I went into to this restaurant while Jon was looking for a parking spot in New Hope, PA (sometimes an endless task!) only to find out that we didn’t have a reservation! Although it was early on a Sunday evening, there were no tables to be had. That should have given me a heads-up as to what to expect. As I waited for Jon to come back, the owner, Colleen, was trying her best to give us a small table that she had deliberately left empty for the night because the people who were about to arrive were a jolly bunch. I told her that this would not bother us at all, as we were in the mood for good food. I really enjoy when other people are having fun. I once dated a curmudgeon around Christmas time who complained to the owner of the restaurant where we were that the people at the next table were too loud. I was embarrassed, as these people were merely in the holiday spirit.
So that night, Colleen most graciously said she would give us the table she had purposely left unoccupied. The entire restaurant is small and cozy with a petite counter (there were people seated there). It is a BYOB with a share type menu. The place is decorated very nicely – simple, but with good taste. It is charmingly appointed with fine touches. This extends to the washroom, which has shiny black subway tiles, a black faucet on a white sink.
We started with an appetizer of crumbled sausage with chopped broccoli rabe and sharp provolone, topped with marinara and vodka sauce, which was absolutely delicious. It arrived in a bowl and, at first, was not what I had in mind. However, it was very hearty; it is, in fact, mostly crumbled sausage. I have never had this dish before and will certainly have it again at Italian Cucina.
My entrée was what appealed to me immediately: lobster ravioli in vodka sauce topped with lump crab and prepared with black squid ink incorporated into the dough as black stripes. I loved it. Jon had the pork chop, bone in premium reserve in a brandy cream sauce, with shitake mushrooms, spinach and tomatoes, which was moist, soft and exceptionally tasteful. He recommends it! The two cannoli I had for dessert were lighter than usual and among the best I’ve ever had.
P.S. We got friendly with the jolly bunch and had a grand time!
Italian Cucina
6 Stockton Ave, New Hope, PA 18938