Award-winning restauranteurs Kenneth LaSala and Florio Rugova have done it again with their latest gem; Siena Ristorante. This successful duo presently own La Fontanella in Pelham, featuring Adriatic cuisine and Ristorante LaSala located in Larchmont, which serves regional northern Italian cuisine.
Siena Ristorante is a wonderful new addition featuring a Tuscan cuisine with native specialities. The restaurant has seating for 50 people which makes the atmosphere warm and inviting; a beautiful oak bar greets you upon entrance and scenic paintings of Tuscany grace the earth-toned colored walls. Delicate stained glass fixtures give this restaurant a comforting and soothing glow.
True to their style, LaSala and Ruguva always make you feel at home with a warm basket of Italian bread accompanied by a plate of parmigiano cheese, Italian meats and assorted olives and Siena is no different with her welcome.
The holiday season is a great time to visit this Tuscan treasure with starters to entice the palate such as the Gamberi alla Griglia con insalata e fagioli : Grilled shrimp served with cannelloni beans and chopped fresh tomato and basil.
Frito Misto; a thinly sliced, lightly breaded Zucchini and eggplant which is pan-fired and served with a fontina/grana padano dipping sauce on the side.
Soups such as the Minestrone Tuscano : a traditional Tuscan style vegetable soup served with fresh country bread.
Beautifully plated main courses truly allow for the Tuscan flair.
Pollo Arrosto: a freshly herbed and sea salted roasted 1/2 chicken served with roasted potatoes and escarole.
For a true taste of the countryside don’t miss the Linguini con Fave e Ricotta salata: whole wheat linguini served with fava beans, cremini mushrooms, Pecorino and hand shaved Ricotta salata.
If you still have room, don’t miss the homemade desserts, especially Siena’s own family specialty, Mamma’s Apple Cake: two layers of moist cake chock full of apples, nuts and raisins held in a scrumptious cream cheese filling. Or on the lighter side, try a Lemon Raspberry Delice: a three layer genaise cake filled with a luscious lemon filling and raspberry preserves. French butter cream surrounds the outside with an apricot glaze topping.
Siena Ristorante, 969 Main Street, New Rochelle. For Reservations: (914) 235-0300. Lunch served Monday thru Friday 12pm to 3pm. Dinner served 7days a week Monday-Friday 5pm-10pm. Saturday 5pm-11pm & Sundays 1pm-9pm.
Holiday Dining Suggestions!
By Morris Gut
Here are some restaurants putting out their sparkling best this holiday season. Don’t forget to reserve in advance…
Caffe Regatta, 133 Wolf’s Lane, Pelham 914-738-8686
Celebrating his 10th year, Chef/proprietor Anthony Labriola offers an eclectic contemporary mix of pristinely fresh fish and seafood specialties along with a good dose of alternative meats and chops. It’s a handsome dining room. Check out such changing house specialties as warming chowders and bisques; Bluefin Tuna Tartare with avocado puree and citrus soy dressing; Pan Seared Day Boat Sea Scallops; Broiled Herb-Bacon Crusted Cod served with broccoli rabe, charred tomato vinaigrette; Grilled New York Sirloin, rosemary-parmesan fries; Lamb T-Bones sautéed broccolini, crispy onion rings; and fresh lobsters prepared any style. Great shellfish sampler platters. Sunday brunch is most relaxing. Neat professional staff aims to please. Great wines by the glass. BYOB Tuesdays. Open Tuesday thru Sunday for dinner only, and Sunday Brunch. www.cafferegatta.com
Spring Asian Cuisine, 545 Gramatan Ave., Mt. Vernon 914-699-2828
This flavorful pan-Asian menu blossoms during the holidays. Owner Charlie Kao is serving a variety of creative new specialties from China, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam. Charlie and his staff would be pleased to help you make selections from the menu: Thai Tom Yam Soup; house Pu Pu Platter for two; Chicken or Beef with Satay Sauce; Taiwan style Crispy Jumbo Shrimp; Whole Flounder with vegetables; Vietnamese style Grilled Pork Chops; Malaysian Flat Rice Noodles; and Sesame Crusted Chilean Sea Bass with black bean sauce. Good Peking Duck too! A great party idea: Charlie offers Karaoke equipment and a stage for your group. Take out and catering. Local delivery. Full sushi bar. Open 7 days a week. Municipal parking. Open 7 days.
Agostino’s, 336 Pelham Road, New Rochelle 914-235-6019
The restaurant moved here last May. Chef Anna Catalano prepares everything in her regional Italian kitchen from scratch: her sauces, the pastas, right down to the fresh cannoli shells and desserts. She does not like to cut corners, she says. Be seated and let Anna, her husband Antonio and brother Gasperino Di Fabio serve you such home style favorites as: Portobello e Polenta alla Griglia con Gorgonzola; Spaghetti alla Chitarra alla Pescarese con Frutti di Mare, seafood in a light marinara sauce; homemade Ravioli di Aragosta in Salsa Rosa, with lobster in a light cream sauce with touch of tomato; classic Zuppa di Pesce all Mamma Lucia, with clams, mussels, shrimp, calamari, scallops, octopus and fish of the day with linguini; Pollo alla Scarpariello prepared here on the bone sautéed with garlic in a white wine sauce; Involtini di Anna alla Fantasia, stuffed with provolone and shitake mushrooms; or a hefty Veal Chop. And, oh those wonderful cannolis! Cozy bar/cocktails. Open 7 days a week. Free parking. Valet weekends.
La Fontanella, 115 Wolf’s Lane, Pelham 914-738-3008
Consummate host Florio Rugova operates a gracious dining room specializing in the cuisine of regional Adriatic Italy. It has established itself as one of the best in the area. A new holiday menu touts such delectable dishes as: Avocado stuffed with lump crabmeat; Sea Scallops with cognac and porcini mushrooms; Risotto with mixed seafood and black ink sauce; Gnocchi Casalinga, potato dumplings in a fresh veal ragu; and seasonal game such as tender Venison with Cavatelli pasta. Seafood excels here. Updated vintage wine list. The staff will spoil you. Extraordinary fare served with a smooth professionalism recalling the fine restaurants of years ago. Beautifully decorated in pastels and flowers. Open 7 days. www.lafontanella-pelham.com.
(Morris Gut has been tracking and writing about the dining scene in greater Westchester for over 25 years. He may be reached at: 235-6591. E-mail: gutreactions@optonline.net)
