Industry Night at Osteria Morini Going Strong

Back in July, we brought you a look at Osteria Morini's "Industry Night" special.  The promo started May 14th and was originally going to be nixed after Labor Day, but it's been extended through the month of November.  The deal still stands.  Any pasta on the menu is $10 from 9pm til close on Monday nights.  Fall is right around the corner, that means there's going to be some new choices.  Bye bye tomatoes (almost) and hello braised anything.  We had to go back.  Here's a look at two new choices along with the spaghetti alla vongole, because we forgot to order it last time.

Pegai - Ricotta, hazelnuts, and saba.  This new addition is a labor of love.  It was a special the night we were there, but it'll make its way onto the menu soon.  The ricotta and saba are both homemade.  Saba is essentially reduced, unfermented wine.  It gives the dish a slightly sweet edge, but eat it with a glass of Giobatto Vio's grenache Morini's pouring by the glass and everything will be right with the world.

Gnocchi - Potato dumplings, beef cheek ragu, dried cherries, and black olives.  Delicious.  Rivals our favorite: Gramigna (sausage, peas, cream, black pepper).  The beef cheeks melt in your mouth and the contrast of sweet and salty from the cherries and olives takes the dish to another level.

Spaghetti alla Vongole - Clams, leeks, white wine, and chili.  Great heat from the chilies and the briney, clam flavor is in every bite.  Nothing wrong with this one.

This Monday, the 24th, Michael White will be at Osteria Morini for Industry Night.  He won't be cooking, but hanging out watching the "No Reservations" episode in which he and Anthony Bourdain (who may or may not be there) eat their way through Emilia Romagna, the eastern region in central Italy from which Morini draws inspiration for its menu.