Peachy Picks Gente Our Coverage Sponsored by Cosmopolitan Dental, Official Dentist of Whom You Know
Owner and Executive Chef Jay Mitchell
The Best Dentist in Manhattan
&
Official Dentist of Whom You Know:
30 E. 40th Suite 1001
212 683 1960
Dr. Garo Nazarian is a Mover and Shaker:
Immediately upon arriving at Gente, Owner and Executive Chef Jay Mitchell welcomed us to his mecca of Italian charm with a prosecco complete with a pressed violet candy from the South of France.
Opened in December 1999, Gente is a lovely little Italian spot near Grand Central that boasts fresh ingredients and winning menu items, not to mention a tremendously fashionable owner (we give big points for that too, especially during Fashion Week!) Jay used to own the fashion brand Ship n Shore, where his father started as a messenger after the Depression in 1938. In 1977, Jay sold it to General Mills, who ended the brand in 1987. While Jay was at the helm, Ship n Shore was the first national television sponsor of apparel. Though he's not Italian, Jay has been to Italy 108 times...
Jay suggested we each try a heirloom tomato with burrata, which hit the spot. The dollop on each tomato had great texture and proper creaminess.
You know Peachy Deegan cannot go wrong with a full-bodied Italian red, and the Super Tuscan Ruffino il Ducale by the glass on the menu was a strong contender and paired well with each item she tried. The Bricco Magno/Baby Barolo was also a star and the panelist sipped on that.
Open since December 1999, Gente is named after the Italian word for people. We like the casual simplicity of the decor that is crisp, clean and upscale. Gente is versatile enough for an elegant date and a night out with an old friend to catch up alike. In particular, we loved the black and white photographs on the wall-Cine Citta Rome 1950's-which we understand was the Italian cinema's apex with films like La Dolce Vita. There is a beautiful sense of order at Gente.
As an entree, Peachy Deegan opted for the Carpaccio di Manzo. The beef tenderloin was divinely thin and had a pronounced flavor accentuated with baby arugula, shaved parmesean and olive oil. We liked the presentation's tent effect-so fun. The wait staff did a superb job-hats off to both Samy and Astrit.
You'll like on the menu how Jay inserts personal anecdotes into it from his travels. The Gamberi alla Griglia is a splendid entree choice: jumbo grilled shrimp, olive oil, garlic and rosemary is seared to perfection and the guest has a choice of either pasta or vegetables to go with it. The angel on Peachy's shoulder chose the vegetables. Broccoli and Carrots added the perfect color and crunch to the dish.
Finally, a proper tiramisu was in order and we like their personal touch written in chocolate!
Our esteemed panelist says:
As soon as I walked into Gente, I knew I was in for a perfect evening. The atmosphere has a classic, welcoming feel, and I loved the photos of Italian cinema stars that dot the walls. In addition to the feel of physical space, the staff at Gente is also extremely friendly. They ensured that we had a wonderful meal. We started off the night with a crisp and refreshing glass of Prosecco with a pressed candied violet. This unique touch really enhanced its flavor. The first appetizer we tried was the fresh Burrata with Heirloom Tomatoes and Basil. The creamy mozzarella melted in my mouth, and the tomatoes tasted as if they were freshly picked from the garden. This was probably the best burrata dish I have ever tried. I absolutely loved it! In addition to this appetizer, I also tried the Crostini con Polpettine di Kobe.
This dish consisted of crostini topped with mozzarella, Kobe meatballs, and pomodoro sauce. I promise, this plate will really get your mouth watering! The sauce was so flavorful, and the meatballs were perfectly seasoned.
For my main course, I enjoyed the Pollo con Spinaci e Funghi. I really loved this part of the meal! It was a breast of chicken stuffed with prosciutto, spinach, and fontina cheese and topped with mushrooms in a delicious and slightly sweetened brown sauce. Gente has done an excellent job in taking these wonderful ingredients and composing them in a way that creates something greater than its parts.
All of these flavors were complemented by an excellent glass of Bricco Magno Baby Barolo.
Finally, for dessert, I tried the Grandmother Cake - a dessert that I have never experienced before. I am glad I have experienced it now! This cake had a pastry crust filled with a lemon pastry cream and topped with almonds and pine nuts. The blend of the sweet cream, refreshing lemon, and crunchy nuts and crust made for a perfect ending to a fantastic meal. If you are craving Italian tonight, stop by Gente, and you will not be disappointed!
Peachy Picks Gente!
Gente is Recommended by Whom You Know.
