enter the doors and start to absorb the kinesthetic energy of the restaurant that you quickly realize it’s not just any other Italian eatery in the city. I dined there on a Monday night and it was overflowing and packed full of people dining.
Fixed in the Flatiron district, L’Amico’s fare is modern Italian with a real essence. A lot of Italian food in the US is not “Italy authentic,” but Michelin-starred Chef Laurent Tourondel with forty years of expertise, having worked in restaurants from France, Hong Kong, London, Moscow, and New York City, has been able to capture notes of real Italian cooking for the American palette. The food is filling and soulful; and satiating and lively on the taste buds.
As we were guided to our table, I took in the ambience of other diners laughing, talking, and eating. A good sign of a restaurant being good is how full it is, and L’Amico was packed. Starting off with a cocktail and appetizer is the way to go.
The Hail, Caesar! cocktail with Woodford Reserva Rum, Amaro Montenegro, and Select Aperitivo is L’Amico’s version of an Old Fashioned. And the Pera D’Alba is a fruity and light option of Caffo Grappa Italiana, Belle Brillet, Abate Fetal Pear Cordial, Dry Vermouth, and Lemon. Cocktails, like the food is seasonal yet ingredient- driven with a foundation in the classic technique of mixology. Drinks are under the direction of Jason Hedges, the director of beverages. All of the restaurant’s dishes pair well with their Italian-focused wine list, which has won the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence seven years in a row.
Burrata antipasti | Photo credit: Seele
The Veal and Mortadella Meatballsis a taste bud gift that keeps on giving | Photo credit: L’Amico
The Antipasti (or appetizers) range from fish, prosciutto, vegetarian, and veal options. We went with the Spring Burrata Verde with asparagus, avocado, lemon, and pane pugliese which sits on the palette just right. If you’re a fan of burrata then it’s a must try. Normally burrata is paired with cherry tomatoes and basil, but the asparagus and avocado are a unique twist. The Tuna Crudo “Tonnato” with Persian cucumber and capers is very good but I can see how it may be an acquired taste for others. It’s not your normal tuna appetizer, but if you’re easy to satisfy then you’ll enjoy.
If you do one nice thing for yourself and enjoy veal meatballs, then you must try the Veal and Mortadella Meatballs. Two words: absolutely phenomenal. Three meatballs sit in Pomodoro sauce and are paired with a rich garlic -parsley focaccia.
The Seafood Agnolotti is absolutely divine | Photo credit: Seele
The menu is seasonal with fresh ingredients, and includes weekly specials. The pizza is fresh as well as the pasta. For my main dish, I opted for the Seafood Angolotti in the Primi section of the menu. It you like seafood you’re going to enjoy this dish and to be honest, it exceeded expectations, particularly with the cream sauce. Somehow the Maine lobster, jumbo lump crabmeat, rock shrimp, and bay scallops all work together. The Blackened Scallops in the Secondi section of the menu also captivated. To go along with the seafood theme, this dish with white asparagus, ceci verde, smoked ricotta, and ramps hit the right spot. These two dishes pair well together because they’re light and seafood.
The Tagliatelle with asparagus, snap peas, English peas, burrata, and lemon is also recommended and rich in flavor. Though we didn’t try, standout pizza options range from L’Amico’s White Mushroom pizza with truffle paste, fontina, taleggio and sage; and the Salsiccia pizza with sweet sausage, fontina val d’aosta, caramelized fennel and onion- all cooked in their wood-fired ovens.
If you don’t have room for dessert, then opt for a scoop of gelato and sorbet | Photo credit: Seele
As for dessert, space was limited and all there was room for was a school of gelato and sorbet. But beware, their scoops are large and all encompassing.
L’Amico must be experienced. The fact that it’s at capacity on a Monday evening speaks volumes, and the menu is sensational and enticing. It’s the perfect date night, hangout with friends, or take your mom out for Mother’s Day lunch kind of spot.
849 6th Avenue, New York, NY, (212) 201-4065, www.lamico.nyc
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