My youngest once told me an interesting fact she read somewhere. 10,000 birds die from smashing into windows a year. And so I have to ask you my loyal readers, both of you. How in the world do they come up with those stats. Really, do they actually keep a running tally? Do they pick up dead birds on the streets and able to determine the exact cause of death or they simply base on the location where birds pronounced dead close to windows, died from smashing into them Angry Birds style.
Anyway, I wonder how many pasta lover birds have smashed into the windows of Giovanni Rana. GR is an Italian legend from Verona who’s passion for ravioli spawned an empire in Italy. His face is proudly stapled on Tortellini packages all over the country. But instead of telling you the story you can just see it on his site. Yes even in Italy they eat packaged/frozen goods.
His daughter in law Antonella runs the new sprawling mini Eataly space in Chelsea piers. Daily made fresh pasta is the name of the game here. You can eat it, buy it, or take-out it. Perhaps the finest pasta menu in NYC and we sampled 4 of them (me and my 2 pasta critics, daughters age 12, 10). On the way I told the kids about daddy’s and mommy’s adventures in Verona and I didn’t get far until the youngest interrupted.. “Ahhm dad, we were there too remember?” Oh Yehhh!
Ricotta Spinach Girasole. – Absolutely delicious Ravioli. My youngest’s favorite of the bunch. Comes with more chunks of creamy ricotta, all in this nice baked parmigiano crisp
Ravioli al Brasato. Braised rib meat Ravioli with cabbage and chestnuts. Good although the weakest link perhaps. I felt wanting more of the cabbage and chestnuts especially the cabbage, and the chestnuts.
Lobster Mezzaluna – Very Good! not Maine lobster from the next door neighbor lobster place but satisfying nonetheless. The best part of the dish was the Chanterelle mushrooms. One of those rare moment that I count my blessings for marrying a mushroom hater (hate transferred to the kids)
Cappelletti – the star for me. Even with the odd side of prosciutto on toast. Prosciutto, bread crumbs and herbs packed in those Cappelletti. Each one bursting with flavor. Well done!
Service with plenty of hiccups as they only open for a few months. The place feels like mini Eataly with all the tourists, products and cafeteria like setting. Still, an enjoyable meal in Giovanni’s pasta land. Welcome to New York Mr. Rana