Lunch at Ciano. On a wet, windy, damp and grey New York day in mid May it was so nice to be welcomed by a glowing fire in the main dining room of Ciano in the Flatiron District of the City. Where chef and co-owner Shea Gallante offers a seasonal and simple approach to Italian cuisine, allowing the fresh quality ingredients to be the star, together with his cooking.
Primi. Ocean trout crudo with lemon, Calabria pepper, green apple and celery was delicious, the “marriage” between the trout and tiny grapes, individually peeled and halved, was extraordinary, as were the small cubes of celery jelly. For Secondi I had the most delicious Chicken “Oregenato” with green herbs farro, spring onions and tomato, though not photogenic, the chicken which had been brined with citrus was very tender and scrumptious.
Dolci. Dark chocolate torta with raspberries and milk gelato.
The photographer. Lunch with celebrity photographer, Susan Shacter who specializes in photographing actors and whose book, Caught in the Act: New York Actors Face to Face was way ahead of it’s time in the current trend of red carpet craze and events.
The Cat. Flea is Susan Shacter’s Ocicat. One of a pair, the other one is called Marlon, after Brando, Flea is the friendlier one of the two and really enjoys having his photograph taken.