#posaposa

This week’s beccammendations holds a very special place in my heart. I’m going to start with a bit of a backstory for those of you who may not know me personally. My mother is Italian and Russian, and my father is Irish and Swedish. Basically, this makes me a European mutt, A.K.A. an American. However, the two cultures that I felt the strongest influences from were Italian and Irish. In regards to food and cooking, specifically Italian culture. When I was a little girl, my grandmother used to make her Sunday sauce weekly, my mother then took over making quarts of sauce on Sundays after my grandmother passed away. If you ask my parents, I always had my hands in some sort of ingredient to assist my mother in any cooking or baking that was taking place. Little did I know as a kid, I would eventually work in an amazing family-owned Italian restaurant and pizzeria. Posa Posa Restaurant and Pizzeria, the best in Rockland County, NY, where I grew up. I will always feel like they are an extension of family, and I always know I can find an incredibly delicious and reasonably priced meal here.

I started working at Posa when I was 14, before I worked there my sister did, and my mother currently hostesses there on weekends, and my younger brother, who is now 14, will begin working there this summer. Obviously, I’m not just here to tell you about my family, but about the absolutely amazing food and pizza Posa pumps out seven days a week! I honestly cannot narrow down the best dishes here, because literally everything is incredible. From the fresh ingredients, the homemade house dressing, the pizza, the garlic knots, pasta, chicken, seafood. The list quite literally does not end. Aside from the extensive menu that is offered daily, they also serve up a list of daily specials. You may wait an extra few minutes for your food, but you are getting made-to-order dishes in a cozy, warm environment.

Ok, time to talk about my go-to orders. For pizza, you will not find me ever missing a Roman slice from Posa’s pizza counter. Similar to a stromboli, this stuffed square pizza is made up of 2 pizza crusts filled with potatoes, cheese, onions, pepperoni, and sausage. Dip it in some warm, homemade marinara sauce and it tastes like you’ve transported to pizza heaven. Undeniably my favorite pizza. For pasta, I would say my all time favorite dishes off the menu are the Ziti Aum Aum and the Rigatoni Modo Mio. The Ziti Aum Aum is made with ziti pasta, diced eggplant and mozzarella cheese, in a light tomato sauce. This is a traditional Italian pasta dish, head to Positano, Italy and you will find yourself the same dish served up in most restaurants. The Rigatoni Modo Mio is a newer dish, added to Posa’s new menu a few years ago. Rigatoni pasta, with grilled chicken, crumbled sausage, fresh tomatoes & fresh spinach in a pink sauce. I would personally recommend splitting this dish with a friend, family member, or significant other if you’re not absolutely starving. Don’t get me wrong - I have finished a whole dish on my own, but, I did need a nap immediately following. It is honestly one of the tastiest dishes.