Zero Otto Nove

If you’d like to get out of town without risking a flight, drive south, but not too far south to Arthur Avenue in the Bronx. I first discovered the neighborhood after a trip to the New York Botanical Gardens. I wanted to find the source of the crusty Italian bread and fresh pasta I often purchase here in Scarsdale. Using my nav, I threaded my way through the Bronx and happened into authentic Italian shops such as Casa Della Mozzarella and the Terranova Bakery. Several times I brought home creamy cheeses, prosciutto and bread, but then I was tipped off to a restaurant that uses these local specialties on their own menu. Why cook I thought, when I could be served a superior Italian meal right on Arthur Avenue?

Zero, Otto, Nove (089) is the area code for Salerno, Italy, home of Roberto Paciullo who is the owner and chef of the famed Roberto’s and his newer Trattoria Zero Otto Nove at 2357 Arthur Avenue that opened in 2007.

When you enter the restaurant you’re faced with a long bar and sometimes a long wait for dinner. The restaurant does not take reservations so go early or be prepared to spend some time at the bar. Hidden in the back room behind the bar is a two-story skylit room, with a balcony centered around a large wood-burning pizza oven. The stuccoed, faux-rock walled eatery is decorated to make you feel like you’re sitting in ancient Rome. When you peruse the extensive menu you quickly forget whether you’re in Italy or the Bronx.

Zero Otto Nove (089) is famous for their thin crust pizza, and you must try a slice. Share a pie with your companions – there’s a long list of choices from the traditional Margherita to a Caprese with mozzarella, cherry tomoatos, arugula and parmesan cheese to the Diavola with San Marzano tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and spicy soppresatta. More adventurous diners might try the Pizza La Cirilo with butternut squash puree, cream of truffle, mushrooms and mozzarella or the La San Matteo with mozzarella, sausage and broccoli rabe. Whatever you try, limit yourself to a slice so that you’ll have room for antipasti, pasta or an entrée.

We arrived on a wet, chilly day and all chose warm pasta dishes. Service was attentive and steaming plates of fresh pasta appeared just as we finished our arugula salad. The Pasta Al Forno, baked fusilli with meatballs, soppressata, ricotta, mozzarella, sliced egg and tomato sauce was creamy, flavorful and irresistible. Malfade, which are curly-edged flat noodles are served with porcini mushrooms, smoked mozzarella and cherry tomotoes and the pasta special that day was rigatoni with spinach and sausage in a parmesan sauce. 089 also offers a whole grilled fish of the day and full selection of seafood dishes including baked codfish, grilled shrimp, squid, calamari and octopus and a zuppa di pesce. If you’re looking for Carne, there are pork chops, chicken scarpariello, Cornish hen, veal cutlet and even steak.

Though we didn’t have room for the tiramisu, cannoli, ricotta cheesecake or profiteroles, we sipped our cappucino’s and savored the relaxed ambience at 089. Even though we were sure someone eagerly awaited our table, we were welcome to stay as long as we liked. The handsome waiters were helpful and charming, and as we left we debated whether or not to share the info with readers of Scarsdale10583.

Trattoria Zero Otto Nove
2357 Arthur Avenue
Bronx, New York 10458
718-220-1027
www.roberto089.com

Lunch: Tuesday- Saturday Noon- 2:30 PM

Dinner: Tuesday-Thursday 4:30- 10:00 PM
Friday and Saturday 4:30- 11 PM
Sunday 1:00 – 9 PM