adegiulio

Tommy, like everything there, they are great. Different glasses for red and white. Even the water glasses are nice and heavy. I know it sounds silly, but cheap glasses at a nice restaurant is like wearing an Armani tuxedo with Buster Browns....

Hey Curlz, I couldn't agree with you more about DC being a great food town. Some of my best meals were eaten there, and I look forward to getting down there as often as possible... DC Coast, Kinkeads, Citronelle....love 'em Anthony

Hey Rosie, bringing your own glasses isn't so uncommon. We bring ours to BYO restaurants that we know have lousy glasses (Like Latour in Ridgewood....great food, but the glasses are a complete joke). We bought a soft sided case specifically for that purpose. The first time I did it I felt silly, but I hate great wine in cheap small glasses. if servers say anything (nobody ever has), I would just tell them to invest in quality glasses and we wouldnt have to bring them.

Well, here we go again. Amy and I went to Fascino's first "tasting menu" night last night. It was 5 courses for 55 dollars. Here's what we had: 1) Herb poached shrimp with a shaved red onion and fennel salad. This was quite good. Two large tasty shrimp, still a bit warm from the poaching, plated with a small toss of shaved fennel, red onion and pea shoots. Shrimp were cooked very nicely. My only comment would have been to sprinkle a little fleur de sel on top, for seasoning and crunch. Otherwise, a tasty dish. 2) Filet of Branzino with a gremolata risotto cake, crab, and cauliflour "fondue". The branzino was perfect, with a crisp skin and moist flesh. The risotto cake was rolled in panko and fried crisp. Very delicious. The crab on top was an added bonus, and the cauliflour fondue (more like a foam) was light and a perfect way to bring it all together. This was our favorite dish and one I hope they put on the fall menu. 3) Butternut squash ravioli with some shredded duck confit on top. This dish was good, but uninpressive. Once again, while I found the filling to be tasty (as with the shredded braised beef), the pasta itself was rather tough. Needs to be more delicate without being mushy. I'm sure they will figure this out. The duck and the glace were both terrific. 4) Prosciutto wrapped lamb loin with escarole and cranberry beans. Perfect. Delicious without being fussy. A good way to go if you want red meat for dinner. The whole dish had a wonderful aroma that really made me want to EAT IT. 5) Mixed nut and pear streudel. Delicious, as all the desserts are... All in all, it was a festive night. Anthony worked the room like a pro. Mother Depersio stopped by our table (having already checked what our names are. I love this place). She was very charming and is young enough looking to be their sister. Everyone continues to do the little things that make coming there special. It only takes a second to check the reservation list for a tables names, but most restaurants don't do it. Everyone is friendly and approachable, just like the food. In an area with so many unimpressive retaurants, Fascino shines head and shoulders above their peers. Please don't change! I only wish it didn't take us 35 minutes to get there. Anthony

I had reservations to go a while back, but wouldn't you know it, there was a giant blackout that day... . I want to go back and look forward to reading some reviews here... Anthony

I have been to a few weddings here. Although they are kosher, none of the weddings were "Jewish" weddings. Everything has always been top notch, and I completely agree with your post. It is definately at the top of its game in this area.

Absolutely, positively!! I have forgotten about this place since my sister moved out of Little Falls. I wonder if one of their pies can make it safely to my house off of Hamburg Tpk. in Wayne? Mmmm....Sunray's

We have been to Artisinal several times when it first opened. Though we loved the cheese and enjoyed the brasserie type food, the service was always a joke. We chalked it up to youth. I haven't been back in a little less than a year, and I wonder if the service has gotten any better. We are jonesing for some tasty cheese, so we are going back on Nov. 5. I hope I am pleasantly surprised. Anyone have any comments? Anthony

Sorry to break the bad news, but you may have trouble finding any apples left. Most orchards are already picked, though there may be some red delicious hanging around. Dr. Davies in New City (or Congers) may be the closest around... Good luck!

Mags, clearly you are not qualified to go to a retaurant like this. I shall go in your place. What time should I show up for these tasty vittles?? Do they still have that sign, "No shirt, no shoes, no service"? I may have to borrow some shoes..

I did notice he was eating a giant pile of peanuts....

Sorry Rosie..I figured the last thing this board needs is another glowing review of Fascino....but here it goes!! We walked in and told the hostess we had a reservation. Anthony then started leading us to our table, and as we were nearing what was our table the last time we were there, he turned and said "Here's your table, just like the last time!!" I was shocked he remembered us after a month and a half. He even remembered my name (not too difficult, since it is the same as his). Anyway, on to the meal... I had the fried calamari, which of course was terrific. Crisp and tender, flavorful sauce. Amy had the squash soup, which she was very happy with. For the main courses, I ordered the ravioli with shredded beef, and Amy ordered the Salmon with olive crust. Her Salmon was very good. The filling for my ravioli was delicious, but the pasta was a bit hard. I mentioned it to our waiter and he said he would pass it on. Later, Anthony came out to chat and he mentioned that he heard the pasta was a bit tough. He apologized and we had a nice talk. Even when things aren't perfect, the staff and the owners make us feel comfortable and like they truly appreciate our business. It shows that they are doing a great job since a reservation is so hard to come by at the last minute. I'll be back on Nov 3rd, and we are looking forward to it!!

Eating at Fascino tonight. Anyone else going to be there around 6-ish?

Latour requests jackets?? I'll wear a jacket there as soon as they offer REAL wine glasses as opposed to those 3 ounce glasses that are always freshly warmed from the dishwasher. They are the reason I went out and invested in a soft sided Riedel case to bring my own stemware. Food is still great though... Anthony

The Brickhouse. I think it is in Hawthorne.... Where is Mignon? they are BYOB???

Rosie, having never met or been introduced to you, I didn't want to interupt your meal just to introduce myself. Anthony (the dining room manager for those who haven't been) mentioned that you were there. He asked me where I heard about the restaurant, and when I mentioned both egullet and Dining with Rosie, he pointed you out. How do you stay so trim eating out so much?? Anyway, you probably saw us. We were sitting at the two-top on the front of the restaurant . My fiancee (she's the pretty one) was facing you. Next time I see you I will be sure to introduce myself. Just let me know where you are eating next!! Anthony

We tried Fascino for the first time last night (Rosie was there too). All I can say is this place is definately the real deal. The interior was attractive, the service was good (though our server seemed a bit off of his game). The food stole the show. In NJ, the last thing we need is more Italian, more fried calamari, more Chicken parm....The menu was inventive and had something for everyone. We started with Scungilli with lemon and olive oil and a special of salmon Tartare. Both were deliciously fresh and well made. The scungilli was tender and sweet, not too lemony. We then moved on to the main courses, which were even better. I had the olive crusted salmon, which was perfectly seared then topped with an olive mixture and crisped up. It was served with spinach and braised artichokes in what seemed like jus from the artichoke braise. Amy ordered the pork with cherry sauce, served with brocollini. I didnt try it, but judging by her empty plate, she enjoyed it. It certainly looked good.... Dessert were a plum and nectarine crostata, which was served warm and had a fantastic crust, and cannoli flavored cheesecake, with a chocolate crust. Terrific. Dinner was made even better by the BYOB policy, which is great for wino's like us. One interesting twist they offer is to present diners who have not brought their own wine with lists from various wine stores in the vicinity. They call the shop, which then jogs the wine over to the restaurant (not sure if there is any charge for this) Anyway, if you are as tired of the same Italian resaurants as we are, and are looking for a place to enjoy some of that wine you have been collecting, get over to Fascino TODAY!! Anthony