Last month I was invited to a media tasting at Parkdale’s new Sicilian inspired Enoteca Maialino located on Queen Street West a stones throw from Roncesvalles. As always I was the first to arrive. It was cold and wet outside so I dropped my coat and bag off at the door and spent the next few minutes taking pictures of the restaurants interior. As media arrived everyone was big smiles, hugs and kisses. It is always nice to sit at a table with other food writers to catch up and chit chat.
We all started with glasses of prosecco and then sampled cheese and salumi. Chef Roberto Marotta who hails from the Sicilian port city of Milazzo was introduced and spent the rest of the evening showcasing his favorite dishes on the menu.
We enjoyed (* notes my favorites):
2008 Colline Teatine Bianco IGT, Nicola Di Sipio, Abruzzo
2010 Cerasuolo D’Abruzzo DOC, Nicola Di Sipio, Abruzzo
2008 Nero d’avola “Chiaramonte,” Firriato, Sicilia *
2010 Moscato d’Asti, DOCG *
***
Salumi
la mortadella e il tartufo, testina di maiale, wild boar salami
Formaggi
taleggio, ragusano dop, pecorino ennese
Parmigiana in Vetro
36 month parmigiano mousse, roasted eggplant, guegino tomato sauce, olive oil, mandranova cerasuola
Pane & Panelle *
sicilian bread with sesame seeds filled with chickpea fritters
Arancini *
rice cone stuffed with chicken and veal ragu, green peas, fresh scamorza
Bufala e Fichi *
buffalo mozzarella, roasted figs, crudo di parmi, crostini
Ravioli alla Norma
eggplant filled house made ravioli, cherry pachino tomato sauce, aged baked italian ricotta
Costole di Manzo al Nero D’Avolo *
slow-roasted short ribs, Nero D’Avolo wine sauce, roasted shallots, potatoes
Flan di Cioccolato
warm 70% chocolate cake, salted caramel mousse, peperoncino
Cannoli *
