New York City is a “foodie’s” haven. Almost certainly you can find food from just about any culture, one of which is Italian.  If you can look past the tourist aspect of Little Italy, there’s a world of delicious Italian food to be had! One of my favorite go-to restaurants for Italian food (namely, eggplant parmesan) is called La Mela Ristorante off Mulberry Street in the heart of Little Italy.

I’m on the subway, heading to La Mela in Little Italy for lunch. I keep glancing at my watch and counting the number of subway stops before I hit the Broome Street Station.  Finally, I hear the conductor say “Next stop, Broome Street.” As the doors open, I get off the train and move briskly up to the street level and make my way to 167 Mulberry Street. Unbeknownst to the people around me, I have one thing on my mind-eggplant parmesan! You’ll understand why in a few sentences....

 

Alas, I arrive at La Mela! As I take a seat, I tell the waiter I’ll have the eggplant parmesan, with a side of rigatoni. “Coming right up,” he says. 

Waiting for the food to arrive, I look over the menu to the incredible selection of Italian dishes: Some I’ve made on my own, some I’ve made with my father while growing up, all of which give me a purpose and reason to keep coming back. 

Distracted by the menu, I don’t see the waiter approach with my order. However, as he places the dish on the table, I’m treated to sights and smells of heaven!

With no time to waste, I grab my fork and get to work. I cut through a thick layer of parmesan cheese on top, a topping of pasta sauce, (or gravy, depending on who you ask) and 3 layers of eggplant and cheese. Oh, man, this is good! The chewy, melted cheese, pasta sauce and eggplant all have great flavor, and they bring out the best in one another. Also, the hint of garlic in the pasta sauce and the extra parmesan cheese I sprinkled on...is soooo good! I pace myself by trading off a few bites of the eggplant parmesan, then a few bites of the rigatoni.

Cooked al dente and slightly coated with pasta sauce, the rigatoni is perfect! It’s such a simple dish, but you’d be surprised how many people overcook the pasta or drowned it with too much sauce. In my opinion, the right combination of noodle to sauce is the trick, which is exactly what I’m eating.  

 

Back to the eggplant parmesan….There is no debating whether or not I’m going to eat all of it. Although, I make peace with knowing that I’ll spend extra time in the gym the next couple of days. 

 

I gaze at the empty plate, reflecting back on the deliciousness that I just ate and I said to myself, “La Mela, you never disappoint.” 

 

I’m sure you’re wondering if I had dessert. I’m not telling! 

 

Until next time, cheers!