After an active weekend and the theft of an hour, I wasn’t feeling much like cooking. When the opportunity presented to meet Aloysius for dinner it felt like the ideal way to punctuate a weekend and I jumped on it. As we considered a comfortable meeting spot, Woodstock’s Cucina popped into my mind with an undeniable vengeance. A finely mixed cocktail and pasta were exactly what I was seeking and based upon my prior visit with the girls, I knew I would not be disappointed.
I arrived a few minutes later than expected and found Aloysius at the bar enjoying a beer. I took a quick look at the cocktail menu and selected the Orient Old Fashioned, which I believe is the same cocktail I had on my last visit. Bulliet and house made ginger simple syrup simply calls my name, what can I say?
As we caught up and sipped our drinks, I eyed the plate of a gentleman sitting near us at the bar. The tuna served with white beans, micro greens and thinly sliced spicy red peppers helped to seal deal for both Aloysius and myself and we decided to go with the very reasonable 3 course Prix Fixe menu for $33 per person beginning with the tuna as our first course. It was excellent with a hint of heat, beautifully firm beans and tender and flavorful tuna.
We diverged for main course selections with Aloysius going with a pork dish loaded with mushrooms and served with polenta. The taste I had was delicious, but I was really satisfied with the pasta dish I had selected – taleggio filled ravioli with a porcini sauce. The ravioli were delicate and tender and just filled with flavor. Aloysius barely got a forkful.
The pasta, along with the dessert, probably would have been more than enough to eat, but I do like to eat a vegetable, too, so I added a side of broccoli rabe. It was very similar to how I make it, al dente and generously seasoned with garlic.
I finished with a butterscotch, salted caramel confection that I’m pretty sure I had last time around. I inhaled it so quickly that there wasn’t an opportunity to take a photo. This is the dessert of my dreams and if you want to be my favorite, show up at my door with an order of this and you’re in – guaranteed. I’m not willing to wait another 2 years before getting a spoon into this stuff again.
Cucina remains one of my two favorite spots in Woodstock and I’m already mentally trying to arrange a rendezvous with the girls to get there again. Dinner for two (not including the drinks at the bar, but with a beer and a glass and tip set us back $125. This place absolutely rocks.
DelSo 