Daisy de Santiago
Google
Oh, where do I begin.
Standards are high when reviewing restaurants in Manhattan because there are so many fantastic places from which to choose.
But there are ones that simply stand out, not because their food was fantastic (which it was), but also because their service was above and beyond what you expect at a damn good restaurant in NYC.
There’s a uniqueness about this place — not only in the quality of the food. For us, it was also about the service.
* Let me go over the food and wine parts first:
Arugula with mango and goat cheese
Minestrone
Linguini e Vongole
Lobster Risotto
EVERY DISH WAS AMAZING!
The mango in our insalata were cut like rose petals. They were paper-thin but absolutely delicious.
The minestrone was hearty but not heavy. You might be wondering if those are contradictory terms. Try it. You’ll know what I mean.
The linguini e vongole was outstanding. It took a lot of effort not to inhale my food.
The lobster risotto was one of the specials that evening, and I can see why it was “special.” It was beautiful and decadent. Loved it.
* Now let me get to the service:
Julio took care of us this evening. He was friendly, charismatic, and genuinely cared about our dining experience. I noticed he didn’t miss thanking every guest he served that evening. He was diligent about saying goodbye as they walked out the door. Now, that’s some legit customer service.
* Now here’s the refreshing part:
Julio was knowledgeable not only in wines but the geopolitical climate of our time. He is an intelligent man who carried an interesting conversation with us about the rich history of the old world and the landscape of our new world. But he did it with flair and sense of humor. He was fantastic.
So, in conclusion...
Go here. Go now. Before this place gets picked up by local and visiting foodies and before it becomes impossible to get a rezzie.