Friday, July 25, 2008

I Trulli - Restaurant Week, NYC

This week there is a special and fairly frequent promotion going on in New York City called "Restaurant Week."

My husband, daughter and I, always try to participate when this promotion is announced, as it gives us a chance to try a new restaurant in Manhattan at a price we know we can afford.

This time we chose I Trulli Restorante/ Enoteca located at 122 East 27 Street, between Park Ave and Lexington Ave, in Manhattan.
( all photos enlarge when clicked on)
NYC Restaurant Week, New York City’s original celebration of dining, dates back to 1992, when it was developed as a one-time culinary program to welcome the Democratic National Convention (DNC) to the City. Though created with an eye toward delegates and other DNC attendees, the program also found a strong following with residents eager for the chance to eat at some of the City’s top restaurants for a fraction of the usual cost. It was so popular that it became a regular event and has expanded to include both lunch and dinner offerings—three-course, prix-fixe meals for $24.07 and $35 respectively—and extended to two weeks each in the summer and winter.
This summer well over 200 restaurants located in all five boroughs of New York City are participating.


The I Trulli Restaurant is a landmark of fine Italian dining with the cuisine of owner Nicola Marzovilla family's homeland of Apulia, Italy. Apulia is located in the southern Italy and the area which forms "the heel" of Italy's unique boot shape. The restaurant also has an extensive wine list, with an emphasis on Southern Italian wine, hand picked by the owner. Almost all the pastas are handmade by the owners mother, Dora Marzovilla.

We had 5:30 reservations and were actually the first customers to enter the restaurant for the evening. We decided to ask for seats in the back garden area as the night was misty but cool enough to be pleasant.

We had a wonderful dinner! I'm sorry to disappoint, but I didn't take any photos of our meal as my I could see it was going to make my daughter uncomfortable, (Gee, Mom! Do you have to do that? It's so embarrassing!), so you'll have to take my word for it! If you go to the I Trulli website you can see their menu and some photos of their entrees and also take a virtual tour of the restaurant.
I arrived in the city a little early, and thought about walking over to the Empire State Building to take some pictures from the top, but as the day was overcast I decided to to that on another day in the near future when we have a clear day. It's been awhile since I went to the top and I'd love to see the view again!
I did have time to take lots of photos of the Flatiron District with all it's wonderful old and historic buildings, and the very beautiful Madison Square Park, so my next few blogs will be about that area, and I hope you'll join me!
To find out more about special events taking place in NYC, such as Restaurant Week, and ideas on how to plan a visit to NYC, go to NYCvisit.com

27 comments:

Vee said...

What a great promotion Restaurant Week must be! I'm grinning about your dd's discomfort. Everyone runs when the camera comes out anymore around here. I tell you, I know how to get some alone time very easily.

PAT said...

Another great post, Pat! I'm visiting this evening. We'll be going back to the lake tomorrow evening.

I'll love catching up with you when we return next week.

The restaurant looks wonderful. We would have chosen the garden area, as well.

Have a wonderful weekend and upcoming week!
Pat

Lisa's RetroStyle said...

Beautiful atmosphere! I'm sure the food was wonderful!! I love fine dinning, unfortunetly the area we currently live in is sorely lacking:( Resturant week sounds like great fun!
If you haven't already...next time you visit your son in Colorado (maybe when you go see your grandbaby;) you should try dinner at Papillon in Cherry Creek. My mouth waters just thinking about it! It is French country cuisine and oh my goodness it's good. Can you tell I'm hungry right now!

Unknown said...

Your daughter and mine must be 'cut from the same cloth' as the old saying goes!

She would have not wanted me to photograph the food either!

Thanks for the resturant review...the garden area sounds like a wonderful place to dine!
Diane

Kathy said...

Pat, I Trulli looks perfect and restaurant week sounds like a very good idea. NYC looks like a great place for a long weekend visit, and I have always wanted to go to the top of the Empire State Building, you have so many wonderful land marks on you doorstep, lucky thing. hugs, Kathy

steviewren said...

Your pictures of the interior of the restaurant are gorgeous. How nice to get a chance to eat at places you wouldn't be able to usually. It seems that you are never at a loss for something fun to do.

A Brush with Color said...

Thanks for the link to the NY visits site--I want so much to take Joe sometime to the Big Apple. I grew up on the outskirts of NY and know it well, but Joe grew up in Oklahoma, and he loves opera. I want, one of these days, to take him to the Met. I know he would just love it, and I am inspired to do it next year sometime. Your post just makes me want to all the more! thanks, Pat!

Latin Lupe Lu said...

It is great to have your site to find out what is happening in the BIG APPLE. I have a friend who is moving there in August. I will have to keep checking back so I know where to go when I visit her.

Strider said...

Wow....you guys really "get into" the spirit of the city! Looking forward to more of your pictures.

Mel said...

Just found you and what a great way to start my morning. We try to make it to Manhattan at least every other year (Hubby is a Professor and Theatre Historian). We were there last year during Restaurant Week and had a grand time! Some of our regular favorite places were included and we even had lunch at "21" - it was SUCH a treat. Now I'm off to browse your older posts. Thanks for giving me a mini-vacation :)

Melanie

Barb said...

Hi Pat,

I wanted to thank you so much for your visits and prayers for my family. It has been a difficult week but God has been there for each of us.

hugs to you,
Barb

Gina said...

What a beautiful restaurant..and love the outdoor dining ~ al fresco?..glad you have some respite from the heat too) Have a wonderful weekend and I just saw your little grandson's picture on the side!! How exciting to find out! :) Gxx

Judy said...

What fun! I always plan to to participate in a similar promotion in Vancouver, but it has never yet happened.

Unknown said...

Restaurant week was always my favorite weeks in New York. I love this restaurant, I have never been there before. Have a lovely week. Karen

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Vee -- yes, I get the same reaction around here too!

Pat --enjoy the lake!

Lisa B --I will definitely try to go to Papillon! Sounds wonderful!

Diane -- LOL! -- our daughters just don't understand our blogging obligations!! :-)

Kathy --San Francisco has a million things to do and see too!
:-)

Stevie -- thanks! It's a very popular promotion with tourists and native New Yorkers.

A Brush -- we also enjoy opera! We always see a few opera each season at the Metropolitan opera house --they sell out fast so paln early!

Latin -- check out the Visitnyc.com web site too!

Strider -- it's great to be able to enjoy NYC!

Mel -- Welcome! I haven't been to "21" as yet, but would love to go! We'd also love to try "Le Cirque" but they run out of reservations so quickly!Someday.....hopefully!

Barb -- so good to hear things are a little better.

Gina -- yes, it was outside but had an awning so we wouldn't get wet if it rained plus over head fans to keep it cool --it was very pleasant.

Judy -- It's a wonderful way to try new restaurants! Hope you get to do it next time in Vancouver!

Karen -- the promotion is now two weeks in summer and winter -- I hope you get a chance to visit NYC again during it to enjoy it again!

Rue said...

I would have LOVED to be there during restaurant week! I have heard of it, but I've never been there during it. That restaurant sounds wonderful :)

hugs,
rue

Mrs. B said...

Restaurant Week sounds great! I keep telling my hubby that everything good happens in LA and NYC. I haven't convinced him to move yet though.

Free Art Printables said...

What a cool restaurant and a cool thing!I would love it if they had something like that around here! Jen R

Anonymous said...

I think Restaurant Week is a wonderful idea, although I've never been able to take advantage of it, yet. Glad you enjoyed your meal.

Paz

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Linda Lou said...

We have a Trattoria Trulli in my little town of Encinitas, not as pretty inside as the one you went to in NYC, hope you had a nice italian dinner....MANGIA

david mcmahon said...

Restaurant week - how do I get there?

Yes, I know it's a long flight from Australia!

Anonymous said...

I just love to read about your treks around NYC! It's so great that you appreciate the city and are so good about sharing your experiences with us. Restaurant week just sounds wonderfuland the one you chose looks devine. When I was in New York, we ate at Tavern on the Green and I thought I had died and gone to heaven! We also had a brunch at the "Essex House" (it was across from Central Park I recall---I may not have the name right) and it was wonderful, too. We "peeked" in Sardi's! Thanks again for your guided tour!

YOU should definitely participate in Pink Saturday--"pink things found in NYC"--you could easily find wonderful items in the Big Apple that are pink--bet not many others have done that! You'd be a first AND a hit! :-)

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Rue -thanks! --wish you could make it to NYC for a visit!

mrs B You live in a great place too!

Jen - Welcome and Thanks!

Paz You have to try it someday too!

Linda lou - welcome & Thanks!

David --lol!~ weloome and you'll ahve to come visit NYC someday! I'd love to see Australia!

Proud Italian Cook said...

What a gorgeous resturant, sounds like a fun time with some awesome food, I love how NY has resturant week. Don't feel bad my daughter would have done the same thing! lol

Laura @ the shorehouse. said...

This is one of my favorite restaurants in NYC (Five Points is in my top spot). I'm loving your blog!!

Susie Q said...

I am so envious!! But so thankful you always take us with you on your amazing journeys. This restaurant looks amazing. I will make sure to jot it down for the next trip to NYC!
Love,
Sue