Alto at Ace Hotel will be on fire this summer! It already is
judging by the amount of people enjoying the sunny rooftop pool already this
year before summertime officially begins. Alto is not going to serve up the
same offerings to hungry swimmers, however, and the new, bold menu items are a
hot ticket.
James Beard Award-nominated Chefs Andy Ticer and Michael
Hudman (creators of the amazing cookbook Collards & Carbonara: Southern
Cooking, Italian Roots) presented an array of cabana cuisine at the Summer
Preview Party. These foods are summer classics, but they feature elevated
flavors. Pizzas are a must, and you can select between the Quattro Fromaggi
Pizza with fontina, mozzarella, taleggio, and parmesan cheese with a roasted
garlic puree, a Calabrese Pizza with mozzarella, Finocchiona salami, and hot Calabrian
chili oil, or a classic, flavorful Margherita Pizza.
No pool party is complete without wings! Alto's Chicken
Wings are slathered in Calabrian chiles, a little bit of lemon juice, and
lovely smoked honey.
Beyond hot, savory pizza and wings, two dishes are designed to
cool you down. The Lettuce Wraps include shrimp, peanuts, crunchy radish, and
panna gratta breadcrumbs. The Tuna Tartare with serrano peppers, radish,
cilantro, and corn sits atop delicate Carta di Musica crackers and is covered
with green goddess dressing.
All of this tasty fare is best chased by a frozen cocktail
that will keep you cool despite any heat. The offerings may change, but we had
the choice of Frozen Sangria and The Endless Summer for this day.