Something about wintertime makes a big bowl of delicious pasta even more tempting than usual.   What better time of year to try the Italian Cucina in New Hope, the tiny Italian restaurant I had heard so much about?

On the always busy main street of New Hope, it's easy to miss the Italian Cucina, tucked behind a couple shops near the front of the borough.  The owners have transformed a small space that used to be a smoothie shop into a fine-Italian BYOB restaurant.

Sacatini Marinara with Lump Crab Meat

We attended the Italian Cucina with a group of six people, which considering the size of the restaurant, is on the larger size.  Our 8:30pm reservation was pushed back until 9pm, which was no doubt due to the difficulty in predicting seating in such a small space.  With our bellies growling, we excitedly sat down at the Italian Cucina and were graciously greeted with two delicious salads- arugula covered in fresh prosciutto & mixed greens with mandarin oranges- in return for our extended wait.

The Italian Cucina does not have an ordinary menu; instead, the knowledgeable wait-staff verbally explains what is fresh & available that day.   On the night we visited, there were about ten highly customizable dishes available. For example, while four out of six of the people at our table ordered the Sacatini, you could choose from marinara, vodka, and pesto sauces as well as add crab, shrimp, or sausage.  The friendly, family-oriented staff went above and beyond to find the perfect dish for every guest.

Sacatini a la Vodka

While entrees hover around $25-35, the fact that it is a BYOB makes the Italian Cucina more bill-friendly.  The family-owned shop knows the true meaning of hospitality as the staff treated us with incredible warmth throughout the night, the chef/owner coming out several times to check on our meal.  We learned about how owner, Joe Lombardi, travels to Bucks County daily from Northern New Jersey, often staying with family that lives locally, to fulfill his vision of bring exceptional Italian cuisine to New Hope. He even operates without a full kitchen, relying heavily on prep work and electric burners.

All in all, a night at the Italian Cucina will warm your bellies and your soul.  The small space & unique menu suits an intimate dinner or when the whether warms, enjoy dining alfresco in their courtyard overlooking the picturesque streets of New Hope.

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