As you may know NYC Restaurant Week is underway.  You may not know that the “Week” is 26 days long.  You can still enjoy.  Most restaurants in the program offering one menu for the entire program and throw the really good stuff into a a category that requires additional cost to the $26 lunch and $42 dinner.

I always liked the Cafe des Artistes when it was run by George Lang on West 67th Street.  Recently new owners have taken the space (and retained the famed painted murals by Howard Chandler Christy).  This is my first return to the spot now named Leopard at des Artistes.  They are doing a great job.

This venue is doing something very special.  They are the only restaurant with three different menus over the 26 days.  Their regional offerings include:
MON 7/23 – TUE 7/31 – PIEMONTE
WED 8/1 – THU 8/9 – CAMPANIA
FRI 8/10 – FRI 8/17 – LE ISOLE (Sardegna & Sicily)

So I hope to be back to try their different offerings.  They also provided a delicious bread basket and complimentary arancini.  They made me feel very welcomed, even though I was ordering from the “cheap” menu.

As you can see below, I selected:
* “Vitello tonnato” Thin sliced roasted veal round topped with a creamy sauce of Sicilian tuna, anchovies and capers, over a bed of crispy salad.
* Agnolotti filled with Castelmagno cheese and beef, with marjoram sauce
* Gianduia mousse over pan di Spagna with raspberry sauce

Absolutely delicious, each one.  I’ll be back soon!

As always you can find more at http://www.walterthinnes.com and on Twitter @walterthinnes