The Red Awning: Valentine's Day Dinner at Locanda Verde

2.12.10 For V-day, we decided to go to Locanda Verda, a trendy, Robert De Niro restaurant located all the way on the west side. I rarely go towards Tribeca, even though it is the up and coming hot spot for real estate and dining aficionado. So, when my bf suggested Locanda Verde for our first Valentine's Day together, I jumped on the opportunity. When we got to the restaurant, I fell in love. The dim lighting, floor to ceiling windows, visible kitchen, dark wood furnishings, simple menu...it was all working for me. On top of all this, I was thrilled to try their famous crostini and pasta dishes. Thanks to our helpful waitress, it didn't take us long to decide what to order. We finally settled on...

Sheeps' Milk Ricotta Crostini
Fonduta Ravioli with wild mushrooms and parmigiano reggiano
Fire-roasted Garlic Chicken for Two

If I were to describe this meal in one word it would be venerable. I underestimated Andrew Carmellini's ability to attract a demanding crowd. Even past midnight, people were pouring in to get a taste of his infamous dishes. The quality of the cooking exceeded my expectations. The ricotta crostini was savory and smooth. The ravioli was small (portion wise), but nevertheless, prepared just right to appreciate Italian cuisine. Despite the lack of sauce, it was filled with flavors both inside and outside the pasta. But, the highlight of the night for me was the fire-roasted garlic chicken. First of all, the plate is enormous. The chicken could feed a whole family. Second, the chicken was seasoned so well that you could actually taste all the flavors. The garlic flavor was just enough to appreciate the quality of the way the chicken was cooked. It was juicy and tender, but crispy on the outside from the cooked skin. And last but not least, the chicken came with a variety of well-cooked vegetables that I ended up eating more veggies than the actual chicken. Robert De Niro and team knows how to please a crowd.