Lodge + Dine announces a 5-star rating for Sant Ambroeus after a day’s visit evaluating the guest experience. The restaurant excelled distinctively in its refined Italian flavors, impeccable service, and elegantly curated ambiance.
Rooted in Milan’s storied café culture, Sant Ambroeus carries the spirit of Saint Ambrogio, the patron saint of the city in every detail. Born from the refined traditions of Italian pasticceria and confetteria, it first welcomed guests with handcrafted pastries and expertly pulled espresso. What began as a local treasure soon evolved into a global emblem of sophistication, where craftsmanship and warmth are inseparable. Today, it remains a beloved escape for New Yorkers seeking a true taste of Italy, where every plate and every pour whisper of heritage and heart.
Inside, the space captures the balance between seaside ease and metropolitan grace. Designed with the East End of Long Island’s wild dune landscape and seaside spirit in mind, the restaurant features casually elegant décor with vintage rattan chairs paired alongside banquettes upholstered in ocean blue fabric. Custom bamboo and Murano glass sconces cast a soft, inviting glow across textured walls and crisp white linens, while a nautical-inspired mahogany bar anchors the room with understated sophistication.
Culinary artistry defines every experience here, beginning with appetizers that balance restraint and flavor. The Sant Ambroeus Asparagus—a composition of tender spears, Kumato tomatoes, farm egg, and mustard dressing—sets a crisp, elegant tone. The Ventresca Tuna Salad follows with layers of baby gem lettuce, tuna confit, sundried tomatoes, and anchovies, offering a savory depth that lingers pleasantly.
For pasta lovers, the Sant Ambroeus Ravioli is a quiet triumph: handcrafted spinach and ricotta enveloped in silken pasta, finished with sage and Parmigiano-Reggiano. It’s classic Italian comfort, done with grace. The Bone-In Ribeye, dry-aged and seared to perfection, brings a satisfying richness, its roasted potatoes soaking in every savory note. For lighter palates, the Chicken Paillard—paired with zucchini, yellow squash, and basil mustard sauce—delivers freshness with finesse.
Seafood finds its star in the Branzino, a whole Mediterranean sea bass baked until the skin crisps and the flesh yields softly to the fork. To end, the signature Sant Ambroeus cake—rum-soaked almond sponge layered with chocolate mousse—captures the restaurant’s essence: refined, indulgent, and timeless.
The bar complements this sophistication with a modern Italian flair. Signature cocktails like Talk the Talk, a lively mix of Desolas Mezcal, Bombay Cru, cucumber, Mandarine Napoleon, and sea salt mirror the restaurant’s balance of creativity and restraint. For those preferring something refreshing yet alcohol-free, the Hagavito, with Hagave Spiced Nectar and pink grapefruit, offers a vibrant alternative.
Service is one of the establishment’s strongest suits, attentive, swift, and genuinely thoughtful. Each interaction, from the first greeting to the last pour of espresso, reinforces a sense of care and precision.
Sant Ambroeus is more than a restaurant; it’s an experience defined by tradition and elevated by taste. Ideal for romantic dinners, elegant gatherings, or leisurely lunches, it’s a reminder that fine dining, when done right, can feel both intimate and timeless.
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