Providence’s Pastificio! A Pasta & Wine Tasting at Zooma

Providence's second Elite Event was a bit more demure, (but just as much fun!), as its first! Hosted by Trattoria Zooma on Federal Hill, Elites had the opportunity to sample some of the best Neapolitan cuisine in Rhode Island while quaffing luscious libations, to boot! 

Providence Elites and their guests were graciously welcomed into Zooma's main dining room, recently redesigned by well-known Rhode Island-based firm Judd Brown Design. With bottomless glasses of Zooma's signature red sangria in hand, Elites mixed and mingled easily – some meeting for the first time, others enjoying their first reunion since the first epic Elite Event at The Salon. As they enjoyed the scenery of the open kitchen, they grazed on pan fried calamari with roasted garlic and a white balsamic glaze and an assortment of pizzas made with Caputo "00" flour then baked in Zooma's wood fired oven.

Just as bellies began to rumble from watching countless Italian delights be expedited from the kitchen, Executive Chef Jeff Burgess and General Manager Chris de Castro invited party goers to take their seats and guided them through a tempting trilogy of homemade pasta dishes and wine pairings. First, lobster and marscapone caramella ('little candies') in a sauce of chilies, tomato and dry vermouth paired with Cantina Zaccagnini Trebbiano. Second, goat cheese filled red wine tortellini in a brown butter and orange reduction paired with Cigar Box Malbec (the crowd favorite of the evening). Finally, tagliatelle bolognese topped with freshly grated horseradish paired with Masi Campofiorin Ripasso.

As licked-cleaned plates from the last course were cleared, yelpers sat back deep in conversation about the pasta offerings, rubbed their midsections, and drained the dregs from their sangria or tasting glasses. As a cherry on top of a deliciously decadent evening, the each party goer enjoyed a boldly boozy espressotini presented in a souveneir Yelp shot glass. Check out the reviews to read more about each guest's take on the menu.

The kitchen and floor staff at Zooma went above and beyond, welcoming each Elite and guest into the dining room as though it was their own home. The Providence Yelp Community is exceedingly grateful to Chris de Castro and Chef Jeff Burgess for planning and executing such an exquisitely debaucherous evening. A special shout-out to photographer Bruce Alan Kaplan who swooped in at the last minute and expertly captured each element of the evening with grace. Finally, huge thanks to Jelena Z, Senior CM from Chicagoland, for coming out and lending an oh-so-yelping hand!

Yours swimming blissfully in a vat of fresh pasta and red wine,

Briana M, Providence Community Manager