FG Dining Doubleshot: Scopello & Thomas Beisl
Scopello The menu at this Sicilian spot near the academy’s two theaters includes pasta selections like spaghetti alla carbonara, black ravioli filled with fresh crabmeat served in shrimp broth, and gnocchi. Entrees include pork loin roasted with brandy and orange sauce, and crispy chicken breast stuffed with mushrooms and spinach cooked in Marsala wine. (718)…
Scopello
The menu at this Sicilian spot near the academy’s two theaters includes pasta selections like spaghetti alla carbonara, black ravioli filled with fresh crabmeat served in shrimp broth, and gnocchi. Entrees include pork loin roasted with brandy and orange sauce, and crispy chicken breast stuffed with mushrooms and spinach cooked in Marsala wine. (718) 852-1100; 63 Lafayette Avenue. Photo from here. GMAP
Thomas Beisl
The bright yellow facade at this Viennese spot, across from the academy, makes it hard to miss. A patio garden is open year round. The menu is part bistro, part Austrian, with items like cod schnitzel, and Prince Edward Island mussels with garlic, white wine and smoked jalapeños. (718) 222-5800; 25 Lafayette Avenue. Photo from here. GMAP
Intriguing Dining Near BAM [NY Times]
Love Scopello. Food changes depending on what’s fresh in the season, so it always seems new. I agree with some of the other posters about the warm atomosphere and cool bar scene, but feel the food also stands on its own and is worth the trip. they do a good sarde beccafico, difficult dish to do, and you can’t get more sicilian than that, but i admit my favorite is the ribs, juicy drop off the bone good. you want to drink the wine sauce off your plate! Large selection of good sicilian wines. Nice people too…
Thomas Beisl is great – excellent food, interesting wine list, Austrian hospitality. I went there for Valentines’ Day last year and had a great time.
Thanks for the recommendations RE: Salade Nicoise! Yum Yum!
i agree, the nicoise salad at chez oscar is really good.
I also like the salade Nicoise at Chez Oskar. They use fresh tuna.
Gidget, I think you’d want to check out Le Gamin on Vanderbilt for Salade Nicoise. It’s technically a few blocks into Prospect Heights up the hill, but it’s the only place I can think of that has it.
I’ve enjoyed Beisel every time I’ve gone. Nice atmosphere too. I’m sorry to say that Scopello’s food was very average to subpar, and I gave them 3 chances. A pumpkin risotto I had was especially bland. Tasted like they boiled some rice then tried to flavor it at the end. It looks nice inside and opens up front in the summer. Maybe they’ve gotten better because they are still there after a couple of years…
Had a good meal at beisel.
Ici is fantastic for non-egg-related lunch items, as well. Their menu changes a lot b/c they only use what they can get fresh, but some of the sandwiches are constant – I love the smoked bluefish w/hard-boiled egg & apple. If they have the braised short-ribs sandwich, that is awesome. Also (speaking of Beisel) the Spaetzle is great.