Zingari Ristorante

Zingari Ristorante Restaurant Review:

Pungent Italian cheeses and rich, savory sauces figure heavily on the menu at this Northern Italian eatery in Union Square. Calorie-watching is an almost-impossible task, unless you want to stick with Erbetta Pasticciona, the house version of mixed greens. Do yourself a favor, though, and opt for culinary decadence --- that's what this restaurant specializes in. The signature appetizer (or antipasto), Mozzarella al Forno, is a chunk of mozzarella wrapped in thin slices of prosciutto, then oven-baked and served on a bed of greens. As an entrée, try the grilled pork chop. Marinated in apple cider, honey and Dijon mustard, then grilled and served atop garlic mashed potatoes, it's a tender and flavorful take on a country-style favorite. The wine list features varietals from all the regions of Italy as well as Northern California's Napa Valley and Sonoma County. There is also a daily happy hour and nightly jazz, with no cover charge. Note: Two-hour validation for parking is available in The Donatello hotel garage.