Crispo- Quick Review
Went last night with my parents for our first meal at this highly touted spot and it was fantastic all around. We arrived and were seated in the garden near the fireplace like i had requested when I made the rezzy. Beautiful, cozy little restaurant. Service was also exceptional. Now onto the food....
Appetizers- Risotto Balls, Prosciutto, Creamy Polenta, and smoked mozza, Bone marrow.
All off these were very delicious- risotto balls, were piping hot a loaded with mozzarella and went great with the tomato sauce which was nice and sweet. Being Italian, I have a lot of respect for a place that can make a great rice ball like my grandpa. The prosciutto app was always delicious- similar to something my mother makes. The polenta was spot on creamy delicious, and the smoked mozzarella provided a delectable contrast to pull everything together. I am a hugeeeeeeee carnivore and everyone raves about their marrow so of course I had to have it. The best bone marrow I have ever had and you get 4 huge bones filled with marrow then put under the broiler with parmigiano n bread crumbs a real standout.
Entrees- Spaghetti Carbonara, Roast Pork Shank, and a special Scallops and Short Ribs. Also ordered a side of cauliflower with butter and parmigiano.
My mom loves pasta so I told her that the carbonara was their signature. I tasted it and it was very very good, however I did not think it was ethereal. Still it was very creamy and loaded with incrediblue amount of porky pancetta. A good dish but I wouldn't say this is a MUST order. However, the roast pork shank is another story- one of the best pieces of pork I have ever had. Huge bone-in shank served with acorn squash, zucchini, and onion rings. All were incredible- especially the acorn.... as for the meat it fell right off the bone perfectly crisp on the outside and meltingly soft meat especially near the bone. My father's special of scallops and short ribs was great too and the cauliflower that we shared was a good addition. Simple, yet tasteful.
Desserts- Zeppole and Panna Cotta. Zeppoles were extremely hot, dusted with powdered sugar and served with chocolate sauce how can you go wrong? And my first experience with Panna cotta was great. Very light, intense vanilla flavor with berries and amaretti. Great finishing touches.
Overall Crispo is a great place, reasonable, intimate, nice atmosphere, and of course the most important thing is great food.
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Glad you liked Crispo, a favorite of ours. But I'm very surprised you weren't amazed by the carbonara....I think it's pretty much the best in manhattan. It actually has 3 kinds of meat, not just pancetta and that creaminess is entirely from egg, there's no cream in it (as per traditional). I think the poached egg over top is pure genius too. It's the way we now make ours at home.
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re: Nehna
Financialdistrictresident- It got a little loud when it started to get packed because of the way the room is constructed it tends to cause some echoing, however I love when a restaurant is somewhat lively so this did not bother us at all.
Nehna- I loved the egg also and the carbonara was delicious dont get me wrong. I just wouldn't say that it was something I'd have to have if I came here.
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