PX This.

PX This presents THE F&F REVIEW

Hey, sorry we couldn’t make it to "Friends&Family," we were out of town/ had to work/ not invited. We’re really glad we finally managed to come by, though— it’s so nice to see you!
What’s that? You would still like us to take the time to fill out the F&F survey, because you’d love to take advantage of all our vast experience, knowledge, insight, and expertise as long as we’re already here? Because you invited 75 people to F&F, and afterward all you got was 41 "Congrats[es]!" 22 "Awesome[s]!" 3 "Ciao[s]!" and 9 "Best of luck[s]!" ?
Of course, we’d be honored. Oh ha, yesss, we’ll be honest— brutally honest even, ha ha! After all, that’s what friends & family are for!
No no please, don’t send anything more, we’re stuffed, we can’t breathe, you’ll have to roll us out of here, ha ha ha… !

Felice Wine Bar

What was your first impression?
Cute! Simple and cozy. Aww, and look, it’s Enzo (which is pretty much the only reason we busted out the passport for this haul up to the UES). Sigh, Sant Ambroeus just isn’t the same without him.

Please rate the Bar:
Nice. Spacious and welcoming. We’d have given it a whirl, but Enzo’s just too efficient…

Please rate the drinks/ cocktails/ wine:
We opted for wine— oh wait, oops! Is there even an ABC license here? Judging by the name of the place, I’d have guessed no, buuut looking at the photos again, it looks like there is some hard booze up in this joint after all. What? Sorry!
Whatever, the wine is good. We had a Pinot Nero that Enzo recommended. Maybe you should too.

Please rate the Dining Room:
It’s remarkably comfortable considering the spare layout. The deuce booths are kinda nice.

Please rate the BOH:
Very good. I know you won’t believe me cuz you’ll think I’m just being nice cuz I’m an F.O.E. (Friend of Enzo), but seriously— it was very good. Better than Sant Ambroeus. Really truly. No exaggeration, it was actually very reminiscent of the last really great Italian meal I had, and I swear I’m not just saying that just to be agreeable. (Come on, with all my acquaintances in the biz, have I ever resorted to hyperbole? No, never.)

How was the staff?
Well, there are a couple familiar faces up in here, all right. What can I say? I thought they were great. But I know, I know, easy for me to say, rolling PX all night long through this muhfuh.
How’s this— I’m more than willing to bet they don’t suck in general.

What did you eat?/ How was the food?
Fritto misto : Very good. Dude, paper-thin vegetable slices that are then lightly battered and quickly deep-fried, along with fresh, tender, and crisp calamari? Exceptional.
Porchetta : Uhh, no seriously. Somebody is having a ball with the super duper professional meat slicer they must have stashed away in the basement prep area somewhere. You can practically see through this meat. Pretty perfect.
Tagliata and arugula salad : Excellent. Perfectly cooked and succulent steak. Great simple traditional arugula and grape tomato presentation. So good, you can’t believe it’s carb-free.
Papardelle with salsiccia: Saved the best description for last. Uh muh gah, sooo delicious. Again— paper-thin papardelle! Okay, call me crazy, but they can’t possibly be sliding the homemade pasta through that hi-fi slicer gadget too, can they?! No really, how the heck do you make a papardelle this thin and light? Is that a stupid question, I don’t know, I’m not a chef. But, I do know I have never ever ever loved a papardelle this much (I’m a capellini girl, what can I tell ya). The sausage too, is perfectly executed, hearty and rich, but not greasy in any way. And that aroma is mouth-watering. Fine, maybe it’s touch of truffle oil, so shoot them. Plus a bit of mushroom and garlic and, aye…! [Lift hand, turn palm upward, wave in circular motion.] Yup, that about says it all.
Would I travel all the way to the UES for this? I am solemnly starting to consider it.

What did you like?
The food was really very good.

What did you dislike?
The UES? Rilly?

What was your last impression?
Honestly? That goodfella looking dude in that banquette yonder is totally sweating me. Hey, you asked.

Would you come back?
Maybe next week? (DeLucie’s Crown is next, and that’s just a couple blocks over.)

Thank you, and hope to see you soon!
Thank you, it was a pleasure.

* * * * *

Have you heard?
Until the release of PX Me (Spring 2012), this website will henceforth be updated only intermittently (approximately once or twice a week).
Abbe Diaz’s new (daily) blog is now at: abbediaz.com

Leave a Reply