By Jackie Yin
It seems that the hipster vortex of the Meatpacking District is seeing a little “La Dolce Vita”, with the arrival of the Italian restaurant giant Serafina. Serafina Meatpacking offers a variety of authentic Northern Italian dishes originating from family recipes. But the upscale spot isn’t just about fancy dishes and vino; its deconstructed graffiti on the walls hand-painted by artist Michela Martello and electrifying live music at night tell you that Serafina is determined to blend into the local scene and is here to stay.
The space manifests a sense of modernism with dynamic glass staircases connecting three floors. Paper light sconces illuminate each table with warm hues. An amiable waitress led me to my table.
I started my feast with a Passion Fruit Mojito. Its enlivening orange color topped with the green of mint leaves was like a cool breeze in a summer night. The refreshing elixir cheered me up in no time. Later during my entrée I had a Honey Martini, which was also a work of art.
For the appetizer, I ordered Prosciutto e Burrata. The collection of thinly sliced prosciutto that was almost translucent was served with a generous piece of burruta, both imported from Parma, Italy. Burruta means “buttered” in Italian. And true to the word, the velvety combination of mozzarella and cream gives the cheese an unusually soft texture. This is a dish that truly spoils your tongue because the moment you put it in your mouth, it melts away like the kiss of a fine lady.
For a salad, I ordered Carciofi e Parmigiano – sliced baby artichokes hearts with Parmesan, lemon and extra virgin olive oil. The crisp bites of the artichokes were a complete reverse from the appetizer, adding fun to the dining experience.
And how can a trip to Serafina be complete without trying their signature pastas? My personal favorite is Spaghetti Al Caviale. As the menu says, “like in Rome 1960”, the plate is like a gentle and beautiful story. With the company of warm and well-prepared pasta, the subtle and buttery taste of caviar was accentuated. Every bite was so heavenly that it makes my words pale in comparison. You must try it!
I finished my dinner with Torta di Cioccolato, homemade chocolate cake. The cake was like a well-kept secret of softness under a dark alluring crust. I couldn’t do anything but indulge myself and ate the whole thing! What
a perfect night!
Serafina: Meatpacking
7 Ninth avenue
New York, NY 10011
646 964 4494
serafinarestaurant.com
