#InauguralReview #CaffePalmero @caffepalermonyc Since 1973 by #JohnDelutro Also Known As #BabyJohn #148MulberryStreet #LittleItaly #Manhattan #NewYork
Does your Penne Vodka smile at you like this?
If you go to Caffe Palmero, it does!
It's not who you know, it's WHOM YOU KNOW and now we know the 100% Italian John Delutro, also known as Baby John and a record-setting number of nicknames, and his culinary brainchild: Caffe Palmero. Located at 148 Mulberry Street in Manhattan's historic Little Italy, Caffe Palmero opened on August 15, 1973 and it's named after Baby John's Paternal Homeland, Palmero, the capital of Sicily.
In Italian, Caffe means coffee. John Delutro is the 100 percent owner of Caffe Palermo.
Both of John's paternal grandparents hailed from Palmero while his maternal side came to the USA from Naples. Though he is super Italian, Baby John is also uberproud to be an American and has a personality could eclipse the dinner we want to tell you about! This could be a single article on his exuberance (you may think of him as leave the gun and take the cannoli. If you have not had your caffe this morning this means the cannoli is more important) but we shall stick to the meatballs, readers. The 100 percent beef beauties greeted us and announced that Caffe Palmero is indeed a savory delight although it might be more known for the desserts. We commend not only the quality and flavor of the meatballs but also their size which are superior and not tiny.
We do not edit pictures.
You win like Baby John, or we do not publish.
Even better is the Eggplant Rollatini, the best we have had anywhere in 2026.
You win like Baby John, or we do not publish.
Even better is the Eggplant Rollatini, the best we have had anywhere in 2026.
The perfectly sliced eggplant is the correct thinness and is properly sumptuously filled with ricotta over marinara. It is the LBD of Eggplant Rollatini which obviously is Little Black Dress.
Meet the Baby John salad!
Baby John met Picky Peachy so he understood to put the dressing on the side, s'il vous plait.
Romaine, cherry tomatoes, provolone cheese, black olives, onion, roasted red peppers with a special house dressing are absolutely fresh and are a deserving component of your Caffe Palmero dinner.
His hilarity is extensive; when asked about his social media philosophy John told us he is social media!
Caffe Palmero changes their menu three to four times a year based on client demand, not season.
Penne alla Vodka is completely remarkable and the best we have had anywhere this season.
The fresh pink creamy vodka sauce will ravish your palate in an intoxicatingly delicious way and John tells us he uses DeCecco Penne, which the sauce coats perfectly. Also, he makes fresh bread every day which is fabulous.
His mission statement for Caffe Palmero is LISTEN TO ME.
We must be philosophically aligned as that is something Peachy has been saying for 17 years and counting, although more often in writing.
Fettuccine Alfredo Glamour Shots
Fettuccine Alfredo says don't hate be because I'm beautiful: EAT ME.
And it came to cluck as we ordered it with sensationally baked chicken (not fried).
You'll discover 65 coveted seats inside Caffe Palmero with an additional 20 outside in the summer.
Aside from the Penne, John tells us all pasta and the ravioli and lasagna in particular are made on premises.
Say enchante to the Lasagna, an undeniable classic. It's all ground beef partying with ricotta, mozzarella, parmesan cheese, and fresh basil. Enhanced further with grated cheese, this lasagna boasts amazing red sauce that exudes excellence that hits the spot on any day.
Unquestionably, the pasta section was the strongest part of our first visit to Caffe Palmero.
Under Secondi, we met Chicken Parmigiana: breaded with fresh marinara sauce and served with pasta for our carnivorous endeavor and in terms of poisson: Shrimp Oreganata with white wine sauce, served with a smashing broccoli rabe with Peachy's beloved sauteed garlic and potato croquette. Both were solid contenders.
What was really outstanding however was the Palmero Italian Panini sandwich.
Grilled chicken, mozzarella, roasted peppers, fresh basil and a house spread which must have been made in heaven team up for the ultimate sandwich to make your springtime shine.
Finally, John Delutro wins for the most nicknames ever. They include of what we know so far from our single encounter:
Baby John (he's the youngest of three kids after a brother and sister)
Cannoli King
Pasta Boss
Pizza King
Yo Turkey
Peachy can probably come up with even more so stay tuned.
Caffe Palmero impressed us on our first visit and we look forward to seeing what they do next.
