...Exciting New Restaurants Take a Bow
Catherine Lombardi is co-owner Mark Pascal's loving nod to the grandmother that helped shape his palate. Situated above Pascal's well established and respected restaurant, Stage Left, the new location has been exquisitely renovated. A dramatic red-carpeted staircase leads the way to an ample bar and dining room of cream and crimson, flanked by two fieldstone fireplaces. Stone-topped columns support the deep taupe ceiling. The walls are lined with large black and white family photos of Grandma Lombardi herself.
The menu, designed around Lombardi's Sunday-dinner recipes, starts out with cold appetizers, like delectable fresh mozzarella that is hand shaped at a dining room service area and served with roasted peppers and basil ($10.95), and prosciutto with parmiggiano-reggiano ($13.95) that is sliced to order at an antique hand-crank slicer. Hot appetizers include shrimp scampi ($14.95) in a sunny lemon-garlic sauce, and classic stuffed clams (($9.95).
"Macaroni" dinners are hearty and filling. Large bundles of al dente tortolloni swim in a light cream surrounded by meaty Bolognese sauce ($22.95). Chicken Scarpariello ($24.95) provides the best of everything, including juicy chicken, sweet sausage and tangy peppers in a rich, buttery lemon sauce, while the Veal Parmigiana special smothered in sauce and cheese goes right to the soul of classic Italian cooking.
If there's any room left for dessert, fluffy zabaglione with fresh fruit ($9.95), or "Mrs. Palmisano's Cookie Plate," ($5.95) are sweet and satisfying without going over the top. Catherine Lombardi must surely be proud!
Dinner is served seven nights a week with the antipasto bar staying open until 1 a.m. Tuesday through Saturday. A special four-course dinner ($59.95) is offered starting at 2 p.m. on Sundays, just like at Grandma's house.
--Suzanne Zimmer Lowery
(June 2006)