Oh What a Dish!
I had my eye on a dish I saw one night when dining at Tony's di Napoli and hadn't forgotten about it for months. That night, pre-theater, we were seated next to a couple of business men from out of town,
who decided to have a nice meal to end a busy day in New York. They came to Tony's and agreed upon linguine with seafood in a rich tomato sauce, accented with fresh parsley.
I saw that dish and wanted it. Really, really wanted it. The business men next to us could only put a dent in the serving, and part of me even thought it might be a nice idea for me to help them out.
But I refrained. I waited. Patiently. For the time and day when we could invite another couple out to enjoy the sumptuous meal.
Finally, it happened, nearly 4 months after I first spied that seafood lover's dream dish. When we ventured into Tony's in Times Square this past Friday night, and were greeted by Bruce, the manager/owner of Tony's (and a George Clooney look alike, by the way,) I proudly told him about my mission. I confessed to Bruce that I had thought about that dish for a very,very long time.
"But you have to have tonight's special, " he insisted.
"Bruce," I whined. "I am here for the linguine and seafood, nothing else."
But Bruce was unshakeable. The Friday night special, you see, was squid ink linguine, as opposed to regular linguine, and it's prepared with seafood and salmon.
We argued. He cajoled, and finally I gave in. With a compromise. I would have the squid ink linguine with seafood, minus the salmon, and have the kitchen substitute a lobster in the salmon's place.
That negotiation worked, and the dish came to our table in all it's marine glory.
We ate, and ate, and ate. And Bruce was right. It was the most amazing dish.
So, long story to give you this week's culinary suggestion. Friday night, Summer...Don't go to the Hamptons, or the Jersey Shore. Stay right where you are and head to West 43rd between 6th and Broadway.
Go in and don't even bother to look at the menu, or hear the specials. Order a nice fresh salad, the aforementioned pasta with seafood, ask for lobster instead of the salmon, and you will be very, very happy.
I promise you.
Valerie Smaldone
Media Personality, Actress, Producer, Writer
Valerie Smaldone, a 5 time Billboard Magazine Award winner, is perhaps best known for her unprecedented success holding the #1 position in the New York radio market as the midday host of New York’s 106.7 FM. She ended her on air run with the station at the end of 2007. In addition, she was the co-creator, writer, producer and host of 'Spotlight On,' a nationally syndicated program that featured in-depth interviews with top recording artists such as Paul McCartney, Elton John, Sting and Celine Dion, to name a few.
Presently, Valerie can be heard on NBC Network News promos and specialty shows and as the announcer for The Boomer Esiason Show on MSG. She writes a weekly nightlife column for TheThreeTomatoes.com, writes a theater column for Examiner.com, and has an interview program on the Italian American Network. She is an interviewer and feature reporter on Broadway for TonyAwards.com and hosts and produces celebrity portrait unveilings for Broadway stars at famed theater district eatery, Tony’s.
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