I am sorry for letting a week pass without posting, that is inexcusable. I have been caught up in so many exciting things–NYC Restaurant Week, booking my tickets for the New York City Wine & Food Festival, making SO much ice cream, more on that later–that the time has flow by. Oh, and my Blackberry broke (and I have been awaiting my new one for the past few days, long story). Life without a cell phone/electronic calendar has been strangely liberating, but I do feel as though time is standing still and I never know where I’m supposed to be or who I’m supposed to be meeting for dinner. I digress…
I kicked off this summer’s restaurant week with a lunch a Lupa with some friends from culinary school.
We didn’t wind up ordering off of the restaurant week menu; each of us ordered a few of the small plates. I had the broccoli rabe (far left) and octopus (second and third from left). The broccoli rabe was mixed with ricotta and garnished with some lemon zest which went well with the bitterness of the greens. The octopus was cooked perfectly, its texture nice and tender, but I found the sauce to be a bit too creamy. I prefer my octopus grilled with a simple drizzle of olive oil. Not to mention the rosemary focaccia that was put on the table, just divine.
Kristen’s beets (far right) were superb, and she seemed to like her tuna with white beans (second from right) which I didn’t try. The best dish of the afternoon, however, was an escarole salad that Clare ordered (not pictured). It was cheesy and delicious with a wonderfully light dressing. Sadly we didn’t sample any of what they are famous for: charcuterie. But, I know I’ll be back, perhaps for dinner next time.
