Friday Night at Sorella (Note the lip gloss-smeared wine glass. Did I slather up right before drinking? Gross.)

I’ll be honest. I’m a total bitch when it comes to food. If you build a beautiful restaurant and promote as a savior to local foodies, then that’s what I expect. If you park a truck on the corner of 96th and Broadway to peddle tacos, then I expect to enjoy a decent taco (or better yet, a beef tongue burrito).

It’s been a long time since I fell in love with a restaurant. I’ve been to lots of the new spots in town, The Breslin, Ma Peche, and Locande Verde…in addition to the stand bys, The Standard Grill, Momofuku and Extra Virgin. But, it’s been a long time since every single course that came out of the kitchen elicited borderline-inappropriate moans of satisfaction.

Ladies and gentlemen, introducing Sorella [95 Allen St., NYC]. An Italian small-plate resto on the Lower East Side that has been churning out deliciousness for the past seventeen months. The menu is designed for sharing, so go with a group of three or more to maximize your ordering power. (Our group of three chicks ordered almost everything on the menu)

Pate de Fegato: an appetizer or a plated orgasm?

Risotto, Beets, Arugula, Love

The Pate de Fegato, a menu item that transcends seasons despite it’s richness, is a thick slice of English muffin bread toasted with duck fat and topped with airy chicken liver mousse…and put over the edge with a fried egg and  tiles of thick crispy bacon. The winter menu featured a beet risotto with arugula, which was earthy and creamy and comfortable.

If you max out your caloric line of credit and consider skipping dessert, skip dessert somewhere else.  Sorella treats its dolci  menu with equal respect, and expects diners to follow suit.  The homemade gelatos and divine Molly’s Birthday Cake will extend the satisfied moaning throughout the end of your meal.  Sorella is a restaurant to check your diet at the door, and indulge in the creative (but not exploitative) takes on rustic Piedmontese cuisine.  

Molly's Birthday Cake

And if you soon find yourself on an East Coast beach feeling slightly regretful, just skip across the sand with confidence knowing that while you may be slightly chubbier than that boring chic from Murray Hill, you certainly don’t waste your calories having dinner at Banc.

p.s. Resi for 6 at Sorella this Saturday to stuff my face full of their new summer menu. Check back for updated post!