Scalini Osteria in Bronxville

Tucked underneath the shops in Bronxville is the delightful and private Italian osteria --Scalini on Pondfield Road. Formerly the home of Scarborough Fair, the space includes an intimate indoor dining room plus a front patio and an outdoor courtyard where weather-permitting you can enjoy a quiet lunch, dinner or Sunday brunch.

Our group of seven visited Scalini on a chilly Tuesday night and we were seated at a long table, bordered on one side by a banquette. As we nibbled warm bread and bean dip we contemplated an extensive wine list from which we chose a reasonably priced Pinot Noir.

Since we clearly had catching up to do, the waiters left us to dine at a leisurely pace. The menu is fairly lengthy and appetizers included salmon carpaccio, burrata – which is a soft, runny mozzarella served with tomatoes and basil, a napoleon of goat cheese and pesto and Caciucco di Crostacei – a bowl of shellfish steamed in a tomato broth. There were also cheese and antipasto plates to share with fava beans, fig compote and dry-cured meats.

The soup of the day was escarole and bean and also offered were a nice selection of salads --among them were Barbabietole e Arance, which is roasted beets, orange, spiced smoked almonds and ricotta salata in a citrus vinagrette or the Insalata Scalini with endive, radicchio, arugula, grilled figs, apples, roasted pine nets and truffle oil.

My diet-conscious companions enjoyed their salads while I indulged in the seafood stew that had baby clams, mussels and squid brewed in a tasty tomato broth.

The pasta selections all sounded tempting and the menu claimed that all were “homemade.” On the menu were a ricotta and carrot gnocchi with fava beans and pecorino, Spaghetti alla Chitarra Bolognese, and a ravioli stuffed with porcini mushrooms. The risotto of the day was made with shrimp, scallops and tomatoes. I opted for the pasta special and it was outstanding – fresh pasta stuffed with a puree of porcini that I will have again.

Fish selections included sea bass, salmon and the Pescato del Giorno that was an almond-crusted cod. The salmon was accompanied by lentils and mushrooms and all the fish dishes passed muster with our group. Several in our party opted for the chicken special that was served in a marsala sauce with green beans and mushrooms. Also available were pollo martini, pork tenderloin, skirt steak, veal with porcini mushrooms, fried zucchini and roast potatoes and a seared breast of duck in a lingonberry reduction.

We finished the meal by sharing some fruit and an apple tart while sipping cappuccinos.

It turned out the pasta was indeed “homemade” as we received a notice about the restaurant’s upcoming pasta-making classes on three Saturday afternoons beginning January 23 at 1 pm. You can sign up by calling 914-337-4935.

Entrees were priced at $20-$25, bringing the tab per person to about $50 including tip.

There was enough on the menu to deserve another trip down the Bronx River Parkway so I’ll be going back soon and recommend you try Scalini Osteria too.

Scalini Osteria
65 Pondfield Road
Bronxville, N.Y. 10708
(914)-337-4935
www.scaliniosteria.com

Hours:
Monday – Saturday
Lunch: 12:00-3:00
Dinner: 5:00-10:00

Sunday
Brunch: 11:30-2:30
Dinner:  2:30- 9:00