Category Archives: Mozzarella and Vino

Before our trip to Rome this winter, Michele and I had dinner with a friend at Mozzarella & Vino.  It’s a more casual version of Il Gattopardo located just down the street.  We enjoyed it so much and looked forward to an opportunity to go for lunch.

As always we were greeted by Paula Bolla Sorrentino, the Managing Partner.  Later Vito Gnazzo, the Chef Partner came over to discuss the menu.

We started with an assortment of antipasti, including Arancini Di Melanzane

Crisp fried rice balls filled with roasted eggplant and provola cheese on tomato sauce.

We also shared an order of Polpette di Carne

Veal and pork meatballs in herbed tomato sauce

And we couldn’t resist the M&V Tasting

which included mozzarella di bufala Campana, smoked provola and burrata Pugliese, with sweet cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, extra virgin olive oil and toasted bread.

Next we shared the Ragú Napoletano

Mezze maniche pasta with slow coked Neapolitan ragú of pork ribs, beef short ribs, pecorino cheese, tomatoes and fresh basil

Our friend ordered the Salmone

Pacific salmon, pan-seared with white wine and dill, served with sautéed spinach

I couldn’t resist the Neapolitan-style Meatloaf

Filled with prosciutto, salami, boiled egg, pecorino and parsley, served with mashed potatoes. This was on the menu at Il Gattopardo and it was my favorite. They took it off a few years ago and now I am happy to say it is back at Mozzarella & Vino.

There is an extensive wine list with many of my favorite Italian wines to choose from.  Mozzarella & Vino also hosts a series of wine dinners featuring important producers from all over Italy who discuss their wines and guide guests in tastings.

With our lunch, we drank

Barbaresco  2009 Castello DI Neive made from 100% Nebbiolo which was drinking very well.

We ended our meal on a sweet note with

Torta Mascarpone Tiramisu

Located on the ground floor of a 5-story townhouse on West 54th Street, Mozzarella & Vino is directly across the street from the Museum of Modern Art. In the daytime  with its fresh airy look and  so much light coming in you would think you were sitting outside!

The restaurant is open all day and it’s the perfect spot any time of the day for an aperitivo, lunch, dinner and even breakfast.  We’ll be back again soon!

Anyone who has followed my blog knows that one of my very favorite Italian restaurants in NYC is Il Gattopardo.  Now the owners of Il Gattopardo have opened, or I should say reopened, their more casual location known as Mozzarella & Vino which had been closed for renovations for some time.

Located on the ground floor of a 5-story townhouse on West 54th Street just down the street from Il Gattopardo, Mozzarella & Vino is directly across the street from the Museum of Modern Art.  It’s a long narrow space that has been given a fresh airy look.

Vito Gnazzo, Chef Partner, and Paula Bolla Sorrentino, Managing Partner

Another dining area on the second floor would be perfect for private parties.

 Chef Alessandro Pelis and Chef Vito Gnazzo of Il Gattopardo have devised a delightful menu that emphasizes the simplicity of Italian cuisine, using high-quality ingredients including classic antipasti, panini, salads, and of course, pastas.

The enoteca-style bar specializes in wines sourced predominantly from artisanal family estates and independent Italian winemakers selected for their history, quality, and value.  Their list is constantly evolving and many of the wines are offered by the glass.

Millefoglie of Polenta  Caprino cheese and bresaola.  We were intrigued by this unusual starter which Chef Vito told us was inspired by the crackling crisp Sardinian bread known as carta di musica.  Here, thin sheets of crispy polenta are layered with creamy goat cheese and housemade bresaola.

Arancini Di Sicilia — Fried rice balls stuffed with oxtail and veal ragout, mozzarella di bufala, and peas.

Citrus and Fennel Salad — Oranges and grapefruit wedges paired with shaved fennel, frisee, olives and caprino cheese.

Giardiniera — crunchy housemade pickled vegetables to accompany the salumi

Selection of Salumi included finocchiona salame, prosciutto and lonza.

Ravioli Del Giorno According to chef’s mood, says the menu.  The day I was there the mood was fresh, tender pasta stuffed with ricotta and taleggio with a delicate yellow tomato sauce.

Chill Ya Jolo 2024 IGT  Badia a Coltibuono Toscana made from 100% Ciliegiolo served chilled. Early harvest at low sugar levels. Native yeasts. Vinified only in stainless steel and aged in the bottle for 1 month. The wine is a light red color. It is a light fruity wine with hints of cherry, red fruit, and blueberry and only 12% alcohol. It was a delight to drink and went very well with the food.

Basil Panna Cotta. For dessert, we shared a delicate panna cotta flavored with fresh basil and topped with candied tomatoes.

I am looking forward to returning soon.

Mozzarella & Vino is located at 33 W 54th St, New York, NY 10019

Paula Bolla Sorrentino, Managing Partner

Gianfranco Sorrentino, in memoriam

Gabriel Berlendis, General Manager

Alessandro Pelis, Executive Chef