It's that time of year again. The time when I get a year older, look a year younger and enjoy celebrations galore. The big day isn't until next week, but already the festivities have been underway with a series of pals and such.
From the Watermelon Margaritas and Guacamole with Leah and Shaun at Hell's Kitchen to the Salad Rolls and Pork Belly with Sir and Lady M at An Choi, it's been a great start to this annual month-long dining extravaganza.
But, the meal thus far that truly made me feel all sortsa special was at a place in Midtown called Isle of Capri (pictured above). This classic Italian-American dining haunt is a hop, skip and a jump away from Bloomingdale's and has been kickin' it old school since 1955.
The room was colorful, crammed and comfy, evoking a 1970's sensibility of Italiano trattoria elegance. The waitstaff -- although most definitely not Italian -- were well-equipped with the occasional"grazie" and "prego."
Sitting down with Missy K and her parents in from LA, it felt like we found a hidden, fading gem, as we opened the menu to descriptions of traditional fare like Pasta e Faglioli, Lasagna al Forno and Trippa alla Calabrese.
The foil-wrapped butter pats arrived, as did the the middling bread basket, saved only by sticks of crisp Grissini. Little Bruschetta landed on the table as well, deliciously garlicky, making up for the bread basket disappointments. Then we ordered.
The monumental platters arrived -- Potato Gnocchi in Bolognese, Manicotti slathered in red gravy, the aforementioned Lasagna al Forno, a platter of housemade Paglia e Fieno, and the king of old-fashioned Italian-American cookery - Veal Parmigana.
It was marvelous. It was like someone's Nonna from South Philly or Bensonhurst was cooking in the back. Missy K was delighted, as were her Italian-American parental units. Smiles all around the table - except for her Dad, Tony.
"Why didn't we get some of the lovely sausages from upfront on the antipasto table?!"
He eyed them lovingly as we started to exit, when a waiter approached, cut one off of the rope of coiled beauties and handed it to Tony as parting gift.
"Grazie"
"Prego"
A perfect ending for a perfect pre-birthday dinner.
Awwww. Charming! And now I'm hungry.
Posted by: Kim Brittingham | December 16, 2009 at 02:55 PM