They say good things come to those who wait— and you can count the new Upper East Side location of the popular Italian restaurant La Pecora Bianca as one of them. The highly-anticipated but long-delayed eatery is finally set to open its doors this Thursday, October 6th and Upper East Site got an exclusive sneak peek inside.
Originally expected to open last spring, but hampered by construction delays, the newest La Pecora Bianca is the chain’s seventh. Bringing its delicious modern spin on classic Italian fare to 1562 Second Avenue, at the corner of East 81st Street.
The restaurant anchors a new building, completed in 2020, and features La Pecora Bianica’s signature sea foam green awning bearing their name, which translates from Italian to the ‘the white sheep.’
For now, the windows are still covered as the team puts the finishing touches on the restaurant, however, Upper East Site was exclusively invited to preview the new space.
Inside you’ll find a spacious, relaxed but elevated dining experience with high ceilings and an open floor plan. The restaurant’s usual navy blue and sea foam green accents are seen throughout the space, adding to the warm and inviting ambiance.
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A single sweeping custom bench seat upholstered with subtle grey fabric is nestled against the front of the restaurant, with another second running along the left side. Tables fill the center of the dining room— whose floor is decorated with navy blue and white tiles— and provide plenty of seating for diners.
A low wall partitions the dining area from the bar seating area on right, which distinguishes itself with a reddish-brown tile floor.
For its customers, La Pecora Bianca says Italian cuisine is more than just food— it’s part of a social ritual, a way of life that extends from their dining room to their menu.
Share a with a snack with friends, like the Zucchini Fries with pomodoro sauce and Parmesan cheese or the Whipped Ricotta with truffle honey, served on country toast— or move on to something a little heartier as an appetizer.
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The Local Burrata with honey poached apple, hazelnut and charred radicchio or the Tuna crudo with fresh fennel, radish and pine nuts are sure to satisfy— and we haven’t even gotten to stars of the show yet.
The restaurant’s slogan is ‘In Pasta We Trust’ and you better believe it. All pasta is made in-house and you can add burrata to any pasta dish for just $6 more.
La Pecora Bianca has the Italian favorites you love, like cacio e pepe (cheese and pepper) made with bucatini— a thick tube-like pasta— as well as spaghetti with pomodoro sauce and basil, and rigatoni with vodka sauce.
The restaurant also has a spread of dishes that are sure to become your new favorites— like their cannoli-shaped garganelli pasta with roasted wild mushrooms, arugula pesto, garlic and pecorino cheese, or the gramigna, a curly pasta mixed with house-made sausage, broccolini and chili flakes, for a little spice.
If you have a bigger appetite, check out La Pecora Bianca’s main courses. From the Branzino, Atlantic hake and scallops for seafood lovers, to the chicken, heritage pork chop, strip steak and LPB burger for meat eaters— the menu has something for everyone.
Just make sure to leave space for dessert. La Pecora Bianca’s Olive Oil Cake with apple marmellata and whipped creme fraiche is popular with diners, so is the Tiramisu, which comes decorated with their little sheep logo decorated on it.
Starting with the Grand Opening on Thursday, October 6th, dinner service will begin at La Pecora Bianca UES begin at 5pm everyday, ending at 10pm Monday through Wednesday, 10:30 on Thursday through Saturday and at 9:00 on Sundays.
Reservations are now available on Resy.
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