[Photo: Kathy YL Chan]

Salumeria Rosi is one my favorite lunch spots on the Upper West Side. That said, they are on the pricey side, and I find myself going far over budget when dining in. (Extra prosciutto on the side? Why not. Soup to begin? Great idea. Dessert? Oh yes!)

The solution to ordering control? Takeout, especially in the summer. When doing takeout, I limit myself to two dishes—a salad and another "entree." I rely on the Pepolino ($8) for the latter. Fusilli pasta, cooked al dente and twirled with a savory tomato-based pomaraola sauce, light and fragrant with thyme. Pecorino romano, grated over the top, gives it an extra kick; I'm always tempted to request more Pecorino on the side.

Anchovy fans, myself included, shouldn't miss the Escarole e Alicette. A deceptively simple salad of escarole and Calabrian anchovies, you'll likely be shaking your head at the $9 price tag—until you take a bite. It's as if every exposed surface of the escarole, tossed in a bright vinaigrette, is rubbed with the anchovies, which run on the spicy side. There are tiny croutons, olive-oil saturated crunchies speckled in salt. The best bite is when you get an anchovy bit stuck to a crouton—heaven! It's a salad I enjoy tremendously, but you must love anchovies to appreciate this one.

Lunch to go, packed up in style! Make sure they include plastic forks and napkins. I often take it to Central Park or, if I'm lazy, to the bench in front of Jacques Torres next door—where you can then finish lunch with frozen hot chocolate.

Salumeria Rosi

283 Amsterdam Avenue, New York NY 10023 (map)
212-877-4800
salumeriarosi.com