Sole Di Roma- A Summer Cocktail

While the city is heating up, what's a better time than now to start gearing up for summer cocktails! One of the house favorites is our Sole Di Roma. This bright orange beauty is a perfect party starter and easy to make with just a few main ingredients. The best part? It's light and refreshing, perfect for spring and summer. I happen to love this cocktail because it's perfect for brunch, lunch and cocktail parties. 

Now, I won't be able to give out our exact recipe for the Sole Di Roma, but I can tell you what's in it! This is what you'll need:

• Aperol- This is what gives it that gorgeous bright orange color. It's considered Italy's favorite aperitif.
• Limoncello- Another favorite of Italy! Limoncello is slightly sweet and gives a nice rounded citrus flavor
• Orange Juice- The juice serves as the body for the cocktail. I would suggest using freshly squeezed for the best results. 
• Prosecco- What would a summer cocktail be without a little Italian Prosecco to top it off! Give it a little splash of bubbles to round it out and make it nice and crisp.

Aren't you craving a cocktail now? I AM! Try making our Sole Di Roma and be sure to share your pics and comments with me! Tag your creation with @BoccaDiBaccoNYC! Let's see those cocktails!

-Chef K

The Catering Salon

Well guys, I have to admit, I LOVE PARTIES! What do I love about them? Planning the party, creating tablescapes and designing menus to fit any occasion. So it only made sense for me to branch into my NEW catering company, the Catering Salon! We now cater for weddings, birthdays, corporate events and pretty much any party you can think of. Whether the event is taking place in one of our restaurants or at another venue, we can cater and design an event just for you! Cool, right?!

I wanted to create an event production company that would work around anyone's budget and vision. So, whether it's a black-tie bar service or a casual aesthetic, we would take care of your needs from A-Z. 

Every booked event will receive a complimentary tasting as well, which I think is so great! Sometimes I find that when planning parties you don't really know what you're getting until you're actually enjoying your party! With Catering Salon, you get to be a part of the party process all along the way. 

We have two menus to choose from, a Three Course and a 4 Course. Both menus include butler passed hors d'oeuvres and include cake cutting or champagne wedding toasts if it's a special event. I'm really proud of the team we have created for the Catering Salon and can't wait to spend your important celebrations together! 

To learn more or to begin planning your event, shoot us an email! I'd love to hear your feedback and answer any questions you may have!

Springtime Tablescapes

With the recent spring weather preview we had here in New York got me excited about the season to come! I love hosting parties in the springtime because it’s all about gorgeous surroundings and simplicity, so I like my menu and tablescape to match that simplicity.

Keeping the menu fresh, light, and simple is key for a springtime party. Some favorites are prosciutto and melon, simple grilled jumbo shrimp with tomato sauce, and bruschetta.

As for the table, the season is all about the flowers, so keep those florals as the focus! Stick to either one type in a multitude of colors, or one color scheme incorporated in a variety of flowers. As for the rest of the table, keep it low-maintenance with clean, white dishware and simplistic glassware. Subtlety is key!  I love the rustic feel of wooden tables as a backdrop, and allowing the flowers and food to be the highlight.

Here are a few more  tablescape ideas I loved on Pinterest.

-Chef K

Vegan Tomato Cream Sauce

Although many enjoy a carnivorous feast, it’s always a nice change of pace to allow yourself to go vegan!

Generally, great substitutes for meat and other animal products include: beans, lentils, and tempeh. Mushrooms, like portobella, are also a great alternative to meat because they actually mimic the texture, and sometimes taste, of meat. Pasta is also great for vegans, but often topped with heavy cream sauces, which is no good for vegans! Check out this simple, delicious vegan tomato cream sauce:

1 Large, ripe tomato (2 cups roughly chopped)

1/2 Cup Raw Cashews

1 Tbs Tomato Paste

¼ Cup Water

2 Tbs Olive Oil

2-4 Cloves Garlic, minced, optional

1 Large Handful Fresh Basil Leaves, chopped

Core the tomato, then roughly chop it. Add it to your blender, seeds, skin and all. Add cashews, tomato paste, and water. Blend until very smooth. Pour sauce from the blender into a saute pan and bring to a simmer. Add basil and let simmer for 4-5 minutes and enjoy!

What are some of your favorite vegan choices?

Mouth of the WIne God!

Exciting news! Bocca Di Bacco will soon be serving our OWN red wine! Our Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is from the east-central region of Italy called Abruzzo. It will be a dry, flavorful red with soft tannins. Bocca di Bacco in Italian means “mouth of the wine god,” so it’s only fitting that we have our very own wine!

With our new wine debuting, I thought it would be a great time to give you some tips on which wines I suggest that pair best with some of my favorite Bocca di Bacco menu items. For our oven roasted Salmone Bocca Di Bacco, I enjoy a crisp, dry Sauvignon Blanc like our Dorigo 2011 to cut through the buttery fish and caramelized onions. When pairing with chicken, like our Pollo Al Rosmarino, most people choose a white like a chardonnay. However, you can also choose a juicy red like a pinot noir or zinfandel. I find that the fruity red adds a burst of berry acidity and complements the chicken's delicate flavor. When it comes to steak and other bold meats, like our Tagliata Al Tagliere, I recommend a strong Cabernet or Syrah. These full-bodied wines have tannins that can stand up to the fatty, bold flavored angus skirt steak while still giving you their fruity undertones.

For dessert, I actually suggest serving brandy If you haven’t tried it before, I highly recommend changing up your usual port. Here you can see one of our dessert brandy options at our Chelsea bar. Smooth and sweet, they add just the right finish. ;)

Not only are we debuting our very own wine, but we are also holding a fabulous contest for its label design! So, if you or someone you know is interested in having their design on our wine label and win a $500 NYCRG gift card, you can find out more contest information here!

Good luck!

-Chef K