I actually like the pizza at Amorina (Cucina Rustica) for reasons that other people hate it. Namely, the chewy crust, which has been described as “uniformly leaden” and “dense to the point of being impenetrable.” I wouldn’t go that far, but the last time I got two slices “to go,” I got jaw fatigue (not kidding) halfway through the second slice.
Jaw fatigue is not a sensation I usually associate with lunch. But I love a challenge.
That’s why I returned the other day. But when I sat down and looked at the menu, I was afraid I would look too cheap if I spent a mere 5 bucks for 2 slices. So instead, I scanned the panini section (look out, Half Wine Bar, here comes Amorina).
They had this great-sounding panini with pears and cheese. But the sausage panini looked good too… so I mused aloud if it would be possible to add sausage to the pear panini. The waitress just shook her head and said, “no.” I smiled nervously and said, “so… strict vegetarian panini, huh?”
But the waitress did not smile. She said that the chef had come up with the panini selections, and that the chef’s “reputation” was at stake. Instead, she said, I could buy a side order of sausage. That side probably would have been served on its own distinct plate–so as not to cause confusion between the signature Amorina Panini and the side order.
I knew I had already crossed the line. So I retreated, and stuck with the safe choice: sausage panini, which was excellent and definitely worth the extra 2-3 bucks, especially with the arugula/cherry tomato side salad (or maybe I was supposed to put that on the panini? Whatever. I think it was a side salad, even though it came dry).
In retrospect, I’m not sure how I should react to this. Amused that panini has become a “reputation” issue? Insulted that Amorina won’t bow to my typically American demands to have everything “my way”? Or maybe impressed at Amorina’s dedication to the quality of their food, all the way down to the lunchtime panini?
WINE SECTION!
I have another word to say: Lambrusco. Try it! It’s fun to say, especially if you fake an Italian accent. But it may not be so fun to drink.
Amorina has no liquor license, but across the street is Fermented Grapes, which actually now has two cardboard boxes labeled “Albano’s Picks.” That means: these are the wines suggested for you to buy and take over to Amorina. One was a Montepulciano, and for 7 bucks, you can’t go wrong.
However. The other is a “Lambrusco” that costs about 13 bucks… what can I say? You may like it, but it’s just not Cosa Nostra, capite? It’s “frizzante,” which I thought meant it would be a “new wine” kind of thing. Instead, it’s like some kind of cross between sparkling wine and red wine. If sweet is your thing, go ahead and buy it. We took a bottle home and tried it, but ended up dumping the remainder down the drain, which I’ve never done before in my life.
