Lunapiena

Situated in midtown east, on Third Avenue and 53rd to be exact. With a patio and indoor seating, Lunapiena is for the business types. The typical place to bring your regular clients out and chat. Decor was standard procedure- safe and cordial for a casual business meal. Although the disposal napkins- paper napkins contradict the 'fine' dining claim; hence, this may provoke one to think suspiciously of the validity and lessen one's desire of the 'fine' decor.

Food.
Safe and nothing surprising. Dining here does not require one to open up his/ her gastronomic and exploratory palate. The dishes are stuck in the '80's. Expect the standard dishes e.g. meat and carbs--the 'Italian American' genre. Not Italian. Ordered the special pasta with cut grilled chicken scattered with sun dried tomatoes with a couple of spinach leaves crushed upon a bed of Casarecce. Kudos that it was al dente but on second thought for over 15 an entree, I expected better.

Another order from the special was the fillet mignon. Though I did not sample the dish, I thought it was worth a critique from the presentation. The fillet was swimming in a bath of thick gravy sauce. Disappointing to see a highly expensive cut soaked. Served with a side of roasted potatoes and string beans.

If you are not expecting to be in for a culinary enlightenment skip this midtown white collar trap.


Lunapiena Ristorante 243 East 53rd Street New York, NY 10022 (212) 308-8882