Massa' Opens at the Heathcote Five Corners

We stopped by to chat with Francesco Coli proprietor of Massa’, before the much-anticipated opening of his restaurant at the Heathcote Five Corners this week. Coli and his father, Chef Pasquale Coli are no strangers to the restaurant business and their expertise is evident in their planning for the launch at their new locale.

For starters, the tavern interior and kitchen have been totally renovated. The new dining room centers on a three-story stone fireplace, with an antique wood ceiling and wainscoting taken from two barns in Vermont, and wrought iron lighting. The space has been transformed leaving no trace of the former tenants The kitchen was also completely re-outfitted as it had not been renovated in years. Even the famous Monkey Room mural is gone, and the third floor space will be used to host private parties in the future.

For the past 11 years, the father-son team has run La Villetta in Larchmont which has consistently been top rated in Westchester by Zagats. Since La Villetta needed a facelift, it has been temporarily closed and the restaurants “A” team of waiters and cooks has been brought over to Massa to manage the opening.

Francesco Coli has been well-trained in restaurant management and has an undergraduate degree in business and attended the French Culinary Institute in Manhattan. He also managed the Ocean Grill for BR Guest Hospitality and opened La Villetta when he was only 24 years old. The family hails from Italy where Pasquale Coli worked as a first class chef on Italian ocean liners. Once in America, he served as the chef at the Captain’s Table in Manhattan where Gourmet Magazine called him “the finest, most versatile fish cook in New York City.”

Massa’ will serve a classic Italian menu featuring the cuisine of Puglia. A selection of fresh fish will be offered daily, including Branzino, Orata and John Dory. On the regular menu are Primi Pastas including Linguine Vongole, Bucatini all’Amatriciana, Orechiette with broccoli rabe and sausage and a Rollatta Massa which is baked fresh pasta, rolled with Bolognese and fresh ricotta topped with mozzarella. Pastas can be ordered in half or full portions.

For “Secondi” there’s veal, chicken, steak and lamb. Among the offerings are Vitello Carciofi e Funghi, which is veal scallopini with artichokes, mushrooms and white wine, Vitello alla Melanzanna (eggplant) and a Veal Martini . For chicken, there’s Pollo Scarpariello; chicken on the bone with sausage, garlic and rosemary and Pollo Gorgonzola. You’ll also find Angus sirloin and rack of lamb with garlic and rosemary. Entrees range from $20 - $30.

Each day there’s a Piatti del Giorno, with Maine lobster available on Mondays, braised lamb shanks on Tuesdays, crostacei marinara on Wednesday, osso buco on Thursday, roast suckling pig on Friday, duck on Saturday and pappardelle ragu on Sunday. There’s a reason to try Massa every day of the week.

At the bar you can enjoy Assagini, or “little tastes” while you drink or wait for your table. The bar menu lists olives, chunks of grana padano cheese, bruschetta, meatballs and fried zucchini. There’s also a selection of salumi with mortadella, prosciutto de parma, house made dried sausage, porchetta and speck. The full bar includes mixed drinks, a wide selection of wines by the glass and an impressive array of artisanal beers on tap.

And Massa’ is not just for the adults, Coli encourages diners to bring their children to order the kid’s menu which offers an entrée, soda, and gelato for just $12.

Massa’ opens Wednesday night January 26 and is already taking reservations for the coming month. To reserve your table, go to www.massascarsdale.com and use the link to reserve on Open Table. Or if you don’t want to plan ahead, stop by the bar for a drink and try your luck for a table. Valet parking is available and Massa is open seven nights a week.

Massa’
2 Weaver Street
Scarsdale, New York
914-472-4600

http://massascarsdale.com

Open for Dinner:
Monday – Thursday 5:30 – 10:00 pm
Friday and Saturday 5:30 – 10:30 pm
Sunday 5:30 – 10:00

The bar will be open until midnight Monday-Thursday and Sunday, and until 1 am on Friday and Saturday.