Trattoria Trullo - Chicago

...is located in the Lincoln Square area of Chicago at 4767 N. Lincoln Avenue.

"C", "I", "T", "W" and I stared with two appetizers: the daily special of buratta and mortadella (so rich and delicious) and grilled seafood (love the calamari).

"C", "W" and I all had different pasta dishes. "T" had the mushroom risotto while "I" had the special of rack of lamb with mushroom risotto.

Then we shared chocolate gelato, raspberry gelato and tiramisu.

Very good, basic Italian fare.

A Voce Columbus Circle

is the second outpost of A Voce. This restaurant is located at 10 Columbus Circle inside the Shops At Columbus Circle NYC's Midtown.

I had lunch during NYC 2010 Restaurant Week. For $24.07 I had a wonderful 3 course meal which started with fluffy focaccia bread and home made ricotta spread sprinkled with olive oil and thyme:

- Mozzarella di bufala with calabrian chilies, dried grape tomatoes and arugala

- Boreta alla graisana branzino, clams, mussels, shrimp, tomato broth

- Chocolate Panna Cotta with toasted hazelnuts

And for $12 I had a glass of Moscato d'Asti.

It was a great meal and that was just lunch. I look forward to returning for dinner!

Inoteca

is located at 98 Rivington Street in NYC's Lower East Side.

This rustic, cozy Italian restaurant serves small dishes which are easy to share. They also have a nice wine bar.

"T" and I shared the following:

- Mortada Affetati (mortadella which is like really good Italian bologna) $8 and served with toasted bread

- Mozzerella & Tapenade (crustless sandwich of fresh mozzarella and olive tapenade spread) $7

- Gamberone (fried giant prawns) $18

- Truffled Egg Toast with Borgatta (thick slices of bread topped with truffle butter and an egg with caviar) $12

- Costole Brevi (short ribs with broccoli rable and pan roasted potatoes) $18

- Budino di zucca (pumpkin pudding with whipped cream) $6

"T" had a glass of Schiava (very light red wine) $9 and I had a glass of Prosecco $8.

Everything was very good except we were disappointed with dessert because we could barely taste the pumpkin. Also, the choice of music played in the dining areas was, at times, too loud and hard core - not very conducive to enjoying talking and eating.

Foodie Flicks

Dinner Rush was a small indie film that was actually shot in the director's father's real NYC Tribeca restaurant. We were so inspired by the movie that we dined at the actual restaurant 2 weeks later.

Foodie Flicks

Whenever somone makes a list of great foodie flicks The Big Night is always near the top.

Trattoria Dopo Teatro

is located at 125 W. 44th Street near NYC's Theater District. It's a good place to dine pre-theater. They offer a 3-course $24.50 pre-theater menu, but on this night "J" and I ordered from the a la carte menu.

For an appetizer we shared the Calamari Fritti ($15) which was a little chewy.

For entree we both had the Papperdelle a la Barola - wide pasta with short rib ragu ($19) which was very good and flavorful.

And for dessert we shared the Chocolate Souffle with vanilla ice cream ($9.50) which was really a molten chocolate cake.