This month, we’ve traveled throughout Italy, from Sicily and Sardinia to Tuscany. For flight night on Wednesday, October 28, our last journey to Italy, SOHO will feature a selection favorite Italian wines and flavors.

 

 

 

As Italy is celebrated for a large number of food and wines, it’s almost impossible to pick favorites. However, pinot grigio and bruschetta do come in at the top my personal list. Have a favorite Italian dish or varietal? Please let me know in the comments section!

The following wines and tapas – each a SOHO favorite – will be available through Tuesday, November 3:

2007 Ca Montini Pinot Grigio, Sant’Antimo, Montalcino

Veal and porcini baci with black truffle jus and shaved parmigiano-reggiano cheese

 

2005 La Braccesca Vino Nobile Di Montepulciano, Montepulciano

Polpette (meatballs) served with creamy polenta, asiago cheese and a basil marinara

 

2006 AIA Vecchia Toscana Rosso “Lagone”, Tuscany

Miniature grilled spicy shrimp pizza with arugula and roasted peppers

Choose to sample the entire flight (three three-ounce glasses and a cheese plate) for $18, or pair a wine and tapas for $12. The wines and small plates are available individually as well ($10/glass and $6/tapas). Hope to see you soon!

It’s been a delicious month at SOHO as we’ve focused on the flavors of Italy. With that inspiration, I thought I’d highlight a few of the Italian digestivos featured on SOHO’s dessert menu.

 

                                  
              

First, we offer two of Italy’s more unusual drinks – Fernet Branca and Fernet Branca Menta (mint flavored), both favorites of SOHO owner Susan Smith. The original recipe for Fernet Branca was developed in Italy in 1845, and for decades the liqueur was marketed as a cure for many ailments. Even today, many fans of Fernet Branca claim it is the ideal drink after an overly generous dinner and is a perfect hangover cure. Whatever your reason for ordering a glass, the unique taste of the liqueur is worth a try. Franet Branca is bitter, but layered with flavors. While the exact recipe is a secret (the producers, Fratelli Branca Distillerie, have taken a cue from the folks at Coke), it contains 27 herbs and spices from four continents, including myrrh and saffron. It’s the perfect after-dinner drink for the adventurous spirit.

 

Next, we offer Caravella Limoncello, a completely different after-dinner experience than the Fernet Branca. Originating on the Island of Capri in the late nineteenth century, limoncello has become a popular Italian drink (reportedly it makes up 35% of the total liqueur consumption in Italy). Sweet and lemony, it is best enjoyed ice-cold. One reason for limoncello’s popularity is its simplicity – it is made with three basic ingredients, lemon, sugar and pure alcohol. It can even be made at home – here’s a recipe from the Food Network. If you are in the mood for a taste of sugar after your meal, this might be the digestivo to try.

 

Hopefully, you'll join us soon for dinner – and, afterwords, a little taste of Italy.

This week, SOHO will travel to Tuscany for flight night on Wednesday, October 21. The region is ideally suited for wine production and, for many, simply the mention of the word Tuscany conjures images of rolling hills covered in grape vines.

 

 

Wine has been produced in Tuscany for nearly 3,000 years. When the Etruscans first settled in the area, they brought vines and the art of grape cultivation with them. Over the years, the region has continued to produce many fine wines. One of the main wines of Tuscany, Chianti, is perhaps Italy’s most famous varietal and one of the most well-known wines in the world. Of course, Tuscan food is highly regarded as well, with local olive oils and cheeses winning over food lovers worldwide. Through Tuesday, October 27, SOHO will feature the following wines and Tuscan-inspired tapas:

2003 Banfi, Merlot, Mandrielle

Prosciutto Tuscano & Finocchiona (fennel salami) served with pecorino, roasted garlic and extra virgin olive oil

 

2004 Castello di Meleto, Chianti Classico, Tuscany

Cacciucco alla Livonese, a ragout of calamari, mussels and whitefish served over French bread

 

2004 Salcheto, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Montepulciano

Grilled lollipop lamb chops with panzanella salad

 

Guests can sample the entire Tuscan flight for $18 (three three ounce tastings and a cheese plate). Or, sample a wine and tapas pairing for $12. The wines and tapas are available individually as well ($10/glass and $6/tapas). See you soon for a taste of Tuscany!

In a past post, I went into detail regarding my love of SOHO’s chocolate bread pudding – and dessert in general. So this week, I couldn’t resist writing about the two new desserts that have been added to SOHO’s menu. Both are outstanding and the perfect finish to a meal. First, there is the Sciabica’s lemon olive oil pound cake served with roasted Georgia apples and homemade ricotta. Next, we’ve added a pistachio cranberry tart with a chocolate crust and topped with vanilla bean ice cream. The pound cake is light and airy, while the tart is rich and decadent. There’s something to satisfy each kind of dessert craving!

 

 
Sciabica's lemon olive oil pound cake 

Since the holiday season is quickly approaching, I thought I’d share the recipe for the Sciabica's lemon olive oil pound cake. It’s sure to delight any guests you may host. Of course, if you don’t feel like cooking (and cleaning) for a large group – we’re happy to do it for you at the restaurant!

 

Sciabica’s Lemon Olive Oil Pound Cake Recipe (makes 1 cake)

 

Ingredients

1 ½ cup flour

2 teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

1 cup plain yogurt

1 cup sugar

3 eggs

2 tablespoon lemon zest

1 teaspoon vanilla

½ cup lemon olive oil ( SOHO uses Sciabica’s)

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SOHO is journeying to Italy’s Piedmont region for flight night on Wednesday, October 14.

 

 Vineyards in Italy's Piedmont region

Located in the northwest corner of Italy, the region is known for producing quality artisanal wines. Reds dominate the region, particularly those made from the Nebbiolo grape. Not only does Piedmont produce fine wines, it is home to cuisine focused on preserving agriculture and local traditions. This week, delving into the great wines and culinary highlights of Piedmont, SOHO is offering the following wine and tapas:

2008 Demarie, Arneis, Langhe

Saffron risotto croquettes stuffed with fontina cheese and prosciutto.

 

2007 Pio Cesare, Barbera d’Alba, Alba

Roasted chestnut stuffed quail with butternut squash and fig-balsamic glaze.

 

2008 Demarie, Nebbiolo d’Alba, Langhe

Wild mushroom ravioli with black truffle cream sauce. Topped with crisped pancetta.

 

Guests can try a flight (three three-ounce tastings and a cheese plate) for $18. Or, sample a wine and tapas pairing for $12. Wines and tapas are available individually as well ($10/glass and $6/tapas).

 

See you soon!

Loyalty has its rewards! This week, we are introducing the SOHO Dining Rewards Program. It’s SOHO’s way of saying ‘thank you’ to our guests.

Joining the program has plenty of benefits. You earn one point for every dollar you spend in the restaurant or purchasing gift cards. The points can be redeemed for future meals and all points count toward your “Lifetime Membership Points.” Reach enough lifetime points and you can redeem unique gifts. Plus, members will receive rewards for spending, special offers on birthdays and enrollment anniversaries, frequent double point offerings, notification of exclusive member events and other custom rewards.

 

To keep it simple there’s no annual fee and no loyalty card to keep track of – simply register your ten-digit number (an easy-to-remember telephone number is a good one to use) and you can begin earning points.

 

The rewards program is another great excuse to visit us soon – whether you’re nibbling on Joey’s famous calamari or sipping a signature cocktail, you are earning points towards future freebies (and who can resist that?).

 

Ready to join the SOHO Dining Rewards program? Simply click here to enroll. (You’ll earn 50 bonus points just for joining).

In the restaurant industry, twelve successful years in business is certainly something to celebrate. Well, SOHO is doing just that. In celebration of its twelfth anniversary, SOHO is hosting a family-style neighborhood dinner party on Tuesday, October 27, featuring the menu from the great 1996 foodie movie, Big Night.

In the movie, a witty drama from Stanley Tucci, a pair of brothers debate integrity versus compromise as they try to succeed in the restaurant business.  Primo and Secondo have journeyed from Italy to New Jersey in the mid-1950s, but their food is a bit too authentic. Begging for advice, Secondo goes to his competitor, who offers to help by arranging for the famous Italian-American entertainer, Louis Prima, to dine at The Paradise. The hope is that Prima and the accompanying press will fall in love with the authentic food and sing the praises of the restaurant. 

The brothers plunge themselves into preparations for this "big night" and invite dozens of friends to attend the magnificent feast.  As they wait for Prima and his entourage to arrive, the crowd indulges in the exquisite food and plenty of wine. The guests ultimately partake in a fabulous celebration, one that includes the star of the movie, il Timpano, a recipe actually brought to America by Tucci’s grandmother from Calabria, Italy. (You can watch the movie's trailer here).

Inspired by Big Night, Chef Joe has prepared the following menu for the October 27 celebration:

 

La Zuppa: Pasta en Brodo

Il Primi: Three color risotto

Il Primi: il Timpano

Secondi: Roasted chicken, roasted fish, grilled calamari, suckling pig, grilled and roasted vegetables

Dolci: Cantucci (drinks & cookies)

 

Ready to join us for this big night? Guests are invited to attend a welcome reception with antipasto bar at 6:30pm and enjoy the four-course prix fixe dinner starting at 7:30pm. The celebration will also feature the movie soundtrack and the music of Louis Prima. The price for food and wine is $65 per person. Guests will also have a chance to win door prizes in a complimentary raffle. Seating is limited and reservations are highly recommended.

 

I hope you’ll join us for our anniversary party!

Flight night on Wednesday, October 7, will feature more Italian delights. This week, we are traveling to the islands of Sicily and Sardinia.

 

 

Sardinia produces a number of popular wines, including cannonau and vermentino. Whichever varietal you sip from Sardinia, you are enjoying the fruits of some very old vines. In 2004, researchers in Sardinia discovered the remains of vines and sediment dating back to 1200 B.C. It had been thought that Sardinia’s vines were imported from Mesopotamia, but DNA testing proved the vines were native to the land, making the grapes found on the island the oldest in the world. Neighboring island Sicily has long been renowned for producing great wines, due to largely to its soil, which is ideal for wine growing, but almost useless for the cultivation of other crops. This week, influenced by Sicily and Sardinia, SOHO will offer the following wine and tapas:

 

2007 Argiolas Costamolino, Vermentino, Sardinia

Cous cous con pesce. Tomato white fish stew served with cous cous.

 

2002 Agricola Punica, Barrua, Sardinia

Involtini di Melanzane. Eggplant stuffed with goat cheese and baked with marinara sauce and mozzarella.

 

2004 Saia, Nero D’Avola, Sicily

Braised beef roll stuffed with pancetta and sausage. Simmered in a spicy tomato broth.

 

The wine and tapas will be available through October 13. Guests can enjoy the entire flight for $18 or pair a wine and tapas for $12. The wines and tapas are available individually as well ($10/glass and $6/tapas). See you soon!