It was my first night out since my rotator cuff surgery. We met for a bite at Aria’s wine bar in Hell’s Kitchen before heading to the Samuel Friedman Theatre to see Summer 1976, a new play by Pulitzer Prize-winning author David Auburn (Proof). The show starred Laura Linney and Tony nominee Jessica Hect in an insightful story about two women who befriended one summer. Summer 1976. Worth seeing.

Telka, our server, handed us a wine chalkboard, told us the night’s specials and pointed to the paper menu at each place.

We chose a bottle of Montepulciano from their generic list of grape varieties. The Montepulciano  2017, Podere Castorani d’Abruzzo Cadetto ($51). The wine was fine with my arugula and parmesan ($14) and my friend’s feta e peperoni ($14).

The Calamari in Umido ($16) — stewed calamari with capers, olives and tomato sauce — and the branzino special ($27) with spinach and rosemary potatoes were fine.

The tiramisu is worth the calories. We sipped a quick espresso ($5) to help keep us awake for the show before heading to the theatre.

Aria Hell’s Kitchen
Hell’s Kitchen
369 W 51st Street
New York, NY 10019
(212) 541-9241
ariawinebar.com