FELIDIA, 10022 - I ATE THERE

For Frike Frosika's 23rd birthday, we went to Felidia, which is a Lidia Bastianich restaurant, her flagship open since '81.  The executive chef is Chef Fortunato Nicotra who has been with Felidia since 1996.  I thought the name was Felicia's and couldn't figure out why Fraul said the famous chef's name is in the restaurant name.  Duh.  

We started with bread and  Parmesan chips with a bean dip.  Can't remember the dip, but it didn't float my boat.  The  Parmesan/squid ink chips definitely did though.

For entrees, we had...

[Note:  Sorry for the bad qualities of the photos - only had camera phone]

Tutto Crudo

Shaved raw seafood salad and shaved vegetables

I Crudi Di Manzo

Creekstone Farm filet mignon carpaccio and wagyu beef tartare with hazelnut, artichoke, grana padano, celery, and arugula

Burrata E Uova “Alla Carbonara” – Burrata cheese, crisp bacon, asparagus and spring onion

Here's Frike and his carpaccio (The guy behind him is having a bright idea)


For entrees....

Vitello - Veal tenderloin battutina with mushroom “trifolati,” roasted rainbow baby carrots, whipped potato, leeks, and 25-year aged traditional balsamic

Cacio E Pere - Pear and fresh Pecorino-filled ravioli, aged Pecorino, crushed black pepper



Paparadelle - Porcini paparadelle with braised, shredded Hudson Valley Moulard Duck and Mushrooms



Fraul and Frike (who has a halo because it's his birthday)


And oddly I didn't take photos of dessert.  Fraul did and when I get them, I will add them to this post.  For dessert we had:  Tiramisu di limoncello (amazing) and Crostata di Mirtilli (Blueberry "Frangipane" tart) with coffees and apres-dinner wine.

Overall an amazing meal and good table service overall.  Food and wine are superb and definitely worth a return.

A couple of criticisms though:

• The waiters and manager were stomping around the restaurant for a while bickering about whether the Hendricks gin & tonic was charged.  It was very annoying.  Like I care.  And they went back and forth physically and verbally about this for a good several minutes.
• There was no photo of Lidia in the restaurant or at least no prominent photo.  There should be one up front along with a photo and background about the executive chef.  That would have been nice.
• The women's bathroom needs an upgrade. 

Felidia
243 E 58th St
(between 2nd Ave & 3rd Ave)
New York, NY 10022

Boo Radley - how did you get in this post?  ;)