Sambuca ~ More Than A Liqeur

The view from the wine bar
into the rest of the restaurant

What do you think of when you hear Sambuca?
Well, I used to think of that delicious, Italian anise-flavored liqeur that tastes lovely in a shot of espresso, but now I think of an Upper West Side hot spot for nice wines and delicious food.
When we arrived last Thursday night, my friends and I chose a spot by the floor-to-ceiling windows at a high top table with comfortable cushioned stools.  Welcoming us on the table itself were skinny bread sticks and recommended bottles of red and white wine.  We settled on Gertrude, a robust, full bodied red that seemed a perfect compliment to the dinner offerings.
When we received the menus I was thrilled to see two - the usual and a gluten-free!  My friends thoroughly enjoyed an eggplant parmigiana appetizer they selected, and while I considered starting with the grilled portobello mushrooms, I chose a chopped salad with arugula, romaine, tomato, basil, onion, roasted red pepper, black olives and cannellini beans.  I happen not to like roasted peppers so I asked for them to be left out, but they were there anyway.  I hate to complain, and they tasted surprisingly good in this combination of flavors, so when our server offered to take the salad back I said it wasn't necessary.  What did he do next?  He topped off our wine in apology!  Who can argue with that kind of service?

vegan, gluten-free meatballs!

For my entree I was really tempted by one of the many vegetarian pastas the menu boasted, or a combination of sides like sauteed or steamed broccoli, broccoli rabe or spinach with long grain rice, but then I noticed the vegetarian meatballs.  These meatballs, three of which arrived in a cast iron skillet, each nearly the size of my closed fist, were outrageously good!  They were made with lentils, broccoli, spinach, soy protein, mushrooms and onions ~ no gluten filler and no eggs...true vegan goodness!  The portion was so filling I took the leftovers home (which I happily ate for breakfast the next morning.) If I lived on the Upper West Side, I would no doubt become a regular.
If you find yourself on 72nd between Columbus and Central Park West, stop in for a bite and tell Katharine The Trendy Vegan sent you!