Newly sprung Dominique Strauss-Kahn enjoyed his first taste of freedom Friday night - a sumptuous four-course meal with red and white wines - at a romantic upper East Side Italian eatery.
The one-time candidate for the French presidency dined with his unwavering wife, Anne Sinclair - who was all smiles - and another couple, at Scalinatella Ristorante on E. 61st St. and 3rd Ave.
"They were very friendly, happy people," said Pedro Inga, the chef, who added that a solicitous Strauss-Kahn made a point of thanking him after their celebratory feast.
The two couples first teased their taste buds with an antipasti dish of prosciutto and "orange flesh melon," before moving on to pappardella with truffles.
They washed it down with Pinot Grigio, a chilled white, and then moved on to the main course of Mediterranean sea bass. Ever the bon vivant, he switched to an Italian red for his main course.
"I was overwhelmed when I recognized him," said Silvia Grottola, 48, of Niagara Falls, Canada, who dined a table away from Strauss-Kahn and his party. "They were laughing, celebrating."
"You wouldn't believe the service they got. Every time they served them, it was five or six waiters. ... The smile on (Sinclair's) face was enough for me to know she'll stand by him."
Following the meal, the Frenchman and his wife left the restaurant arm-in-arm and were whisked away by a waiting black Escalade driven by a muscle-bound chauffeur.
A second vehicle, packed with bodyguards, followed, as a gaggle of paparazzi pursued the pol in cars and on scooters.
The meal cost between $600 and $700, said Luigi Russo, the eatery's owner, who added that Strauss-Kahn and company did not have reservations.
"We had no idea they were coming," said a delighted Russo. "He just popped in. ... I'm so thrilled he chose us. I'm glad he's out."
Once on the road, Strauss-Kahn and Sinclair dropped off their dinnermates, an elderly couple, to a luxe SoHo hotel on Broadway.
Strauss-Khan embraced and kissed the couple and bid them "Adieu."
The happy pair then adjourned for the night to their own digs - a pricey, three-story townhouse in Tribeca.
