Join the Family at La Scarbitta in Mamaroneck

We heard that a new Italian restaurant opened in Mamaroneck and headed over to Halstead Avenue, across the street from the train station, to give it a try. We were surprised to see that the restaurant was located in the space once occupied by Bar Vivace. The setting is pleasant, with high ceilings, a long bar, a stone oven and large glass doors which open to the street. There are both front and a back dining rooms, giving La Scarbitta the ability to accommodate more diners that you would assume at first glance.

Though it was late the place was hopping. Our waiter offered us grilled Tuscan bread with olive oil and garlic to stave off hunger pangs while we ordered. The extensive bar offered a good variety of wines by the bottle and by the glass and the menu is small but had many appealing options.

From the antipasto list we chose an arugula salad with grated parmesan cheese and proscuito as well as Caprese Buffalo mozzarella. Both arrived surprisingly fast and the ingredients were fresh and flavorful. Other antipasto options were an antipasto Italiano made of fresh meats and cheeses, an Antipasto Verde of vegetables, melon and prosciutto and mussels in white wine or marinara sauce.

For Primi Piatti there are an array of pastas including gnocchi with ricotta in Bolognese sauce, farfalle al pesto, ravioli with ricotta and spinach, fettucini with mushrooms and prosciutto, pasta Amatriciana, triangolini --- triangle shaped ravioli-- with porcini mushrooms and truffles and linguine with clams. We ordered the ravioli – which were clearly freshly made – and a special called “Shrimp alla Rosa” which was a tasty combination of large shrimp with cherry tomatoes and vodka served over pasta.

The menu also features meat or “carne” selections and fish. From the carne, there’s Veal Saltimbocca, a veal chop, mixed grill, several chicken dishes and a porterhouse steak. My husband ordered the Pollo alla Scarbitta, which was Mamaroneck’s version of chicken martini and it was rich, buttery and delicious. We all tried to dip our forks into his plate.

For fish, there’s branzino, grilled calamari and Pesca Spada Alla Messinese, which is swordfish sautéed in garlic, cherry tomatoes, capers and olives. On the night we visited they also had a trout special with marinara sauce or with lemon and white wine sauce.

After dinner, we spoke to the owners and were surprised to learn that chef Rosa is from the Spadaro family who owns Spadaro’s in New Rochelle. She recently left the family business to break out on her own and is cooking and managing the operation with help from her husband Angelo. Once we made the connection with Spadaro, we realized why the food was so good. Rosa told us that she only offered the best from Spadaro’s extensive menu.

Rosa has been cooking since she was 12 years old and moved to the United States from Puglia with her family at age 17. Her family sold fish in Italy so she has a good nose for fresh fish and purchases only the best for her restaurant daily. She is passionate about her new venture and is now working on adding more items for vegetarians to the menu and looking forward to spring when asparagus and zucchini flowers will be available. As soon as the weather warms up, La Scarbitta will be opening their front doors and serving lunch and dinner outside.

Rosa told us that customers come in as strangers but leave as part of the family ….so go join them for a meal soon!

La Scarbitta
215 Halstead Avenue
Mamaroneck, New York
914-777-1667

Open for dinner from 5 – 10 pm nightly