A Monteverd selection led us to Catskill, to the former
Tatiana’s. Although I thought we had visited Piccolo
before, I now see that the former incarnation is now
designated Piccolo on Water Street. So, take your pick
– we have been to Piccolo before, or we have not.
The Gathering of the Eight was the first since Christmas.
A very tight window of opportunity manifested itself,
with this Wednesday evening being almost the only date
accessible to all of us this month. Retirement has tested
DP8 life tougher than the busiest times of our working
eras.
When Piccolo first entered the dining community, much
publicity was made of its Italian-ness and its modest
pricing. Not much has changed, and now we are adding size
of portions to the list.
The menu is replete with classic entrées, as well as a
few variations of a theme.
- The chicken (Francese, Marsala, Piccata,
Parmigiana, as well as Alla Piccolo);
- Pasta: eggplant parm, cheese ravioli, gnocchi,
penne alla vodka, rigatoni Bolognese, lasagne,
spaghetti meatballs, orecchiette, and penne alla
Picolo);
- Vitello (veal): (saltimbocca, Francese, Marsala,
Piccata, Parmigiana);
- Pesce (Zuppa, Calamari Marinara, Shrimp Scampi,
Shrimp Marinara, Shrimp Francese, linguine con
Vongole;
- appetizers: (zuppa di cozze, mozzarella caprese,
fried calamari, baked clams oreganata, hot &
spice shrimp, arancini). Deb T wished she had
seen the mussels (cozze).
- Dessert: cheese cake, tartufo, cannoli, tiramisu
The menu is clearly Italian. And all of our
selections, even the specials, were deemed excellent.
Service was very good and seamless. The noise level was
up there again, near shouting level.
Entrées were generally priced in the mid-$20. Thus, an
entrée each, a drink each, no dessert meant a final bill
about $80 per couple, or with a bottle of wine a little
over $100 per couple.
Hate to say it but with inflation and new pricing since
the pandemic, $100 per couple for even a casual-nice
dinner is closer to the new norm, with $125 the new $80.
Topics:
lots of travel: of course the snow birds returned from
Florida; the Notars – Ireland, the Teators France, the
Monteverds heading to central Europe with DP8 originals
Tim and Judy.
A few other topics: closings keeping Deb K
business, working at the horse farm, seeing the Baldwin
family beside us, Picolo on Water Street, doings in
Catskill, gardens, a couple weeks of no rain, and more.
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