It's My Birthday...Italian Style!

     ...so it was my BIRTHDAY last week (August 2nd) and I had a blast!

     For me, birthdays have a double standard. It's a way of celebrating life but I don't feel we should break the bank trying to reaffirm that we're still here...(ha!)

     But that still doesn't mean we don't try new things and adventure out...especially on a birthday!!

     That's how The Husband (Joe) and I ended up at Bucca di Peppo at the Ward Village Shops!

 

     Joe and I are humongous foodies (Master Chef and Tasty) so we had always wanted to dine in a Chef's Table at a restaurant!

     Bucca di Peppo has one Chef's Table and we were able to reserve it for my birthday! 

     It was incredible! We got an amazing behind the scenes look at an authentic Italian kitchen!

     We (and by "we" I mean "I") started our meal with a Mozzarella and Tomato Insalata! Which of course is my favorite Italian style salad.

     The Mozzarella tasted like it had been made in that kitchen and the Tomatoes were off the vine fresh!

Linguine Frutti di Mare

     The Husband chose the Linguine Frutti di Mare! I think he picked it so that I couldn't share it with him!!! (HA!) I'm highly allergic to seafood...(sigh)

     This pasta looked so good! It was filled with shrimp, baby clams, mussels and calamari in spicy red clam sauce. (I did want a bite! YUM!)

     Joe was impressed by all the lovely seafood. He said that it was plentiful and the clams were nice and smooth...no grit whatsoever!

Penne San Remo

     I picked the Penne San Remo! How can you go wrong with a chicken breast, artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes in a white wine cream sauce? (I told them to hold the peas!)

     This pasta was soooo creamy! I was in heaven! My only critique is that I like the chicken to have a bit more kick before submerging it into the saucy goodness...

     Sometimes when meats don't have enough seasoning, for me, it can get lost when a sauce is added to them and I find it a bit bland.

     Joe and I had great fun watching the hard work and camaraderie that the employees at Bucca di Peppo share.

     There were many moments that their culinary ballet could have ended tragically but...

     The kitchen was in sync and in full swing!

     Finally! The best part of the meal had finally come! The yummiest Cannollis this side of the Pacific are here in Bucca di Peppo!

     I have a full on love for these light crispy pastries filled with Cannoli cream and chocolate chips! I always ask for no chocolate sauce though...it has a cleaner taste for me without the sauce...(I know I'm difficult).

Cannolli

     Chef Kent had been a big part of our adventure sitting at the Chef's Table and we thanked him for hanging out with us whenever he had a moment (kitchen is always running!).

     As the night came to a close (Bucca di Peppo closes at 10pm) Chef Kent came by one last time and asked if we had a good night?

Chef Kent & Me!

      Bucca di Peppo Chef's Table was a unique gift for me and I'm ever filled with the love Joe shares with me everyday of our lives...Happy Birthday to ME!

     Oh! Yeah! We also went to see the new Star Trek: Beyond at Consolidated Ward Theatres before dinner! It was great fun...

     Ironically, the two people who don't drink alcohol got to see the new Star Trek in the "Adult Theatre" section...lol...(there was a police officer and everything!) but that might need another blog post in the future...