I have been seriously craving mussels lately. I don’t know why; it’s definitely not something I have ever craved like this before. I almost considered buying some from Publix and attempting to cook them myself. Almost. Not sure I’m ready for that yet…
My sister Rebecca was visiting last week (her BFF Carly came, too). Naturally the day she got here we had plans to go out to dinner with Bubby. Bubby always knows exactly what I want to eat (even when I don’t really know myself). She made us a reservation at Nino’s of Boca II. It’s a little Italian restaurant in the Fifth Avenue Shops and guess what they have on the menu?!? Mussels Marinara! I was so excited to finally get my mussels. They were the biggest I’ve ever seen. Normally they are tiny little shells with tiny little mussels inside, but these were ginormous and took up so much room on the plate I could barely make my way to the penne pasta and light red sauce underneath. I don’t know why, but my phone didn’t even make it out on the table to get a photo. I guess I was too anxious to crush my craving.
Bubby got veal picatta, Rebecca had penne pasta with broccoli and chicken and Carly got tortellini with homemade meat sauce. Dinner was typical Italian, but so good. It hit the spot. My yen for mussels was totally and completely satisfied.
Nino’s has a very warm, inviting atmosphere, and the food is consistently good. There are a lot of good little Italian places like that in this area though. Renzo’s and Augy’s are always a good choice too. Funny…they are all one name possessives. I guess the Italian’s really want everyone to know who’s in charge of their food!
