BY NEELOU MALEKPOUR | Unofficially, Supper is the most successful member of Frank Prisinzano’s East Village Italian restaurant empire, and it’s the perfect date spot. This cash-only restaurant, at 156 Second St., is always packed and doesn’t accept reservations, but you can wait for your table at their bar next door. The extensive wine list trumps their specialty cocktails, and whether you want to drink by the glass or the bottle, the knowledgeable staff will help you choose a wine perfect for your palate.
The black-and-white family photos lining Supper’s brick walls, along with mismatched tables and chairs, antique chandeliers and frayed red-velvet lampshades, all lend a casual, eclectic feel. Similarly, the staff are friendly and relaxed.
The restaurant is divided into multiple sections. The sidewalk cafe is delightful in summer. Downstairs is a private room perfect for private gatherings. The rear dining room boasts views of the wine cellar but can become uncomfortably crowded. On the other hand, the front dining room, with its communal tables and views of the tiny, open kitchen, is the best spot to dine with friends.
While Lil’ Frankie’s, at 19 First Ave., specializes in pizzas and Prisinzano’s Italian-American home cooking, Supper serves northern Italian fare, focusing on simple, fresh ingredients. They serve daily specials, including a Daily Risotto and a Daily Supper — including local rabbit on Saturday evenings. Their killer weekend brunch offers three-for-one drink specials and the best egg in New York City. (It even has its own hashtag and cult social media following, #crispyegg.)
To start, each table is served fresh bread and a mixture of cannellini beans, olive oil and spices. (The focaccia alone is worth the trip.) Skip the Salsa Cruda (typically bruschetta at other restaurants); while delicious, it’s simply too filling unless you’re in a large group. Choose the Black Kale Panzanella (the best appetizer by far) over the Black Salt Caesar; but beware, vegetarians — it doesn’t taste like it and the menu doesn’t mention this, but it’s made with anchovies. The Burrata is to die for — a perfect lump of gooey, salty mozzarella served on deliciously ripe local tomatoes topped with basil, and drizzled with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. The Watermelon & Basil Salad is interesting but wouldn’t be my first choice.
For supper, the Chicken Parmigiana with Spaghetti came highly recommended — a large chicken breast pounded thin, covered in bread crumbs and cooked to perfection before being smothered in melted mozzarella and tomato sauce, then served with a side of perfectly cooked spaghetti. Our server’s other recommendation, the Pappardelle with Asparagus, Peas and Tomatoes, although fresh, was rather bland. The Spaghetti Al Limone, however, was delectable. Order it with the priest stranglers (strozzapreti) instead of spaghetti, to sop up even more of the tangy sauce with each bite. The Tagliatelle Bolognese is both heavenly and hearty, but Lil’ Frankie’s does a better version with their Mezzi Rigatoni Polpettini Ragu.
To finish, the Hazelnut Panna Cotta, served with fresh berries and homemade whipped cream, drenched in ribbons of warm chocolate sauce, was delicious, but the Tiramisu, although traditional, was on another level — and probably the best we’ve ever had.
