Small Bites

Remember all the hub-bub about Spadaro, the Italian restaurant in New Rochelle where there is no menu, just a couple of friendly sisters who recited the evening’s specials? Well one of the sisters, Rosa, and her husband, Angelo, have opened a restaurant in Mamaroneck. Jessica Rao reported on it for us:

(Photos by Seth Harrison/TJN)

Angelo and Rosa Merenda named La Scarbitta Ristorante after a variation on the Italian word for “little shoe,” because it describes the act of sopping up the last bit of sauce from your plate with a hunk of bread.

And the chef, Rosa, who was born in Puglia, Italy — and whose sister runs Spadaro Ristorante in New Rochelle — hopes you will do just that. She says that to her, “cooking is love.”

Shrimp Alla Rosa.

Her menu changes all the time and there is a blackboard with daily specials, but regular menu standouts include the Gnocchi di Ricotta, made of ricotta cheese and a little flour to hold it together. She can prepare it in any sauce, but her favorite is Bolognese, below:

She also makes a killer linguine with fava beans; cavatelli with sausage and mushrooms; ravioli with porcini truffle and sweet gorgonzola cheese; and Swordfish Messini with cherry tomatoes, wine, capers and olives. For starters, try the eggplant caponata, grilled zucchini, or the roma artichoke with garlic and parsley. When the summer farmers markets are bursting with produce, look for such seasonal dishes as linguine with arugula and cherry tomatoes and a vegetarian carbonara with zucchini. The restaurant also recently got its liquor license. — Jessica Rao

Here’s a look a the restaurant:

Angelo and Rosa:

Details: 215 Halstead Ave., Mamaroneck. 914-777-1667.