If you’ve never heard of an Italian polenta table, then you’ve been missing out one of the messiest and most-enjoyable culinary experiences out there. Polenta is poured right onto the table before getting embellished with meats galore, proving once and for all that plates are just an unnecessary middle-man between your mouth and your food. Fortina, located at the DeKalb Market Hall in Brooklyn, announced last week that they’ll be making this family-style feast available to diners.

Silky polenta is poured right onto the large wooden table before getting topped with deep fried meatballs, braciole, spicy marinara sauce, wood-fired marrow bones, broccoli rabe and a blizzard of freshly grated Parmesan. We couldn’t miss the opportunity to get our hands dirty and head over to give this table a try.

Let us warn you, it’s going to get a little messy. We’re not saying you’ll end up with polenta on your lap, but some grated cheese or sauce may makes its way onto you, so it’s recommended to refrain from wearing white. But don’t let a little schmutz discourage you from taking the polenta plunge. The polenta itself is rich and velvety, balanced by the sharp cheese and spicy red sauce. The deep-fried meatballs are juicy vessels of Italian comfort and braciole is tender AF.

Most importantly, who doesn’t like a show? Watching the chef splash a Jackson Pollack of Sunday gravy on the table gives you an experience like if Nonna worked at Alinea. If you want to give a polenta table a try, parties of two to 25 can reserve this satiating spectacle by emailing PolentaTable@FortinaPizza.com at least 48 hours in advance.

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