Finished in NYC and heading back

We started our meetings on Thursday morning at a new restaurant in the Tribeca area called Locanda Verde.I always get a bit apprehensive when trying a new restaurant, especially in a city like NY, but I kept an open mind.The cab dropped us off on a quiet corner and we made our way over to the restaurant.Upon entering I had the feeling that this was going to be a pleasent treat.The building made of old heavy timber construction with old exposed brick was very inviting.The first hint was that there was a wood burning brick oven in the kitchen and all I could smell was fresh bread.It has been my experience that when a dining room looks and smells good it will be good.We started our meetings in a large farmhouse style room with large oak tables and we were surrounded by lots of old world construction.There was a decent continental breakfast for us, but I was waiting for lunch.FINALLY it was lunch time and the food started pouring in.It always works well when your with a large group because there is usually a continuous flow of food and it turns into a super tasting event.We started with fresh hot artisan crusty bread with sheep's milk ricotta and olive oil, so simple, but in the food world, simple is the best.We then moved on to the lamb meatball sliders with shaved cucumber and pecorino,seafood stuffed agniolotti(ravioli), then to wood roasted sea scallops with crisp apples and stewed lentils finished with crispy pancetta.Then on to the roasted and shaved porchetta sandwiches wit grilled onions and provolone and the BEST lamb bolognese I have ever had over hand made rigatoni.The atmosphere and the food were all true and authentic Italian.During my conversation with one of the employees, it came up that this restaurant was not only one of the newest un publicised hot spots, but it also has a famous owner, Mr Robert Deniro..Once again it seems like Mr.Deniro got involved in another home run restaurant deal to add to his collection of other hits.Nice job Bobby!!!!Today was definitely a day of celeb sightings,Meryl Streep was having breakfast in Locanda in the morning and we ran into the man himself(Bobby D) on the way out, waiting quietly for his coffee at the espresso bar with a stack of newspaper's under his arm.I will say that this is one of my new favorites in NYC and I can not wait to return.