Il Postino Italian Restaurant Opens On Upper East Side

UPPER EAST SIDE, NY — Italian food lovers on the Upper East Side rejoice! There is a new Italian restaurant in town. Il Postino's founder and long-time owner, Luigi Russo, has relocated his 49th Street eatery to the historic space once home to two well-known restaurants: Nanni Il Valleto and David Burke & Donatella.

According to a news release, Russo is honored to follow in the footsteps of the late Chef Luigi Nanni who opened Nanni Il Valleto in 1975 and specialized in true Italian cooking in an elegant atmosphere.

"Nanni was one of the first in the United States to offer Italian food as it's served in Italy. At our new Il Postino location on the Upper-East side, we appreciate these same traditions, the way that I was taught to cook when I was only five years old," said Luigi Russo.

Also known as the location that brought fame to Chef David Burke in the early 2000's, the now open Il Postino Restaurante is a rebirth of the former 49th Street location of the same name.

The historied building's exterior has been refreshed with bright orange awnings, fitting for the neighborhood, which is also home to the Hermès luxury boutique located just a block away. Il Postino's interior features a style and charm that once defined fine dining in New York City years ago.

A glowing, amber-veined marble bar greets guests as they step down into Il Postino. Rich mahoganies are complimented by pastel yellows; fresh florals invite guests into the 94-seat dining room. Adorning the walls are romantic black & white classic cinema photos and colorful murals with subjects that guests recognize, and those they know they should recognize. The restaurant's interior also includes leather banquets, shimmering crystal chandeliers, and dual fireplaces.

The menu offers a little something for everyone, including a variety of pastas, fresh fish, meats, salads, and delicacy accompaniments including truffles, figs, prosciutto, and buffalo mozzarella. House-made pastas include ricotta and spinach filled angnolotti; linguine alle vongole (clams), risottos, calamari in saffron sauce, and spaghetti alla chitarra - named for the Italian word for guitar.

Carni offerings include grilled sirloin, fillet mignon in port wine sauce, lemon chicken, lamb with sweet garlic sauce, and several choices of veal - including bone-in, milanese, or the double cut grilled veal chop.

According to Russo, New Yorkers, especially those who live, visit, shop, and adore Manhattan's historic Upper-East side, will find Il Postino an ideal Lenox Hill addition for regular dining and special occasions alike.

"We're bringing back the glamour of the 1950's & 60's. Il Postino has that elegant vibe without the pretentiousness. It's become apparent hearing from friends and customers that those excited for the revival of New York City will enjoy the classic appeal of fine Italian cooking in a welcoming and opulent atmosphere," said Russo.

Il Postino is open seven days a week for dinner from 5 p.m.-11 p.m. and until 10:30 p.m. on Sundays. Lunch is available Monday-Friday from 12 p.m.-3 p.m. The restaurant plans to be open on Saturdays in the near future. The restaurant is located at 133 E. 61st St. in New York City.