review four: CAFE MEZZANOTTE

While on a recent business trip and making my way down I-­95, my colleague and I decided it was time to stop for dinner before it got too late . Now, gnocchi was not on my mind or my main goal, but finding a place off the highway that wasn’t a chain restaurant was. Thanks to a little help from google maps and Yelp*, we randomly pick Café Mezzanotte in Wilmington, Delaware.

I was pleasantly surprised to find potato gnocchi on the menu and of course, like any good journeyman on a mission, I ordered it. It was your authentic, basic potato gnocchi served in a tomato sauce, topped with mozzarella and
parmigiano cheese, then baked to perfection.

While I can tell you that the gnocchi was SPOT ON, the sauce was not. Although the gnocchi had all the makings of the stuff I grew up on, I was disappointed by a thick tangy taste when the sauce hit my tongue.

The restaurant was nice, in a business district that I bet is very crowded for lunch. There was a small dinner crowd on this night.

My rating: gnocchi – The Bomb!, tomato sauce – it bombed!

I have sauce expectations when I eat any pasta, this gnocchi dish was no different.

Cafe Mezzanotte website:  cafemezzanotte.net

Address: at the corner of Tatnall & 11th, Wilmington DE

potato gnocchi at cafe mezzanotte
potato gnocchi at cafe mezzanotte

review three: LA PULPERIA

Before I dive into my third gnocchi review, I want to note that I do not discriminate when it comes to gnocchi.  While gnocchi is traditionally an Italian dish, I’m very open to trying different takes on the dish from a variety of different cultures.  La Pulperia is a perfect example of a non-Italian restaurant completely NAILING their gnocchi.  La Pulperia serves “rustic Latin cuisine” on the Upper East Side of NYC.  Their dinner menu is extremely creative and innovative, the same goes for their spectacular cocktail menu.  It was really hard to choose… that is until I saw a “Small Plate” called “Ricotta Gnocchi” served with crab, sage, spinach, citrus brown butter, and truffle scent.  I was immediately intrigued and more-so curious whether this non-Italian place will impress me.  It did.  Here’s the scoop:

  • The ricotta gnocchi itself was near-perfect and was paired beautifully with delicious crab (two things I never even thought to put together).
  • The entire dish was doused in a buttery, sagey sauce… but not TOO doused.  The sauce coupled with the crab was absolutely delicious.
  • The truffle “scent” was the perfect touch to the dish and made me keep going back for more.
  • My only wish: I want more! I guess that’s why they call it a “Small Plate”.
  • My rating: SO impressed! Delicioso.

Go here.  Get the Empanadas for an appetizer, the Ricotta Gnocchi for dinner, and any specialty cocktail… you’ll be happy you did.

La Pulperia address: 1626 Second Avenue

Website: lapulperianyc.com