When You're Here, You're Family...

If there is one cuisine that hasn't gotten a fair representation from Mr. Broad and me, it's Italian.

I'm a fan of Italian, but Mr. Broad has other thoughts-- he equates Italian food to Olive Garden.. and well, the unlimited salad bowl. However, we're in New York. You can eat out for 365 nights a year without eating at the same restaurant twice AND without going to a chain restaurant.

And Mr. Broad and fresh homemade pasta, proscuitto, sausages... Well, that's a whole other different class of Italian food.

L'artusi

228 West 10th Street

This place had the good ol' critic's pick rating and all of our research showed we would have a good night. We got there and the atmosphere pointed to a trendy/hip scene but have no fear, Mr. Broad and I fit in just fine. We're really adjusting to New York just fine.

The menu was separated out in six sections that roughly translated to appetizers, fish, entrees , pasta, vegetables and side dishes. Our waiter explained to us that you should order one from each section. Whoa. What is this tapas? Don't tapas typically have cheaper prices??

We ignored his advice but decided to order a couple things to share.

Hamachi with Fennel, lemon

We tried for the scallops but they were already sold out for the night. Grr. The hamachi, however, was a very welcome order. A small plate of fresh fish on top of some creme (what was that??) with a small fennel salad on the side. The presentation was clearly part of the price.

Bruschetta

I was a little disappointed that Mr. Broad wanted this dish. There were so many amazing items on the menu, we've had brushetta before, let's get something different!! (Oddly, yes, this came from me...) But out neighbors at the restaurant ordered it and well, Mr. Broad had big eyes.

Wow. The fresh tomatoes were soaked in olive oil and put on a thick crust of bread. It was the type of brushetta that did better with a fork and knife. I exclaimed to Mr. Broad- "Wow, you forget that these are tomatoes on top and that they are good for you!". Mr. Broad politely reminded me how much olive oil they were soaked in.

Too good and too pretty to not take another picture...

Orchiette with lamb sausage and swiss chard

Oh how I love orchiette pasta. This is one of those pastas I haven't been familiar with until I came to New York. It looks like small shells but tastes like... well, amazing pasta! And added with lamb sausage and the swiss chard, it all came together very, very well. Mr. Broad and I had one of those conversations where we were kinda joking/kinda serious about licking the bowl. But really, I think we were more serious.

Hanger Steak with crispy potatoes and Salsa Bianco

Then came our steak. In the center was a big glob of what looked like sour cream until we tasted it. Definitely homemade, we consulted with our waiter who told us it was creme fraiche with horse radish mixed in. And it was good. The potatoes were a bit too salty but the creme fraiche cut that salt nicely. And the meat was a nice red medium-rare just like we like it.

Review:

L'artusi was a wonderful welcome back to Italian food for Mr. Broad and myself. A restaurant that had some "scene" to it but the food fit the atmosphere just perfectly. We have already talked about going back with friends or well just ourselves. If not to try the scallops. The service was excellent and because the waiter noticed our picture taking and thought I was doing a serious write up (I like to convince myself that's why) he hooked us up with two glasses of dessert wine which was a nice ending to a true Italian evening.

Rating: 10 (Mr. Broad agreed with me and did not think I was inflating this. So there).