Rustico

Euphoria. 

Last night I had dinner with two of my favorite people. We tried a new restaurant, Rustico, and after waiting over an hour for a table, I experienced pure euphoria. Most people, like myself, stick to foods they actually like. I eat good food on a regular basis but I will say that this meal, hands down, was the best meal I have had in a long time.

I was severely under-stimulated yesterday afternoon and spent quite a bit of time preparing for this meal by drooling over the menu. (As an aside, I'm more of a starchy-carb kinda gal and would happily eat a bowl of pasta for every meal if I allowed myself the option. Sweets? Not so much. And especially not pie. Who actually LIKES hot fruit?) I happened to scroll through the dessert menu and was sold on the apple pie sundae. I hadn't decided what I was going to eat for my main course, but I knew whatever I selected needed to accommodate dessert. I spent the rest of the day counting down the minutes before I could devour these magical-sounding calories. But I digress...

Our three-top started the meal off with carrot hummus with spiced lamb and crumbed feta. It was fabulous. I mean really, the spiced lamb really made this dish. While stuffing my face (and ordering more pita bread), I noted that we really needed to buy a food processor. I love hummus. 

For my main course, I was torn. I literally wanted to try everything on the menu. Knowing I didn't actually have enough room in my body for all of that food, I decided on the butternut squash angolotti with fresh lobster and brown butter - hazelnut sauce. Pardon my language, but OMFG. When they laid that plate in front of me and I caught a whiff of hazelnut, I knew I'd met my match. Words can't even begin to describe how it tasted. Little angolotti's melting in my mouth, tasting the delicate butternut squash and the subtle sweetness... I can't go on because now, the next morning, I wish I'd ordered a pound to go so I could eat it for breakfast.

As for the other guests, their dishes were equally delicious. Cider braised pork shank with red cabbage, potato-apple puree and a jalapeño caramel sauce to the left of me; slow cooked duck breast with dirty duck con t rice, currant - cassis sauce across the table from me. Doesn't that sound amazing?

If you were wondering, after eating everything on my plate (and some of the other plates), I did order the apple pie sundae. And yes, I shared one bite with the others and then ate the entire thing. 

*I had intentions of photographing this life-altering experience, but with the low lighting, my iPhone couldn't capture enough light to give these plates the justice they deserve. Next time, friends. Next time.