Villagio on the Park Restaurant

Villagio on the Park is located on Central Park South near 6th Avenue or Avenue of the Americas.  Here you get a a picturesque view of the park and horse-drawn carriages without the accompanying smell.  The restaurant is warm and inviting with beautiful lighting.  It’s marble bar reminded me of Italy as well as the Italian Pop music playing. They do not have a children’s menu but they will accommodate by making something simple like spaghetti and marinara sauce.  Although there is no children’s menu, my daughter was more than welcome here. The service was nothing short of excellent and very attentive.  My daughter dropped a utensil and it was replaced very quickly without giving us a chance to ask for a new one.

The food was just as good as the service.  We sampled the Carpaccio Tri Colore included cured salmon, tuna and octopus served with a light lemon olive oil dressing. The octopus was very tender and the tuna equally as fresh.

For dinner we ordered the Salmone Selvatico, Risotto al Nero di Seppia and the Nodino alla Pizzaiola. The risotto included an array of fresh fish, shellfish, bay scallops and manila clams with house made sugo di pesce.  It was delicious although I found the clams a little salty for my taste. The salmon which was pan seared Wild King Atlantic paired with a pernod dill lemon sauce and served with grilled fennel and roasted heirloom cherry tomatoes was absolutely perfect.  This salmon dish was one of the best I’ve had and I am a salmon lover.  The Nodino or veal chop was prepared with a cherry tomato and oregano sauce was a stand out as well.  I did not need a nice to cut into this chop!

The dessert did not disappoint.  Our favorite was the Apple Pie alla Mode which is not a traditional Italian dessert but must be ordered!  It was puffed pastry baked to order with cinnamon apples served with vanilla ice cream.  The Homemade Profiteroles were divine as well.  I was very impressed by the powdered sugar-coated plates given to us so we can share the desserts.

Villagio on the Park is an upscale restaurant near Central Park where you can take your well-behaved kids and enjoy a delicious meal!