When you’re on the upper east side and want a terrific lunch without the fuss, there’s Terramare Cafe just off Madison Ave on 65th. As you know I’m partial to Italian, and the owners are Gigio Palazzo and Alessandro Corsini (from Puglia and Tuscany, respectively). The food: Absolutely yummy — I happen to be partial to the salad platter ($12.50) where you can pick three of that day’s offerings. As for other dishes, there’s always a very special pasta, but, then, I can’t sum it up any better than New York Magazine did: “Among Terramare’s little somethings are exceptionally tasty, snack-size sandwiches ($9:00 -$13.00). The best ones (porcini and truffle cheese; artichokes and sweet pecorino; prosciutto and fresh mozzarella) are pressed between a split half of pizza bianca, the light Roman-style bread made by Sullivan Street Bakery’s Jim Lahey, patron saint of sandwiches in New York City.” They also pride themselves on what they call “the best Italian espresso ($2.75) in town.”
Try this place. You might just become a regular.
Terramare Caf
22 East 65th Street
212.717.5020