By Karen Talbot
July 6, 2022: Zero Otto Nove has just opened in Tuckahoe and is a real winner! The restaurant is located at 16 Depot Square in Tuckahoe (914-337-6941).
Roberto Pacuillo is the ambitious Chef/Owner and has the right touch when it comes to innovation and creativity with food, ambiance, and service. The restaurant has three additional locations in New York City, the Bronx, and Armonk.
This bustling, lively restaurant has a main dining room with a large inviting bar and a back room with a high ceiling and washed walls that look like marble. There also is an upstairs dining area for private parties.
After being seated, we were served delicious Eggplant Caponata and Italian bread, which we quickly devoured.
We started our meal with Polpettine, Polenta & Caprino from "Antipasti," which was small meatballs with spicy tomato sauce, polenta, and goat cheese. The meatballs were delicious, and the light and flavorful polenta was outstanding.
The menu included eight choices of Pasta, and we thoroughly enjoyed two of them: a very interesting combination of Orecchiette Cavolfiore, sauteed with cauliflower, guanciale, spicy ricotta, and breadcrumbs, and Radiatori in Cartoccio, which was large spiral Raditori cooked in tinfoil with porcini mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, breadcrumbs and shaved Parmigiano Reggiano. This was by far one of the best pasta dishes that I have ever eaten!
From "Secondi Piatti," we had Veal Scallopine, which consisted of veal medallions with zucchini, sundried peppers, prosciutto, and fontina in a light white wine sauce. Again, the combination of ingredients was unique. There were seven other meat and poultry choices and three Pesce choices on the menu.
For a touch of sweetness, have the Bomba, which is creamy vanilla and chocolate gelato inside a chocolate outer shell with maraschino cherry and hazelnuts. We also had a small glass of Limoncello to complete this divine dinner.
There is a nice selection of wine by the glass, the service is prompt and efficient, and the prices are fair. In addition, you can actually share the Antipasti and Pasta dishes.
Klajdi, the Manager, is a dynamo of energy and always ensures that his guests have what they need.
Roberto also owns and manages two other restaurants on Arthur Avenue in the Bronx called Roberto's and Fiasco.