Good morning and happy Monday. Hope you had a great weekend. Mine was really nice—I got a lot of work done but I also managed to enjoy some work-free time as well.  I’m in the home stretch with my class and can finally see the light at the end of the grad school tunnel. Four years goes fast.

Dark & candle-lit: totally my jam

Anyway, Sunday ended on a mellow note with a girls’ dinner at Osteria Cotta. My mom and sister had come in to eat some good food and catch up. My mom hadn’t been here since my 26th birthday, and it was my sister’s first visit, so it was fun to (re)introduce them to some of my favorite things on the menu. I love the ambiance at this place, and the food never disappoints. An added bonus is that the prices are super-reasonable.

Having had a green smoothie for lunch and not much else during the day, I was really hungry when we arrived, but I left very satisfied. We started by sharing an arugula salad and some delicious bruschette: truffled egg, eggplant caponata, burrata with roasted pepper, and marscapone and honey.  My mom and I each also had a glass of lambrusco. 

Then we split a brussel sprout & pancetta pizza. So. Freaking. Good. 

I had a few bites of dark chocolate cake for dessert, which was also great. It was the perfect way to end a nice meal.

If you find yourself on the Upper West Side and craving pizza or even just a drink and some antipasti, I highly recommend this place.

What’s your favorite kind of pizza? Best restaurant meal you’ve had lately?