Boo! Sorry to frighten you, but Halloween is rapidly approaching. If you’re a foodie, Happy Pumpkin Night is just another excuse to eat and make merry. Here are two suggestions for a progressive dinner, Halloween-style.
Start off at Pizzetteria Brunetti in SoHo with a Pumpkin Season Pizza, a Neapolitan pie topped with fresh pumpkin puree infused with ground walnuts, combined with burrata, Gorgonzola, pancetta, chopped walnuts, olive oil, and sea salt. The sweetness of the pumpkin harmonizes nicely with the creaminess of the cheeses, the bite of the blue, the saltiness of the pancetta, and the nuttiness (and crunch) of the walnuts. The dish works out to an unexpected but thoroughly irresistible combination. At its foundation, the pizza, like all oven creations at the restaurant, features a proprietary dough recipe that is crisp and delicate on the exterior and a tender and chewy interior.
The Pumpkin Season Pizza will be offered through the end of November at $19.
Pizzetteria Brunetti, is located at 626 Hudson Street, near Jane St, New York, N.Y., 212-255-5699.
On to dessert.
Halloween is the holiday when the sweet tooth reins supreme. You can give yours is due by tucking into an All Hallow’s Eve-themed dessert at the Upper West Side’s Bustan, which was reviewedin this space in May. Pastry chef Paulo has created a playful Mediterranean riff on the classic Snickers Bar. Dubbed the Shrieking Schickers, the confection is made with Valrhona chocolate, butterscotch, peanut butter, marshmallow cream, caramel, heavy cream … and chickpeas. Yes, I know, that last ingredient strikes a discordant note, but trust me: This kitchen has a way with the humble garbanzo. The legumes are double roasted, which makes them crunchy and evocative of the peanuts in a Snickers Bar. Available now through October 31 at lunch, brunch, and dinner, the Shrieking Schickers Bar is $9.95.
Bustan is located at 487 Amsterdam Avenue, bet 83rd & 84th Sts, New York, N.Y., 212-595-5050
