[Madison] đźđč Fratelli's Trattoria
A Solid Madison Italian Spot: Fried Calamari Wins, Pasta Delivers (Tiramisu? Skip It!) đ This Italian restaurant in Madison checks most boxesâgreat apps, reliable pasta, and friendly service. While a few dishes didnât wow, itâs still a spot Iâd recommend, especially if youâre craving classic Italian flavors. Hereâs the breakdown: đ€ Appetizer: Fried Calamari â Hard to Mess Up (And They Nailed It!) I went straight for the fried calamari, and letâs be realâthis dish is rarely bad⊠but they made it good. Crispy, light coating (no thick, doughy batter!), tender squid, and a zesty dipping sauce that complemented it perfectly. Itâs a safe pick, but sometimes safe is exactly what you want to start a mealâtotal crowd-pleaser đ. đ Main Courses: Pasta Shines, Lamb Chops Are Tasty (But Salty) Regular Fettuccini (P1) âïžâïžâïžâïž The server mentioned most Chinese customers order the squid ink fettuccini, but I skipped it (not a fan of mussels) and went for the regular version. He warned it was spicyâturns out, I tasted zero heat! The seasoning was pretty standard (nothing super unique compared to other spots), but the seafood inside? Top-tier. The scallops were plump and sweet, the shrimp juicyâthey really didnât skimp on quality here. If you stick to pasta (and pick your favorite noodle type), you canât go wrong. Lamb Chops (Friendâs Order) âïžâïžâïž My friend loved the lamb chopsâ flavorâwell-seasoned with warm spices that made the meat taste rich. The only downside? It was a little too salty. If you donât mind bold, salty flavors, youâll enjoy it; if you prefer milder tastes, maybe ask for less salt. đ° Dessert: Tiramisu â Predictably Disappointing We went with tiramisu for dessert, and⊠it was just okay. Nothing terrible, but nothing memorable eitherâsoggy ladyfingers, too much cream, and not enough coffee or cocoa flavor. Itâs the kind of tiramisu that makes you think, âI couldâve made this better at home.â Save room for gelato elsewhere, or skip dessert altogether! đ Final Thought: Worth a Visit for Pasta & Calamari Overall, this is a solid choice for Italian food in Madison. Stick to the fried calamari and pasta (pick your favorite noodleâtheyâre all reliable), and youâll leave full and happy. Just steer clear of the tiramisu! #ItalianFood #HiddenGemRestaurant #UniversityOfWisconsinMadison #NorthAmericanLife