#PeachysPicks #daUmberto Since 1987 by #UmbertoAssante #Founder and #VittorioAssante #Proprietor #Classic #Italian #Tuscan A Peachy's Pick Since 2012 Summer 2025 #107West17thStreet Between 6th and 7th Avenues #Manhattan #NewYork
The winner and still the Champion, the Pollo Alla Parmigiana da Umberto Style!
It really is a shame we never had the chance to meet Umberto Assante, Founder of da Umberto, because we didn't start doing this early enough...but we are confident he is reading upstairs proudly. Umberto taught his son incredibly well. His son Vittorio proudly leads the way and we know you will love it here just as much as we do. Vittorio Assante first believed in Whom You Know in 2012 and back then, we did restaurant previews in Tasty Tidbits as we did here for da Umberto and if we thought you were really something special, you were a Peachy's Pick right away as they were in 2012. No one, not even celebrity chefs, are Peachy's Picks right away today and anyone in it we have worked with a minimum of three times. We were delighted to return in early 2024 where they were reconfirmed immediately as a Peachy's Pick and were so phenomenal they earned bonus features in Burrata Peachy and Chicken Parm Peachy. Both visits we worked with Vittorio directly (see illustration of his superior personality here; not all restaurant owners have this essential quality)
(obviously Vittorio was swimming with the Branzinos in the sea and that is why we missed him)
and we were on the phone the whole time with him this time and were delighted to work with Parma, Italy native Simone Bertuzzi, Lead Bartender and Maitre D from 2013 to 2024 and General Manager since 2024. Few restaurant owners have the control and respect of their business staff to operate as flawlessly as daUmberto does when Vittorio is not there in person. All worked like elegant clockwork.
We began on a healthy high note with the Orto, a total must. It seems on previous visits Peachy was admittedly blinded by the Burrata. The seasonal vegetable preparations from their antipasto bar are made fresh each and every day and going clockwise from 3 o'clock please say enchante to the grilled zucchini, roasted red beets, roasted red peppers, pan-sauteed mushrooms, charred sweet corn, broccoli rabe, eggplant caponata and squash. This is the most excellent way to get your vegetables in and we found the roasted red peppers and broccoli rabe truly outstanding.
As avid readers know, we are salad advocates.
The Cesare is entirely fresh boasting Romaine Hearts, Parmigiano, and Crisp Garlic Sourdough Croutons. Protein options at da Umberto include Grilled Shrimp and Grilled Chicken and we chose the lovely warm starburst of chicken you see here. We always want our Cesare dressed, and only the Cesare, and they listened and it was dressed to the nines. We also like the silverware at da Umberto quite a lot and since working with Degrenne, our silverware standards have become even sky-higher.
Yes, the presentations at da Umberto are gorgeous.
We absolutely do not edit pictures: the truth is that Vittorio is in it to win it all the time.
Caprino is a composition of fresh arugula, warm bucheron, brilliantly roasted beets and we chose to add the Grilled Shrimp (three arrive with a smile) and they put the pistachio vinaigrette on the side, which was a lovely balance of inventive and delicious. We don't see anyone else with pistachio vinaigrette!
You absolutely will be thrilled to see how the da Umberto Spaghetti with Clams is not just a great neighborhood edition: it is SO MUCH MORE. We believe the late great Beach Boy Brian Wilson would say SURF'S UP to this dish because Vittorio Assante has made it Surf and Turf Tuscan Style with perfect pancetta and peperoncino that really elevate the flavor experience.
See the clam and pancetta smile at you:
Your life is too short to not be eating the Raviolacci, Peachy's most adored item on the menu which is really saying something because so far there is nothing she doesn't like. Truffle Mushroom Ravioli is truly a religious experience to eat and the word heavenly or really the entire English language does not do justice in verbiage to this handcrafted wonder. You need it. It is perfection on a plate.
Of course we said yes please to the Parmesan. You ought to as well.
The classy atmosphere is unrivaled in Chelsea as a neighborhood and this is one of our most favorite Italian spots at all on the West Side of Manhattan. Even the bathrooms are spotless and elegant. Well-lit too we might add, which is essential. Next in the pasta batting order was the Bucatini which was another undoubted home run. The creamy ecstasy of crema di parmigiano, pancetta and black pepper is a symphony on your tastebuds, bringing you to the upper echelons of taste levels.
da Umberto is conveniently located essentially in the center of Manhattan.
That is looking downtown in the above picture.
If you are not carnivorously motivated, the Melanzane is just right for you. Eggplant Parm is different here because of the thoughtful combination crafted on top of eggplant of course by Vittorio Assante: Smoked Mozzarella on top of Buffalo Mozzarella and Parmigiano Reggiano, all partying on premium San Marzano tomatoes. The depth of flavor this yields is commendable.
In life, there is Chicken Parm, and then there is Chicken Parm at da Umberto. As dedicated readers have learned from Chicken Parm Peachy:
We can confirm that it boasts a high level of consistency and again the resident Chicken Parm addict was happy. Haricot verts and perfect potatoes sing backup.
Does your Chicken Parm smile at you like that?
We have had some really great Salmons in 2025 but this is among the top five for sure. Salmone was presented grilled to medium perfection and it luxuriated in an elevated mustard cream, set off beautifully by haricot verts. As you can see from both the Pollo and the Salmone, da Umberto serves a sizeable portion and this is a venue where you can actually eat dinner, not some ridiculous trendy place that arranges your entree with tweezers. Inevitably, we believe those places will come and go and da Umberto will endure. The wine selection at da Umberto is like the Saks shoe department that needs its own zip code. We asked for half a glass of this commendable Barolo - it was a hot day.
We are not the only ones to shine a spotlight on da Umberto:
Few venues have a dessert cart anymore, and it is literally quite a treat.
We chose berries with fresh Zabaglione.
It is so fresh: it is made to order.
The foamy authentic wonder is a dream to behold; egg yolk, sugar and marsala wine team up for the winner. They served it separately to see what we thought.
Zabaglione looked like the most pristine swimming pool ever to the berries who said to each other "Geronimo!" and catapulted in elegantly not making any splashes of course. Everyone, even the berries, behaves at da Umberto and you will find none of the nonsense you may encounter at lesser places.
In this story you may correctly surmise that Peachy is Jaws.
This was the first item to magically disappear from the entire review.
Actions speak louder than words, readers!
da Umberto continues to be Highly Recommended by Whom You Know.
107 West 17th Street
New York, NY 10011
212-989-0303
Here's what X's Grok 3 says:
Vittorio Assante is the owner and president of Da Umberto, a renowned Italian restaurant in New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood, established in 1987 by his father, Umberto Assante. Vittorio took over the restaurant after his father’s passing in 2004. He began working at Da Umberto at age 12, developing a passion for the hospitality industry, and by 17, he was deeply involved in its operations. The restaurant is known for its classic Tuscan cuisine with modern twists, old-world charm, and an acclaimed wine list. Vittorio emphasizes maintaining tradition while incorporating contemporary trends, a philosophy reflected in the restaurant’s ambiance and menu, which includes homemade pasta, game, roasted fish, and a notable antipasti table. In 2009, he was recognized by Cambridge Who's Who for excellence in restaurant management, citing his 25 years of experience and the launch of Da Umberto Events, a catering division. During the 2020 pandemic, Vittorio started the Da Umberto Family Fund to support his staff, highlighting his commitment to his team, whom he considers family. He also owns the building housing the restaurant, fulfilling a personal dream.
Looks like the flagpole in Madison Square Park knew where we were going....
