Every week, I document another dish that impressed and satiated me during my food adventures around New York City
You could be forgiven if you look at the name of this week’s Dish of the Week and think of an infamous movie flop from 2003 starring the then It-couple Bennifer (Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez for the younger readers out there).
To be honest, when I came across the Gigli on the menu at Barano, I thought the same thing. But I saw it listed under the pasta menu and so knew it must have been something else.
The restaurant Barano is on the edge of South Williamsburg steps away from the East River And I have encountered its name many times in my research over the last year or so. It doesn’t get as much press as other Williamsburg spots, but it has received consistent buzz.
I would have liked to try some of their pizzas or dinner entrees, but I settled on this funny named pasta that is on both their Dinner and Brunch menus.
It was truly superb and almost made me cry because I could not easily come back for a proper meal.
The color on this pasta was much brighter than a red tomato sauce (my camera did not do it justice). And for once, I think the presentation was not just for Instagram bait.
The color comes from Persian saffron which is threaded into the cone-shaped pasta. Calabrian honey adds a subtle heat and earthy sweetness. It also thickens the sauce a bit but with a natural restraint. A showering of sharp pecorino is a perfect final touch.
Not only was this fun to eat due to the color and texture of the dish, but it was incredibly delicious.
Turns out another name for this type of pasta is Campanelle. But that is a lot less fun to say, I think we can all agree on that. Price: $21
| BARANO |
| 26 Broadway (between Kent and Wythe Avenue), Williamsburg, Brooklyn (347) 987-4500 |
| baranonk.com |
