A Mano Kitchen & Bar
Extraordinary times call for extraordinary meals and there is no better place to get just that than A Mano Kitchen & Bar. Whether you stop in for a celebration with the whole family, a hand-crafted cocktail and wood-fired pizza with friends, or a romantic date night sharing new culinary experiences, you are bound to have a great time at A Mano. They are located in the Icon Tower at 344 S. Warren St. in the heart of Downtown Syracuse. They are open Wednesday through Saturday from 4:30 pm to 9:30 pm. You can call (315) 303-1630 to make a reservation or even book them through the website at https://www.amanosyr.com/
A mano means “by hand.” This phrase is simple and yet so elegant. This name is the embodiment of everything you will find at A Mano Kitchen & Bar because as you might have guessed everything is made by hand. From the freshly made pasta to the hand-tossed pizzas, right down to the citrus and fennel butter. At A Mano Kitchen & Bar, they pride themselves on utilizing the finest, freshest, and often locally sourced ingredients which helps them provide an unforgettable culinary experience. They have also adopted a fitting description for their style of cuisine – Modern American with an Italian Soul. At A Mano Kitchen & Bar, you can experience this fusion of modern and traditional through the culinary journey of the Fiacchi family’s story: a combination of decades in the culinary industry, world-class culinary education, and travels across Europe learning about food, culture, and farming.
Kyle and I arrived at A Mano on a wonderfully snowy winter night. We were delighted to be seated at a table near a window so that we could see the glittering snowflakes dance down from the sky while enjoying the warm atmosphere that is so enjoyable at A Mano. One of the things we like the most about dining at A Mano is pace, you are never rushed or hurried so you are truly able to relax and enjoy your time, your meal, and your company. The wait staff is always very accommodating, friendly, and knowledgeable, and our server, Nikki, was no exception! Another fantastic thing about A Mano is that their menu and specials are constantly changing so there is nearly always something new and exciting to try! We began our meal with an order of the Calamari, a dish of hand-breaded and gently fried calamari served with long hot agrodolce and lemon aioli. We both really enjoyed the sweet and spicy flavor that the agrodolce added to the dish especially when paired with the zesty lemon aioli. 
We also just could not pass up an order of the Polpette, pork, and veal hand-rolled meatballs served with a red sauce arrabbiata on top of a scrumptious dollop of whipped ricotta. We really enjoyed the juxtaposition of the meatballs with the creamy ricotta, making it an absolutely delightful dish! I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the bread baskets which are a thing of beauty at A Mano. They are served with different types of freshly baked bread, a selection of handcrafted butter, and even grownup cheese – that are to die for! This evening we were treated to Deloro’s Italian bread and house-made focaccia with cool ranch butter. For our entrees Kyle knew what he was ordering the moment I told him we were headed to A Mano – the Ribeye, this is an impressive slice of carnivore heaven, a 34-ounce ribeye on the bone served with baby lettuce and grilled lemon and a side of smashed potatoes. Of all the places to get a steak, A Mano is by far Kyle’s favorite. This entrée is cooked to perfection and big enough to share so I was able to sneak a few bites! For my meal, I was intrigued by one of the specials: Spinach Strangolapreti. I had never heard of this dish before but culinary adventures at A Mano have never disappointed me before so it was worth a try. This dish was an absolute delight made with soft spinach strangolapreti (playfully translating to priest strangler), hearty gnocchi like pasta, topped with crispy prosciutto, smothered with brown butter, and topped with taleggio. This dish was wonderful, interesting, and totally filling. I would absolutely order it again! We decided that it was time to head home before the snow got worse so we ordered dessert to go. Kyle ordered the Budino, a heavenly combination of chocolate pudding, salted caramel, mascarpone, and a brownie cookie. Every bite was amazing. I decided on the Lava Cake (which came with heating directions) a peanut butter cake with warm peanut butter inside topped with molten chocolate and sprinkled with peanuts. This was the perfect way to end a perfect meal!
This Valentine’s Day impress your sweetheart with an unforgettable meal. At A Mano Kitchen & Bar, they are focused on providing you with a unique dining experience that you can’t find anywhere else in town. The menu is always evolving to make sure the best of the season is served to every guest so be sure to look out for new things! Check them out on Facebook to keep up with their yummy daily specials and special events and visit their website at www.amanosyr.com. Better yet, head over to A Mano today and experience the “handmade” difference!
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