The (South) Shore Part III

http://ortarestaurant.com/

To answer your question, I did do a lot more than eat this weekend. I walked a dog, I cleaned up after a teenager, I elevated my ankle that is banged up from a soccer injury. Caught up on a couple movies and the most recent episode of the Jersey Shore, played some Cityville. But Sunday was my last night in the DUX, so I had to make sure I had one more really good meal.

I was lucky enough to be joined by Sister & Iesha for one final south shore dinner at Orta in Pembroke. This place comes highly recommended by MA, the ScanClan Matriarch. It is one of her favorite local spots.

The interior is so nice and dark. They have the most beautiful candelabra over the main dining room that I have ever seen. I mean, I'm just there for the food, but it really stood out. There are also 2 bars. One in the front, one in the back. We were seated in one of the alcoves on the side, which was really nice. Felt like we had our own little private party. I think we thought we were our own private party because the rum & cokes and processecos were going down nice!
 
But let's get down to business, shall we?  It's great that the place is pretty and the drinks were good.  But we mostly care about the food.  And let me tell you, there was lots of it. 
 
To start we had the Gorgonzola Crostini (a small plate) and the Eggplant Millefoglie (Antipasti).  Both were the prefect size to split amongst 3 of us.  The crostini came out in serving of 2, with honey drizzled all over the plate.  We all agreed that the ratio of cheese to bread was not equal.  The slice of cheese was much too thick, but the more honey you added the crostini, the milder the cheese became.  It was definitely an enjoyable snack once that was all worked out.  I never would think to incorporate honey with cheese.  Looks like I will be from now on, though.  It was so good.
 
The eggplant dish was basically a slice of noodless lasagna.  Slices of baked eggplant were layered with mozzerella and baked with marinara sauce.  It was great.  Familiar.  Definitely tasted like there was a little Italian grandmother in the kitchen whipping this up.  I think it's safe to say that this was our favorite starter.
 
There was a lot to consider for the entrees.  I was definitely thrown off when I heard one of the specials was my beloved butternut squash ravioli - and I LOVE specials.  But I figured I should try a dish on their menu, since it was my first time at Orta.  What I ended up ordering was phenomenal!  The Wild Mushroom Ravioli in a Mascarpone, Parmesan, Herb sauce.  Holy smokes, it was insane.  This is where cream sauces belong (not on haddock - see Part II)!!!  Everyone one of us gals loved it.  Yes, there was lots of taste testing going on.  I think the herb that stood out most in the sauce was the basil.  Perfect.  It would be hard not to order this again.
 
Iesha opted for the Gnocchi Alla Sorrentina in a Tomato, Mozz, Basil cream sauce.  This  was definitely a huge hit with us all.  The gnocchi were perfect, not too heavy and the sauce was delicious.  I even liked the hunks of roasted tomato, which added texture.  There was definitely a lot of, "Do you mind if I just try one more bite?" going on between Sister and myself.  The dish was very pretty to look at, too.  The sauce was a very appetizing orangey-pink and just looking at it, you knew it was going to be crazy good.
 
Sister went a little low key and got the traditional Margherita Pizza.  I think she may have thought it would be a bar style size, but it was more realistically like a medium size pizza.  I don't know how, but I found room to have a slice and I liked it.  It was thin crusted and the fresh basil was very pleasing.  I think it would make a great lunch.  There was leftover,s though, so we brought that home for young Ryan, which he demolished.  So it also gets the seal of approval from a growing boy.
 
I was really glad I convinced Sister and Iesha to take this final journey with me on a Sunday night, knowing work was just hours away.  Whatever sleep we missed, I'd say that it was worth it.  Our 'buds definitely didn't mind!
 
...jeez...I haven't even gotten to dessert yet, have I???  My belly feels full just typing this.  But the blog must go on.  For dessert we ordered the Cannolis, which was a serving of 2, dipped in chocolate chips.  Totally winning, people.  I love the chocolate chip factor.  Poor Sister opted out of the cannoli portion of the evening, which she later regretted.  That's life, Sister.  That's life.  Gotta take the opportunities when they present themselves, otherwise, you're gonna be left behind and cannoli-less.  Hey, I'm older and wiser.  I know you don't turn down the cannoli.  You never turn down the cannoli.  Let's consider this a life lesson.
 
I give Orta my #1 rank out of all the South Shore dining I did this weekend.  I cannot wait to go back and have some more insane pasta and small plates.  Next time a bottle of wine is in order, as well.  This feels like the type of place where you just have to.  And I don't always feel like this.
 
Ok!  Thanks for checking my 3 part revue, 'buds.  I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did, even though I actually got to do the eating and you just do the reading, which now doesn't seem fair.  I should erase this paragraph and start over...
 
PS - I'm going to Fleming's this week, as part of my Final Four contest.  Check back by Thursday evening to catch that Revue and see how it scored!!!

Ivy's - Restaurant Week 8/15/10

http://www.ivyrestaurantgroup.com/

The Haps: Ivy Restaurant - 49 Temple Place in Downtown Crossing
Peeps: Yours truly, L, SJ & SJ's coworker Melissa from E. Walpole
Cheddah: $33.10/per person (the usual Restaurant Week Prix Fixe rate)
Chow: Caprese Salad, Grilled Italian Street Corn, Seafood Caponata, Gnocchi x 3, Spicy Chocolate Strawberry & Lemoncello Gelato Sundae


Hello forks! How long has it has been? (That was rhetorical...please don't ask me to figure out how long. I'm good with a fork, not a calculator.)



Do you ever see something happen that is out of your control and wish you could go back in time and stop it from happening? Or at least, have the power to stop yourself from seeing it unfold? I sort of wished I had that ability Sunday night at dinner. I should have seen the inclinations that things would go badly when our cutie little waitress told us it was her first night...


...mama mea culpa!



Me and my girls were hitting up Ivy's for Restaurant week.  To see the full Prix Fixe menu, hit up the link I provided up top. I ordered the Caprese salad by default, as Melissa from Walpole and SJ ordered the Street Corn. The Caprese was...Capboring. The mozz and basil were fine, but the tomatoes were oddly breaded in a manor that tasted unfinished. And they put enough balsamic on the plate to satisfy an ant who's had a lap band installed. C'mon Ivy!!! Gimme the balsamic. Think more along the lines of 19 Kids and Counting, ok? Thanks.


But I've gotta tell ya...the Street corn was corn-tastic. Whew! I cannot wait to try to replicate and fail! The appetizer came out in 2 small ears per serving. It was oily, cheesy and paprika-y. It definitely won the table's vote for best app.



You know that song from Sesame St...One of These Things is Not Like the Other? Well, that was me when it came to Entree time. I was the only gal to order the Seafood Caponata. This meal consisted of a buttery, citrusy herb sauce, papardelle pasta and an entire aquarium of seafood. Mussels, shrimp, lobster and scallops. I do not like lobster and shrimp, but my theory for restaurant week is to pick the pick that is most outside my comfort zone. Mussels were not something I'd really tried before...I have to say, if you drown them in enough sauce, they're great! My prior stance on lobster and shrimp were not changed. And the scallops were perfect. The dish was outta this ocean! Oh...and it came out of the kitchen hot...



...The Gnocchi, not so much. There was much promise for the Gnocchi in a red sauce w/ basil and riccotta...but man. Those balls were cold. It pained to me watch my friends suffer through their cold dinners while I feasted like royalty. Oh wait...yup, there it is. We finally got our bread! (Which was worth the wait, btw! Great dipping oil.) It turned out that the Gnocchi gals mentioned the cold entrees to our waitress, who looked ready to pose for a DUI mug shot. It was a sight I cannot erase from my memory.


But this was not quite as awkward as the hot mess I witnessed when she spilled 4 shots of Limoncello all over herself at the bar. It was more embarrassing than Keanu Reeves' acting. I felt the embarrassment in my neck and shoulders. It was really hard to watch. Turns out, though, those 4 shots of Limoncello were for our table, "for the aggravation". Very thoughtful...and tasty! The desserts came out shortly after and we all began scooping the Limoncello gelato into our shots. Booze-floats! A nice grown-up alternative to the ice cream floats of childhood...or 4 days ago. Whatever. After leaving the restaurant I realized what I'd specifically ordered was the Lemoncello Gelato Sundae...there was no sign of Sundae in the dish. Just the gelato and a frozen grape.



Overall, my tastebuds give the meal many burps (a huge compliment in some cultures). I give the service #1 status on the all-time awkward dining moments of...all-time. So go to Ivy, for sure. Just take the service with a grain of fresh cracked sea salt.



(O, and for those keeping track, noticing I didn't detail details about the Chocolate Covered Strawberry...take that for what it's worth.)