A Pasta Lovers Dream on Restaurant Row!

"Restaurant Row is the name used for West 46th Street between Eighth and Ninth Avenues in the Theater District of Manhattan in New York City.

The designation Restaurant Row was made official in 1973. "Where else in the world, except possibly Paris, could you get 16 of the best restaurants collected in such a short strip of land?" Mayor John Lindsay said at the dedication." -Wikipedia 

Since 1973 NYC has made some serious culinary advances. Although the restaurants on Restaurant Row are decent, reasonably priced & usually have great happy hours, I would not call it a foodies paradise. These restaurants predominantly cater to tourists as they're located right by Times Square and offer quick and satisfying pre-theater menus for those rushing to a nearby show. All this being said, there is one stand out restaurant that is not only insanely cheap (for NYC standards) but offers up some of the best pasta dishes you'll find...well, almost anywhere. This little Italian gem is none other than Lidia Bastianich's, Becco Restaurant. She opened this fantastic find in 1993 with her son Joe. The shining star of Becco's menu is their unlimited nightly pasta special (say whaaaaa???)! The special is only $22.95 and comes with a crisp Caesar or creative Antipasto salad, then a trio of pastas. The pasta dishes change nightly and the experience is literally a fresh pasta buffet that comes to you. As you enjoy sipping a glass of their $25 a bottle house wine (yes, $25 for a bottle!), friendly waiters come right to your table filling your plate with some of the most amazing pasta dishes you have ever tasted. Options have included Oxtail Ravioli, Tomato Basil Spaghetti, & Penne with Peas & Bacon in a creamy Alfredo sauce. Be sure to make reservations as space fills up fast, especially before and after shows. For more information and Becco's complete menu, visit...http://becco-nyc.com/

Last night's menu included...

2 glasses of signature sauvignon blanc, marinated olives, fresh breads & a yummy olive oil/hummus spread

Last night's pasta trio! Linguine with clam sauce, fresh pappardelle noodles with tomato basil sauce and (my favorite) homemade ricotta gnocchi in a Parmesan cream...Just ridiculous.

THIS is what I drank this morning as an attempt to counteract my carb overload...Oy.