Dell'Anima, A Voce, Ciano?
Planning my next Italian destination and these three are on my list to try. All sound very good and have received some praise. Where should I go next? Specific dish recommendations would also be appreciated if possible. Thanks!
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Dell'Anima
38 8th Avenue, New York, NY 10003
Ciano
45 E 22nd St, New York, NY 10010
A Voce
10 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10019
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steak,
Presuming you mean A Voce Madison Ave., we went the week it opened (something we almost never do). Carmellini's food was excellent, but we never went back because of the hideously high noise level. We've never been to A Voce TWC, not to Dell'Anima.
We've been to Ciano four times, the most recent being lunch (July 13) and dinner (July 31). The 3-course market menu lunch was terrific -- an incredible bargain at $21. At dinner a week ago Sunday, we had the whole chicken for two baked in a clay pot, which blew us away. Previously, we've had the signature veal meatballs (fabulous!), and I had lamb chops (wonderful!). We've also done a tastng dinner (excellent!) I think you can see that we've sampled a good representation of what Chef Shea Galante is doing there. Service is very friendly and attentive, and the space is comfortable with rustic charm. To sum it up, we LOVE Ciano!
Ciano photos here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/11863391@N03/sets/72157627332687474/
and here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/11863391@N03/sets/72157627190819794/
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re: Sneakeater
Excellent point, Sneakeater! Re-reading it, I can see how one might infer that. A Voce's current chef (both locations) is Missy Robins.
http://thewizardofroz.wordpress.com
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A Voce
10 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10019-
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re: steakrules85
Even though we've not been to A Voce since Missy Robins took over, while I'm guessing her style is different from Carmellini's, I'm not sure that means the quality has worsened.
In any case, obviously, I thin Ciano is a good choice.
http://thewizardofroz.wordpress.com
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Ciano
45 E 22nd St, New York, NY 10010A Voce
10 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10019-
re: RGR
Just going based on what the other reported in the thread.
"Others disagree, but I don't think A Voce has been very good since Andrew Carmellini left"- Sneakeater
"I've not been impressed with A Voce since Missy Robbins took over; it's not bad, per se, just not great" - kathryn
In any event I will still probably try it for myself at some point.
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A Voce
10 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10019
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Hey steak!
I agree. I've always left A Voce underwhelmed. The one thing I do love there is the bomboloni filled with cream. Ridiculously delicious!
I've been to Ciano once and really liked it, though it didn't blow me away. A tad precious, but lovely nonetheless. I tried a bunch of the pastas and thought the cortecce was great - I think it's on the market menu. Also liked the meatballs, of course.
I've never been to dell'anima and am also very interested in going. Looks cute and the menu sounds wonderful.
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Ciano
45 E 22nd St, New York, NY 10010A Voce
10 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10019 -
hi steakrules,
i've never been to A Voce...
i went to Ciano once, very recently...i went there w/ someone who was craving dessert (part of the "Milk Chocolate Cake, or Dessert for a Hungry Model" thread i posted a couple weeks ago)...and we waltzed in around 10pm...the staff and servers were incredibly nice and went out of their way to set us up w/ a cute/cozy table...we had the shrimp meatballs -- good but a little too "wedding appetizer-like" for my taste, and some finocciona (sp?)...my friend had a post-modern semifreddo version of a tiramisu, which she hated (yet devoured every bite of -- go figure)...my overall take: lovely staff, lovely setting, but i can't really evaluate the food fully based on our late-night snack --- but my impression is that it might be a little too foo-foo for my taste (i prefer more rustic simple Italian dishes)...
-- Dell'Anima i've been to twice recently recently at the bar...great vibe, great staff...i've loved the seabass tartar...i've loved the scallop crudo...i've loved the heirloom tomato salad...i liked the octopus in the charred octopus ok, but i thought it compared poorly to a similar at Pulino's and at most Greek restaurants and i thought the beans in it were awful...they had several dishes on the menu that i hope to try soon, esp the pork chop...
So, based on my limited experience, i'd say Dell'Anima...i'm really taken w/ it...please report back if you go there and let us know your impressions...
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Dell'Anima
38 8th Avenue, New York, NY 10003Ciano
45 E 22nd St, New York, NY 10010A Voce
10 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10019Pulino's
282 Bowery, New York, NY 10012 -
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There's an element of apples-and-oranges here, as Dell'Anima is much less fancy (and expensive) than the other two.
I like Ciano for its great wine program. The food is well better than adequate.
Others disagree, but I don't think A Voce has been very good since Andrew Carmellini left.
I love Dell'Anima. But again, it's a tratorria to the other two's ristorantes. If casual is what you want, though, I'd say its at the top of the Manhattan casual Italian heap.
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A Voce
41 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10010Dell'Anima
38 8th Avenue, New York, NY 10003Ciano
45 E 22nd St, New York, NY 10010›1 Reply-
re: Sneakeater
What Sneakeater said. Dell'anima is much more of an everyday restaurant. I've not been impressed with A Voce since Missy Robbins took over; it's not bad, per se, just not great. I've not been to Ciano yet but I walk past a fair bit and it's a much nicer, white tablecloth sort of place.
If you end up at Dell'anima, I like the charred octopus with chorizo, the sweetbreads, the brussels sprouts, the spicy chicken (Pollo al Diavolo). The menu is pretty seasonal and the pastas change frequently. I'm fond of anything on there with mushrooms, or anything carbonara. I think the only thing I've been let down on was the affogato since it melted insanely fast, and had too little gelato to espresso, though we were sitting outside in the summer.
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Ciano
45 E 22nd St, New York, NY 10010A Voce
10 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10019
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