Puccini Restaurant Rating **** Very Good --Excellent

22 garden St Rhinebeck

845 876 3055

Hours 5-10 P.M Thursday --Tuesday. Closed Wednesday

Italian Cuisine that Sings

You hear alot about famiglia in connection with eating Italian --the joyous gathering of friends and family where an abundanza of food , drink and music and warm hospitality accent the festive occassion. You'll find it all right here in Rhinebeck at Puccini restaurant without having to be Italian or travel to Little Italy in N.Y.C.

Puccini ristorante, named after the famous Italian composer of classical music and opera is Rhinebecks's newest eatery on the block. This culinary gem tucked on Garden street is all about classic regional cuisine from Italy. It is owned and operated by Sam and Mary Millian and their three gracious daughter, Marin,Alexandra, and Sylana. Since it opened all of the family working together has created a very beautiful setting for high end dining. It may be Rhinebeck's most elegant dining destination. It's airy feel, its creamy painted walls, comfortable banquette seating, dark wood tables set whith white linen and Italian music emanating from the sound system--all together exude an urban cool. And the competent service staff' attenting to your dining needs is polished and very friendly. Puccini has a cozy little bar attended by Marin, an expert mixologist who has a penchant for making quirky drinks for her loyal clientel. But what really seduces is the food and wine. Chef Gianfranco Caruso who was born in Sardinia, Italy and has worked in notable restaurants delivers an impressionable menu of regional specialties.

I have dined at Puccini a few times and have always had a pleasant dining experience. It all starts with fresh baked bread brought to your table and served with white bean, scallions, and garlic dip. To really get going, try a glass of Montepulciano, a Pinot Grigio, or a San Gregorio Fiano di Avelino, from a mostly Italian wine list that will surely go well with the restaurant's popular starters. The evening I went for dinner the restaurant was doing a robust business. Once I was seated, I ordered the Mozzarella in Carrozza. I truly love this appetizer. Two huge size fresh mozzarella cakes sandwiched between two egg-battered pan fried zesty bread toasts steaming with a fine aroma, the Carrozza was crispy on the outside, yet soft and delicious on the inside. It came embellished in an earty and light caper, anchovy, and and olive oil sauce. A glass of Chianti Classico christened the dish and made it taste like a romantic night on the Italian Riviera. It was a sultry delight for me, dining at the restaurant's beautiful outdoor patio.

If you're counting on leftovers for lunch though, go for the bigger entrees that are artful preparations, and inventive dishes of pasta, seafood, fish,pork, veal and chicken ccooked by Chef Gianfranco Caruso. Try the Pollo alla Selvitica, an entree of very tender and succulent chicken breasts seasoned with herbs and spices in a wild mushroom sauce, served with fresh green vegetables . Or go for another big dish of Chicken Pagliacci a flavorsome dish of chicken layered with eggplant, prosciutto,spinach and mozzarella. Both chicken entrees are winners.

At Puccini's pastas are heaven- sent and seafood is always fresh. Another dish that is sure to please is the Linguini Gamberi: Here is a huge and fantastic dish of expertly cooked al dente linguini with five jumbo size shrimp in garlic, white wine and lemon sauce with asparagus and plenty of cherry tomatoes. The plentiful shrimp were well seasoned and perfectly cooked, keeping a delicate texture and fresh ocean taste. The balanced marriage of flavor of herbal ingredients, and a dash of Parmesan cheese brought the essence of the entree out. It was well worth a gold medal. The Fetuccini Campidano is also a great tasting pasta dish served with Italian sausage and saffron sauce accompanied by a green vegetable of the day. And if you have a big appetite the Pesto ravioli is a hearty, sumptuous entree not to be missed.

Or go for another great standout, the Veal Satimbocca: A huge , flavorful entree of very tender veal, laced with prosciutto di Parma, sage and topped with Mozzarella cheese and served with broccoli. This dish goes wonderfully with a medium-to full bodied red wine. The wine list at Puccini is small but impressive with good reds like Tuscan Villa Puccini 2006. Or if you feel like a shinning star, impress your friends and family with a Brunello di Montalcino-Alteranici 2004. After fully enjoying it, you'll sing like Enrico Caruso or Adelina Patti. I ended my dinner with a fine dessert of Tartuffo a cup of Italian espresso and a small glass of Amaretto.

Puccini Ristorante is a treasure trove for classic Italian food prepared with considerable refinement by Chef Caruso. It is a very friendly and romantic spot to have a great Bellini or Limoncello. It's a wonderful eating destination in Rhinebeck for fine food, where the owners Sam and Mary Millian welcome those who love fine music, good wine, and delicious Italian cuisine. Rating **** Very Good--Excellent

Baron Corso de Palenzuela von Habsburg is a chef and international connoisseur of wine, chocolate, beer and food. He has written extensively on world cuisine. He resides in New York, Virginia, and Spain. He can be reached at 845- 706-1244