By Karen Talbot 

Sergio's Ristorante 

503 Fifth Avenue
Pelham, NY 10803  
914-278-9771 

Jul. 1, 2015:  This relative newcomer to our area combines superlative Northern Italian food with great atmosphere and a very friendly and attentive staff. Sergio's is family-owned and skillfully managed by experienced restauranteurs. 

The main dining room has ample seating and always seems to be busy or in the process of filling up. It features high ceilings, white walls adorned with Italian murals and photographs, and lighting that accents the room well. A dark wood bar, white tablecloths, and dark wood floors make for a crisp, modern look.  

The owners, Sergio and Etnik Gashi, are first cousins from Albania, and last night I had the pleasure of meeting Sergio's son Alban, general manager, a totally accommodating young man with a winning smile. 

We sat upstairs in the wine room, which can seat 75 people, with the same décor as downstairs, but with many wine bottles on display in the walls throughout the room. Twinkling white lights decorate the windows and directional lighting creates a nice atmosphere. Upon seating, a bread basket is brought with Italian and thin homemade flatbread, which was highly addictive. 

The chef, Lenny Dedaj, proved to be creative and talented on many fronts. I can recommend the following appetizer courses: insalate di barbabietole (red and golden beets, tomatoes, red onion, and goat cheese in a balsamic vinaigrette); polpo alla griglia (grilled octopus with tomatoes, capers, cannelloni beans, lemon, and olive oil); and cavatelli con le cima di rabe (al dente cavatelli with broccoli rabe, cannelloni beans, sausage, olive oil, and garlic). 

Some recommended main courses are pollo scarpariello (chicken breast with peppers, mushrooms, and onions in a red sauce); vitello saltimbocca (veal scaloppini, prosciutto, and fontina cheese, served with sautéed spinach); scaloppini carciofi (veal scaloppini, mushrooms, onions, and artichokes in a white wine sauce); and bistecca alla pizzaiola (shell steak with peppers, mushrooms, and onion in a red sauce). 

Desserts included a light and tasty Napoleon, created by pastry chef Artie Gashi, who is Alban's brother, and homemade lemon and blood orange sorbet, which were a nice ending to our lovely meal.  

The service here is highly efficient and timely, and the wait staff aims to please and makes sure you enjoy each course. The main dining room can sometimes be noisy on weekends, so sitting upstairs can be a nice option.  

With very good prices and great food, you may want to put Sergio's on your dining short list! 

Pictured here:  Inside view of Sergio's Ristorante on the second floor.

Photo by Karen Talbot