So, there is a new addition in the Hoboken food scene, an Italian restaurant called Sorellina ("little sister" in Italian). This place opened recently where Helmer's, a German restaurant used to be, closing after nearly eighty years of service. For sure the makeover that was done made Sorellina more appealing to the crowd (including the younger one), having both a rustic and modern feel.

This place not only serves Italian food, but is also a wine bar with a nice selection of wines from Italy, as well as interesting cocktails, such as the Sambucca Mash made with Sambucca, fresh basil and orange that was very refreshing.

We went there for brunch, the second day they decided to offer it on Saturday and Sunday, as well as for dinner. In both cases, the food was delicious, but I found the prices for dinner, especially the entrees, to be expensive.

For brunch, we decided to try several dishes. First were the arancini, there rice meatballs made with hen of the woods and fontina cheese. They were fantastic: crispy, gooey in the center thanks to the generous amount of cheese. They were served with a nice marinara sauce and we should have probably asked for more of it.

The second dish was the grilled octopus, served with soppressata and candied lemon. Although small for the price, I really liked it: the octopus was perfectly cooked and I loved the pairing with the spicy soppressata as well as the taste of the candied lemon.

Then, Jodi got the escarole Caesar salad, without anchovies. A decent salad, but nothing to rave about.

Escarole salad at Sorellina in Hoboken, NJ

On my side however, I got the fried chicken salad sandwich on house made biscuits, with a side of salad. First of all, I liked the fact that it was served with a salad, making this dish lighter. Then, the sandwich was succulent: I loved the texture of the fried chicken that was very good and had a bit of crunch. Then, these biscuits were awesome and I am glad to know that they offer them in the small plates section.

We finished our brunch with the sole dessert they were offering: an apricot tart with ricotta, a fantastic dessert for sure that was not too sweet. It was definitely a good portion of it.

Apricot tart at Sorellina in Hoboken, NJ

For dinner, we got pecan pesto burrata, served with butternut squash. I loved it, the burrata being very good, delightfully creamy, pairing well with the pecan pesto that had a nice nuttiness and the squash that added some sweetness to it.

Then, came the entrées: brown butter cod cheeks with celery ravioli and hazelnuts for Jodi.

Veal agnolotti with ricotta and black truffle for me.

Veal agnolotti at Sorellina in Hoboken, NJ

I admit that I was surprised when I saw the portions that I thought were small considering the prices. The pasta dishes were good, my preference going to Jodi's dish that was perfectly cooked, from the fish to the ravioli. My agnolotti could have been cooked a bit longer, the edges being a bit tough.

Dessert was disappointing: we chose the pasta dolce that is fried dough. I though that $11 for what we got was outrageous! Not only it was very small, but it is not a dessert that will remain in my memory.

I have mixed feeling about Sorellina: the brunch was very good and, for the most part, appropriately priced. But the dinner was way too pricey for what it was. So I guess I will go back for brunch...

Enjoy (I kind of did)!

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Sorellina

Sorellina, Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar in Hoboken, NJ

I Just Want To Eat!