Bites Nearby: Posto 22 Restaurant and Wine Bar

You could stand on a corner and look around until a restaurant sign draws you in. But we've got a better idea. Each week, New Rochelle Patch picks a great restaurant either in town or nearby that is worth checking out.

Here's this week's choice:

Posto 22 Restaurant and Wine Bar, on Division St. is tucked in between Main and Huguenot Streets. Its deceptively small exterior belies what lies behind the doors of this Italian restaurant. Once inside diners are met with a restaurant with a long deep interior with several tables and lighting that makes for nice ambience. If you’re looking for classic Italian food, as in antipasto, pasta, sauces and pizza then you’ve come to the right place.

Posto 22, as it is generally referred to, has an eclectic menu that has something for everyone. If you’re looking for appetizers, they’ve got you covered. Diners can select from crostini—toasted bread drizzled with olive oil, topped with spicy Italian sausage, grape tomatoes & fresh basil ($7); fried calamari ($12); arancini siciliana—fried risotto balls stuffed with fontina cheese & prosciutto with marinara sauce ($8) and more.

While eating at Posto 22 with his girlfriend, one diner who posted on yelp.com had praise for an appetizer selection he made: “We shared the app and dessert while I tore through my chicken parmigiana. I’m glad we split [them] because the calamari app was a meal in itself.” Eating a main course, appetizer and dessert at the same time? Now that’s multitasking!

You say you’re in the mood for pasta? Here the pasta dishes range from the familiar to the trendy. Pappardella Porcini is one of the restaurants signature dishes. It features homemade pappardella pasta accompanied by porcini mushrooms and imported pancetta tossed in a light cream sauce, finished with white truffle sauce and topped with grana padana. Owners describe the dish as “one to remember!” Spaghetti and meatballs ($15), fettuccini alfredo ($16) and homemade lasagna ($17) are our old culinary friends. Joining them now is an array of new dishes including pasta dishes that are gluten-free and those made from whole wheat. These can be made to order upon request.

The restaurant’s menu features a few chicken and fish dishes that may sound exotic but your taste buds will be happy to meet familiar flavors. A lightly pesto-glazed and grilled Mediterranean sea bass fillet is listed on the menu as Branzino Leggero ($26), and Martini ($18)—unless specifically asked for as a cocktail—will arrive at your table as parmesan-crusted chicken breast in a lemon white wine sauce. Veal and meat dishes carry no nomenclatural surprises. While children in restaurants can be a social minefield, at Posto 22 they are welcome and even have a small selection of items on the menu dedicated to their tastes and portions.

Specials at Posto 22 are offered Monday through Thursday and include a three-course dinner for $26; half off all bottles and glasses of wine; half off glasses and pitchers of Sangria; and $3 for three-olive martinis and cocktails. On weekdays, the $10.95 lunch specials are available until 4 p.m. Needless to say, the restaurant has become a favorite meeting spot for the working crowd. On Urbanspoon.com, a reviewer referred to Posto 22 as a “wonderful neighborhood gem” and “a staple restaurant for myself and my colleagues. We have yet to have a bad dish there.”

Posto 22 offers a variety of party packages and catering services. Special events are frequently held at the restaurant including a Super Bowl XLVI shindig on Sunday, Feb. 5 at 5 p.m.

Free delivery is offered seven days a week. A 10-percent discount is provided with all online orders.

Posto 22 is located at 22 Division St. Call for hours, 914-235-2464.