Peachy Picks Caravaggio Encore Review Our Coverage Sponsored by Fresh Origins
Giuseppe Bruno, Owner of Caravaggio and Sistina (read Sistina's recent review here)
Pesce Spada Con Capperi, Cipolle Rosse e Origano above and the Scallop/Crab Special below
By far the most exquisite and delicious fruit salad in Manhattan this summer!
Absolutely indulge in the Champagne Rose Petal Fruit Salad, the envy of all fruit salads on Planet Earth, nevermind Manhattan or the East Coast
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It's not who you know, it's Whom You Know and we are so glad to know Giuseppe Bruno. If you've read us before, you know who was a tour guide for four years at Boston College (and has volunteered for admissions ever since graduation) where the motto is Ever to Excel, and ever since we left college we have been looking for people that embrace this maxim and don't only talk about it but actually do it. They are very difficult to find, especially to the degree that Giuseppe lives this. We've eaten an awful lot and met many, many, many restaurant owners over the last seven years, but none in Manhattan are as dedicated to excellence overall as Giuseppe, who cares about every last detail and makes sure everything is right down to minute details of your restaurant experience. You will have a much better experience at Caravaggio, a truly authentic Italian place (Giuseppe is from Italy) or Sistina than you will at any big name restaurant group by any celebrity chef. We are proud to say that Sistina was the 30th restaurant ever reviewed in Peachy's Picks and Caravaggio was the 33rd.
The first Caravaggio review:
Here he is holding the olive oil his family creates in Italy, bespoke for your dinner.
There are two kinds of restaurant owners in Manhattan. Giuseppe Bruno, and everyone else. We've said it once and we'll say it again. There is never, ever a great business without a great person behind it making sure absolutely everything is right. Giuseppe works harder and smarter and you will not have a better experience than at either of his restaurants. Right down to the floral displays which he does himself with style, every little detail of your Caravaggio experience will be glorious including and centered upon the exquisite, delicious culinary pursuits. Caravaggio exudes total sophistication in every dish without being overly creative like some places that make us feel like our dinner was their science experiement. Your Caravaggio dinner experience results in tastes that complement each other well delighting the most discriminating clientele. How is it different from Sistina? You all read the Sistina review in May. To distinguish, Caravaggio is much more Madison Avenue. Caravaggio is the ultimate in cosmopolitan and exudes fashion down to every last detail. We of course are looking for a fashionable dinner: we cover fashion. (Peachy wore Paul Mayer Attitudes and Julia Jordan to dinner with her hair by Warren Tricomi.)
Please meet the Crab Compote Amuse Bouche and get ready for the best dinner review in 2015 we've had. We sipped a perfect blend of Merlot/Sangiovese.
Peachy Deegan chose the appetizer: Delizia di Mare. Scallops, lobster, crabmeat, octopus and shrimp with sauteed endive, and shaved fennel waltzed down the runway of our table cloth finished ideally with an oven-dried tomato vinaigrette. Each component was in perfect proportion to the others, and it was truly a fabulous celebration of the tastes of summer. Of course Giuseppe changes the menu during the year, and specials every day.
One panelist chose to begin with the squash blossom special filled with ricotta cheese that danced in a delightful tomato puree. The batter was light and crisp with a satisfying crunch and these are another joy of the season. You will adore this cute little beauty!
Another panelist chose the Heirloom Tomato Salad special, which highlighted in addition to the amazingly ripe tomatoes: crabmeat, green beans, avocado, and corn. They teamed up for a refreshing, light flavor and set a lovely precedent for the dinner experience.
Of course we are partial to peaches and think they should be on every menu year round. At Giuseppe's suggestion, because as we alluded to before he really does go above and beyond, he brought over another appetizer: burrata with roasted peaches. The burrata is from Puglia and is by far the best burrata we've had in 2015. Figs and strawberries also came to the completely PEACHY burrata party on a plate, all standout in a marvelous balsamic. You have to try this.
The most celestial pasta we've had in quite some time was the tantalizing Trofie Con Asparagi, Ricotta e Tartufo Estivo. (English translations are all over the menu but you might as well learn some Italian with us!) The homemade fusilli boasted incredibly nice density and just rejoiced in black summer truffles that sang a delicious song on your palate with two of our other friends: asparagus and ricotta. You will almost cry when it magically disappears (but not actually, because that would not be fashionable behavior.)
Equally impressive was the gnocchi special, ordered by a panelist. The potato flavor shone through brilliantly: they were light and soft but not at all doughy. Picture clouds, pillows, and the word fluffy, all of which embody this dish. Baked smoked mozzarella, tomato, basil and oregano enhance this even further: simplicity done well. Less is more.
We know we have a lot of UK readers (thank you) so this one's for you. Another panelist opted for the English pea puree. A special of the night, this was different because of the finely textured micro mint added which added a bit of a bite to the fresh, unique foam. It was savory, not sweet.
We just love seafood, and especially seafood in the summer. It's probably Peachy's overall favorite concept. She ordered the fabulous Pesce Spada Con Capperi, Cipolle Rosse e Origano: Poached Swordfish with capers, red onions and oregano. This steak of the sea was poached perfectly and we reveled in every bite. The decadent flavor was everything we had hoped for and of course the presentation was tops. Swordfish should be found on more menus.
One panelist chose the Scallop and Crab Special, which we tried and was just as impressive as the swordfish, especially with that delicious saffron fish broth! This warm comfort is absolutely something to try if it is on the specials menu when you dine at Caravaggio, and also on the specials menu when we visited was the Wild Local Striped Bass, chosen by another panelist:
All fish could not be fresher. This poisson swam in from Montauk in particular, and was a generous portion of succulent Wild Local Striped Bass. Save room for the greens:
Of course, green vegetables are always a great idea and both the broccoli rabe and the sauteed spinach were extraordinary complements to our entrees.
You must save room for dessert!!!!! Though we loved every part of the dinner, perhaps this might have been our favorite. Peachy Deegan chose the Arance Siciliane: Marinated Oranges with Orange Zest and Grand Marnier Syrup! We have never seen a better execution of the orange flavor ever. It was a flavor you know presented in a way you have never had before.
Next we introduce you to the Mango Sundae: Coconut Gelato, Mango Sorbet, Spiced Macadamia Brittle, Mango Salsa and Topped with Whipped Cream. Again, this was a tantalizing fruit flavor reintroduced to you through the genius of Giuseppe Bruno.
No dessert round is really dessert without our best friend, chocolate.
The Caprese made its entrance next.
Flourless Chocolate-Almond Cake with Vanilla Gelato and fresh mixed berries and berry sauce achieved the perfect balance of chocolate flavor with the light tartness of the fruit.
Giuseppe really saved the best for last.
Dinner at Caravaggio is better than the Macy's 4th of July Fireworks in Manhattan, and you know how much we love those.
The grand finale culinary firework was the Champagne Rose Petal Fruit Salad, one of the best foods we have EVER eaten. Words do not do this justice, so you must go to Caravaggio now in this horrid humidity and cool off eating it. Have you ever eaten Champagne Rose Petal Fruit Salad anywhere else?!!? We are guessing you answer no.
By the way in case you are into knowing who frequents Caravaggio other than us, George Clooney has been known to dine there with his wife. And it's important to note that every guest is treated with the utmost hospitality, friendliness and consideration so even if you don't find your own name on a marquis or in movie credits we are confident you would be treated just as well. Giuseppe won't break into song like Angela Lansbury; Giuseppe is quiet, modest and unassuming but you should know you will feel like this song when you are their guest.
Celebrate your life.
Dine at Caravaggio!
Peachy continues to Pick Caravaggio.
Caravaggio continues to receive our Highest Recommendation.
Caravaggio has been open since 2009.
