Scalini Fedeli Awards

Scalini Fedeli Restaurant Review:

Chef-proprietor Michael Cetrulo came to New York after creating Scalini Fedeli, a notable New Jersey Italian restaurant. He stepped easily into the clean, elegant and vaulted surroundings of his home with its wood-framed windows and flower boxes. Cetrulo specializes in many-course tasting meals long on finesse. To begin, perhaps go for the Bibb lettuce and fiorelle pear with a citrus-mustard dressing, prosciutto di Parma, ricotta salata and Spanish almonds, or seared hamachi with Sicilian vegetables, crispy artichoke and Sardinian pecorino. Then it's on to roasted diver sea scallops over asparagus, spring peas and shiitake mushrooms with a saffron and mussel sauce. For those who want to splurge, savor the roasted loin of lamb with Merguez sausage in a rosemary and garlic sauce finished with a hint of anchovy, accompanied with “vegetali di campagna.” For dessert, there's a selection of sorbet and gelato including flavors like green apple, mascarpone and olive oil, or try the oven-roasted Anjou pear tart with dolce Gorgonzola and hint of truffle honey. A gracious waitstaff presents the handsome dishes with pride and warmth. Scalini Fedeli's extensive wine list has a variety of splurge-worthy bottles, as well as more affordable offerings by the glass.