Every so often, something comes along so amazing that exceptions to the most basic rules have to be made, consequences for the breaking of habits considered and ignored, and caution thrown to the wind. In my life, this typically involves eating pasta, a sandwich or pizza. It does not happen often, and in 99% of cases, takes careful consideration before that whiny, boring wet sock called willpower is kindly told to sit down, STFU and stay the hell out of my way.
Willpower is stubborn, practical, condescending and a big fan of the phrases, "No," "You'll regret it," and "I told you so." Not an easy opponent to deal with. Willpower likes to focus on the gnarly consequences of breaking rules of living and pointing out that goals will not be accomplished without abiding by her fun-sucking advice, and though we may deprive ourselves along the road, the prize at the end is worth so much more than instant gratification.
Sometimes Willpower is Wrong. Those are good days. Yesterday was one of them.
I found myself in NYC sans dinner plans and an early flight in the morning. Rather than going to meet certain friends in the East Village and risking a very ugly 6 hour flight home the next day, I opted to try dining solo by sitting at the bar at Marea. http://marea-nyc.com/. I'd heard it could fill up, so I went on the early side and got a seat at the bar.
I knew it was a restaurant that specialized in seafood and was primarily Italian in cuisine. Taking my usual precautions, I planned to evaluate fish entrees or possibly a risotto, start with some crudo or other wheat-free antipasti, and depending on what dessert looked like, perhaps skip that altogether.
Here's where things started to go in a different direction: as I looked through the menu, something caught my eye: Fusilli with Red Wine Braised Baby Octopus and Bone Marrow. I read later that this is a dish about which Anthony Bourdain has said, “It starts innocently enough – hand made fusilli and baby octopus, tossed and mingled together with…OMFG, NO! Bone marrow! The unearthly product melted into and fortifying the sauce like some celestial butter.”
I think this has actually done me a favor. After this food experience, it will be easy to avoid other pastas, as I'm confident none can measure up. I expect that is what Willpower will now be telling me - at least she's (hopefully!) gained some logic (and perhaps some tact? Time will tell...) in the process!
Willpower is stubborn, practical, condescending and a big fan of the phrases, "No," "You'll regret it," and "I told you so." Not an easy opponent to deal with. Willpower likes to focus on the gnarly consequences of breaking rules of living and pointing out that goals will not be accomplished without abiding by her fun-sucking advice, and though we may deprive ourselves along the road, the prize at the end is worth so much more than instant gratification.
Sometimes Willpower is Wrong. Those are good days. Yesterday was one of them.
I found myself in NYC sans dinner plans and an early flight in the morning. Rather than going to meet certain friends in the East Village and risking a very ugly 6 hour flight home the next day, I opted to try dining solo by sitting at the bar at Marea. http://marea-nyc.com/. I'd heard it could fill up, so I went on the early side and got a seat at the bar.
I knew it was a restaurant that specialized in seafood and was primarily Italian in cuisine. Taking my usual precautions, I planned to evaluate fish entrees or possibly a risotto, start with some crudo or other wheat-free antipasti, and depending on what dessert looked like, perhaps skip that altogether.
Here's where things started to go in a different direction: as I looked through the menu, something caught my eye: Fusilli with Red Wine Braised Baby Octopus and Bone Marrow. I read later that this is a dish about which Anthony Bourdain has said, “It starts innocently enough – hand made fusilli and baby octopus, tossed and mingled together with…OMFG, NO! Bone marrow! The unearthly product melted into and fortifying the sauce like some celestial butter.”
It had to happen. There was no other option. Now that Willpower was nowhere to be found, I opted not only to order this dish, but to do it as part of the 4 course prix fixe. Really, neither one of us ever had a chance. The dish was just too good. I'm pretty sure that when/if Willpower wakes up from this event, she'll be in the fetal position for a good couple of days - it was not a fair fight.
And so it happened. I gave in. Not sure whether it was the guilty feeling or just saving room for the pasta, but I turned down the bread basket and ordered responsibly for the other courses (razor clam crudo, black bass with fava beans and morels). Everything else on its own would have been delicious and composed a great meal.
But the fusilli? I don't think I can say it better than Bourdain. Actually, his words don't even do it justice. The house made pasta is probably some of the best I've had. The octopus is perfect - perfectly sized pieces cooked perfectly and tastes like perfection. The wine/tomato sauce is out of this world. And as Tony said, bone marrow legitimately puts it over the top.
As for Willpower? She hasn't said much today, but I haven't heard anything resembling, "I told you so." coming my way.
