Elegance and quality cuisine are returning to Midtown Manhattan.

Santi from noted Chef Michael White, formerly of Marea and Ai Fiori has returned to New York City after a five year absence following a split with his former restaurant group.

White’s accolades include six Michelin stars, five-time nominee for the James Beard Best Chef Award, winner of 2010 James Beard Best New Restaurant in America Award and multiple New York Times 3-star reviews.

As Executive Chef of BBianco Hospitality, a group that oversees Paranza Restaurant at the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas, Mirabella at the Fontainebleau in Miami and soon Mika in Coral Gables and Levant in Puerto Rico, White is eager to put Santi on the map with his Italian coastal cuisine artistry. .

Co-owner of BBianco Hospitality and Santi, Bruce Bronster has worked in both the front and back of the house. He works closely with his partner Chef White and is responsible for infrastructure, management and design.

Santi is decorated with a plethora of paintings from Bronster’s private collection.

We dined at lunchtime which officially commenced last month.

We selected the fixed price lunch at $59 which is comprised of two courses. There is also a $72 three course option.

For the first course, Crudite de Mare, we selected the Cured Ora King Salmon with Cucumber, Trout Roe, topped with Crème Fraiche. The salmon was sweet, and silky.

The Canestrelli, fresh Nantucket Bay Scallops with Black Truffle, Celery Root and  Hazel Nut Oil which enhanced the taste of the raw scallops was very good.

Bread with amazing crust and fabulous EVOO was generously presented in a stylish manner.

Our mains were a fantastic Busiate Pasta filled with luxury items consisting of Black Truffles, Trumpet Mushrooms and Leeks.

The Risotto made with Aged Acquarello Rice,  Lemon, Red Prawn and Coral Butter was delicious. The rice is marinated for 48 hours.

We were gifted the amazing Affogato dessert with a coffee gelée on the bottom of the glass. There is a hole at the top and the warm chocolate is poured in and the perfect dessert is broken up.

Other options on the fixed price menu are soup, salads, main course salads with seafood, Wagyu beef tartare and an extensive array of pastas.

The second level has more dining space with a great view of the bar.

There is also a private dining room. You arrive by either elevator or a fashionable  staircase.

The property happens to be the former location of Alto, an early White restaurant that earned him a New York Times three-star review.

White partners with developer Tishman to join big-name chefs like Jean-Georges Vongerichten and Daniel Boulud in revitalizing the Midtown dining scene.

Lunch will definitely prove to be a power dining spot and dinner a refined Midtown experience.

Santi 11 East 53rd Street New York City. Open for lunch Monday-Friday 11:30am-2:30pm and  Dinner Monday-Saturday 5-10pm. Reservations on Resy.