The Ultimate Guide to “Faking it”
Impress your date Valentine’s Day with a “homemade” Italian feast from Casa Nonna!
Use this cheat sheet as a guide and “fake it” like you made it and keep the romance boiling (no water and minimal effort required).
Step 1: Select 1 pasta, 2 entrées and 2 sides from Casa Nonna’s menu of take-home treats ($120 for Two).
Step 2: Place your order at least 3 hours in advance of pick-up by calling 212-736-3000.
Step 3: Dress the part. Tie on an apron (provided!) and dirty it with a few sprinkles of flour and water.
Step 4: Pick up and re-heat cooked dishes. Place the containers of Swordfish, Chicken, Steak, Eggplant Parmesan, Roasted Potatoes and Broccoli Rabe straight in the oven and reheat at 350°F for 10-15 minutes. For the Spaghetti Pomodoro and Pici Bolognese, combine pasta and sauce in a pot. Place both over low heat for about 5-10 minutes stirring occasionally.
Step 5: Throw out all takeout containers and remove trash, leaving no traces behind!
Step 6: Open the oven a notch, allowing the aromas of your “home-cooked” dishes to fill the room.
Step 7: Set the stage with evidence that you “slaved away” cooking all day. Artfully arrange a couple of cooked noodles alongside the sink; spill a few drops of tomato sauce near the stove; and scatter chopped tomatoes and onions on a cutting board.
Step 8: Create a romantic ambiance. Dim the switch, light candles, and lay out your best placemats and serving ware.
Step 9: Remove all heated dishes from the oven and stove (don’t forget to turn both off!), transfer to beautiful serving dishes and place on the dining table, leaving the dirty dishes displayed prominently in the sink. Place the following accompaniments in the sink for effect: colander, pasta pot, knives of assorted sizes, wooden spoon.
Step 10: Pour two glasses of your favorite red and wait for your date to be blown away by your delicious Valentine’s Day Italian feast!
Still too much time and energy? Let us “fake it” for you with the “Casa Nova” deluxe dinner kit. We’ll send you home with all the tools you need to set the scene for your “home-cooked” dinner for two in 30 minutes or less.
“Casa Nova” Deluxe Kit Includes:
- 1 pasta, 2 entrées, 2 sides and 1 dessert to share
- Pre-“dirtied” apron
- Oven- and stove-ready entrées and sides in baking dishes and/or pots
- “Dirtied” cookware (colander, pasta pot, knives of assorted sizes, wooden spoon, cutting board, etc.), cooked noodles, extra tomato sauce, chopped tomatoes and garlic for display
- Elements for a romantic tablescape: i.e. beautiful serving dishes, placemats, plates/bowls, glassware, cutlery, candles (with lighter)
- Bottle of wine hand-chosen by our Sommelier based on your dinner selections
Priced at $500, Casa Nonna’s “Casa Nova” deluxe dinner kit must be reserved at least 5 days in advance.
