BROOKLYN RESTAURANT IS ALL ELEMENTI
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THE NOSTALGIC NEW YORKER
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ELEMENTI
140 7th Avenue
Park Slope, Brooklyn, NY
718-788-8388
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The Elementi Bar****
One of our favorite PR-people, DAVID SALIDOR (The Pasha!) has been telling us about ELEMENTI in Park Slope, for the last two weeks. Salidor, who reps the PALM WEST (our spot for clams ... always!) has raved on-and-on about Elementi's chef (Camillo Bassani) ... and, we decided to head out there on our own Saturday night, incognito as it were, and try it on our own!We know he won't mind, and, as we found out quite quickly, he was right ... in fact, he usually is!This past Saturday was the warmest night of the year so far, so once we arrived, we found 7th Avenue in Park Slope positively buzzing with excitement. The restaurant itself, a 2-story stand-alone structure, is terribly inviting, warm golden-hues and discreetly placed mirrors created a most inviting environment. The place was packed with several groups waiting at bay.We decided to start the evening with a few drinks at the bar and found the drinks themselves to be superlative. The female bartender was a treat and while we didn't catch her name, found her most delightful.Once seated, in honor of The Pasha, we started off with a succulent order of fried calamari, baby shrimps, and delicious zucchini, so-named the Fritto Misto. Absolutely delicious. My dining-partner Paul, who began with the Carpaccio Misto di Pesce, tuna, swordfish, salmon, mache, with a vibrant lemon dressing is still raving about the dish today! Always a good sign. Our waiter was very attentive, and inquired just enough as to our needs. Good service cannot be underestimated ... and, here, Elementi's was terrific. For our main dishes; I ordered the Pappardelle con Ragu di Manzo; flat ribbon pasta and oxtail ragout. It was, in a word, sublime. I must confess, this dish is a favorite when I find it ... this was the best I've ever had. Perfectly prepared and served. Paul ordered the Mezze Lune di Aragosta; Lobster pasta in a Prosecco wine and chiuve sauce. Unbelievably good. Their greens are shopped from the local green market on a daily bases, and again, it shows ... as, they were delicious. The pasta is prepared fresh daily and it just melts in your mouth.Chef Bassani, who toiled at the famed Hotel Hasseler in Rome, has an almost magical touch. While his dishes are not overdone ... they're done intelligently ... just right. Like manna from heaven ... his dishes are spot-on. The day after, I'm still remembering them well ... again, a good sign.Though the deserts looked positively enchanting ... we decided to err on the side of caution and table them for another time. We did each order the famed Limocello, prepared by Bassini himself, and, with visions of Danny DeVito dancing in our heads ... we drank them down and marveled at the wonderful taste. Don't let anyone steer you wrong ... this drink is perfect after a wonderful and satisfying meal.We had been told that owners Roy and Mallory Rutledge were on the premises, and although we did not get the opportunity to greet them personally ... as it appeared an event was going on upstairs in The Loft, we will meet them soon ... no doubt, with The Pasha.With the owners being long time residents of the neighborhood, Salidor said that they saw a need for an establishment like this; terrific pan-Italian food at very reasonable prices. Environment-wise ... the restaurant could be in lower-Soho with its sophisticated, yet comfortable look that works extremely well.I know the neighborhood and have never experienced anything this good there before food-wise. We will be back!
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