Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Restaurants Chairmen of the Sandwich Board
Posted by Carrington Fox on Tue, Sep 23, 2008 at 10:05 AM
When I stopped by Savarino's Cucina on Friday for some cannoli and mille-feuilles, Corrado Savarino was up to his elbows in flour. He took a break from rolling out the fresh pasta dough to say hello and insisted that I try the daily special of fettucine fra diavolo.
Nothing moves fast at Savarino's—that's part of the old-world charm—so while I waited for my bowl of noodles and shrimp, I sipped a limonata and perused the new painted chalkboards behind the counter. While reading the list of sandwiches named for Corrado's friends and fellow Italians—including local businessman Ed Pontieri and music industry veterans Al Bunetta and Mike Figlio—I couldn't help but notice the animated group of diners at the two tables tucked in near the counter.
There sat none other than Ed Pontieri, Al Bunetta and Mike Figlio themselves, lingering and laughing over lunch with a group of friends. Ed was pacing the room making sure nobody needed any more bread, while Mike was narrating the recipe for Figlio Family 2007 Sangiovese, which, by the way, goes nicely with a bowl of Savarino's fettucine fra diavolo.
It was the kind of intimate scene you can expect any day of the week at the 2-year-old Savarino's, where Brooklyn transplant Corrado, his wife Maria and their kids deliver a menu of home-cooked Italian meals and pastries. Recently, Savarino's introduced a roster of daily specials. I highly recommend going at the end of the week. That's when Corrado unfurls his feather-light homemade pasta and the TGIF vibe is at its best. If you happen to run across the Chairmen of the Sandwich Board enjoying a lazy lunch, try not to look like you're in a hurry. That just irritates them.
Savarino's Cucina Daily Specials
Monday—linguine with pesto
Tuesday—tripoline arrabiata
Wednesday—bucatini carbonara
Thursday—fresh pasta with vodka sauce
Friday—fresh fettucine fra diavolo
Saturday—fresh cheese ravioli with marinara
Located at 2121 Belcourt Ave., Savarino's is open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, with breakfast available 7 to 11 a.m.
Comments (12)
Showing 1-12 of 12
alwayshungry and I were supposed to go to lunch here last week. AB, ready for some carbs?
like
dislike
So when Ed Pontieri, Al Bunetta and Mike Figlio arder their sandwich, do they just say "Give me one of me?"
Of course, that's an obvious reference to Kevin Bacon ordering a "Me L-T."
CeeELCee for the win! Thanks to Claudia, I learned how to use FTW. I a big girl now!
I really miss being a lady who lunches. Damn this job in Rutherford county! Though I will say, there's a great Thai restaurant here. Best in the area, I'd say. (Helloooooo....sticky rice with Thai custard). But woman cannot live on Thai alone.
I went in with Jack Silverman (who's been lobbying unsuccessfully for years to get a sandwich named after him), and we ended up at a table with Al Bunetta for one of the most scintillating, illuminating and all-around fun lunchtime conversations I've ever had. I'm ready to set up a cot in there.
I also met Ed Pontieri, who definitely lives up to his sandwich.
The prices I remember being about $6-10, with the average somewhere around $8.99. And worth every penny—those sandwiches are filling as hell.
A great restaurant---had my wedding rehearsal dinner there, and it was some of the best food ever. I've moved away since then and miss it a lot.
going today with one of my favorite lunch dates. carbonara? i am calling you...
savarino has created quite the unique spot in this town and well, i for one am grateful.
