Fare Thee Well

My all-time favorite meatball creator will soon be gone. Yes, Potenza is closing on August 18. I work nearby, so am used to frequenting their bakery for lunch and indulging in either their spectacular eggplant parmesan or their meatballs. Oh, the meatballs. I've never tasted something so good: crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, full of herbs, cheese, garlic and love. The handcut spaghetti and succulent homemade sauce are the perfect duo to make this dish my heartthrob.

Since learning of the Potenza owner's intent to shutter for good when it was announced in July, I have eaten there four times. Twice in the bakery (meatball sub, eggplant parm special) and twice in the restaurant. During my most recent visit (last night), I asked our waiter whether he'd be amenable to giving me the meatball recipe, since they will never be made ever again. He said he would look into it. And at the end of the meal said he had taken a picture of it on his phone and would email it to me. The dream. Said email still hasn't arrived, but I will wait patiently. If it doesn't arrive in the next week, I'll just have to go back one more time, or go to therapy to deal with my separation anxiety.