Risotto in Thornwood has gotten a facelift this year, now being headed up by Kevin Oliveros, of Ossining’s upscale seafood restaurant Brother’s Fish & Chips. In addition to renovating the interior of the restaurant, Oliveros has revamped the menus — and under his tutelage, the dishes are tantalizing.
The antipasti menu features salads, baked clams, steamed mussels, and antipasto misto.
A favorite? The fried calamari with pepperoncini, complete with a tasty flaky breading and flavorful sauce.
Or order from the chichetti menu (Venetian-style tapas), which includes the following: tomato bruschetta, delicious arancini, rich potato croquette, and flavorful meatballs.
For entrées, try the four-cheese chicken, made with fontina, goat cheese, spinach, walnut, sundried tomatoes, marsala, and polenta. The chicken parmigiana and grilled hanger steak are well-executed. Also on the menu are pork osso bucco, grilled salmon, and seared black bass.
As for the restaurant’s namesake? A difficult dish to perfect, the risotto is rich and flavorful. There are several options to choose from, including Milanese, broccoli rabe and sausage, mushroom (a favorite), tomato, and seafood.
For dinner and a show, order the table side cacio pepe, for which a server will bring a cheese wheel to your table and mix in the pasta right in front of you — an experience, in itself.
The wine menu features Italian pours like Sangiovese, Montepulciano, Nero D’Avolo, Grillo, Chianti, Pinot Grigio, and Reisling. Beers and aperitif are also offered. The white table clothed restaurant offers indoor and outdoor seating, with ample seating and shade.
For desserts, on offer are the housemade tiramisu and ricotta cheesecake, in addition to gelato and tartufo.
Oliveros hosts regular wine pairing events at Risotto, with the next one on August 20 from 6-9 p.m.
Risotto
788 Commerce St
Thornwood
914.769.6000
