Sicily Osteria Serves Up Authentic Italian Fare on Restaurant Row
Since going to Sicily last year, finding a way to feed my craving of Sicilian culture without taking a flight has been top of mind. As one of the food capitals of the world, I am grateful that New York City is home to Sicily Osteria, an authentic Sicilian restaurant in the heart of Times Square on Restaurant Row. Owner and President, Robert Malta, is not new to the restaurant scene, with other locations under his belt like Bocca di Bacco, Arte Cafe and more. Sicily Osteria is, however, the first time he’s gone back to his roots and featured a restaurant focused on Sicilian cuisine.
Walking into the Sicily Osteria space, you’re able to pretend that it isn’t 20 degrees outside. The warm and inviting atmosphere is infectious, and on purpose. Malta has actual photos of his family adorning the walls. The space is also tremendous. In addition to a weather protected patio area and interior, there is an entire 2nd story and outdoor space that is also weather protected, so it’s safe to say there is space for a party or two.
In terms of what to order, you can’t really go wrong here. What I was very excited about was that pannelle, an Italian street food snack made out of chickpea and flour that I grew addicted to in Sicily, was on the menu! This is not a typical item on an Italian menu in the states and the little pillows of dough were a great way to start off our meal. We also received rolls in a cast iron pan that did not last long enough to dip in the Pat LaFrieda wagyu meatballs sauce. Served with ricotta on top, the dish was definitely cooked with love. Pasta dishes were too difficult to choose between, but the Spaghetti Chitarra, a mixture of crab, pistachio, lemon, cream and marjoram, is another dish that you don’t see everyday and one that should not be missed!
A entree so popular that it is outlined on the menu, is the Pollo Parmigiana, or chicken parm. The portions here are extremely generous so count on having leftovers for the next day or two. We also had to save room for dessert, considering Pastry Chef Alessandro Duerto from Sweet Rehab is now at the helm. We opted for the Limone Di Sicilia, shaped like a lemon but filled with lemon prepared all the ways. It was a refreshing way to end our meal.
Sicily Osteria is a perfect place to dine if you’re looking to evoke Sicilian vibes without hopping on a flight. They also offer a three course lunch prix fixe if you’re looking to dine on a budget.
For more information or to book a reservation for yourself, visit sicilynyc.com.
