Sun-dried tomato olive oil
Inside Bocca
Every year for the past seven years my son and I participate in what has become a great Chanukah tradition ~ I make sure one of his gifts is tickets to a Broadway show for the two of us, plus lunch or dinner before or after the performance. I am honestly not sure who values it more but it is surely a highlight for both of us!Among the shows we've seen are The Lion King, Hairspray, Spiderman: Turn Off The Dark (we were even there the night "Spiderman" fell off the bridge and caused them to reconfigure the whole show!) and this year we saw Bring It On. Hilarious and fun ~ nothing too deep, I assure you, but good, somewhat wholesome entertainment.
Insalata con finocchi
We enjoyed lunch before the show at Haru Sushi, as we are both suckers for Japanese food, but after the show we met up with my husband and a few of my cousins for dinner downtown at Bocca. Located right near Irving Place, next to Craft and not too far from Giorgio's of Gramercy, it was in a hub of good restaurants and little boutiques (and just down the street from ABC Carpet either which I love...)The food is quality, consistent Italian fare set in a sleek, moderately lit setting, boasting dark wood, mirrors and pretty candlelight. Once seated and our drink orders were taken, we were given fresh slices of Italian bread with a sun-dried tomato olive oil dipping sauce that was delicious.
As you might expect, cheeses and salumi were prevalent on the menu, but I was able to enjoy my meal and the decent number of options the restaurant had to offer. Even as the only vegan in the bunch, it was well-suited to each of our preferences.
Insalata di rucola e zucca
Roasted brussel sprouts
There were plenty of pasta options on the menu, including gluten-free, which some of my family loved! Since I had a bit of rice at lunch I wanted something lighter for dinner. I chose the insalata di rucola e zucca ~ a baby arugula salad with roasted butternut squash, mushroom and balsamico bianco as my entree, and the insalata con finocchi ~ shaved fennel, watercress and endive in a blood orange vinaigrette. It was a chilly night and I wanted something warm, so as a side I ordered the brussel sprouts (hold the pancetta...) from the contorni. Had I wanted to I could have alternatively chosen the sautéed broccoli rabe, spinaci, asparagus or roasted fennel-pistachio, with a few modifications here and there.One of the things I most appreciated about the restaurant was their kindness toward my cousins 18 month old. He is a gorgeous little boy but he surely would have preferred running outside to sitting indoors, and they were so attentive to him. Chicken fingers, french fries and patience, and in such a way that no one else's dining experience was compromised. It was a really nice night!
