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