Simran K.
Yelp
What a hit of a place!
Nestled in Manhattan, Osteria Noninno packed in some great Italian vibes and flavors.
We got there an hour before our dinner reservation to enjoy their daily (yes, daily!) Happy Hour. The Pinot Noir they house is absolutely wonderful, and that's a big revelation for me because I'm typically not amused by a Pinot. I now stand corrected.
After a round of drinks at the bar, we were ushered to our table for an incredible meal that followed, and a few more glasses of Pinot of course.
They start you off with fresh bread - soft interiors and a crusty exterior, ideal for that scarpetta moment (the soaking your entrees' sauces). This came along with confit tomato oil, and boy was that impressive too! It packed some great depth of flavors!
For our mains, we shared the following:
Chicken Parmigiana with Penne in Vodka Sauce (5/5) - this was part of their daily specials and an absolute stunner of a dish. The chicken was perfectly breaded, tender yet crispy, and very well seasoned. The Penne was al dente, just as we like it, and the vodka sauce was just right. They also give you a choice of penne or spaghetti to go with it. 100% repeat-worthy.
Cacio-e-Pepe (4.5/5) - this is prepared table side and who doesn't love a bit of theatrics and a cheese-wheel? Simple and classic. Worth noting, if you'd like, you can ask for your pasta to be more or less al-dente. Love the flexibility they offer.
At the start of your meal, they even come up to you offering that extra bit of crushed peppers and/or Parmesan. Again, love the ability to customize, or just to get in that extra bit of parm and pepper to make the already incredible plate of food, extra decadent.
To end with, we had to order dessert, and that decision got tougher when we learnt that most are prepared in-house by the owner's father - the person after who the restaurant is named. To add complexity to our decision making process since we only had room for one, the day's special sounded like a hard one to miss. However, since we came in with a plan to get that table-side Tiramisu, we had to stick to it and not deviate. Really hoping their special's from yesterday - Pistachio Lava Cake, is available on our next visit too because I'm still living a what if moment towards it.
That being said, the Tiramisu (5/5) was the best I've had, and I have had a few over the years. Prepared in front of you, the espresso doused ladyfingers, fresh mascarpone on top, and the bitter cocoa is a chef's kiss and another must order!
Just when we thought that we were done, we were reminded that the Italians live a hearty life, so we had to do the same and ended with a little bit of a digestif - Limoncello! This wrapped up our experience wonderfully.
Every item on the menu was a huge hit, and I couldn't be happier by the service, warmth offered by the staff, and interiors of the place. I am telling all of my friends about this place and am already planning a return to this gem!