Notes From The City: An Abundant Life - A Feast For The Senses

The first time I walked by Tutta Pesca I was on my way somewhere else, but it looked so inviting with the friendly sign on the sidewalk and a door that opened easily onto what I could see was a counter full of fresh fish and ice that I wanted to stop by again soon when I had time to visit and explore. So on another day not long after when I found myself on the same block, I walked through the friendly door and was greeted by a very welcoming and charming young man, Mike Cara, Jr., who asked me if I was there to buy fish. I explained that I was exploring to find out more about what Tutta Pesca was because I wrote a blog, and he offered to take me on a tour of the building and told me a bit about the history of the place and his family. What I saw that day, and what I heard, was such a lovely and welcoming story, that I asked if I could write about it. Because the Cara family has made Tutta Pesca a fish market as well as a restaurant, and because I like to cook and love to eat fish, Mike, Jr. suggested that the place to start was to bring some fish home to try that night, and then return for a dinner at the restaurant the next day.

I'm a snob when it comes to fish. I grew up in Massachusetts and spent summers in Rhode Island, and my family would drive for miles out of their way even in the best of fishing areas to make sure they found the freshest catch and the best markets. I have friends who are fishermen, and when I moved to New York, I started eating less fish because unless I know for sure where the catch is coming from and when it was caught, I really don't like to take a chance that I'll be disappointed. Tasting the Halibut that Mike handed me that afternoon was like going back in time to my fish-loving youth. It was such a clean and fresh piece of fish that it looked beautiful cooking, and it cooked so quickly and easily that all I needed to do was sear it in my cast iron skillet with a little bit of butter and it was deliciously done. The next night when I returned for dinner, Mike's father Mike, Sr. was there to greet me and tell me more about the family business and history, graciously taking time to share about the vision and legacy that had created this beautiful gourmet quality restaurant and fish market. A part of the seafood industry for three generations and over 90 years, the knowledge and expertise for finding, transporting and preparing the finest of fish is something they know well and take well deserved pride in. The family owned seafood trucking company, Cara-Van, provides expert overnight delivery service to some of the finest purveyors and restaurants throughout the Northeast. The delightful and lovely design of the building and the construction of the interior was done by their own family company, and every detail has been done with quality, comfort and beauty in mind. Each family member and every person on staff reflect that same warmth and high level of quality, and they all took so much care and so much time to make sure that I was enjoying myself that I thought for sure they must think I was someone much more important. But then as I looked around, I noticed that everyone who came into the restaurant or stopped by to buy fish was treated with the same warm and welcoming care and courtesy, and I realized by the end of the evening that what the different members of the family had told me was true - they really welcome you in and treat you like one of the family. And to top it all off, because of their commitment to serving and selling only the freshest of fish and their commitment to serving the community, whatever is not used at the end of the day is donated to the Hoboken Shelter across the street.

Warmer and kinder people are rare to meet, and the food is in a word outstanding. Every bite was pure ambrosia, starting from the grilled Octopus that was so tender delicious that it seemed like another fish entirely to the Zuppa Di Pesca that brought so many wonderful flavors together and brought back memories of some of the greatest meals I've had while creating a lasting memory of this one perfect evening. One of the regular treats I used to share with my father years ago was to go out to share a lobster together, and as the friendly waiter put the bib on me to eat the Zuppa Di Pesca, I smiled remembering those long ago dinners. In a way my father was with me at Tutta Pesca, the warmest of old memories combining with the best of the new. As I had the last bite of Aunt Barb's famous Cheesecake drizzled with a fresh berry sauce that was as delicious as it was lovely, I knew I'd found a place that I'd be happy to return to and that would always delight. The Cara's lovely daughter-in-law Bombina who also works in the restaurant and market has family in Italy who press their own exquisite Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil, and Tutta Pesca sells several different varieties of it under the name of Cara Bella. Her family's former Hoboken restaurant Tutta Pasta and the friendship between the two families gave inspiration to the Cara family for Tutta Pesca along with their family business experience and personal enjoyment of the design of the highest quality seafood shops and restaurants on Manhattan's lower east side and Boston's North End. Adding personal touches and lovely family history to the decor and menu, they have created an atmosphere of luxurious fine dining that genuinely feels like home. On my way out, Mike, Jr.'s beautiful sister Nicole, who had already shared so much warmth and kindness with me, gave me a bottle of Rosemary Flavored Cara Bella Extra Virgin Cold Pressed Olive Oil to try at home as she gave me a hug saying welcome to our family. It's an honor to have a family with such a great history of great quality be so open and welcoming, and it's a blessing to have the opportunity to break bread with them.

Tutta Pesca

155 3rd Street

Hoboken, New Jersey

http://www.tuttapescanj.com/