Last night we took in a fabulous new musical (world premiere production of ROOMS at Metro Stage) in Alexandria and popped over to A LA LUCIA where we haven't been for some time (joined by our dear friends Mel & Juan).
As we looked at the menu, we all knew it was a seafood night (and the 9pm hour and heat made us feel this way as well) and ordered up a bottle of FALANGHINA 2007 from TERREDORA di PAOLO in Campania. All three wines were had were superb, crisp and tasty, but this was a memory for us all to our trip to Italy just a year before. The second white was a FALERNO del MASSIO 2005 from VILLA MATILDE from the same region, but our 3rd was a citrusy CHARDONNAY 2005 from I SISTRI in Tuscany that was perfect with the seafood.
Appetizers included a HUGE platter of tasty MUSSELS in SPICY WHITE SAUCE, LENTIL SOUP (which I prefer a bit thicker), GRILLED OCTOPUS with ARUGULA which came with grape tomatoes and two adorable whole baby octopi that again were tender and tasty and grilled to perfection.
POACHED ATRICHOKES were served with Capers, Black Olives and ANCHOVIES in a mild and savory White Wine Sauce making this a lighter, but most exciting dish.
Will and I could not resist the three perfect SOFT SHELL CRABS Sauteed with ALMONDS, WHITE WINE and served with Broccoli di Rabe. This dish reminded me of my first Soft Shell Crabs Amandine which my Mom always ordered at A La Fourchette in Manhattan back in the 60's and 70's (alas, now long closed!).
The WHOLE BAKED BRANZINO with Herbs, Lemon Butter Sauce and Fennel Salad was a revelation in tasty, fleshy, meaty fish preparation that melted in your mouth with each bite.
Desserts included CHOCOLATE CAKE, TIRAMISU, BERRIES with ZABAGLIONE and Sour Cherry and Grapefruit Campari (talk about sour combos) Sorbets that were actually a great combo! Nobody was upset with their choice and we all went home very full, very happy and very sad to leave!
