Locanda Verde
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Robert Di Nero and his team have definitely done it right! Locanda Verde strikes a perfect balance between cozy and comfortable, and elegant and stylish. I can see myself there having either a casual lunch, or a more formal dinner, whichever I choose. Although we were there for breakfast, the other menus also looked good. Perfect for a warm Winter dinner, or an outside lunch in the Summer. Afterwards, you can stroll the crooked streets of TriBeCa and wander in and out of the unique neighborhood stores. Try the Sheep's milk ricotta with truffle honey, Ouva Modenese, and coffee.
Robert Di Nero is part owner of this and several other restaurants in the TriBeCa area, including the Greenwich Hotel, which is attached to Locanda Verde. When we were there, Mr. Di Nero was wandering around behind our table, conducting his restaurant business. It was a fun bonus. Oh, and if you get a chance to go into the hotel, it's amazing!
Robert Di Nero is part owner of this and several other restaurants in the TriBeCa area, including the Greenwich Hotel, which is attached to Locanda Verde. When we were there, Mr. Di Nero was wandering around behind our table, conducting his restaurant business. It was a fun bonus. Oh, and if you get a chance to go into the hotel, it's amazing!
Atmosphere
A comforting cross between a cozy library and a chic Italian Taverna, Locanda Verde strikes all the right chords for a satisfying, comforting meal. Lush chocolate-brown leather banquettes are set against dark wood tables and cool metal bistro chairs, creating a warm yet stylish ambience. Books and wine bottles are both on display and lit by huge vintage chrome pendant lights. The room itself is divided into 3 small dining 'areas', all anchored by a beautiful, long bar which finishes in the back with an open kitchen. In the front, a small espresso counter has some of the house-made pastries enchantingly on display. Tables are set with crisp white plates and simple silver, both of which are offset by casual, blue-striped kitchen towels-used-as-napkins. Warm terra cotta tile floors and heavily-paned Dickensonian windows complete the country feel.
Service
Service was friendly and casual, and mostly attentive. A few times we had to grab a person other than our server, including when we needed our check, but everyone was willing to comply when we asked.
Food
Hearing that Locanda Verde has the best breakfast in town, we set our alarm clocks for an early hour (for us) and headed out for what was sure to be breakfast bliss. First on the list, coffee (by which, I swear, I can judge any restaurant) The tables were set with very Italian Illy coffee cups, which I loved. I ordered an Americano, which came out so strong I am sure it was just a double espresso. I asked for a pot of hot water and diluted it to my liking. It was excellent after that. If my capacity for caffeine consumption were greater I definitely would have had another.
The food menu has lots of great things to choose from, hazelnut French toast, lemon ricotta pancakes, assorted pastries, polenta waffles, though not too many savory options. I didn't want to leave with a total sugar high that early in the morning, so I chose one of the more unique items on the list that didn't sound too sweet, sheep's milk ricotta with truffle honey and burnt orange toast ($9). The food came out in a beautiful square wooden bowl, the ricotta in a wonderful whipped heap, dripping with honey and bits of fresh rosemary. The toast was country bread cut in large, thick slices, with fresh toasted grill marks and stains of warm olive oil. The ricotta itself was interesting, only slightly sweet with the richness of honey, but also with a very strong flavor of truffle oil. I love trufle oil, but found this a little strong for the morning so I asked for extra honey on the side to balance out the flavors and, after that, it was perfect. I am not sure why the toast was listed as orange. I didn't taste any orange in it but, still, it was excellent bread. I loved the slightly burnt taste from the grill.
Also from the list, we chose Uova Modenese (modern eggs), 2 poached eggs with cotechino (pork sausage) hash, spinach, and tomato hollandaise ($15). The eggs were perfectly-poached, oozing out as they were pierced, and covered with the lightly-decadent tomato hollandaise. The hash was very finely minced and had a nice salty and fatty richness, the spinach was sparse but well-cooked. This dish also came in a beautiful wooden bowl, with several slices of thick, grilled toast. To go with the other dished, we ordered a side of Niman Ranch smoked bacon ($7) which came as several hot, greasy, thick, and meaty strips. It was not as crisp as traditional American bacon, but the salty, smoked, and fatty flavor was excellent. Just one note of caution, if you are a large eater the portions can be kind of small, especially the eggs. Be prepared to order a few items to be satisfied, or eat a few hours later.
The food menu has lots of great things to choose from, hazelnut French toast, lemon ricotta pancakes, assorted pastries, polenta waffles, though not too many savory options. I didn't want to leave with a total sugar high that early in the morning, so I chose one of the more unique items on the list that didn't sound too sweet, sheep's milk ricotta with truffle honey and burnt orange toast ($9). The food came out in a beautiful square wooden bowl, the ricotta in a wonderful whipped heap, dripping with honey and bits of fresh rosemary. The toast was country bread cut in large, thick slices, with fresh toasted grill marks and stains of warm olive oil. The ricotta itself was interesting, only slightly sweet with the richness of honey, but also with a very strong flavor of truffle oil. I love trufle oil, but found this a little strong for the morning so I asked for extra honey on the side to balance out the flavors and, after that, it was perfect. I am not sure why the toast was listed as orange. I didn't taste any orange in it but, still, it was excellent bread. I loved the slightly burnt taste from the grill.
Also from the list, we chose Uova Modenese (modern eggs), 2 poached eggs with cotechino (pork sausage) hash, spinach, and tomato hollandaise ($15). The eggs were perfectly-poached, oozing out as they were pierced, and covered with the lightly-decadent tomato hollandaise. The hash was very finely minced and had a nice salty and fatty richness, the spinach was sparse but well-cooked. This dish also came in a beautiful wooden bowl, with several slices of thick, grilled toast. To go with the other dished, we ordered a side of Niman Ranch smoked bacon ($7) which came as several hot, greasy, thick, and meaty strips. It was not as crisp as traditional American bacon, but the salty, smoked, and fatty flavor was excellent. Just one note of caution, if you are a large eater the portions can be kind of small, especially the eggs. Be prepared to order a few items to be satisfied, or eat a few hours later.
Cleanliness
Immaculate. The bathrooms, which are downstairs, are roomy and brilliantly new.
Pros
Beautiful atmosphere, excellent food, cozy yet elegant ambience.
Cons
If you go between service times (i.e. between breakfast and lunch) service may be a little erratic. Egg portions can be a little on the small side.
