Donna Margherita in the press

DNA Info

New Pizzeria Aims to Bring Italian Countryside to Upper East Side

"UPPER EAST SIDE — A new Italian restaurant opening this week aims to transport its customers to the Italian countryside by re-creating the region's beauty inside its walls.

Donna Margherita Pizzeria and Wine Bar at 1304A Second Ave., between East 68th and 69th streets, will place patrons under a large mural depicting daisies in an Italian field when it opens on Thursday, the restaurant said in a release.

The eatery, which includes a second-floor balcony overlooking the main dining room, will display other regional touches, like a parked vintage Vespa and a brick pizza oven to emphasize the authenticity of its menu, the restaurant said.

Donna Margherita will serve dishes like lasagne Della Nonna (a traditional meat lasagna), penne arrabbiata o al pomodoro (penne in a spicy tomato sauce) and melanzane alla parmigiana (eggplant parmigiana), as well as a plethora of pizzas baked in the brick oven..."

EPOCH TASTE

DONNA MARGHERITA BLOOMS ON THE UPPER EAST SIDE

"Artisanal pizza and wine bar Donna Margherita—named after the daisy flower—is a new 30-seat, bi-level restaurant on the Upper East Side.

Chef Rosanna Di Michele grew up helping her parents in their family pizzeria in Abruzzo, Italy. The pizza is Neapolitan, with offerings such as the Vedova Bianca (mozzarella, ricotta, radicchio, and walnuts) and the signature Donna Margherita (buffalo mozzarella, tomato “filetto,” and pecorino). The menu also offers classics from Melanzane Alla Parmigiana (eggplant mozzarella and tomato sauce) to Penne Arrabbiata O Al Pomodoro (penne in a spicy homemade tomato sauce).

Some dishes come from Di Michele’s childhood, including the Lasagne della Nonna, part of a Sunday family ritual. Her mother would make the ragu and her grandmother would make the pasta. “I would assist them by grating the cheese. When I was 8 years old, I began to make my first lasagna under the supervision of my mother and grandmother, and it remains to this day an everlasting memory,” Di Michele said.

Prior to taking on the executive chef position at Donna Margherita, Di Michele was working as a private chef and an ambassador for culinary traditions and products from the Abruzzo region..."

Spoiled Nyc

Stop by a New Artisanal Pizzeria and Wine Bar Opening on the Upper East Side This Thursday

Do you know what this city does better than the rest of America (Hint, it’s not paying 3 times the average on rent, although we’re pretty good at that too)?

It’s pizza!

And true New Yorkers know that the best pizza and Italian food in the city aren’t always in Little Italy. 

We’re pretty excited to announce some quality pizza and Italian fare coming to the Upper East Side this Thursday, April 6th. 

Donna Margherita (named after the daisy, not the pizza) is a cozy (30 seats) bi-level restaurant serving up brick oven pizzas, pastas, and a variety of appetizers and salads all under a mural of a daisy-filled Italian countryside. 

Chef Rosanna Di Michele, who grew up helping her parents in their family-owned pizzeria in Vasto, Italy (on Abruzzo’s coast), has come up with her own versions of classic Italian favorites like Lasagne Della Nonna(traditional meat lasagna), Penne Arrabbiata O Al Pomodoro (penne in a spicy homemade tomato sauce), and Melanzane Alla Parmigiana (eggplant parmigiana).

We are so here for it.

They also have a wide selection of brick oven pizzas, including a hearty Rustica (mozzarella, sausage, red peppers, olives and basil), a colorful Vedova Bianca (mozzarella, ricotta, radicchio and walnuts), and their signature Donna Margherita (buffalo mozzarella, tomato “filetto” and pecorino).

And since they know a great Italian dish is even better with a glass of vino, they also carry an exceptional selection of wine, in addition to beer and non-alcoholic beverages..."

Eater

A Coney Island Hot Dog Legend Returns — And More Intel

"The Upper East Side is getting an Italian restaurant called Donna Margherita Pizzeria and Wine Bar...."