THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Barchetta

THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Barchetta Restaurant Review:

A “barchetta” is a two-seater Italian sports car that was built for racing in the 1940s and ’50s. It’s also the name of a restaurant in Chelsea with seafood and fish master Dave Pasternack at the helm. Comparisons with Pasternack’s other venture, the acclaimed Esca, are inevitable. And with or without Esca in mind, the Italian-accented Barchetta often falls short of the finish line. “Tonno alla nizza,” tuna belly coated in grainy mustard, is overcooked and flavorless, and the lobster roll is underwhelming. However, crudo of any variety shines every time. So does the Scottish salmon, which matches up nicely with the arugula-pine nut pesto topping it. Desserts are where Barchetta takes the checkered flag, particularly the chocolate cake with tequila cream. The all-Italian wine list is affordable, particularly by the bottle. Otherwise, there are about a dozen and a half wines offered by the glass.