NoiDue
143 W 69th St, New York, NY 10023 – 212) 712-2222
A highlight of this summer for our family was Esther’s Bas Mitzvah…and my (Shoshana’s) graduation from 8th grade. Naturally, food was a big part of our celebrations. Our long time family friend (and Columbia alumna) Cymone Speed said she would take us both out to dinner, and we could pick the restaurant. We were ecstatic! Cymone is a vegetarian so we wanted to pick a place that wasn’t fleishig. We were going to ask her to take us to My Most Favorite Food. Then she mentioned Noi Due. We had only been to Noi Due once, and it was a very long time ago so all we could remember were the delicious desserts from there which our parents bring home for us after their dinner dates.
One of our questions for the restaurant would be how to pronounce ‘Noi Due’. Cymone had her unique opinion, and we had our own. We arrived at the restaurant at twenty to eight and were told that we would have to wait, but that we would be called as soon as there was an open table. We heard it is very common to have to wait to get a table at Noi Due during busy hours in the evening. Cymone has always been amazing with kids and so fun to be around; she suggested while we wait, we go around the corner to a soap and lipstick store called Fresh.
We smelled lots of perfumes and picked out soaps we each liked. Amazing how an unexpected stop and thoughtful gift can totally lift your mood! While they were getting all wrapped up in a pretty box and ribbon, the saleslady made small talk with us. She mentioned something about if I was a ballerina?! And what did my little sister do? ‘Ohhh, you are a figure skater? AMAZING! Wow, such talented people! Is this your mother?’ Which gives me the opportunity to say, Why do grownups always think that whomever you are with is your parent!’ (I have heard this even when I am out with my girl friends!) To her credit, she wasn’t far off though–Cymone is like our aunt.
We left the shop just in time to get a call that our table was ready at Noi Due. So we walked back to the restaurant and got there at eight o’clockwith a special table by the windows just for us. The restaurant is somewhat below ground but is beautifully decorated. The far wall was decorated with large stones, and the walls were painted a nice light, cheery color. There was a counter on the opposite wall of dark wood. The restaurant was filled with tables, and all were occupied.
French Fries
We sat down and looked at the menu. The selection was decent sized, about two and a half pages of menu. We decided to order french fries (you are likely picking up on our favorite foods to order…), fettuccine with a Rosa Rosa sauce, a Caesar salad, and an olive pizza. Our waitress was very polite and came over right away even though there were a lot of people in the restaurant. Shortly after we sat down, a bowl of hot bread and a dish of olive oil and balsamic vinegar was placed in front of us. We love bread. I would guess most kids do, too. Also, we love experimenting with dips; olive oil and balsamic vinegar is my favorite every Shabbos.
Olive Pizza
We didn’t have to wait long for our food. It all came within fifteen minutes of us ordering. First the pizza arrived. The pizza was put on our table on a round dish elevated by a small stand. The pizza had marinara sauce, green and black olives, and feta cheese. It was very flavorful, and I think it tasted half like pizza and half like greek salad. Then the french fries came in a little basket. In a double dish with the fries came ketchup and a mayonnaise-based dips. Esther is strictly a loyal ketchup fan but she really did enjoy this dip as did I. The fries were perfect, crunchy not soggy and not burned.
Fettuccine Rosa Rosa,
Marinara and a cream sauce
The Caesar salad was a little bit overdressed and might have been better with the dressing on the side. It had a regular tasting Caesar salad dressing and the lettuce was crisp. Then our fettuccine Rosa Rosa came. It was delicious. Amazingly filling, not over spiced and a little creamier than we thought it would be, but still a good balance between the sauce and cream.
We were about to leave when Cymone who had ordered a piece of Dolce De Leche surprised us with a candle in it for Esther’s Bat Mitzvah. We have to say out of everything we had eaten that night the cake was the best. It practically melted in our mouths! When asked we found out that it came from Israel! And we also asked about how the name was pronounced (finally!). The waitress told us to put out our Italian hands (thumb to fingers in a tear drop shape) and say NOY DOO EH! Well that’s definetly better than Noowy Doowy. Noi Due, we’ll be back again soon!
Kosher Tweens 