Kips Bay restaurant

[SusanGiff]

My husband is trying to remember the name and location of an old restaurant on a side street in the lower 30s/upper 20s, near the entrance to the Midtown Tunnel. It was in the basement of a townhouse and, he seems to recall, very pretty and homey--American food, or possibly Italian. I'm drawing a blank on everything other than a dim memory that such a place existed. Can anyone help? Is it still around?

[seisei]

You may be thinking of L'Impero

Haven't been; let us know what you think.

Do I get a prize?

[Sneakeater]

Almost certainly not L'Impero.

Could it be Marchi's?

[Nathan]

L'Impero is too far up and a young restaurant.

there are several places meeting that description in Frat Hill.

maybe Cosette or I Trulli?

[SusanGiff]

Definitely not L'Impero or I Trulli, so sorry, no prize! But I can highly recommend L'Impero. Haven't been to I Trulli in a while, but liked it when we were there.

I'll run the other names past him, though.

Thanks.

[SusanGiff]

You did it! It's Marchi's! Thank you! Anyone been? It looks pretty cool, and I love the idea of no menu. Marchi's

Thanks again. If we go, I'll report back.

[birder53]

I haven't been there for several years, but my family has dined there for over 20 years and marveled that the service and quality of food remained constant. The lasagna course is one of my favorites along with the plate piled high with crostini for dessert. The warm lemon fritter for dessert is also really, really good.

It's a great place to go with a large group because all you need to order are beverages. There is a fish, chicken and then veal or beef course in addition to a nice antipasto and wonderful dessert. You can enjoy your company and relax as the meal is expertly served. It was always good, fresh food, well prepared and professionally served.

[Nathan]

the cynic in me says that a kitchen damn well better be able to serve the exact same five dishes competently over a 30 year period.

I fail to see how that's an accomplishment. you could teach monkeys to do that.

[birder53]

the cynic in me says that a kitchen damn well better be able to serve the exact same five dishes competently over a 30 year period.

I fail to see how that's an accomplishment.  you could teach monkeys to do that.

←

It is an accomplishment to maintain the level of service and quality of food for that many years. How many restaurants fail to deliver in those categories? True, it is the same menu every day, but each time we ate there we still came away thinking how good it all was. What's wrong with that?

[Nathan]

if I cooked the same five dishes day in and day out for 30 years they'd be really good too. and I'd teach the cleaning lady how to make them...really well.

sounds like a robotic assembly line. worth a meal, sure. an accomplishment? not in the slightest.

edit: one reason that other restaurants sometimes fail to deliver is maybe that they are 10000000000000000000000000000000000% more ambitious? more than five dishes? a changing menu?

Edited November 27, 2007 by Nathan (log)

[weinoo]

the cynic in me says that a kitchen damn well better be able to serve the exact same five dishes competently over a 30 year period.

I fail to see how that's an accomplishment.  you could teach monkeys to do that.

←

Nathan - there's a cynic in you?

[LPShanet]

You did it! It's Marchi's! Thank you! Anyone been? It looks pretty cool, and I love the idea of no menu. Marchi's

Thanks again. If we go, I'll report back.

←

I've been several times, but none in the last 20 years! It was always good, dependable home-style Italian fare. Not ambitious in the least, but satisfying in that way that recalls old fashioned family meals. They make way more than 5 dishes, although they present them in five waves/courses. If you're looking for cutting edge or refined cuisine, look elsewhere, but if you want what they offer, you'll get lots of it...