#34 Porchetta Calabrese, Salumeria Rosi
Often when I sit down to a nice meal, I’ll say some comment about “civilization”- “a little civilization is so nice”, or “Ah. I love being civilized”.
A good meal can do that. We work hard. We eat bad food, and convenient food, and we settle all the time. We have to. But every now and then, a civilized meal can do a lot to remind you that there is a better way to live, and within reason, you can live it.
Yesterday, I had a lovely five dollar footlong from Subway with a bunch of nonsense shit on it (“…uh and put some of that chipotle sauce on there, I guess?”). Today, I had the Porchetta Calabrese at Salumeria Rosi.
The restaurant is half specialty deli, half nice restaurant. The concept is “Tuscan tapas” or small plates. Everything comes out as soon as it’s ready. This sandwich was really something special. The first bite is like this subtle combination of warm richness, without being heavy. And as you eat it, you can slowly distinguish the individual flavors- quietly spicy, flavorful, expertly crafted in ratio and portion size. A real show of intelligence, quality, and restraint. Civilization and class, class, class.
We also got a cheese plate.
This was definitely an uptown sandwich. Simple ingredients, put together elegantly…it was fantastic. It was the perfect kind of spicy; enough to give you a kick but not intensifying with each subsequent bite. It was enjoyable to feel the spiciness in my mouth.
I’m just not sure if I’d ever go here again. I’d need a very specific type of guest to bring to this restaurant, since it’s a very specific style of food and the taste is so unique. Also, the cheese plate was incredible.
EDIT: Wow this reblog is overdue.
