I graduated from Columbia College in 1956 and then the Graduate School of Business in 1957. Even though my family lived 10 minutes south of the university I did live on campus my last two years. My friends and I hung out at the West End Bar & Grill (long gone) and V&T Pizza and the Hungarian Pastry Shop both on 111th Street and Amsterdam Avenue. Nostalgia warmed my body on the cold winters evening as I walked past both above mentioned restaurants and entered Tartina Cucina Italiana at 1034 Amsterdam Ave. I was unable to attend their press opening and was invited, as their guest, to sample their cuisine. www.tartina-restaurant.com
To quote their press release- “ Delight your senses with classic Italian cuisine with a contemporary twist that will please your palate with authentic antipasti, artisan pasta selection, satisfying entries, hearth-warmed soups, healthy salads and inspired desserts.”
I arrived early at this 63-seat delight that opened two months ago. I was invited into the kitchen to meet Executive Chef Federico Terminiello and his staff. He came to America from Sorrento. I accepted the suggestions of my very professional waitperson Malcom. Partenope as an appetizer- Grilled and broiled octopus, calamari, sepia, mussels, shrimp and clams in lemon parsley and evoo. I had to look up Evoo, which is the natural juice squeezed from olives one day after the harvest. - $18 and superb. Could it get any better? My entrée was Orata which is a fillet wrapped in thin potato served with sautéed spinach. I had never had this fish before and thought it was similar to Dorade. Can one fall in love with a fish and not be considered kinky? Worth the trip- $23. I had a glass of Trebbiano with my meal $12. I was told to hold some room for dessert. The Fragola was an edible horn filled with mascarpone and yogurt cream with strawberries and blueberries- $8. I had to walk a few blocks before catching the bus home so as not to lie down and catch a nap. Co-owner Claudio Di Giulio was not working that night but did come by to talk to me about the restaurant.
I cannot wait to return as a paying customer. Attention Columbia University St. Luke’s Hospital and local residents. GO AND ENJOY.