Scalinatella at 201 E 61st St offers an upscale Italian menu centered on handmade pasta, premium seafood, veal, chicken, seasonal vegetables, and polished antipasti. The cooking draws strongly on Southern Italian traditions, balancing rich cheeses and slow-cooked sauces with tomatoes, herbs, citrus, olive oil, and fresh seafood. Current menu selections include fresh pastas such as Chitarra, Tagliarini ai Gamberetti, Strozzapreti alla Boscaiola, and burrata-and-prosciutto Ravioli, alongside substantial dishes such as Vitello Martini and wild Striped Bass.
Scalinatella sits firmly in the premium fine-dining category, with the overall experience emphasizing ingredient quality, careful preparation, and generous restaurant-style portions rather than budget pricing. Vegetable-based salads, eggplant dishes, mushroom pasta, and other meat-free choices provide useful vegetarian possibilities, while lighter seafood and grilled preparations suit diners seeking less-heavy options. Gluten-free needs should be discussed directly with the restaurant because dedicated choices are not clearly identified on the published menu. The restaurant works particularly well for leisurely lunches, elegant dinners, celebrations, and group meals; its current hours do not indicate breakfast service.
Menu Highlights
Ravioli - Fresh pasta filled with creamy burrata and prosciutto gains brightness from tomato sauce and basil, creating a rich yet balanced house-made pasta dish.
Tagliarini ai Gamberetti - Delicate homemade pasta combines succulent shrimp with aromatic pesto for a fresh, savory seafood profile.
Strozzapreti alla Boscaiola - Wild mushrooms, artichokes, garlic, and extra-virgin olive oil give the fresh fusilli an earthy, fragrant character.
Tortino di Melanzane - Thin grilled Italian eggplant layered with buffalo mozzarella and basil is baked until tender, with tomato purée adding gentle acidity.
Vitello Martini - Veal scaloppine coated with Parmigiano-Reggiano develops a savory, golden exterior, making it an appealing choice for classic Italian meat lovers.
Striped Bass - Wild striped bass served with Manila clams and sweet Sicilian cherry tomatoes highlights the menu’s focus on clean Mediterranean seafood flavors.
