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#SundayFunday – Uxlocale Brings Italy to Uxbridge

UxLocale, located in Uxbridge, Massachusetts

We’ve established that #SundayFunday doesn’t have to mean the drinking-and-activities-pre-Monday-hipster-ritual intended to be gushed about on social media. For us, the concept of pre-gaming on Sunday to gear up for the week is less about drinking mimosas and more about making the end of the week significant. Significance can come from a culmination of different elements of scenery, location, food style, and people. At Uxlocale, there is a great balance between picturesque scenery of Uxbridge farm life, high-quality ingredients, and the heartwarming familiarity of a family business.

Outdoor dining at UxLocale, located in Uxbridge, MassachusettsUxlocale is a newcomer to the quiet food scene of Uxbridge but has proclaimed itself a destination eatery and rightfully so. With a twist on modern country, Uxlocale breathes life into passionate dishes stemming from family traditions and cultivates a sense of country leisure and travel with its backdrop of rolling green hills, farm living and old country Italian flavors. Catering to Italian favorites like pasta puttanesca – a pasta topped with garlic, anchovies, Sicilian & kalamata olives, capers, sun-dried tomatoes, crushed san marzano tomatoes and Italian parsley – and smelts limoni fritti – lightly fried and super crispy dressed smelts with fried lemon, garlic and white wine – the menu speaks of secret family recipes and an admiration of tradition.

Italian dining at UxLocale, located in Uxbridge, MassachusettsWhen we consider Italian traditions, it is hard to avoid the mention of pizza. At Uxlocale, pizza choices like the harvest – a pizza topped with roasted grape tomatoes portabella mushrooms, basil, scallions, fresh mozzarella, bacon, arugula and balsamic reduction – and the Margherita – topped with fresh pomodoro tomato sauce, mozzarella, freshly torn basil and a hint of oregano – offer a refreshing take on average New England pies. Pairing a glass of Sasyr Super Tuscan with the Uxlocale – a pizza topped with house-sausage, red peppers, and red onion – brings together a full experience of what Uxlocale has to offer although the mussels bianco paired with a glass of Riesling – preferably the Blue Fish Dry – is a good enough reason to award Uxlocale its #SundayFunday title.

Whether you are dining indoors, in the luxury of a finely crafted restaurant – walls adorned with paintings by local artists, or you choose to sit under a string of vintage-style lights in the open outdoor dining space, Uxlocale fully embraces the culinary talents of Chef Elaine Pusateri Cowan and couples it with an impeccable atmosphere, making it a worthy trip for #SundayFunday.

 

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Countryside Classics at Uxlocale

I wasn’t surprised to learn that a woodworking shop sits just outside the dining room walls of Uxlocale. The old adage, “measure twice and cut once” is a perfect indication of Chef Elaine Pusateri Cowan’s sensibility and style. Uxlocale’s commitment to local and sustainable sourcing is as ambitious as it is successful. Pusateri Cowan sets a meticulous standard of excellence; as such, every element of your Uxlocale experience is the result of a great deal of discerning effort in the kitchen. It’s evident too in the woodwork, a literal manifestation of patience and understanding when it comes to New England’s natural plenty.

Pair the Mussels Bianco with a Sauvignon Blanc like the Saget Perriere from France. (Erb Photography for Uxlocale)

Pair the Mussels Bianco with a Sauvignon Blanc like the Saget Perriere from France. The wine’s sharp acidity and slightly salty minerality lend to the subtlety of the mussels while its pleasant crispness refreshes the palate and stands up to bolder flavors like garlic and pepperoncini. Ask for some homemade bread to soak up the delicious broth at the bottom of your bowl.

Order the Sausage in Vodka Sauce with a wine that possesses supple tannins like the Sasyr Sangiovese and Syrah blend. Uxlocale’s sausage is served with fresh rosemary, caramelized onions, vodka, crushed tomatoes, cream, asiago, and pecorino romano cheese. You’ll find that the wine’s inky density and earthy aromas complement a savory red sauce. The Tuscan roots of both wine and cheese attest to a true artisan union.

Sometimes the success of a pairing relies on ambiance more than anything else. Uxlocale’s sunset views and handcrafted tables set the stage for an evening of congruence. A wood-burning oven offers the warmth of one’s own kitchen stove and beckons customers to engage with their food with an intimacy that most restaurants don’t account for.