I went there yesterday to celebrate my birthday and was fortunate because it was the one year anniversary of the opening of their brick and mortar which I celebrated with my friend on a couple of levels. First off I had to try it because I hadn’t and I don’t know why I hadn’t especially since I’m always looking for good Italian food in Austin, which is, incredibly difficult to find. Secondly when I read that the owners father who was born in Italy, but grew up in the Bronx on Arthur Avenue I said OK and Stan we have to go since my mother grew up near Arthur Avenue as well.
I wasn’t disappointed in the slightest And I’m going to be bold enough to say that this is probably the best Italian restaurant in the city because it’s authentic and yes it’s Sicilian well Calabrian but with a Sicilian flair. The meatballs are by far delicious. The sauce is so sweet. I asked if it contains sugar as many people put sugar in there tomato sauce, and it did not. But it was delicious a little too much balsamic vinegar for my taste, but otherwise delicious with red chili peppers and cherry tomatoes And arugula.
For the main, I had the ravioli which came in for huge pieces of ravioli spinach with cheese filling I could only eat one and a half of them. I ordered shrimp on the side. I would’ve preferred jumbo shrimp from main or the East Coast, but these were smaller shrimp you could tell they were from the golf, because by the time you cook them, they turn into little bits of nothing still delicious. The sauce was a marinara cream sauce, and I tasted what my friend had which was the pesto pasta also fantastic.
We tried out there Bellini, which was too sweet for my taste. I could tell it was not made with fresh peach but rather a mixture OK the Prosecco was great and we had to rush to a show so we really didn’t have time to spend. I love the clean modern atmosphere, it’s more like a café and I guess the only downside to all of this is the parking of which there is not a lot. We got there at 5:30 which is a...
Read moreMultiple dishes came out cold on the inside. Appetizer did. We sent it back they brought another one that was hot. Lasagna came out also cold on the inside. Manager was extremely nice. One of the servers was pretty aggressively trying to get us to explain to her why we had a problem with the food. It was pretty clear, after our appetizer came out cold then our lasagna came out cold. Rather than just taking it away and making it right she wanted to spend an extensive amount of time at our table discussing what we thought about how they could do it better etcetera eventually we had to tell her that discussing it with her was taking over our dining experience and if she can just take the plate away and leave us be we would appreciate it.
Let's be real. We don't need to have a discussion about how they could do better. They could use a thermometer. They could have a protocol worked up for selling their lasagna or arancini to ensure it's properly cooked before sending it out with testing or trial and error. If items are difficult to execute, and after one of them has gone to the table still cold and raw in the middle, they could double check the next hard to nail item before sending that out to the table.
Manager was extremely apologetic and took items off the bill. Our actual server stop coming to the table after the mistakes. Some random other server wanted to have a debate and discussion. I'm not sure how or why she became involved with our...
Read moreMy recent dining experience at this Italian gem was an absolute delight from start to finish. We kicked off our culinary journey with the Fired Burrata, a culinary masterpiece that left us in awe. The outer layer had that perfect crispness, revealing an irresistibly creamy center that danced on our taste buds. It was a harmonious blend of textures and flavors, artfully complemented by a medley of roasted vegetables and a balsamic reduction that elevated the dish to a whole new level.
Continuing our feast, the Fried Calamari was a true showstopper. Each tender ring was encased in a light, crispy batter, showcasing the chef's impeccable frying skills. Paired with a zesty marinara sauce, this appetizer vanished from our table in mere moments, leaving us craving more. The main courses were equally impressive. The Fettuccine Alfredo with Chicken was a comforting embrace of al dente pasta enveloped in a velvety parmesan cream sauce, crowned with succulent pieces of chicken. The Penne alla Vodka, with its tangy tomato-based vodka sauce, was a symphony of flavors that sang in perfect harmony with the pasta. And then there was the Chicken Parmesan, a true classic executed with finesse – tender chicken, a crisp breadcrumb coating, and a heavenly blanket of melted mozzarella, all served over a bed of pasta. This restaurant is a haven for lovers of authentic Italian cuisine, and I can't wait to return for another...
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