On Friday, I sought to create a memorable experience for two people who have taken great efforts to take care of me during my stay here in New York, though from a distance. There was much to celebrate that evening - a birthday, two graduations, and an incredible year of video conversations, awkward hugs, and those other perks of close friendship - so I had a few criteria that I used to guided my decision to take them to A Voce, Executive Chef Missy Robin’s establishment in the Time Warner Building.
1. A beautiful setting -
Warm and energetic. Classy, but not pretentious.
A Voce qualifies as “chic casual”, a place where you can enjoy (somewhat) unrestricted conversation in dressy attire. The expansive windows endow the area with pleasant natural light and expectedly nice view of the circle.
2. Delicious food
Freshly baked focaccia with fresh ricotta, hand torn basil, cracked pepper, and fruity olive oil.
Fresh pappardelle with rabbit sausage, hen of the woods mushrooms, caremlized onions, and a dusting of parmigiano reggiano.
Grilled calamari with paper thin slices of zucchini, mint, cured lemon, and pilacca.
Raviolini with a light potato filling, broccoli, and crisped pancetta
Grilled swordfish with marinated eggplant, dijon, and caper pesto
Pork chop with roasted abalone mushrooms, arugala, and caramelized lemons
Grilled lamb chops, braised lamb belly, yukon gold potatoes, taggiasca olives, and meyer lemon
Bombolini a la Toscana, with an intense Valhrona chocolate sauce and a custard filling
All of the dishes were incredibly delicious, though the appetizers stole the show. Robbins does magical things with fresh pasta - the dishes are light, slightly al dente, simply flavored, and perfectly executed. What more could you ask for?
3. Nearby Entertainment
The Time Warner Building is a mall filled with high end stores that I’m scared to walk into. It is definitely a fun place to explore, though. 
The Samsung display center houses crazy tvs that are thinner than the store’s glass doors. It is definitely a great place to watch the world cup.
The epic fourth floor, which is home to two triple michelin star restaurants - per se and masa.
Standing at the entrance of Thomas Keller’s Per Se - a nine course prix fixe menu comes at 275 per person.
Thanks to Eric and Amy for coming to share a great meal with me, and for being as awesome as you are.
Happy July 4th Everyone!
