Kudos to my mom for a truly wonderful Thanksgiving. The invitation, “come and bring containers for leftovers.” For all involved this invitation is the absolute best invitation to get. I was in. However, I was happy to have dined before this meal as it would turn out to be my only meal of the day.
I met my aunt Sylvia, cousin Quinn and friends at Locanda Verde (@LocandaVerde, 377 Greenwich St., 212-925-3797, www.locandaverdenyc.com) for brunch. It is one of my favorite restaurants in the city for that housemade sheep’s milk ricotta and chunk of mortadella garnishing their bloody mary.
Me, tardy for the party, the table had begun dining. Quinn ordered squash agnolotti with brown butter and sage for me while others enjoyed lamb Bolognese, marinated beets and the ricotta. I went in. The combination of sweet squash, nutty brown butter and herbaceous sage was perfect.
With two agnolotti remaining, I was informed we were enjoying our first course. The main course, a full family style Thanksgiving dinner, would be arriving. Fork down! However, the modest portions of wood-fired heritage turkey breast and braised leg with fennel sausage, chestnut stuffing, gravy, cranberry conserva, winter squash, Swiss chard fonduta and Brussels sprouts with apple mustard and guanciale were just enough for a few bites of each.
Although the lot at the table ordered “fantasia” (vanilla-bay leaf gelato, apple cider sorbet, orange zabaglione) for dessert, I had dark chocolate budino with pistachio, cardamaro espuma and espresso. Bellissimo!
After quick hugs and kisses, I made my way back uptown to eat again—or so I thought. The food my mother ordered showed up late, incorrect and either undercooked or uncooked. Although we were livid, we made the best of the situation and ultimately had the best Thanksgiving ever just being together.
Thank you family! I am forever grateful.
