Slideshow

What to Eat at the New Cafe Spiaggia

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The new lights shing off the frescos.

Tony Mantuano unveiled the new Cafe Spiaggia last night, showcasing a brand new menu and also a smart redesign, which is a first for the 26 year-old restaurant. The menu focuses more on small plates, which Mantuano admits to us, “Will be better for people to come and have a glass of wine and sample a few things.” A few of those items were given out, including focaccia, cured sardines, kale chips, and a variety of different pizzas. It seems to have more in common with his recent cookbook, Wine Bar Food, which he wrote with his wife. The design was spearheaded by Top Design winner Matt Lorenz.

The cafe decided to redesign the space after Lorenz did a successful job with a few of the private dining rooms. It isn’t a complete redesign, though. “I told him he could change everything but the marble floors and the frescos,” Mantuano told us. All of the light fixtures and furniture are completely new, and the space feels more open.

Check out a few of the samples from the even, along with the full menu, which is below.

Cicchetti
Olive
tri-color Cerignola, orange zest, fennel 5

Noci e Fagioli
Sicilian almonds, chickpeas, fava beans 6

Cavola Croccante
Tuscan kale, Controne pepper, lemon 4


Crostini e Pane
Focaccia
focaccia, mozzarella, Taggiasca olives, herb salad 9

Antira
duck rillette, balsamic onions, arugula, ciabatta 12

Trota Affumicato
smoked rainbow trout, parsley, fried capers, grilled bread 11

Sardine
sardines, caper pesto, raisin fennel bread 12

Tonno
ahi tuna tartare, flatbread, rice beans, kalamata olives, capers, shallot 16


Zuppa
Gran Farro
cannellini beans, farro, pancetta 9


Formaggi
Robiola Due Latte, Piemonte
cow, sheep, creamy, bloomy peach compote, poppy seeds 9

Perlagrigia, Veneto
cow, black truffle, clove, cinnamon Savini truffled fruit mostarda 9

Parmigiano Reggiano, Emilia Romagna
cow, aged 36 months, Acetaia San Giacombo balsamic jelly 9

Blu Mediterraneo, Sardegna
sheep, blue, spicy, salty almond stuffed figs 9


Insalate
Bietole
beets, Capriole goat cheese, pistachios, pink peppercorns 10

Pesche
peaches, Prosciutto di Parma, Parmigiano Reggiano, sunflower seeds, arugula 9

Italiana
escarole, Treviso, frisee, Tropea onions, ricotta salata 9

Caprese
Mozzarella di Bufala, heirloom tomato, basil 11


Classici
Manzo
trattoria steak, melrose peppers, Tropea onions, potatoes 26

Trota
goldent trout, Tuscan beans, artichokes, potatoes, shallots, lemon 25

Porchetta
pork shoulder, polenta, Calabrian chili pepper, rapini 24


Al Forno
Polipo
octopus, artichokes, tomatoes, Taggiasca olives 13

Salmone
Sockeye salmon, fregula, fennel salad 15

Pollo
chicken thigh, broccoli, breadcrumbs 13

Vitello
veal rib, Umbrian lentils, zucchini 14

Calamari
seafood sausage stuffed calamari, cherry tomatoes, basil, bread crumbs 13

Melanzane
Sicilian eggplant, tomato, Parmigiano Reggiano, basil 13


Paste
Gnocchi
wild boar ragu, Parmigiano Reggiano 18

Spaghetti
farro spaghetti, manila clams, garlic, bottarga, parsley, bread crumbs 17

Tortelloni
corn, Proscuitto di Parma, Treviso, chives 17

Tagliatelle
laughing bird shrimp, artichokes, Controne pepper, lemon 18

Paccheri
calamari, cherry tomato, corno di capra peppers, mint 18

Perciatelle
La Quercia guanciale, tomato, Pecorino Romano 18

What to Eat at the New Cafe Spiaggia