Caroline M.
Yelp
In Europe, especially in Italy or the south of France where my roots are, when you go to a restaurant regularly, you don't just eat--you form a relationship. You become part of the rhythm. The staff starts to remember how you take your espresso, they set aside a table they know you like, they ask about your grandmother. That kind of intimacy is hard to come by in the U.S.--but not at 2051 Cucina Italiana.
I've been coming here for over 9 years, back when it opened under a different name and style. But it wasn't until Simone and Giacomo took over that it became what it is today: a true slice of Italy, tucked into the corner of my life and my heart. Since then, I've become a regular--not just because of the food (which is excellent), but because of the soul.
Let's be clear: this is not frozen, chain-restaurant "Italian." This is real food--dishes passed down from regions across Italy, especially those close to Simone and Giacomo's hearts. Every bite feels like you're being let in on a family secret. When I sit down to a bowl of tortellini in brodo, it's not a meal--it's a memory. A return to my grandfather's kitchen.
Some favorites:
* The balanzoni (pasta pillows stuffed with ricotta and mortadella--perfection)
* The paccheri with sage, butter, and thyme--simple, elegant, and so filling
* The gorgonzola gnocchi--decadent, pillowy, unforgettable
* And the sound of Simone's daughter running across the patio, covered in 2051 stickers, laughing like it's her kingdom
I've brought over 30 friends here across the years--clients, dates, family members, best friends--and without fail, each of them has turned into a regular. Because this place knows how to read the room. Whether I come in after a long day and need quiet comfort, or I'm entertaining out-of-towners with high expectations, 2051 always meets the moment.