Before he moved to the U.S. and opened up a now Michelin-starred restaurant in the Bronx, Marco Coletta cooked for some high profile people in Rome like Sophia Loren. Originally from Abruzzi, Marco trained in some of the most strict and traditional kitchens in Italy. He has a focus on quality ingredients and makes some of the most amazing Italian food we've tasted in the city.
Marco hand picks the finest ingredients from nearby shops. For homemade pasta, he purchases the northern style pastas from Borgatti's, the shop next door. He gets his meat from one of the local butchers. And much of his produce comes from the nearby market. It's this kind of food community we during our Arthur Avenue Food Tour.
The What:
In Italian, Tra Di Noi means "between us" which can refer to the special food experience that happens between chef and diner. The food that Chef Marco makes is as homey and well-prepared as you will find at any Italian restaurant in the entire city.
Case in point is the exquisite lasagna alla bolognese, which walks the line between delicate and rustic. It's truly the best lasagna we've had outside Nonna's house. Other dishes not to miss are the osso bucco, fried calamari, and linguine con vongole (with clams). But the pro move here is to order whatever is listed as the daily specials. Marco decides on those based on what is seasonal and available. You never know what you're going to get but it's going to be good.
The Why:
In many ways Tra Di Noi is a culmination of our Arthur Avenue Food tour, where you get to visit the shops that the chefs shop at. After seeing where the cheese, bread, pasta, and fish come from, the only thing that's left is to have a master prepare the ingredients into an unforgettable meal. We often swing by here for lunch after leading the tours and we recommend you do the same (if you have any room left in your stomach).
The Where:
Trattoria Tra Di Noi
622 East 187th Street
Bronx, New York 10458
(718) 295-1784