Peachy Picks Pazzia
Pazzia was first featured in Terrific Takeout:
A newcomer to the Upper East side, Pazzia is well worth a visit! The lovely cuisine will melt in your mouth and the hammock at the end will make you want to put your feet up, but maybe not on the table! But Hammock is Peachy's name for it...and more on that later. Peachy Deegan angelicly began with the Melanzane Sott'olio of eggplant carpaccio, balsamic vinegar and extra virgin olive oil. It bursted with freshness and flavor and she particularly enjoyed the thin slices of eggplant which were sliced incredibly well.
John Franco was a complete professional as the manager and Angelo Miele was a total peach!
Here he is now with Peachy's fabulous lobster ravioli:
In pink coganc sauce, this lobster ravioli was just delicious and not only was the lobster inside, but also bits of lobster danced around in the sauce. And they they did a cha cha to Peachy's stomach. Peachy just loves green beans and she got that as a side. They were sauteed in garlic so these people at Pazzia totally must be reading Whom You Know because that is how she likes them and she didn't even have to ask for it that way.
A poached pear made the dinner complete, and the panel all together had a pink drink that we will call the Hammock because it was so tropical we felt like we were in a hammock on the beach...
The panel comments:
We recently dined at Pazzia, a quaint new Italian restaurant on the Upper East Side, located at 81st Street and 2nd Avenue. Upon arrival we were graciously greeted by the manager Gian Carlo. We found the space cozy and inviting with intimate lighting and charm. We started by tasting an Italian cheese and olive plate and drank some excellent Montepulciano red wine.
For starters, we sampled various salads, including a delightful Pear salad with bacons, walnuts and gorgonzola cheese as well as an extremely fresh Caprese salad. For the main course, we tried an outstanding veal marsala which was one of the best we have ever sampled. Other favorite entrees for our party included a light yet savory Halibut special, lobster ravioli in a pink cognac sauce and a home made Gnocchi with a tomato basil sauce. All of the entrees were well accented with flavorful sauces and were appropriate sized portions (not too large).
We were served by 2 accommodating and knowledgeable waiters, Angelo from Napoli, Italy and Javier from Acapulco, Mexico. For dessert, we sampled the tiramisu, fresh orange slices soaked in a liquor sauce and other delicacies. We finished up by drinking a special house cocktail called a hammock, a blend of pineapple and coconut juices with a liquor. All in all, we were very impressed with the authenticity of the Italian cuisine, the various menu options (which all enticed us), the attentive and intimate service and our meal which while filling was not too heavy. We highly recommend Pazzia for a romantic dinner, a dinner with friends or a business dinner. Make sure to reserve a table as we expect it will soon be crowded by locals. We look forward to returning for another fine dining experience.
My Pazzia greeting was warm and genuine – with a splash of Sinatra to insure that I knew I would be Italian for the evening. I enjoyed new company with a nice Pino Grigio and a lovely plate of cheese that took me around the world. Traditionally, in February, one is served a Caprese salad with hard mozzarella and tomatoes, but I enjoyed the freshness of Spring. Every bite was soft and bursting with those earthy flavors that say “Tutte Bene.” When tasting at a French restaurant, I’m always told to check out the Chicken. When visiting an Italian restaurant – try the Gnocchi. The words, Home Made caught my eye. Delicious caught my tongue. I did not share my Gnoccetti Alla Sorrentina with any of the guests as I enjoyed every bite of the delicious Pachino tomato sauce with the melted mozzarella floating on the surface. Dipping the toasted country bread into the extra sauce. Dinner was completed with a lovely fruit tart on a delicious crust and a delightful, unnamed drink that refreshed and teased with pineapple, coconut and a touch of something Peachy. All in all, a lovely evening in my local Italy.
A neighborhood find, this Italian newcomer offers the diner a wonderful experience. The cuisine is prepared to create dishes that are tasty, with a delightful subtlety of flavor. The arugula salad, sprinkled with a lemon dressing, was beautifully presented with shavings of parmesan atop a healthy serving. Accompanied by a generous portion of julienne vegetables, the halibut entree was moist and filling. Lastly, the Tiramisu, an old standby, was very light, with a nice balance of creme and chocolate. Pazzia’s staff was highly welcoming, serving our every request in a timely and cheerful manner. With some aesthetic improvements to be made, the restaurant’s ambience will measure up to the quality and presentation of it’s cuisine.
Peachy Picks Pazzia!
1574 2nd Ave
212 772 2220
http://pazzianyc.com/
1574 2nd Ave
212 772 2220
http://pazzianyc.com/
