Bella Note Thursdays @ Aragosta

Presenting Bella Note Thursdays at Aragosta Bar + Bistro; where from 5:30 - 10 pm ladies can enjoy a drink and an appetizer paring for $20.
The Fairmont Battery Wharf kindly put together a preview of the event for Lin, Meghan, Elina, Bridget, Megan and myself. At the chef's counter where the glistening tigers eye bar overlooks the action happening in the kitchen, the six of us where treated to a sampling of the Bella Notte menu. Guests chose from five signature cocktails or a subset of red and white wines and from eight of chef David Daniels favorite appetizers. We watched and photographed as him and his sous chefs prepared everything in front of us using fresh ingredients and refined techniques, it was quite a treat! The Yellow Pepper Limoncello Sour is a particularly creative cocktail from which to choose. Limoncello liquer is shaken with vodka, freshly squeezed lemon juice, agave nectar and garnished with a fresh chive.The chef started us off with some crusty bread and olives in olive oil before a splendid showcase of the apps! The Truffle Rigatoni (half portion shown) is a unanimous crowd pleaser. Comforting and elegant, warm goat cheese foudue is laced with fragrant truffle among extra wide tubes of rigatoni that benefit from a few minutes under the broiler. The creamy white pasta is plated and served with a stroke of tomato, the sweet red sauce adding a dash of contrast. The Margherita Flatbread was exceptionally thin and crispy, fully loaded with red, yellow and cherry tomatoes, torn burrata, parmesan and fresh basil. The juicy tomatoes pop with sweet flavors while the soft burrata cheese melts into whole basil leaves and warm tomato sauce. Don't overlook this simple ingredient flatbread as you debate over the bella note menu, it proves a substantial and delicious contender.I have had the Lobster and Truffle Crostini in the past, it was one of the appetizers I highly recommended! I really enjoy the sweet crustacean meat teamed with white bean puree, however, in this instance I found it lacking. Certainly the lobster was piled high but there was noticeably much less bean puree. Others commented that their batch was over salted. In choosing your appetizers wisely - note that this one can be hit or miss. At this point I've transitioned to a glass of Zonin Prosecco. While the kitchen before us was dishing out appetizers, our waiter took care to offer drink refills promptly. The first glass of prosecco certainly wasn't the last! The Hand Crafted Selection of Salumi, Caponata and Hot Cherry Peppers tasted every bit as good as I remembered. If you're in the mood for some house cured meats like coppa, mortadella and prosciutto, this board is a fine offering.The Baked Veal and Pancetta Meatballs were something special. Served in a mini cast iron skillet with soft polenta and fresh mozzarella, four meatballs offered plenty of comforting, hearty bites. The Warm Black Mission Figs cater to the sweet tooth, this dish was easily our "dessert"! The ripe candy sweet fruits benefit from a sandwiching of tangy, savory gorgonzola dolce on the bottom, while whisps of crispy, salty prosciutto are layered on top.On their own cocktails begin at $11 and the appetizers showcased range in price from $12 to $18. So this deal (exclusive of tax and tip) priced at $20 will technically save you anywhere from $3 - $9 depending on what you order. Plates are ideal for sharing so take advantage of Bella Notte with a group of girlfriends and each order something different. The relaxed scene on the North End waterfront inside a cozy bar and bistro is a perfect way to spend (or kick off) a Thursday night out!