Location: 1480 2nd Avenue
Cuisine: Ecclectic Gourmet
Items: 3 starters, 3 entrees, 4 Cocktails
Best Dish: The star of the evening is the Truffled Mac with Bacon, but the Tomato Bruschetta is a very close second.
Overall: This is a very easy going relaxed space that could easily become a favorite. The atmosphere is inviting, the drinks are amazing and the food is fabulous! What more could anyone ask for?
New
We began our meal with a round of craft cocktails. Every cocktail listed by the bar was specially crafted by the mixologists for a personalized and unique experience. My companion ordered the “Magic Lantern” a sweet mix of Vodka, Mint, Muddled Cucumber, Simple Syrup and Ginger-beer. I had the “KissYoMama” a spicy mixed cocktail of Resposado, Mango Puree, simple syrup, Hot Sauce and Thai Basil leaves. Though I mostly ordered the drink because of its funny name, I was pleasantly surprised by its complex layers of flavor. Truly a delicious drinks its is equal parts spicy and sweet.
While enjoying our beverages we also sampled a few of the starters. We began with the two crostini, two to be exact. The roasted tomato Bruschetta was amazing and an easy favorite. The contrasting texture of the plump juicy tomatoes gooey cheese and warm toasted bread was delightful.
The mushroom Gruyere crostini offered a similar experience with a more hearty flavor from the earthy mushrooms and cheese blend.
After the crostini, we sampled the prosciutto provolone flatbread. This dish offers the best parts of the pizza without any sauce or oily mess. It is a light and delicate dish that works well as a meal starter.
After our appetizers we ordered another round of cocktails. My companion chose the West Egg, a blend of Bourbon, bitters, strawberries and egg whites.
I chose the Guilty Pleasure, a sweet fragrant Rum cocktail with pineapple juice, fresh lime, and bitters topped with Prosecco.
After cocktails, we were presented with our entrees. The portions at Vella are light and the prices are reasonable enough to accommodate. So if you are a big eater we recommend ordering a bit more than you would usually order. We started with the Truffle Mac and Cheese with bacon. Do we even need to go over this one? What’s not to love about a delicious serving of mac and cheese topped with crunchy bacon crumbles? This is an absolute must have. The mac and cheese is creamy and flavorful and did we mention the bacon?
Next up were the Prawns. These gorgeous plump prawns were served with a remoulade, grilled lemon and lightly dressed arugula. This is a fresh and delicious dish for any seafood lover. The prawns are seasoned to perfection and even have a smoky peppery kick.
Our last entree of the evening was the Lasagna. Lasagna has a reputation for being one of those big heavy dishes that sit in your stomach like a lead balloon. At Vella, this Italian favorite is lighter and creamier. The filling is a mixture of fresh spinach and ricotta sopraffina. Despite its lighter ingredients it is a filling item and not to be missed.
Second avenue is filled with dining options, spend your money wisely. Vella offers awesome drinks and great food at competitive prices. The starters begin at a mere $6 and entrees at $11. You simply can not lose. Visit them on the web at VellaNYC.com