Ordering anything but pasta at an Italian restaurant feels like ordering the chicken fingers at a seafood shack (at least to my, rather biased, American view of Italian fare). So, when I saw not one, but two, gnocchi dishes on the menu at La Scala, I knew what I would be consuming within moments of lifting the menu. I chose the gnocchi with a pink tomato sauce and decided to add shrimp for some protein with my starches. The sauce was a lovely light pink color with mild flavors that clung to the gnocchi perfectly without being sticky or dry. The gnocchi was tender and well-cooked with a delightful potato center. The medium sized shrimp was also cooked very well-easy to bite and holding their shape (not curled up). Overall, the dish was a good, tasty gnocchi dish exactly as expected. There were no unique flavors or ingredients but the portion was large enough to save for later (if you were so inclined). -AC
Tag: Shrewsbury Street
Pesto and Gnocchi with Herbed Ricotta and Shrimp
La Scala had lovely high ceilings of pressed tin and the large booths that were situated in were comfortable and relaxing. The staff was quick and friendly so we ordered fairly soon after arriving. The menu had many options we were willing to try and so we narrowed it down to the pesto and gnocchi with herbed ricotta and shrimp after much consideration.
This was no light pesto sauce as I had been used it, but, instead it was heavy and deep in pesto— in fact the gnocchi was just covered in the chopped deep green herbs! The flavor was rich and the gnocchi was cooked to perfect potato perfection. It was lovely combo of flavors and textures. My hubby added a little salt to heighten the flavor a bit, but I am not a fan of salt so I found it satisfying as served. While some of my dining companions may have been dissatisfied with their choices at La Scala, the flavor and textures within this dish certainly made it a table favorite. -DD