Presto!, located in Margate, NJ, may be the best place you will ever eat gnocchi. Those of you who have seen me eat know that my normal dish at any Italian restaurant is gnocchi. At Presto, gnocchi…well, it’s BIG!.
Presto! (and I hear they are to move into the old Lamberti’s location by the bay) is a small storefront located well down Ventnor Avenue, on the way to Longport. There’s seating for about 40 people, and it is well attended by owners Lori and David Salvo. I first went before Memorial Day weekend, so I had a chance to speak with Lori, who told me two things about Presto! -
- David makes the gnocchi secretly, hidden in a private room in the kitchen, so that no one can see what he does, and
- They don’t take reservations, even from recurring customers – it’s first come, first seated.
However, the reason this is a “Quick Hit” is because the only thing I have to write about is the gnocchi. All my co-diners were delighted by their dishes; I was DELIGHTED by the gnocchi. Served in a blush sauce, the gnocchi are gigantic – each one is about three inches long by about two inches wide, and light and fluffy like a pillow. There are about 10-11 pieces, I believe, on the plate, and each piece, as I mentioned, is hand-rolled secretly.
Whatever the secret may be…it’s delightful.
Presto! is located at 9307 Ventnor Avenue, Margate. The phone number is (609) 823-8989 – you can call ahead for pickup but remember, bring cash and there are no reservations.
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