The evening started at my friend’s home with apps and icy vodka in chilled martini glasses. Then, off to Lusardi’s on Second Avenue, an Italian institution started by two brothers in the 1980s.

Once seated at this white-tablecloth restaurant, the waiter brought us a basket of bread with a cruet of olive oil. We nibbled that while sipping the Sicilian Nero d’Avalo, Mortgante, 2021 ($65). We were seated outside, yet I slipped into the spacious restaurant to see it as I hadn’t previously been.

My friend had raved about their veal, so I had to try her suggestion of their Vitelli martini. I loved the simplicity and flavor of the veal encrusted in Parmesiano Reggiano and sautéed with white wine and lemon ($36). I highly recommend. With that, we had some sautéed zucchini.

We ended sharing a lemon crème bruleé ($16)

I recommend a visit, especially for that veal.

Lusardi’s
Upper East Side
1494 2nd Ave,
New York, NY 10075
(212) 249-2020
lusardis.com/