Fresco by Scotto, New York City

An Italian family owned restaurant, Fresco by Scotto NYC, is highly recommended for its outstanding food and reasonable prices.

Since 1986, Rosanna Scotto has been a major player in the New York news and entertainment scene. One of America's most respected journalists, Rosanna has won three Emmy Awards for her work as an anchor on Fox 5 news at 10, and Good Day New York. Rosanna Scotto's everyday consists of reporting on fast breaking news stories and events as well as interacting with a host of celebrities.

As familiar as most New Yorkers are with Rosanna, many of them don't know that in addition to her TV hosting gig, Rosanna, along with her family, owns one of NY's most popular restaurants, Fresco by Scotto.

Fresco by Scotto is a true family affair. Mom, Marion Scotto, runs the front of the house and acts as hostess and makes sure everything runs smoothly. In a Zagat survey, mom was voted New York's most gracious restaurant host. Wine is Angelo Jr's thing. Rosanna's genial, ever-smiling brother created the restaurant's very discerning wine list and brought a wealth of experience in the restaurant business, from working at Le Perigord and Bobby Rubbino's in San Francisco. Anthony gave up a very successful career in the Bay Area to launch Fresco by Scotto.

If you need catering done on your next movie premiere afterparty, corporate event or family celebration, then Elaina Scotto is the person to call. Fresco on-the-go handles the catering for Live Nation and the Barclay Center. A former public relations executive, Elaina has worked for fashion luminaries such as Yves Saint Laurent and Bill Robinson.

The decor at Fresco is simply outstanding. The room is large enough so that there's ample space for everyone. Yet, the restaurant also has a warm, intimate vibe. Colorful paintings and murals depicting scenes from the Italian countryside and seacoast adorn the walls. One of the most captivating murals bring to life a hillside farm with tress and baskets of delicious-looking tomatoes and melons. In the forefront at Fresco, smiles seem to come easily to the wait staff. The professional and dedicated servers take their cue from the Scotto family. All concerned are eager to "make your day" when dining at Fresco by Scotto.

At Fresco, the Scotto family stakes their reputation on what comes out of the kitchen. In Italian, Fresco is not only used to describe a water color painting. The word also means fresh, and the high-quality ingredients that the kitchen uses to prepare your meals are the freshest available. All dishes are cooked with tender loving care prepared just like an Italian Nonna would.

Fresco original pastas appeal to the all ages and people. You don't have to be a foodie or have a sophisticated palate to enjoy the food here. The "tiny boats" cavatelli with crumbled fennel sausage and broccoli rabe is one of their most popular dishes. Not far behing is the Penne Gratin, a sumptious blend of prosciutto di Parma, peas, forntina cheese, provolone, heavy cream and cracked black pepper. The hearty Rigatoni with chicken and veal bolognese ragu is another winner. The white wine and light tomato sauce are what really makes this dish.

Fresco by Scotto does chicken like nobody else. Your herb roasted chicken is served Fagiolini alla Toscana style with green and wax beans, tomoatoes, capers and smashed yukon gold patoes thrown into the mix, for good measure. Branzino is a popular staple nowadays in most Italian restaurants. But Fresco's poached branzino is on an entirely different level. It's dusted with porcini mushrooms and cooked in the red wine reduction. Your branzino is accompanied by sauteed spinach, roasted root vegetables and creamy parsnip puree.

Start your meal off with one of the Fresco's signature appetizers like the creamy polenta with sweet water prawns. This dish served scampi-style is finished with a touch of olive oil and garlic, shallots, heirloom tomatoes and roasted brioche bread crumbs. Different variations of polenta appear throughout the menu. As a side dish, the polenta fries are a must-try.

Someone who is as sweet and nice as Rosanna Scotto is would certainly want to make sure that you left room for one of her desserts. The blood orange mascarpone mousse, homemade tiramisu, Cookies 'N Cream, ricotta cheese cake and Brownie Fudge Sundae are all indulgent and well worth your time.

Marion, Elaina, Rosanna and Anthony have appeared on shows like Steve Harvey, Ellen DeGeneres and NBC'S Today Show. The family recently did a cooking demonstration on Extra. The Scottos whipped up a platter of their famous pesto pasta recipe using pots and pans from Frescoware. Yes, the multitalented Scottos even have their own line of gleaming stainless steel cookware. Designed by the Scottos, Frescoware makes mealtime a piece-of-cake. Make magic happen with this boutique cookware collection that includes a 13-inch saute pan with lid, a Tuscan-style open fry pan and a 16 qt. pasta pot with steamer and lid.

Fresco on-the-go is a cafe that the Scottos opened right next door to their restaurant. On-the-go gives busy moms and office workers a casual yet upscale environment where they can either sit down and enjoy a quick bite, or grab some lunch on the run. The concept is the same: to serve tasty, fresh, seasonably inspired food in a warm atmosphere. Here's the really good news: if you are stuck in the office for meetings and work in Midtown, Fresco on-the-go will deliver a delicious meal right to your desk. How good is that!

The Scottos have been called the first family of Italian food. From their family to yours, a hale and hearty BUON APPETITO!

Location & Hours

34 East 52nd Street
New York, NY 10022
(212) 935-3434