Feasting of the Seven Fishes at Casa Barilla Radio City

By: Finance Foodie

To celebrate the holiday season, Casa Barilla, unveiled a special “Feast of the Seven Fishes” menu at its restaurants in New York and California. The two dishes on the menu pay homage to the Southern Italian custom of La Vigilia (the Vigil) and the Italian-American tradition of the “Feast of the Seven Fishes” in which in observance of an abstinence of meat on Christmas Eve, guests feast on an abundance of seafood in the form of a “grand-meal.” I had a chance to sample the menu recently at Casa Barilla's Radio City NYC location and it was a real treat!

Barilla's Feast of the Seven Fishes

I started my“Feast of the Seven Fishes” with the first item on the menu - a Chilled Crab and Scallop Tri-Color Salad ($13.95) - which features crabs, scallops, shrimp and calamari, mixed with cannelloni beans, served on top baby greens and drizzled with a citrus and white balsamic vinaigrette. While this could be an entree itself, with its generous helping of tender seafood and beans, this appetizer was a refreshing, light and tangy start to what was to come.

Chilled Crab and Scallop Tri-Colored Salad

My main course (or second entree) was the second item on the menu, the Linguine with Clams and Mussels ($14.50) - an updated version of the classic linguine “vongole,” consisting of fresh clams and mussels, a sprinkling of Calabrian chilies, and topped with umami and anchovy flavored breadcrumbs. The chillies gave the dish a nice spicy touch, the breadcrumbs provided a nice crunch and the sauce was just perfect (flavorful but not overwhelming).

Linguine with Clams and Mussels

Casa Barilla’s “Feast of the Seven Fishes,” will only be available until December 31st. And because Barilla embraces its responsibility to help others less fortunate, for every “Feast of the Seven Fishes” dish sold, a corresponding serving of pasta will be donated to local charities (LA Mission on the West Coast, and Food Bank NYC in New York). So spread the holiday cheer, have some delicious seafood and visit Casa Barilla for a great meal!

Casa Barilla, Radio City
1290 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10019
(646) 559-2206
casabarilla.com 
Cuisine: Italian