Salumé Strives For Innovation

A New York favorite is expanding its reach to become an innovator of authentic Italian cuisine. Salumé, the authority on Italian panini in New York City plans to grow its influence under the management of Michael A. Spalding.

Spalding, who has held management roles at Miss Lily's and Hecho en Dumbo, is leading the project to establish Salumé as a destination as well as a culinary experience.

Under Spalding's guidance the restaurant plans to become a laboratory for Italian culinary innovation with new chef Steven Hubbell. Hubbell, who originally hails from Chicago, received Michelin stars for both Veerasway and Desero within a year of taking over. The plans have already started taking shape with Spalding introducing new breakfast and all-day menus including home made cornetti – crescent like pastries, cantucci – biscotti, and brutti buoni – a scone-like cookie. More developed dishes are also available, including parfaits of ricotta, honey, and pistachios, as well as eggs atop speck – a cured meat, asparagus, and toast.

For lunch, the restaurant has overhauled its menu to include new options while phasing out others. The San Daniele made of parmesan, fennel, and white truffle aioli will be kept on the menu, and Bresaola with pecorino, arugula, lemon, and colatura – an Italian fish sauce, will be added to the menu.

Salumé will also introduce a new line of panini's that are infused with liquor for those looking for a more amusing lunch. The Mortadella with salva cremasco, gherkins, watercress, and Il Moscato di Nonino grappa is a new one. The spirits are used to bring out the unique flavors of each Panini.

In addition to the new sandwiches, the restaurant will include home made gelato and on Fridays from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. guests can order from the aperativo menu which is organized by preparation style: raw, cured, cooked, and sweet.

Salumé is located at 330 West Broadway in the heart of Manhattan's SoHo neighborhood and is open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The other location at Broadway Plaza between 45th and 46th Street in New York will continue to offer their usual menu and will not implement the same changes.

Sean Flynn is a Junior Writer for The Daily Meal. Follow him on Twitter @BuffaloFlynn