Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Eureka! Obika.

In New York City, it's not often that a restaurant can claim to be "the first", "history-making, " "never-been-done-before." But next week Italians will do it with the opening of Obika, Manhattan's first mozzarella bar. I couldn't be more excited.

The bar takes style cues from the Japanese and ingredients from Campania; we're talking mouth-watering Mozzarella di Bufala DOP on a direct flight from Paestum to Madison Avenue. It's the freshest you'll get in the city.


Adding to my delight for this place is the aperitivo-style menu that allows you to create small plates all centered around your desired glob of cheese, with accessories like fresh tomatoes and pesto, bresaola, anchovies and prosciutto. Now just add some smartly dressed European sophisticates and a tad of loungy house music and you'll be transported right back to Milan...or Turin...or Rome (the other three Obika locations).

Or not, seeing as this mozzarella mecca has taken residence in the lobby of the IBM building. In Midtown. On the East Side. And if you ask me, there's nothing like corporate American tecchies to remind you that you're NOT in Europe at all. I will, however, make an exception to my "never dine above 23rd Street" rule and see for myself next week.
Stay tuned for a full review of Obika.

3 comments:

Lauren (Lo) said...

wow, sounds amazing but definitely minus points on location...what a let down. Give this place a killer atmosphere and it could be fab. Look forward to your review...

Anonymous said...

That mozzarella mecca is making me hungry~!!!!

Anonymous said...

Hi Courtney, I stumbled across your blog while looking for others' experiences of picking up and moving to Italy (which I intend to do next year, from Toronto!)

I saw that you taught english over there - would you mind telling me how you found that experience? I heard the market is saturated with wannabe eng. teachers, but i still think it's a good way to get some spare cash, little as it may be.

Also, did you have a work visa that allowed you to teach? I hope that's not too personal a question, I'm just trying to figure my options out. Any advice you can give is much appreciated!

Thanks much,
Toni