As if experiencing the rich artistry and elegant hospitality of The Gramercy Park Hotel wasn’t enough, I was presented with the opportunity to dine at the in-house restaurant, named Maialino.

Fine dining is not something too foreign to me, as Cape Town boasts its own eclectic and elegant fine dining wonders, but New York establishments are one of the benchmarks of the finest dining. Maialino’s is fine dining having a lovechild with New York cafe culture, and makes it – not a stopover – but a haven for nomadic professionals to venture into, and for foodie’s to indulge in its endearingly pretentious airs.

“Inspired by the rustic cuisine of Rome’s distinct neighborhoods, Maialino is a trattoria reimagined for present day New York City, overlooking Gramercy Park.”

My Meal

Even if you’re not here for the food, atleast their bread is fantastic enough to warrant staying a while. Bread is perfectly baked to be enjoyed midday. It will tide you over until the next millennia, when service is delivered.

Maialino’s has a Prix-Fixe menu for $48, which is quite a bargain considering their considerably quality and quantity-laden offerings. I had the choice of any Antipasto, Main dish, and an option of 3 different desserts.

I began with Burrata, with toasted Filone & Olio Freso.

The creamy Italian cheese was a fresh and luscious offering; with the cream-filled mozzarella on toasted Filone, resulting in a crisp and simple start.

My main Penne Doppla Rigatura pasta dish was incredible. The tart taste if the cheese, contributed to  the extensive taste experience. It’s filling, and worth every cent and carb-loaded mouthful.

Dessert

Chocolate Gelato and the complementary  chocolate cake, was on the light side of perfect.

Dessert had the gelato  we all know we deserve.

Soggy ice cream wishes it was Gelato.

Verdict?

The restaurant lacks vibrantly saturated character, evident within the rest of the hotel. The service is superbly slow and timid…as if unsure of its function.

The food is why you go to Maialino; as the restaurant aesthetic is blurred in visitors minds, as ‘another’ New York eatery.

Maialino Fine Dining 

02 Lexington Avenue (at 21st Street), The Gramercy Park Hotel, New York City

212.777.2410

Breakfast

MONDAY – FRIDAY | 7:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. 

Lunch

MONDAY – FRIDAY | 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. 

Dinner

SUNDAY – WEDNESDAY | 5:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.  

THURSDAY – SATURDAY | 5:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.

Weekend Brunch

SATURDAY – SUNDAY | 10:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.