Rucola

For many reasons, mostly because I know the people behind Rucola, I have been meaning to get there for a long time.  I have said this before but every time we go to Brooklyn ( and it is often) I am always blown away by the change.  Boerum Hill, where Rucola is located, was a little sketchy 15 years ago.  The rows and rows of brownstones were always beautiful but now the streets are booming with a new found life of people with kids, people walking their dogs, neighbors chatting on the streets, etc.  It was so nice just to stand on the corner where Rucola is located and take in the neighborhood.

breadThe restaurant is a local gem.  If we lived there we would probably come often.  I met one of the investors for dinner there and I just let him order.  First comes the plates of soft tasty bruschetta squares to
dip in olive oil.

pickledfennelsWe split a bunch of appetizers which ended up being our dinner.  So we had no main courses but I am definitely returning so no worries.   There is an assortment of vegetable antipasti to choose from.  We had pickled fennel.  I love fennel and I love pickled vegetables so I thought it was fantastic.

cheese:onionsA slice of Toma Della Rocca, a rich creamy blend of goat and sheeps milk cheese from Northern Italy with an onion chutney on the side.

saladBibb lettuce salad mixed with toasted almonds, smoked feta and a preserved lemon-wildflower honey vinaigrette.

crudoThe other plate was a crudo of thinly sliced Branzino, pickled green tomatoes, toasted sunflower seeds, chopped basil and a Ligurian olive oil.  Loved this.

cookiesInstead of main courses we did dessert.  Smart move actually or I think we might have rolled out of there.  Chocolate chip Amaretto cookies.  These were moist yet crispy and really unique.  Would love the recipe for these.

choaoltesputtingChocolate pudding topped with whipped cream, olive oil and a dash of sea salt.  Honestly you can’t go wrong.

pitachiopuddingButtermilk panna cotta with roasted rhubarb and toasted pistachio.

All and all a wonderful meal, a great setting and another reason (as there are too many to count) to return to this corner of Brooklyn.

 

 

Comments (Archived):

  1. Mario Cantin

    This looks sumptuous, I hope Jason Calacanis reads your blog so he knows to go there when he visits his hometown 🙂

    1. Gotham Gal

      Lol