Marcony in New York

Monday 17 January

This was Andi and Joel's choice for their 40th Anniversary dinner party. It's a pretty white room with touches of vivid blue, including a Chihuloid glass hanging, little geckos on the walls, and bubble chandeliers. The chef (Marco) is from Capri.

So we started with fried zucchini, roast tomato pesto, and limp focaccia but good bread, accompanied by a toast of prosecco.

Then an appetizer of fried raviolini, and a Piemontese red wine: Dolcetto di Dogliani Briccolero 2007.

Then we had carciofi Alla Giudea (pan fried baby artichokes) and grilled octopus, both with arugula salad. The octopus was good, but not as good as the Luxembourg's.

For the pasta course, we had Linguine alle Vongole with fresh tomatoes, and luxe Tortelloni with truffle cream sauce.

Mains were a potato crusted dentice (red snapper) in a white wine and lemon sauce; and costoletta di vitello alla Milanese (i.e. breaded veal chop) with baby arugula and cherry tomatoes.

The dessert tiramisu came with candles and singing waiters, and there was zabaglione with strawberries and raspberries as well as coffee.

Congrats, Andi and Joel - and we're working hard to catch up with you.