NYC Restaurant Review - Fresco by Scotto

Hi foodies! Yesterday I dined at Fresco by Scotto and had a great experience. Check out my review below.


Fresco by Scotto                          34 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10022

At Fresco by Scotto the dining experience is not just about the food but also the incorporation on hospitality and cordiality. Marion Scotto was up in the front but constantly back and forth between the dining room and the kitchen, keeping everything running smoothly and checking in on diners. The food itself was sensuous and comforting. For appetizers the Duck Meatballs alla Toscana were delicious. The flavorful meatballs sat on a creamy whipped mascarpone and sweet sun dried cherry port wine and veal reduction. Also the Yellowfin Tuna and Avocado Tartare was refreshing. The spicy kick from the horseradish and the crunch from the shaved raw cucumber made the tartare complete. Next is pasta! The Pappardelle with Duck and Wild Mushroom Ragu was outstanding. The dish was very comforting. The Tagliolini with Shrimp "Fra Diavolo" was very tasty. Although it was not very spicy the shrimp was great. The Ravioli Fresco is a special that changes every night. The night I dined it was filled with veal and it was spectacular. Another pasta special that I had was gnocchi with diver sea scallops in a lemon sauce. This dish was very rich and delicious. For the entrees, I tried a special which was short ribs on top of creamy polenta with a barolo sauce. The meat was fork tender, the polenta was perfect, and the barolo sauce just made it all even better. Moving on to dessert, Tuscan Autumn Apple Cake made with chestnut honey and accompanied by a sour cream toffee ice cream. This warm, moist cake was absolute decadence, only to be made greater by the sour cream ice cream. The Bomboloni was amazing. The fresh cinnamon coated donuts dipped in a pumpkin and maple mascarpone dipping sauce was heavenly. The Homemade Tiramisu was exquisite. My heart skips a beat as I reminisce of my spoon diving into the layers of espresso soaked lady finger, vanilla mascarpone cream, and cocoa powder. The dining experience at Fresco by Scotto makes you feel at home, with great food and hospitality.

I definitely recommend Fresco by Scotto to anyone. Check back to Foodie Finders NYC soon for more restaurant reviews in New York City.

-Mike

De Gustibus Cooking Class with The Scotto Family

Welcome foodies! Just a few days ago I visited De Gustibus for an unforgettable cooking class with Marion, Rosanna, Anthony, Elaina, and John Scotto. They are all owners of Fresco by Scotto as well as co-authors of Scotto Sunday Suppers and Other Fabulous Feasts.

The Scotto Family ran an amazing cooking class, having each family member take part in their own Thanksgiving dish. To start, Rosanna Scotto introduced the entire family (Rosanna also kept the class moving in an entertaining way, assisting everyone while making their dishes). Then Marion began the first dish, which was Roasted Pumpkin and Beetroot Salad with Goat Cheese and Toasted Pumpkin Seeds. The tangy and creamy goat cheese combined with the caramelization from the pumpkin created a magnificent salad. The toasted pumpkin seeds added a great crunch factor to the salad.

Next it was "Risotto Time!!!" as John Scotto would say. John prepared a Risotto with Roasted Butternut Squash and Grated Amaretti Cookies. He gave some tips on making risotto which was to always have hot stock, patience, and a wooden spoon. The risotto itself was delicious and the grated Ameretti cookies added an unexpected sweet crunch to the dish.

To follow the risotto, Anthony Scotto demonstrated an Herb Roast Turkey with Sausage and Rice Stuffing. The turkey was incredible and very moist. I loved the dark meat especially. Anthony stuffed his turkey with vegetables rather than typical stuffing. He also made an herb butter mixture that he placed between the skin and the meat. One other thing that Anthony does differently when preparing to roast a turkey is that he does not tie the legs together because he thinks it is unnecessary. Along with the roast turkey he made Marion's famous Sausage and Rice Stuffing. I could go on forever about this wonderful stuffing. The reason this dish was so good, in my opinion, was the ooey, gooey mozzarella cheese. It added great texture and taste to the rice and sausage. Also, they all swore that it was even better reheated the next day. It was unforgettable and has just been placed on my Thanksgiving menu.

Now for dessert, Elaina Scotto created a masterpiece; Tuscan Autumn Apple and Chestnut Honey Cake with Sour Cream Toffee Ice Cream. The apple cake was removed from the oven in the middle of the baking process. She perforated the cake to allow the sticky, sweet toffee syrup ooze into every crevice of the cake. The outcome was a moist, appley indulgence accompanied by a Sour Cream Toffee ice cream that was spectacular.

The Scotto Family create a warm environment and I am positive that accommodating friendliness carries into their restaurant, Fresco by Scotto (I plan on dining at Fresco by Scotto very soon). Their cooking tips were great, their stories were entertaining, and their meaning of family is beautifully displayed.

If anyone would like me to post any recipes from this demo just leave a comment requesting it or shoot me an email at foodiefinders@ldsllc.com. Check back soon for more restaurant reviews and everything else about food.
 
-Mike

Happy Birthday Foodie Finders NYC!

Hi foodies. Today is the one year anniversary of Foodie Finders NYC. A lot of good reviews are coming up so stay tuned. Secondly Long Island Restaurant Week is starting tomorrow, November 6, and ends November 13 (For a list of the participating restaurants click here). Also the 14th Annual New York Chocolate Show is starting November 10 and running through November 13 (For more information click here). 

-Mike

Anne Burrell Cookbook Giveaway Winners!

Welcome back foodies! Today the winners of the Anne Burrell Cookbook Giveaway are announced. Each winner receives a copy of Anne Burrell's new cookbook COOK LIKE A ROCK STAR: 125 Recipes, Lessons, and Culinary Secrets. 


The winners are:


Karen Schreiber
Susan Stalzer
Steve Zaffos


Congratulations to the winners. Thanks to everyone who entered. 

-Mike

Cookbook Review of COOK LIKE A ROCK STAR: 125 Recipes, Lessons, and Culinary Secrets

Hey foodies! On October 14th, I am going to announce the three winners of the COOK LIKE A ROCK STAR: 125 Recipes, Lessons, and Culinary Secrets cookbook giveaway. For all the information to enter click here or go to the Anne Burrell Cookbook Giveaway page. Today I will be featuring my review of her cookbook. 

Now here is my review of COOK LIKE A ROCK STAR: 125 Recipes, Lessons, and Culinary Secrets.

Anne Burrell truly comes alive on T.V. screens everywhere with her energetic and confident personality. Now she has put her cooking style and voice into a book of spectacular recipes with simple and fun approaches to Italian cuisine. The forward, written by Mario Batali, is a fun way to view Anne Burrell's career through her mentors eyes. The book starts out in a great way constructing the stage for her rockin' introduction. The introduction will draw anyone into the book as if she is calling you to sit down, explore her culinary story and then create her food from scratch with her assistance. Anne Burrell gives you an index of her favorite tools, what to always have in the pantry, and definitions to some fancy words that you may hear her say on the show. Moving to the recipes, everything is so fun and inviting,and most recipes are accompanied by a picture and some tips. Chapter 1 is Piccolini, which displays a lot of small plates and, as Anne Burrell describes, Italian tapas. Anne tells about the days at her former restaurant Centro Vinoteca where she created a whole separate menu devoted to Piccolini. Chapter 2 is Firsts, which is a chapter all about appetizers. Anne discusses her love for the first course of a meal and gives an anecdote of a visit of hers to Piedmont, Italy, home of the white truffle and antipasti. Chapter 3 is all about Pasta. Anne demonstrates her appreciation of pasta and explains that it is its own respected course with a perfect marriage of flavors. Chapter 4 takes us into Seconds or main course. Anne Burrell talks about a main dish being more challenging since it is a bigger course, as well as discussing the different ingredients and techniques a different season brings. Chapter 5 features Sides. In this chapter, she dives into breaking the rules saying two starches can be put with a protein or a dinner can be constructed with a few outstanding sides and some crusty bread. Chapter 6 is the Desserts section. Here is where Anne discusses the dessert essentials like whipping egg whites or making caramel. All of Anne Burrell's recipes are interesting and sound delicious. She really drives home her point that anyone can be a rock star in the kitchen. I am definitely looking forward to an encore.

Remember there is still time to enter for a chance to win a copy of Anne Burrell's cookbook and go to Anne Burrell Cookbook Giveaway page to sign up. If you would like to purchase COOK LIKE A ROCK STAR: 125 Recipes, Lessons, and Culinary Secrets as well as get a ton of information on it click this link

http://www.randomhouse.com/book/209396/cook-like-a-rock-star-by-anne-burrell-and-suzanne-lenzer/9780307886750/

This review will be put on the Cookbook Review page as the Anne Burrell Cook Giveaway page will stick around until the contest is over. Check back with Foodie Finders NYC and enter soon for the Anne Burrell cookbook giveaway.

-Mike

Anne Burrell Cookbook Giveaway October 2011

Hello foodies! Today I have some big news. I will be giving away 3 copies of Anne Burrell's new cookbook, Cook Like a Rock Star: 125 Recipes, Lessons, and Culinary Secrets. Just email Foodie Finders NYC your name, address, and why you love Anne Burrell. The email address to enter is foodiefinders@ldsllc.com. You can enter now and up until October 13, 2011. For more details, go to Anne Burrell Cookbook Giveaway page or click here.

On October 14th I will announce the winners and  on October 4th I will post the Foodie Finders NYC's review of the book. The winners will receive a copy of Anne Burrell's Cook Like a Rock Star: 125 Recipes, Lessons, and Culinary Secrets mailed to them.

The Anne Burrell Cookbook Giveaway page has directions on how to enter the contest along with details about the cookbook.

-Mike