October 28, 2008 |
Short Order
How about a chocolate covered Parmigiana cream bon bon? It's coming soon. Cesare Cassela keeps teasing Salumeria Rosi’s hungry neighbors with an open door view of private parties and dress rehearsals at the new deli/café on Amsterdam near 73rd Street. I found the staff in full uniform Saturday, just steps from my office, setting out cappelini-thin house-made breadsticks, brewing espresso, and slicing proscuitto while Caselli, greeting passserbys, promised everyone a Thursday, November 6 opening. Even Jacques Torres, visiting his candy shop next door, took time for a nibble. Will the shop just do carry-away November 6 or sit-down in the café too? “ I don’t know yet,” says Casella. The Tuscan chef with the trademark rosemary in his pocket has been training the staff at the International Culinary Center where he leads the Italian academy. Rosi’s executive chefs driven by Casella recently spent a rigorous week tasting in Italy. “We did 42 restaurants and fancy groceries, from Parma to Viareggio and Forte dei Marmi in a week,” Casella says. He promises prices will be competitive. “My partners make the salumi so we have no problem with the prices.”
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