After getting full on shrimp and fish, my husband and I wandered down the sidewalk to check out what else is happening at 2323 E. Henderson. We first saw an Asian gelato place (more on that tomorrow), then went a little farther and glanced in the window of a restaurant called Pulcinella. We barely had time to look at the menu posted in the window before the hostess came outside and invited us in. When we protested, telling her we had just eaten dinner, she encouraged to "just take a look around."
So we went inside, and two men in suits welcomed us and began to usher us to a table. We again explained that we had just eaten and were simply looking around, then another man in polo shirts and slacks began showing us to the bar. "Come in! Come in!" he told us. "You’re breaking my heart! I’ll bring you a pizza!"
How could we say no to that?
We had a seat, and asked Paul, the bartender, if the restaurant had any specialties. He told us: "Italian margaritas." What’s that, you ask? Margaritas with amaretto. And yes, they’re as fabulous as they sound.
The next thing we knew, a server was putting a fresh loaf of bread and butter in front of us. No matter how full I was, I had to try it — and I’m so glad I did. It’s basically focaccia bread served with honey butter, probably the best bread starter I’ve ever had at a restaurant. We later learned from the owner, Dwight (the guy in a polo and khakis who had begged us to sit down), that someone comes in daily to make that bread. Dwight, true to his word, also brought us a margharita pizza, and it was yummy.
Dwight told us that Pulcinella is his first restaurant in Dallas; the original one is in Katy, Texas, just outside of Houston. He said he bases both the feel and the food on what customers would experience in Naples, Italy. I don’t know if that also applies to the patio, with its sleigh seats, giant cushions and fuzzy blankets (which won’t be needed much longer). We went back Monday to enjoy the beautiful weather and, once again, tasty food. This time we had room for dessert — wood fired bread pudding with belgium dark chocolate. Like no other bread pudding I have ever tried, and definitely worth the calories.
