Mama Vamp

The eye of the storm hit NYC yesterday - My mother came to town.

I adore my Mom. And, dutiful daughter that I am, I'm always looking to show her a good time when she hits the Big Apple. So, the pressure was "on" in terms of a Saturday night dinner reservation.

Hmmm...Needed somewhere elegant, yet comfy. Somewhere with top-notch service, yet with waitstaff that is sincerely friendly. Somewhere "in," but not so "in" that we'd feel "out" of our league. Somewhere well-priced, lest my cost-conscious Mama squawk at having me pick up the tab. And - most certainly - somewhere with amazing food.

Tall order.

Then again, those are the exact same things I look for when seeking a fine dining experience myself.

Like mother, like daughter.

And, where did we dine last night? In Brooklyn - of course. At Tempo - to be exact.

I'd been to this Mediterranean restaurant and wine bar several times since the "wine incident," and had yet to be disappointed. Last night was no exception. We swooned over Papparedelle with Wild Boar Ragu, Mint and Pecorino. We delighted in an on-the-house appetizer of crispy Duck Pastilla Rolls (pictured above) stuffed with rich Duck Confit and drizzled with Moroccan Barbeque Glaze.

Mama Vamp's main course of Seared Cod with Shrimp in a creamy Seafood Reduction Sauce made her sigh with joy. My Double-Cut Pork Chop with Savory Pecan Bread Pudding (pictured below) caused similar glee.

We had to stop. It was too much. On several levels.

We ordered coffee and thought we'd end there.

Then the waiter brought over the dessert menu. We were goners.

Caution was officially thrown to the wind and two desserts were ordered: a decadent sounding Banana Gelato Coppetta with Chunks of Brownie and Candied Pecans, and my fave - the Sticky Date and Toffee Pudding (pictured below).

But clearly Mama Vamp and I did not throw caution to the wind quite far enough by Tempo standards. When our waiter brought over our desserts, he threw another one in for good measure - a special of Summer Corn Crema with a crackled Brulee top and Fresh Blackberries. It was sublime.

And as if that wasn't more than enough already, the generous folks at Tempo said "heck to the wind!" and threw caution into a full-blown monsoon, as our waiter returned once again to our table - this time proffering two complimentary glasses of Moscato d'Asti.

I'm ashamed to admit it, but Mama Vamp and I left a good deal of dessert on our plates. We just weren't up to the challenge.

So, we reluctantly left Tempo and headed out into blustery, rainy, windy night - that wasn't too disimilar to a monsoon.

It was only fitting.

Comments

[BunnyFace]

What a lovely evening!

[Chuy]

I'm going. But, I have to ask: Why so much free stuff for you, Vamp?

[The Vamp]

I think I got the free stuff cause they've seen me a few times - and I've been brought in by my fabulous, yet persnickety, hairstylist - who also happens to style the hair of one of the restaurant's owners. Besides, it was a rainy night, and me and Mom are cute!