A few weeks ago we had a wonderful experience at a restaurant I was not familiar with...Maialino. A Danny Meyer establishment in Gramercy Park, its Italian done right.
After an hour of drinks at the bar and with a group of six we sat down at a table near the back in this bright and cheerful bistro style eatery. We ordered and shared everything starting with appetizers of caprese salad, a seared octopus dish and an animelle ...these were good but didn't necessarily set the evening up to be one we'd later declare as having great food. The excitement started with the next round - pastas.
We ordered four different ones to share including Carbonara with black pepper and egg, a Spaghetti Vongole of white wine, garlic and clams, Bolognese with pig ragout and Parmesan and a Cavatelli made with sausage and tomato. All four of these dishes were spectacular. It was literally impossible to determine which one was the best - they were unique and oh, so good. The only draw back is that with six hungry people and now four spotless dishes, we were still in need of that heavier, filling dish.
The last course we ordered and split was labeled as the Full Maialino. An entire suckling pig deboned and presented with potatoes and au jus. WOW. Seriously. WOW. Fantastically prepared, rich and succulent as only pork can be. And the potatoes cooked in the drippings were out of control. One of the best dishes I can remember from this entire year.
Wines we ordered with dinner included a '99 Barolo, Gattera Bovio; an '08 Rosso di Montalcino, Siro Pacenti, a 1999 Valpolicella, Ca' de Merlo, Quintarelli and an '05 Barolo, Carobric, Paolo Scavino.
This restaurant should be on everyone's list ~ excellent meal, great food and affordable wine list.
Zagat: 25-23-25
Jenn: 89
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