I was recently invited to attend a real fairytale feast at the Scranton Cultural Center, compliments of Constantino’s Catering. Before every Broadway Theater show at the Cultural Center, Constantino’s caters “Dinner at the Theater,” a pre-show feast normally consisting of passed hors d’oeurves, a salad station, and entrée station and a dessert, all for a menial cost of $25 per person.
Each menu is different and
Constantino’s creatively attempts to pair the dinner to the theme of the show. For Mamma Mia,
Constantino’s featured a Mediterranean Feast. I attended Dinner at the Theater before the showing of Beauty and the Beast and the menu was “Mangia Italiano.”
Now, being the granddaughter of Italian two chefs and a loyal supporter of the family restaurant, the Gramercy, I was a little bit worried about whether or not I would truly enjoy an Italian-themed meal prepared by someone outside of the family. But as the elevator doors opened and I stepped out onto the second floor of the cultural center, I was pleased to be greeted by a giant cutout of cheese adorning a table of cured meats and mixed olives. I knew this would be a good evening that would surely not disappoint even the toughest critic and I was correct.
The antipasto station included a platter of assorted cheese, peppers, olives and breads. There was fresh mozzarella and and a roasted red pepper platter. The stuffed pepper shooters which were cleverly stuffed with provolone and prosciutto. (Not too spicy, but not too mild – just right. And who can pass up prosciutto?)
The passed hors d’oeurves included Old Forge style pizza. For those readers not native to this area, Old Forge pizza is a square pizza with a crust that has a thicker consistency, see the
Revello’s website for details. While I enjoy Old Forge style pizza every now and then, it’s never been my all-time favorite style. (I’m from Pittston and only eat
Gramercy pizza, which is in a class all of its own. Plus after many years spent living in New York City, I am partial to thin crust slices.) But from the first to the last bite,
Constantino’s Old Forge style pizza was absolutely delicious and packed full of flavor. The crust wasn’t too thick or thin, too soft or too crunchy, too dry or too oily. It was just right. The sauce was sweet, just the way that I enjoy it. The cheese had flavor and there wasn’t too much or too little. I enjoyed the way it melted. I had to restrain myself from asking for more, as I could have happily feasted on the anti-pasto station and this pizza alone and been satisfied.
I heard that there was also stromboli and prosciutto wrapped melon somewhere, but I never saw them because I couldn’t tear myself away from the antipasto station, which included a Caesar salad.
When it was time for dinner, each table was called to feast on a variety of pastas and entrees.
Pork tenderloin stuffed with smoked provolone cheese, prosciutto and roasted red peppers in a Marsala wine sauce.
My favorite entree bite of the night was the Italian-style Tilapia. If the Beast had made this dish to exhibit his love for Belle, I bet he would have turned into a real human a whole lot sooner. I have never tasted Tilapia made this way but certainly hope to again. Though white fish served banquet style or on a buffet tends to dry out quickly, this fish was sinfully moist, fresh and tender, served swimming n a heavenly pool of buttery juices, fresh tomatoes and herbs. I savored each bite. Bravo, Larry!
The entrees were served with herbed red roasted potatoes and sauteed broccoli rabe with tomatoes and Parmesan cheese.
Penne pasta with vodka marinara, bow tie pasta with sausage bolognese sauce and chicken parmigiana.
Finally, for dessert, there was a “dueling cannoli station” with regular and chocolate coated cannoli shells with a creamy ricotta cheese and assorted toppings – a perfect Italian dessert to compliment a perfect Italian style fairytale feast!
Enjoy! 🙂
