Last week, The Knockturnal had the honor of attending the Secret Sauce Soiree at Carmine’s in Midtown Manhattan, a speakeasy-themed family-style dinner and benefit for the Mama Mare Breast Cancer Foundation, in conjunction with Breast Cancer Awareness and National Pasta Month.
A performer and pianist serenade us near the martini bar.
Up the stairs and down the hidden hallway at Carmine’s, the Secret Sauce Soiree featured a martini bar, live music, and the opportunity to learn from Chef Glenn Rolnick (@chefglennrolnick) and Janine Bruno how to properly roll our own gnocchi. Bruno (@homemadebybruno), a breast cancer survivor herself, collaborated with Chef Glenn to add a new entree to the Carmine’s menu: the Roasted Tomato Cavatelli.
Chef Glenn Rolnick and Janine Bruno teach us how to hand-roll our own gnocchi.
Throughout the month, all Carmine’s locations are showcasing the new dish, and 20 percent of all sales of the dish and of Carmine’s Vodka Sauce will benefit the Mama Mare Breast Cancer Foundation.
The night’s menu.
We were treated to Caesar salad, fried zucchini, meatballs, chicken scarpariello, and of course, the new Roasted Tomato Cavatelli dish. Not to mention the dessert of cannolis and the legendary Carmine’s dessert, the Titanic, which needs little explanation:
Carmine’s ‘Titanic’ dessert features vanilla and chocolate ice cream scoops atop a chocolate torte, topped with whipped cream, strawberries, walnuts, and crème-filled wafers. Break into it, and it starts to sink…
All guests were sent home with our own brand new Carmine’s tools to make pasta at home, as well as a jar of Carmine’s Classic Vodka Sauce and our very own iconic red aprons.
A cozy, warm speakeasy vibe greeted guests.