Crispo - Any Good?
Ive made reservations for this place for next week based on a recommendation from a colleague. I eat just about anything, preferably a seafood dish, and my wife is a big pasta/cheese fan.
Has anyone been here and what have been your thoughts? Thanks.
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I thought this would be the best place to post my report on my dinner at Crispo Sunday night, as part of a party of 5. Mainly, I want to thank all the hounds who recommended this place. It's excellent, and a great value!
For appetizers, several of us shared the following:
Citrus Cured Anchovies (very good)
Fresh Ricotta Tartufi, if I'm not mistaken (delicious and very creamy, almost a bit mascarpone-like)
Duck Liver Crostini, 2 orders (large portions, very rich, with a good mixture of capers and various other things)
Zucchini Flowers stuffed with cheese, etc., with a tomato-based relish, 2 orders (also delicious)There was another appetizer I can't remember right now.
For primi, three of us got half-portions of Spaghetti "Shrimp Fra Diavola" [sic], which was an extremely tasty fra diavolo (I again noticed a welcome though subtle overtaste of capers) though not especially peppery. One got a half-portion of the Trofie al Prosciutto "San Daniele," which was very tasty. I'm forgetting what the other primo was.
For secondi, three of us got the Seared Duck Breast "Figs & Port," which was extremely good! I got my duck breast medium rare and it was near-perfect, slightly salty and nicely seared. Slices of onion were cooked in the port wine reduction, which was still noticeably a bit alcoholic.
One order of Grilled Hanger Steak "Tuscana" was brought out, with a substitution of roast beets instead of the usual potatoes, because of a potassium-restricted diet (there may have been a supplement for the substitution). I didn't try the steak, which my father was extremely happy with, but the caramelized onions and roast beets were delicious!
Instead of a real secondo, my brother ordered the "Ricotta Gnocchi" Duck & Fontina. The gnocchi were nice, but the duck and onion slaw with some cheese was outstanding.
A contorno of cauliflower al burro e parmigiano was also ordered and was superior to similar contorni in most Italian restaurants I've been to.
One thing worth noting is that Crispo appears to like including bitter greens in dishes. For example, the roasted endives that came with the duck were more bitter than usual for roasted endives, and there was also fresh watercress as part of the dish. Also, moderately bitter leaves of arugula (moderately for the vegetable, and therefore, rather bitter) came with the zucchini flowers. I happen to like the combination of bitter leaves with dishes containing fat (duck, cheese), but my mother found the endives just too bitter to eat, though she wasn't complaining about the dish.
All of us were way too full to order dessert!
Including a total of four glasses of wine, one glass of iced tea, and one espresso, the total was about $274 before tip, so a bit over $50/person before tax for a lot of really good food. I've paid more than that for food that wasn't nearly as good. Overall, a very satisfying experience that I look forward to repeating!
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One of the only restaurants Ive seen on here without a single negative feedback. almost too good to be true.
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Yes. Very good. Lots of fans on this board, so you should do a search. Pastas are great (carbonara, papparedelle, spaghetti and meatballs, etc.). Haven't had a lot of fish, but enjoyed the sea bass I had last time. Bone marrow is also very good if you're into that sort of thing.
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