Crispo   

240 W 14th St
New York, NY 10011
212-229-1818
www.crisporestaurant.com

Directions   Email   Send to Cell   Make a Reservation

At his eponymous restaurant, celebrity chef Frank Crispo, formerly of Chefs Cuisiniers Club and Zeppole, revisits the restaurant circuit. This time, he brings an understated take on Italian cuisine fused with a decidedly personal touch, as is evidenced by the chef's "stamp of approval" -- the restaurant's thumbprint logo -- that epitomizes a hands-on labor of love. Located on a dingy stretch of 14th St. where trendy Chelsea butts up against dumpy discount stores, the unassuming brownstone opens its industrial distressed steel doors into a dimly-lit cozy space with a marble-topped bar, large-planked wood floors, exposed brick and cushy banquette seating that mirrors the unadulterated comfort-food nature of the menu. Offerings including sweet thin prosciutto with figs and Parmesan cheese, smooth and flavorful crabmeat agnolotti with carrot butter and tender veal with prosciutto, sage and tomatoes are nothing short of clean and polished finesse. Top it all off with a sweet such as sinfully rich chocolate pot de creme with cherries or tangy buttermilk panna cotta with roasted peaches and revel in overstuffed bliss, too high on food to notice the lightness of your wallet. -- Amanda Dorato