While I can’t wait to get back to restaurants and wineries to enjoy a night out, I am lucky to be a short drive from great take-out food and a walk into my cellar for some great wine. Exhibit A for me was a recent visit to one of our local faves-Pasta Pomodoro. Anyone within 20 miles of this small local Italian restaurant knows about this no frills, foodie-lover BYOB. On a Friday or Saturday you will gladly wait a half-hour to be seated. They do not take reservations. Enter COVID19 and you have to settle for a take-home dinner. I am still very thankful that this is an option.
If you are not familiar with Pasta Pomodoro, you should know that in addition to great food, they serve humungus portions. The pictures below represent the first of three meals that came from our overflowing take-out containers. It provided dinner the next night and lunch the next day. Pasta Pomodoro is located on Egg Harbor Road in Sewell.
My dinner was the Farfalle Venezienne (on left). It consisted of eggplant, fresh mozzarella, tomatoes and garlic over bowtie pasta. I order this so often the waitress sometimes anticipates my choice. My wife chose her favorite, Chicken Campagnola. It is a generous serving of chicken with spinach, artichokes, fresh tomatoes and garlic in a white wine sauce. It comes with your choice of pasta. My wife chose spaghetti in an aioli sauce.. Their fresh-baked rolls will tempt the most ardent carb avoiding patron. Besides, you come for the pasta so you might as well go “all in.”
Our choices for wines to accompany our meals were as follows:
- White Horse Winery 2018 Chambourcin (pictured below) with my Farfalle Veneziane-This is definitely one of the best Chambourcins in the state.
- White Horse Winery 2018 Estate Barrel Fermented Chardonnay (pictured below) with my wife’s Chicken Campagnola-This is a lovely Chard with a creamy feel and taste, yet sufficient acidity to assure its food-friendliness; subtle oaking.
- Unionville Vineyards Port Vat #19 was our dessert (along with some Trader Joe’s dark chocolate).-A decadently good Port-style wine. My favorite of their “solera-style” blends of vintages thus far. Hard to beat with chocolate.
I worry that wonderful small restaurants like this one may not be able to make it if the social distancing regulations remain in effect for a much longer period of time. Fortunately, they know how to do take out (they own the pizzeria next door) and they have a very faithful clientele who love them. Hopefully, the current virus concerns and related tough economic times will become a distant memory. In the meantime, I will continue to do my part to support our local wineries, restaurants and businesses.
Cheers!
Coming Attractions
- NJ Wine Futures-Some great bargains if you know where and how these work-some suggestions.
- Bobby Chez and NJ Wines-The best crab cakes around paired with wines that do them justice.
- NJ Uncorked & Unplugged-Finally time to hang out (still socially distanced) and listen to live music.
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