If I could give this restaurant 15 stars, I would! Seriously, I don't think words can fully capture how superb our dining experience was.
When we made the reservations on opentable, we had to book two separate tables, 30 minutes apart, for our group of eight. We didn't realize we could've just called to request seating together, but when we arrived, they immediately accommodated us. The chef kindly explained that our food might take a little longer since it was just him in the kitchen, but we didn't mind one bit.
After the chef introduced himself, he selected wines for us based on our preferences, which truly set the tone for a memorable night. We started with this delicious pinsa bread, with some oil and vinegar to dip in, followed by appetizers where the mozzarella and burrata were out of this world. Then came a salad that we all assumed would go mostly untouched, but instead we devoured it and we all agreed we had never tasted a salad like that before. Simple, yet incredibly flavored.
The main dishes were equally impressive--fresh, flavorful, and simply beyond description. We tried to order different pasta dishes, and tried a little bit from each other's. They were all great!
And to say the service matched the quality of the food is an understatement. Our server (who I believe was the chef's partner?) was patient, attentive, and kind. She explained every dish we were interested in, and made accommodations for food intolerances and dietary restrictions. You can kinda tell she's more of an introverted person than her partner, but that didn't stop her from providing amazing and timely service. It was really a personal and tailored dinner. The chef also came out multiple times to explain dishes, share stories about sourcing ingredients (many directly from Europe), his background, future events at their restaurant, and even answer our random questions. Also, I should mention, the food didn't take as long as we thought it would, so he must've been cranking back there. To top it off, at the end of the night, he brought out a bottle of limoncello and took a shot with us. It was the perfect way to end an unexpectedly perfect dinner.
And even though I was so full I couldn't leave without a dessert (to go) and a latte that tasted like I was back in Italy. Pure perfection. I would come back just for that.
Honestly, I'm a bit ashamed to admit I was a skeptic when my husband first mentioned this place. We did stop by there a few weeks ago (earlier in the day) and was disappointed they were closed. I think I might've mentioned something along the lines of: "How great can that little spot be anyway?" Despite that, my husband made reservations because people recommended the place to us. Let's just say, I ate far more than my words last night, hehe!
For context--not to brag-- but because we were in the military and now my husband loves traveling and dining out at the best-rated restaurants he can find in every city (he's a little boogie like that ), my family and I have traveled extensively and eaten o in a lot of great places. We recently visited a few countries in Europe, including Italy and France, and honestly those are the only places that truly compare in terms of food quality. Even so, the experience here was unique--something we haven't found in even the fanciest restaurants stateside.
You can tell this is a labor of love, because with the cost of foods and especially imported ingredients, I don't see how they could be doing this for profit.
If you're considering it--go. I hope your experience is as unforgettable as ours, because we will absolutely be coming back.
A few tips for future guests:
* For groups larger than four, call ahead so they can prepare and you can sit together.
* Be patient and enjoy some wine or beer and appetizers while you wait--everything is cooked from scratch by one chef, but it's so worth the wait.
* If you get cold easily, bring a light jacket.
* Pace yourself--it's always better to take leftovers home than to miss out on dessert.
* If you're sensitive to spicy foods, ask before ordering, as some of the dishes had a kick to them. I'm Mexican so for me the level of heat was perfect, but I know my husband wouldn't have been able to handle what I ordered.
* The menu changes to some degree daily, so come with an open mind.
* Sign up for their newsletter (bottom of their website) so you can stay updated on future events.
* Most importantly, savor the experience. The chef explained to us when you make a reservation for dinner, the table is yours for the evening. So relax, sip some wine, and enjoy the kaleidoscope of flavors they serve with every course. read more