I was so excited to make a second visit to Casa Nonna in New York City. I loved my meal the last time I went. I could not wait to try something new on the menu.
Similar to the last visit, I arrived at the restaurant earlier than everyone else in my group. So, I headed over to the bar for a cocktail. I ordered an Aperol Spritzer. This blended prosecco, aperol, and seltzer water. It was semi-sweet with lots of bubbles.
To munch on they gave me some of their homemade flatbread. I remembered these and they were delicious. These were crispy like crackers and topped with spices and parmesan cheese that was melted and crispy as well.
Once the rest of my group arrived we got seated at a cozy booth. This was nicer than a table because it allowed for easier dinner conversation.
We ordered several appetizers to share around the table. The fried calamari were a must. I remember I had this before and really liked it. The tender calamari were breaded and fried until crispy. They also included julienne vegetables, that consisted of red peppers and pepperoncini peppers. I liked the tangy flavor that the peppers added to the taste of the calamari.
Out next was the Mozzarella in Carrozza. This fresh made cheese came with fresh heirloom cherry tomatoes and a basil pesto. The cheese was extremely creamy and sweet. The basil pesto added an herby taste that really paired well with the tomatoes.
The last appetizer was the Bruschetta. Now they offer three different kinds. We went for the Sicilian Eggplant Caponata, which is a marinated mixture of eggplant, ricotta cheese blended with herbs, and chopped up squash. This entire mixture was then topped with a drizzle of balsamic and piled high onto some toasted baguette pieces. There was such a sweet taste to the eggplant mixture. The balsamic added a slight tartness but it was very mild. The baguette pieces added a nice crunch to each bite.
I was excited to try my dinner. This time I ordered the Pici Alla Toscana. It was a twisted pasta that was covered in a Tuscan beef-pork ragu. The rich, creamy aroma of the pasta smelled wonderful as soon as my waiter placed the bowl in front of me.
There was an overall creamy texture to the sauce. It had a full savory flavor. The pasta was tender even though the noodles were slightly thick. The portion was the right size because it was rich. If it was any larger I would not have been able to finish it.
The last time I ate at Casa Nonna I was not able to try any of their desserts. I made sure I ordered a cannoli this visit. It came out in a beautiful presentation on the plate. There were fresh berries on the plate and the cannoli was gently placed on top. It was dusted with powered sugar.
Each end of the cannoli was covered in chopped up pistachios. I really liked the salty and crunchy element it added. The cream was very smooth and creamy. It filled the entire shell, which had a slight cinnamon taste.
I once again enjoyed my entire meal at Casa Nonna. It is definitely a place I would keep going back to. Check them out at www.casanonna.com
Enjoy!
T
