Belvino's Profile
Klee Brasserie?
I haven't eaten at Klee in about 1 year, I used to live around the corner. I've had some good food there, but nothing that was really earth shattering. The chef is a nice guy, and the food is well executed. Quite honestly, I really prefer Trestle on Tenth on the corner of 10th Ave and 24th street.
Il Tinello--upscale midtown Italian (?)
I was there with a group recently. I have to say that this was VERY old-school and very much an Italian American restaurant. Veal Piccata, Chicken Parmigiana, etc. There's nothing traditional Italian about it at all, a throw back to the 70's and 80's. I thought the prices were scandalous for the quality of the food. The "Scampi Tinello" looked pretty, 3 big shrimp with a creamy pesto sauce. It would have been nice if the shrimp weren't horribly overcooked and rubbery and the price tag wasn't $21.
A $20 cesar salad was poorly dressed and even had some green pepper in it, very odd.
I had the $36 filet mignon and it was quite plain, still tasted a little "gas" from the grill even though it arrived medium rare. A little sad steamed broccoli on the side.
The decor is SO dated, it felt like we were in an Italian grandma's house in Brooklyn.
Maybe Regis loves it because it looks and tastes just like it did back in 1980. Nostalgia!
Anyway, if you want seriously delicious Italian food, even if it is expensive, I highly recommend Il Gattopardo on W 54 St between 5th and 6th. More serious wine list, better kitchen, beautifully elegant yet simple decor. Really lovely.
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Il Tinello
16 W 56th St, New York, NY 10019
What's the worst (nice) restaurant you have been to?
I thought we were talking about "Nice" restaurants... I don't think the Boathouse, Frank's in Chelsea or Frankie & Johnnie's really counts. Surprisingly, all of the "Nice" restaurants I've been to in the last 12-months have really been way above expectations and quite enjoyable. A Vocce, Babbo, Per Se, Eleven Madison Park, Alto, Daniel, Jean Georges, all were worthy of my money. I haven't been to Bouley for a while and never been to Danube, so I might just have to check them out. I'd like to read more stories about terrible experiences at really Nice places, not mediocre ones.
