Earlier this week I was asked to host a birthday celebration for a very good friend of mine BrandCJAY. Held at Nonna’s Table, this was an invite only dinner prepared by James Beard Award Winning Chef Ron Suhanosky. Needless to say the entire night was a moment.

Nonna’s Table is an Italian food shop that closed its’ doors for the event, as soon as you walked in you felt an intimate old Italian feel.

Guests where treated to a sparkling wine cocktail hour with freshly baked Italian bread, chicken liver pâté, prosciutto, Pecorino Romano cheese and other delicious appetizers.

For our first official course we were treated to a great opener of scallops & gnocchi with black garlic topped with grated cheese.

From there we enjoyed handmade pasta with a bolognese sauce.

Next up was a pan seared chicken with lemon and broccoli rabe which floored the entire table with great marriage of flavors and complexity.

Chef Ron was a class act throughout as he gave all the guests the background information and inspiration on each dish.

My favorite course of the night was this rich celery salad with figs and cheese that cleaned palette perfectly!

And for desert a very delicious rice pudding with a chocolate chip biscotti.

The night was filled with great wines, conversation and people.

Again this was a great occasion and I want to thank all that attended. A big thank you to Chef Ron Suhanosky for his great work with the dinner. I’ll definitely be back.

Happy birthday @BrandCJAY! Cheers!