The days are growing shorter, the weather’s turning cold, summer vacation seems like a long-forgotten memory, and the news … let’s not even go there. Thankfully, there’s one glowing beacon to save us: National Pasta Day is October 17. To celebrate, we’re rounding up five creamy, comforting, yes-I’d-like-Parm-on-that versions that are guaranteed to improve whatever the world sends your way.
Cappelletti at Burrata
425 White Plains Rd, Eastchester; 914.337.3700
At his wood-fired pizzeria, Chas Anderson doesn’t just slay the pizza game, he turns out perfect pastas, including these cappelletti that are filled with ultra-smooth buffalo-milk ricotta, glossy with butter, and sprinkled with gently spicy ‘nduja breadcrumbs.
Whole Wheat Cavatelli at Fortina
17 Maple Ave, Armonk; 914.273.0900
136 S Ridge St, Rye Brook; 914.937.0900
1086 N Broadway, Yonkers; 914.358.3595
No offense to whole-wheat pastas, but most aren’t very good. At Fortina, they’re redeeming the much maligned macaroni’s reputation, with this OG menu dish that’s everything we’ve always hoped whole-wheat pasta would be: chewy, nutty, and sauced simply, with a mountain of Parm, wilted escarole, and crumbles of sausage.
Strozzapreti at Maple & Rose
690 Mamaroneck Ave, Mamaroneck; 914.222.4151
This all-day café is popular for its avocado tartines, salads, market bowls, and sandwiches, but at dinnertime, Chef Ryan Hart, who previously worked at mega-acclaimed Barbuto and Via Carota in NYC, makes some stellar pasta dishes. Case in point: These strozzapreti in an oh-so-comforting mix of cream, melted leeks, bacon, and crispy parsnip chips.
Tableside Cacio e Pepe Risotto at Risotto Restaurant
788 Commerce St, Thornwood; 914.769.6000
Ever since Kevin Oliveros of Brother’s Fish & Chips took over earlier this year, we’ve been loving the many iterations of Risotto’s namesake dish on the menu. The favorite is this cacio e pepe version, tossed tableside with dramatic flare in a giant wheel of sharp, nutty, pecorino Romano.
Mac ’n’ Cheese at Southern Table
39 Marble Ave, Pleasantville; 914.618.3355
Who says Italians are the only ones that can craft a delicious pasta? At Southern Table, they’re elevating mac ’n’ cheese from its often-one-note existence with the addition of bacon and pickled jalapeños, which give this super-sized portion an addictive creamy, cheesy, porky, spicy, tangy quality.
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