Which would you pick for brunch? Which do you prefer for dinner?
We would like to try both, but I'm not sure where to fit each in? I really want to try the Lemon Ricotta pancakes at LV, so I'm leaning towards Sat. brunch there.
Help!
By KateMW
on Apr 16, 2010 05:29 PM
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I've had much better food experiences at dinners at Locande Verde. The roast chicken is one of the best and most cravable roast chickens in NYC right now- I think it holds its own when compared with the famed clucks at Eleven Madison Park, Vinegar Hill House and the like. The pastas I've had at LV, the most affordable menu entrees, are better than the pastas I've had at Maiolino. You should go to Maiolino if only for the tripe, which was spectacular.
But since brunches put more pressure on pastry departments, your good either way. Both LV and Maiolino have amazing pastry chefs. I think Maiolino, it's bright and energetic atmosphere is better suited to a brunch, whereas I felt the dinner services were a little too cheery, a little too corporate TGIFridays for me.
www.underemployedinnyc.blogspot.com
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Eleven Madison Park
11 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10010
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Hmmm...that's the exact opposite of what I was thinking. Now I'm more confused! I was thinking LV looked better for brunch and that Maialino would be great for dinner...I really want that crispy pork dish!
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They're both great restaurants- I was just underwhelmed with my Maoilino experiences, probably because I've come to expect a lot from Danny Meyer, and there's a lot of competition for that price range refined rustic italian. I also found the service obsequious. But that's me. There are good meals to be had at both restaurants for both meals. I guess it means you'll just have to do a taste-off! And then post your thoughts!
www.underemployedinnyc.blogspot.com
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I guess this means you don't work for Danny Meyer. :) I read a bit of your blog last night. Love the pig tattoo.
I think we're going to do brunch at LV, since I really like the look at the pancakes and then dinner at Maialino. Of course, that will mean we're eating Italian for all our dinners...which makes this Southern/Sicilian girl very happy. You can get a lot in our town, but great Italian doesn't come around a ton.
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Thanks for checking out my blog! (I won't confirm where I work, so as to keep my anonymity and my job.) You'll have a great meal at Maiolino. I loved the tripe appetizer- it was in a light, rustic tomato sauce scented with mint. I also liked the fried artichoke appetizer. And of course, the pig is yummy, as the pasta served with a pork ragu.
Bon Appetit!
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haven't been to Locanda yet, but i like Maialino a lot...i'm only eaten in the bar/bar-area so far, but have liked the food (esp the artichokes and the fried cod) and friendly service...
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Maialino
2 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10010
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Ive been to LV twice. They tell you its family style so you expect big dishes and the dishes are miniscule. The food is mediocre at best, the desserts are the best thing they have. I wont go back, even though it is very convenient for me. I'd sooner get the beet pasta at Gigino 2 blocks away
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Gigino
323 Greenwich Street, New York, NY 10013
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i've been to Maialino at least 5 or 6 times now, but i managed to try LV last week...i liked it a lot...
i agree that pasta portions are small (the delicious-but-very-rich rigatoni w/ lamb and the orchiette w/ duck sausage were devoured within mintues when shared by 3 people)...but the beets and the garlic chicken were very hearty portions...on the downside, i thought the crostini were lame and overpriced and basically should be the kind of thing they give away for free as an amuse...
but sharing two crostini, beets, two pastas, and the chicken-for-two was more than enough food for 3 people to share and we had lots of chicken leftover to take home...
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Maialino
2 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10010
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I wouldn't expect you to share where you worked. ;)
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I went to Maialino a few weeks ago because I really wanted the suckling pig. When I arrived I was told it was not available that night. I had been there for lunch previously and while the food was good, I can find better options for pasta and the like elsewhere. I would call in advance of showing up for dinner to make sure the maialino was available if that is what attracted me to the restaurant. They told me that they were having problems finding a consistent, quality supply.
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Maialino
2 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10010
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i had the maialino a couple of sundays ago. it was amazing! well worth trying a 2nd time.
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The maialino used to be on the regular menu, but it is now a special. When we made our reservation, we told them we were coming specifically to have it. The made a notation and said it would not be a problem. Also, we had a very early reservation (5:30). The later you go, the more likely it is that they will run out of it.
Photos of our maialino dinner at Maialino: http://www.flickr.com/photos/11863391...
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FYI, we just went last night. Had an 8:30 res and only decided once we were seated that we (just 2 of us) wanted the Maialino al Forno. We asked our server if one was still available, and he checked and then held one for us.
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Maialino
2 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10010
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So how was it? As good as others have said?
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It was very good. Not revelatory, mind you, but very good. We had so much leftover we've at LEAST another 3 portions of it. I cannot fathom how two people could eat it all there, even if it was the only food one ordered.
Go and enjoy!
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I'm dying to try the Maialino al Forno. However my husband will only eat organic or local pork. Since it's not listed on the menu, does anyone know where they source their pork for the dish? Also how much is it?
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The cost for the maialino is $72. As far as sourcing goes, how about calling and asking them directly?
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I did and in case anyone else is interested: they source their pork from Four Story Hill Farm. Now I'm not sure if it'll pass my husband's (pain-in-the-butt) standard, but at least we know what we're dealing with!
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Four Story Farm is located in Honesdale, PA.
"Four Story Hill Farm raises pure Berkshire pigs and poultry, namely milk-fed poulardes, poussins and capons, in addition to prime dry- aged beef, milk-fed veal and game birds. The animals are fed grain grown naturally, and their ration is made to order according to the specific needs of each breed."
Info from this website: http://www.localfoodphilly.org/wg_pou...
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Yeah, I read the website. Just not sure if he'd go for grain-fed pork. Fingers crossed!
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Malfatti al Maialino | Suckling Pig Ragu & Arugula
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I arrived at 5:30 the evening that they had no Maialino. As it appears that this dish is now a special (available almost every day), I merely advise calling in advance to ensure that the dish is available. I was more than a little surprised that there was no maialino at Maialino.
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Maialino
2 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10010
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Did they not have the pasta dish either? That would be a bummer. I'm going to have the concierge mention it when they make my reservation.
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KateMW,
What pasta dish are you referring to that you think was not available?
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There is also a pasta dish that has sucking pig I believe...could be wrong though. I've read dozens of menus lately. :)
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You are right. It's the "Malfatti al Maialino." But I doubt it's the same type of pig they're using for the Maialino al Forno. So, there should be no problem with you getting that dish.
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After they told me that I could not have the suckling pig I told the waitress that I would be leaving. She sent the manager over and he told me that I could have the pasta dish or some chops from the pig grilled. I told him that I was interested in the crispy pork skin and he told me that they would panko crust some coppa and deep fry it for me. It would be very crispy.
I don't think the pasta dish or any other part of the pig that might be offered would make a satisfactory replacement for the whole suckling pig.
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Having been to brunch at both places and dinner at neither, I think the Maialino dinner menu intrigues me more than the LV dinner menu, and I really thought the LV brunch and pancakes were great. I'd say stick with your instincts.
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Maialino
2 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10010
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I've never been to Maialino, but brunch at LV was heaven. I would go just for the freshly baked scones and donuts alone. I also recommend their pear cocktail drink.
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Maialino
2 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10010
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