Confession— I have never participated in a Restaurant Week. I’ve heard about them in passing in the various places I’ve lived and always thought it would be fun to explore new places and eat great food, but have never given it much thought past that.
Unbeknownst to me, this past week happened to be Restaurant Week here in New Haven. I stepped out for lunch yesterday with a co-worker and decided to eat at a table somewhere instead of my usual grab-takeout-and-shovel-it-in-my-mouth-at-my-desk-while-continuing-to-work routine. It was Friday after all, and we needed a break.
We decided on Olmo fairly quickly and luckily found two seats at the bar, as we had no reservation. It was then that I realized it was Restaurant Week and I was about to embark on my first ever Tasting Menu. Sadly, I did not think to snap a pic of the menu, but you can find a copy of it here.
I went with the mussel toast for my first course and followed up with the lumache for my second. Y’all. WHAT. I had to restrain myself because I was in public, but I legit could have just smashed my face into everything and inhaled.
The mussel toast was devine. I’m not a huge mussel person, but was intrigued by the description and wanted to see how it would all come together, plus, yanno, BREAD. First off, they did not skimp on the mussels. That was amazing all on its own. Second, the radish and tarragon salad on top gave the whole thing a perfect tart and crunchiness that I wasn’t expected. Like I said, DEVINE.
The lumache was up next and Hi. I eat only this now, please and thank you. I mean, it’s fresh pasta. With pork. And broccoli rabe.
My only regret was not eating more bread. I had a bit of the rye with my mussel toast, but all I could focus on was the giant pile of it right in front of me. Next time, y’all. Next time.
Olmo
93 Whitney Avenue, New Haven, CT 06510
www.olmokitchen.com
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