Discover: Machiavelli on the Upper West

After living in NYC for a month, I have expanded my “foodie” list on my blackberry through word-of-mouth and different online medias such as Foodspotting, Zagat Rated and Open Table. I have tried most of them already, but there is still something missing on my list. I haven’t found enough “delicious” and “worth trying” Italian restaurants in the heart of Manhattan. So far, I’ve only tried Basta Pasta and Babbo. Their signature dishes are pretty good; especially, Basta Pasta’s sea urchin pasta is a MUST try dish. Aside from that, I am still in search for more undiscovered delicious Italian food house. Perhaps, newly opened Machiavelli can be my next destination.

Basta Pasta Sea Urchin Pasta by Deviani Wulandari

Machiavelli is located at 519 Columbus Avenue, around the corner of 85th street, in the heart of the Upper West community. After reading its review on the New York Times, I am intrigue with the description of its majestic interior based on the critic’s experience, Julia Moskin.  As she clearly mentioned on her opening statement:

“Eating at the grandiose Machiavelli is like visiting a museum of Italian food — complete with long-winded exhibition catalogs. Reams of paper arrive with the menu, bearing tales of the muralist who decorated the walls, the ceramist who designed the plates, the coloratura soprano who even now is singing into your ear.”

By looking at this statement, I can only imagine how beautiful the restaurant atmosphere will be. I am pretty sure that a visit can be a very enjoyable experience. You will be able to enjoy delicious Italian food while witnessing grandiose Renaissance arts inspired murals on the wall. The restaurant owner, Nathalie de La Fontaine clearly found a new place for all of her art collections. Another positive aspect that she has added to this experience is by providing different music performances each day of the week, both for lunch and dinner. This unique diners’ experience will definitely distinguish Machiavelli aside from its competitors and soon will become a hot topic among New York foodies.

Moving on to the menu, Machiavelli offers enough varities of Italian dishes. Among all, Moskin has differentiate the menu by price and dish type which in my opinion is very helpful. I would say that the prices are pretty standard and affordable for Italian fine dining restaurant. I am very excited to try the lamb chop ($37), Bologna tortellini ($20) and signature pastas ($17-22) during my first visit. Hopefully, it will be very soon.

Overall, Moskin has done an excellent job in providing us with the reviews on the New York Times. She laid out all the important elements that I need to know about Machiavelli. Especially, as a new restaurant, there is not much reviews out there that I can rely on. By being the headline on the New York Times Dining and Wine on Valentine’s day, my eyes were drawn upon this article. The New York times’ review has set the stage for Machiavelli among the other Italian restaurateurs. I am pretty sure, lots of New York Times food lovers have already read this article and ready to have some tastes on Machiavelli’s signature dishes. As a result, these readers may be the next reviewers or critics that may lift up the restaurant’s reputation. Whether it is good or bad, the modern social medias will definitely keep us up to date.

Currently, Machiavelli maybe be ahead of its competitors for the new upcoming Italian restaurant. But, as its popularity rises within the heart of New Yorkers, the restaurant will need to always have a high standard. Especially, with more reviews and critiques rise to the surface, Machiavelli will need to handle any challenges quickly and professionally. These reviews will definitely expand the restaurant’s clientele but Machiavelli will have to maintain its good reputation along the way. With such accomplishment, surely, Machiavelli will be a successful and well known Italian restaurant in the Upper West. Machiavelli will absolutely reunite Italian art lovers and food admirers altogether under the same roof.

For more information on Machiavelli, click here.

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