By Karen Talbot, Food Critic for MyhometownBronxville

Moscato
874 Scarsdale Avenue
Scarsdale, NY 
914-723-5700

Feb. 15, 2017:  Moscato is a lively, contemporary Italian trattoria that is affiliated with Chat American Grill, also in Scarsdale, and with Chat 19 and Lusardi's in Larchmont. It is part of the Mario Fava Restaurant Group but has personality, charm, and high popularity all its own. 

Maître d' Franco Caputi doesn't miss a beat; nor does general manager Thomas Dellasala. The waiters, all dressed in black, provide professional and first-class service. Brick walls and wood tables and chairs with overhead wrought-iron chandeliers and high-hats on a semi-low setting add to great ambiance. There also is seating at the attractive wood and marble bar. 

I started with insalata di carciofi--fresh sliced artichokes, baby arugula, and white mushrooms with shaved parmigiano in a lemon dressing that was divine. This creative salad could definitely be shared. The pasta special that we ordered was linguine with baby shrimp, crabmeat, yellow tomato, and red peppers in garlic and oil--simple and delicious.

For the secondi, another special of the evening was filet of sole:  pan-seared and served with baby arugula, endive, papaya, and red peppers in a lemon vinaigrette sauce. I also recommend having stinco di agnello--tender lamb shank that is slowly cooked in a tomato sauce and served with yummy mashed potatoes. The kitchen knows how to cook first-class Italian food right up to New York City standards and present it creatively on the plate. 

Dessert found us ordering the crema Catalana, the Italian version of crème brûlée, which was delicious. 

Prices are standard and are what you would expect from a great dining experience but not over the top. The wines are also priced fairly, both by the glass and by the bottle. 

I look forward to going back and trying many more of the items on the menu. The menu changes with the seasons, which is a good way to build interest and keep diners coming back.

Pictured here:  Interior of Moscato.

Photos courtesy Karen Talbot