REFINED ITALIAN DINNERS AT IL GATTOPARDO NYC

Meatballs With Cabbage

Midtown hot spot Il Gattopardo, owned by husband-and-wife-team Gianfranco Sorrentino and Paula Bolla-Sorrentino, and partner Chef Vito Gnazzo, invites diners to enjoy refined Italian dishes in a sleek, modern setting. The restaurant also boasts a beautiful, lushly planted 8-story atrium, in which weekend brunch is served, and a wide range of private events are held. The restaurant continuously attracts a wide array of celebrities, including Paul McCartney, Ivanka Trump, Charlie Sheen, Michael Cera, Charles Barkley, Warren Buffet, Paul Blake, Stanley Tucci, William Kentridge, John Anthony Baldessari, Giuseppe Penone, Marina Abramoviæ, I.M. Pei, Rem Koolhaas, Richard Meier, Peter Eisenman and Jacques Herzog.

Il Gattopardo

Il Gattopardo serves traditional Southern Italian comfort food that has been adapted for the contemporary palate without compromising the authenticity of the cuisine. The Sorrentinos are committed to producing top quality Southern Italian gastronomy, to the use of authentic ingredients, and to keeping the tradition of Italian culture, and hospitality, vibrant and passionate. Chef Vito Gnazzo, formerly of three Michelin-starred restaurant Antica Osteria del Ponte and world-renowned REX il Ristorante in Los Angeles, is known for his “farm to table” approach to Southern Italian dining, something that attracts locals and visitors alike to Il Gattopardo and its sister restaurants The Leopard at des Artistes and Mozzarella & Vino. His commitment to bringing the best of the Italian culinary traditions to all of his creations has led to him being awarded two stars by The New York Times and two and half stars by the New York Post.

Signature dishes include the Oven Roasted Monkfish served with ceci bean purée, garnished with fried leeks; Veal “Braciola” Scented with Wild Fennel Pollen, filled with baby artichoke and provola, served with celery root purée and sautéed spinach; and Ravioli Filled with Wild Mushroom and Parmigiano Reggiano, served with porcini and light tomato sauce. Those with a sweet tooth will relish in Il Gattopardo’s dessert menu, which features dishes such as Pastiera, a traditional Neapolitan cheese cake; Traditional Warm Zabaione with fresh mix berries (prepared table side); and Semifreddo of Pear and Ricotta Di Bufala with hazelnut biscotto.

On the weekends, diners can enjoy an Italian twist to classic brunch which is served in the stunning 8-story atrium, a truly unique section of the restaurant with a flair of the Italian Riviera. Dishes include Il Gattopardo eggs Benedict with Hollandaise sauce served with San Daniele prosciutto and sautéed spinach; Ricotta Pancakes served with maple syrup and fresh berries; and Spaghetti alla “Carbonara” with egg yolk, pecorino cheese guanciale and black-pepper corn. The restaurant also offers an extensive wine selection and an ample cocktail menu featuring both classic and innovative cocktails.

Originally from Naples, Italy, Gianfranco Sorrentino carries over 40 years of experience in restaurant management from the Quisisana Hotel in Capri, Dorchester Hotel in London, Four Seasons Hotel in Tokyo, Bice restaurant in New York, Sette MoMA restaurant at the Museum of Modern Art of New York, and Union Bar & Grill in Great Barrington, MA. In September 2001, Sorrentino opened Il Gattopardo, just across from MoMA, and most recently (2011) the Sorrentinos embarked on one of the most rewarding journeys of their careers; the re-birth of the restaurant at New York landmark Hotel des Artistes.

Brazilian born and raised, of Italian parents from Veneto, Paula Bolla-Sorrentino is passionate for art, design and Italian culture. With fashion and design background, she had the opportunity of traveling around the world with top fashion designers, as well as worked in one of the most prestigious design firms of New York, Pentagram Design, as Graphic Designer. Graduated from FIT, but with the hospitality industry in her heart, Paula runs all visual and organizational aspects of the company, from Art Direction and flowers, graphic design, and customer relations, to make sure that guests are not only exposed to a wonderful gastronomical event on the table, but to a whole sensorial experience.

About Il Gattopardo

Fine dining icon Il Gattopardo opened in 2001, and still attracts a loyal clientele who come for both the authentic southern Italian cuisine and the warm, Italian hospitality. Located in the historically landmarked Rockefeller Townhouses at 13-15 West 54th Street, Il Gattopardo is owned by husband-and-wife team of Gianfranco and Paula Bolla Sorrentino, and Partner Chef Vito Gnazzo. Gnazzo is the ultimate artist behind the Southern Italian menus at Il Gattopardo group’s three restaurants: Il Gattopardo, The Leopard at des Artistes and Mozzarella & Vino, along with their busy Il Gattopardo Catering division. Aside from the sleek, modern main dining room, the restaurant also boasts a beautiful, lushly planted 8-story Atrium, in which a wide range of corporate and private events are held.

For more information, call 212 246 0412, or visit www.ilgattopardonyc.com 

PAUL BETTANY VISITS AOL BUILD IN NEW YORK CITY

Paul Bettany

Paul Bettany visited AOL BUILD yesterday in New York City.Paul Bettany is an English actor. He is known for his voice role as J.A.R.V.I.S.

Photo By: Diego Corredor/MediaPunch

LAURA BENANTI VISITS STEPHEN COLBERT IN NYC

Laura Benanti

Laura Benanti was in good spirits and in fashion when she went to The Late Show With Stephen Colbert yesterday in New York City.

Photo By: Diego Corredor/MediaPunch 

SARAH JESSICA PARKER STUNNING IN NEW YORK CITY

Sarah Jessica Parker

Sarah Jessica Parker was in fashion and looking stunning when we photographed her filming on location yesterday in New York City.

Photo By: Diego Corredor/MediaPunch

FORTH SEASON OF 'THE LAST SHIP' PREMIERE'S AUG 20

The Last Ship

In celebration of the epic drama The Last Ship at Comic-Con International, TNT is releasing the official season four trailer after playing it exclusively for fans who attended the panel.

Eric Dane, Bridget Regan, Adam Baldwin, Charles Parnell, Travis Van Winkle, Marissa Neitling, Christina Elmore, Jocko Sims, Bren Foster and Kevin Michael Martin star in this action-packed series chronicling the aftermath of a global catastrophe that nearly decimates the world's population.

The fourth season of The Last Ship is slated to launch with a two-episode premiere on Sunday, Aug. 20, at 9 p.m. (ET/PT), across TNT platforms.

TROIAN BELLISARIO SPOTTED IN NEW YORK CITY

Troian Bellisario

Troian Bellisario was snapped at AOL BUILD the other day in New York City. The star seemed to be enjoying the hot summer day.

Photo By: Diego Corredor/MediaPunch

AMAZING KRESKIN GIVES OJ SIMPSON A CHALLENGE

The Amazing Kreskin

Our friend The Amazing Kreskin sent us this e-mail the other day, offering OJ Simpson a challenge. We think this could be a great idea for a television show.

It’s appropriate today that I reintroduce the offer and challenge that I made OJ Simpson in 1999, regarding the murders of his ex-wife, Nicole and Ron Goldman. In the past 24 hours, interest and reference to the most covered murder trial in US history has been re-awakened for obvious reasons.

In 1999 I sent a letter, delivered to Simpson’s attorney, Johnny Cochran. In essence my challenge to Simpson was “Walk with me, talk with me, and I’ll reveal who murdered your ex-wife, Nicole”.

This was not a frivolous scenario. It’s been forgotten that in 1995, OJ had the “generous” nerve to offer a reward for information leading to his ex-wife’s killer! Believe it or not, no one came through with any offer. As a result of this, I made a challenge to OJ to help him “prove your innocence or for that matter your guilt”.

Neither Simpson nor Cochran responded. “OJ let’s clear the air once and for all…accept my offer”.

-The Amazing Kreskin 

SCOTT DISICK ON HIS GARGANTUAN SEX APPETITE

Scott Disick

E! NEWS --  Scott Disick wants to set the record straight about his love life and what he calls his "gargantuan appetite" for sex.

He and ex Kourtney Kardashian, with whom she shares three kids, have been broken up for two years. He is often seen partying with women showed some PDA with a few of them, including actress Bella Thorne, during a whirlwind 34th birthday trip to Cannes and other parts of Europe several weeks ago. In an episode of Keeping Up With the Kardashians that aired earlier this year, Scott said he is a "sex addict."

"I would say I think it's a little rude that everybody keeps addressing me as a sex addict," Scott told E! News exclusively Saturday at the LIQUID day club at the Aria Hotel and Resort in Las Vegas. "I just like sex, but I'm not a sex addict. I said that in a humorous, joking fashion on the show and now I'm getting billed as one, and it's not the case. I do like sex, but I am not an addict."

When asked if he thinks his sexual appetite is a healthy one, Scott told E! News, "A gargantuan appetite, but not an addict!"

At the club, Scott and his entourage sat in a VIP area. A crowd of women ran over to his table, screaming his name. He took photos with many of them. Scott chatted up a couple of them, asking one bikini-wearing guest for her phone number, E! News has learned. He and his friends later headed over to the resort's Sky Suites private pool lounge, where he and a woman got cozy in the pool. The two were later spotted dancing and getting cozy in a VIP booth at the 1OAK nightclub.

Scott earlier talked to E! News about his love life.

When asked if there were any women he is romantic with currently, he joked, "Just on the Internet."

"No, no love interest for me. I'm just focusing on one girl at a time," he said, laughing. "I'm just kidding. I just try to live and be decently happy. But no, No girlfriends or anything like that."

Scott also talked about Bella, with whom he also partied in Los Angeles after they returned from Cannes. She recently said she was "never with him sexually."

"We have nothing to do with each other romantically," Scott told E! News.

As for Kourtney, she and Scott continue to co-parent and even continue to travel together as a family.

"We love spending time together and with the kids. That's never been a question," he told E! News. "I feel like sometimes the outside perspective thinks that maybe we are not on good terms, but we are. We stay strong for our three children, and that's pretty much all we can do."

Another source told E! News Kourtney "is not phased" by Scott's recent partying and outings with Bella and other women.

"She knows that this is another one of Scott's cycles and hopes that he can turn himself around for the kids," the source said. "They are working on their co-parenting relationship and she is focused on the kids."

For the past few months, Kourtney has been dating Younes Bendjima. The source told E! News she "is still seeing Younes but it is not a consistent relationship" and that "she loves doing her own thing."

 Photo By: Media Punch INC

FOOTLOOSE KEVIN BACON VISITS AOL BUILD NYC

Kevin Bacon

Kevin Bacon was photographed at AOL BUILD the other day in New York City.

Photo By: Diego Corredor/MediaPunch

SLEEK ANTIPASTI AND WINE @ MOZZARELLA & VINO

****

Discover Delicious Artisanal Cheese, Wine and Antipasti

At “Enoteca” Style Restaurant

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Mozzarella With Tomatoes

Mozzarella & Vino

Located in Midtown Manhattan just steps from MOMA is sleek antipasti and wine restaurant Mozzarella & Vino, owned by husband-and-wife-team Gianfranco Sorrentino and Paula Bolla-Sorrentino. The talented Chef Vito Gnazzo offers diners a delectable menu that reflects the simplicity of authentic Italian ingredients, with a heavy emphasis on the Mozzarella di Bufala Campania, Italian cheeses and affettati. Based mostly on classic Italian antipasti, such as arancini, panzarotti and mozzarella rolls, the restaurant also serves a wonderful selection of paninis, soups, salads, and of course mozzarella in all shapes and combinations - even on desserts. The restaurant continuously attracts a wide array of celebrities, including Paul McCartney, Glenn Lowery, Greg Proops and Andre Leon Talley.

Mozzarella & Vino’s enoteca style bar focuses on showcasing smaller family estate wines and independent Italian winemakers. A variety of wines by the glass are offered, as well as by the bottle. The selection greatly varies due to constant new discoveries. Signature dishes include Buffalo Mozzarella Roll Filled with Prosciutto San Daniele with a light pesto sauce served with baby arugula; Oven Roasted Veal Brisket served with sautéed spinach; and “Ravioli del Giorno,” homemade ravioli of the day. Diners can also enjoy a selection of homemade desserts, such as Vanilla Panna Cotta with strawberries, Dark Chocolate and Almond Cake with pistachio gelato, and Artisanal Italian Gelati and Sorbetti, all made in-house!

The Sorrentinos are committed to producing top quality Southern Italian gastronomy, to the use of authentic ingredients, and to keeping the tradition of Italian culture, and hospitality, vibrant and passionate. Chef Vito Gnazzo, formerly of three Michelin-starred restaurant Antica Osteria del Ponte and world-renowned REX il Ristorante in Los Angeles, is known for his “farm to table” approach to Southern Italian dining, something that attracts locals and visitors alike to Mozzarella & Vino and its sister restaurants Il Gattopardo and The Leopard at des Artistes. His commitment to bringing the best of the Italian culinary traditions to all of his creations has led to him being awarded two stars by The New York Times and two and half stars by the New York Post.

Originally from Naples, Italy, Gianfranco Sorrentino carries over 40 years of experience in restaurant management from the Quisisana Hotel in Capri, Dorchester Hotel in London, Four Seasons Hotel in Tokyo, Bice restaurant in New York, Sette MoMA restaurant at the Museum of Modern Art of New York, and Union Bar & Grill in Great Barrington, MA. In September 2001, Sorrentino opened Il Gattopardo, just across from MoMA, and most recently (2011) the Sorrentinos embarked on one of the most rewarding journeys of their careers; the re-birth of the restaurant at New York landmark Hotel des Artistes.

Brazilian born and raised, of Italian parents from Veneto, Paula Bolla-Sorrentino is passionate for art, design and Italian culture. With fashion and design background, she had the opportunity of traveling around the world with top fashion designers, as well as worked in one of the most prestigious design firms of New York, Pentagram Design, as Graphic Designer. Graduated from FIT, but with the hospitality industry in her heart, Paula runs all visual and organizational aspects of the company, from Art Direction and flowers, graphic design, and customer relations, to make sure that guests are not only exposed to a wonderful gastronomical event on the table, but to a whole sensorial experience.

About Mozzarella & Vino

Mozzarella & Vino is located at the former Il Gattopardo space, at 33 west 54th Street in New York’s Midtown neighborhood. Talented Chef Vito Gnazzo is responsible for the delectable menu that reflects the simplicity of authentic Italian ingredients, with a heavy emphasis on the Mozzarella di bufala Campania, Italian cheeses and affettati. The enoteca style bar focuses on showcasing smaller family estate wines and independent Italian winemakers. Gnazzo is the ultimate artist behind the Southern Italian menus at Il Gattopardo group’s three restaurants: Il Gattopardo, The Leopard at des Artistes and Mozzarella & Vino, along with their busy Il Gattopardo Catering division.

Mozzarella & Vino


33 West 54th Street

(Between 5th & 6th Ave)

New York, NY 10019



Open Daily: 11:30 AM – 10:00 PM

For more information, call (646) 692-8849, or visit www.mozzarellaevino.com