Stuzzicheria
305 Church St., Tribeca, NY
Stuzzicheria is a new Tribeca offshoot of Bar Stuzzichini, a place that we used to be big time fans of. That “used to be” part is key here. For whatever reason, Bar Stuzz has fallen off recently (more on that soon), and Stuzzicheria has brought a nearly identical, and very mediocre menu down to Tribeca. The small plate snacks and pastas that we once loved in Flatiron are now average at best in both locations, and we’re not exactly sure why. The mother ship restaurant is also half empty most of the time. I guess some businesses expand when they’re hot…and these guy do it while they’re decidedly medium.
Average food notwithstanding, Stuzzicheria has got a shot to become a Tribeca Neighborhood Hang, but that’s only because there aren’t many other good options around here for a quick glass of wine and some food. We think any wine drinking and snack eating south of Canal should be happening at Terroir Tribeca instead.
Photo Credit: Daniel Krieger
Food Rundown:
Arancini
Fried rice balls that just aren’t quite as good as you want them to be.
Polpo
One tentacle of grilled octopus. This is still the best of the “stuzzichini” on the menu, but like the arancini, it’s not mind-blowing.
Bufala Mozzarella
Bufala mozzarella is a tough thing not to like, and this one is good, though it’s a small serving.
Bucatini Amatriciana
A perfect example of how something that was once great has now become a snoozer. We used to be a huge fan of this pasta at Bar Stuzzichini, where it’s done with gnocchi rather than bucatini. Barely any of the delicious salty, spicy tomato sauce with pork jowl is present, and what is there sits at the bottom of the bowl feeling sorry for itself.
Timballo al Forno
A Saturday night special, Timballo is a baked dish with pasta and, in this case, lots of cheese. Imagine a six cheese lasagna, and that’s kind of what you’re dealing with here. Sounds good right? It’s not.
Branzino
White fish, some greens…you know the drill. I suppose it’s a safe order, but it’s also boring.
