We have gone back to Casa Nonna a few times in the months it has been open. Afterall, it is right in our building.
This time we decided to try the pastas, and boy am I glad we did! It is here that Nonna really shines.
First, we tried the Bucatini alla Matriciana, which is spaghetti “with a hole,” sweet onion, pancetta, and tomato. I keep forgetting how much I enjoy bucatini. Somehow adding that hole into the spaghetti really makes it that much better.
This was delicious. Filled with flavor, great pancetta, and sauce that just sang.
We also tried the Stracci di Manzo, which is “Rags” tossed with braised beef short rib and tomato. The pasta was perfectly cooked and the braised short ribs were just perfect and delicious. Really impressive.
And after such a healthy meal (ha!) we decided we had to have dessert. We tried the Torrone Semi Freddo, which was Italian nougat, almond sponge, and chocolate crackle sauce. I think when I heard “chocolate crackle sauce,” I figured something along the lines of magic shell. It didn’t harden, but it did taste good. I haven’t been overwhelmed by the desserts here. Not to say that they aren’t good, but they aren’t GREAT either.
Stick with the pasta
