#Italian Trattoria

[askwhatsforlunch]

Pasta con Polpo

This hearty dish of Pasta con Polpo is beautifully fragrant and spicy, and makes a delicious and generous lunch. Happy Friday!

Ingredients (serves 3):

2 1/2 cups short pasta (such as penne or rotini)

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 lemon

1 1/2 tablespoon capers

1 large Green Onion

2 large garlic cloves, minced

1/2 teaspoon Red Chili Flakes 

340 grams/12 ounces Cooked Octopus Tentacles 

1/2 teaspoon fleur de sel

1/4 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper

1 cup dry white wine (like Pinot Grigio)

a small bunch Garden Parsley 

In a pot of salted boiling water, cook penne according to package’s directions, about 9 minutes until al dente.

In a large, deep skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat.

Grate in the zest of half the lemon; fry, 1 minute.

Drain capers and finely chop them. Add to the skillet. Fry, 1 minute more.

Thinly slice Green Onion, saving a bit of its green part, and stir into the skillet. Cook, a couple of minutes until softened.

Add Red Chili Flakes, and cook, another minute.

Cut Octopus into small bits, and stir into the skillet, coating well in herbs, spices and oil. Cook, 5 minutes, stirring often until just browning. Season with fleur de sel and black pepper.

Deglaze with Pinot Grigio, and bring to a slow boil. Reduce heat to medium, and simmer, 5 minutes, until reduced a bit.

Finely chop Garden Parsley.

Once the penne are cooked, drain quickly, saving about 1/3 cup of the cooking water, and stir both into the octopus sauce, until the pasta is beautifully coated.

Thoroughly squeeze in the juice of the whole lemon. Give a good stir. Stir in chopped Parsley.

Serve Pasta con Polpo hot, sprinkled with reserved chopped green part of the Green Onion, and a glass of chilled dry white wine, like Pinot Grigio.

[katiechristiansen7916]

Trattoria Al Forno at Disney’s Boardwalk has some seriously good bread, pizza, pasta and gelato, plus gorgeous views. Check it out.

[luanarbilo]

Friuli Trattoria

🌏 Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines

Main Course: Tre Formaggi Pizza and Pasta Puttanesca Dessert: After 8 and Tiramisu

📅 2010-12-13

🗒️ HRIM 104 Menu Accuracy Activity

🧾 Prices

[tilbageidanmark]

One of the last photos from our trip to Berlin last November.

[notebook91286]

253/365

[evilblot]

The woman would not survive 5 whole seconds in Italy.

[artsychowroamer]

Pick of the Month: Ferraro's Kitchen

AUTHOR: ARTSY CHOW ROAMER

Pick of the Month:

FERRARO’S KITCHEN

I kept hearing people talk about an Italian restaurant in Blue Ridge, Georgia that sounded new to me. Why hadn’t I already discovered this wonderful place with the chef from Venice offering authentic bites in a casual spot right next door to his cozier formal dining room?

Why in all my walkabouts had I not wandered upstairs to the inviting place where the crowds sat outside enjoying the day along with their wine and appetizers while speaking the language of foody heaven? Hello Ferraro’s Kitchen! I know you now and am ready to share.

SOME HISTORY

The family-owned restaurant is a second spot for Chef Igor Ferraro and his wife Christina. Having established their style and flavors in the “Mimo district” of Miami, they have brought it now to Blue Rdige, creating accessible menus prepared with the finest ingredients and presented in two casual, comfortable dining environments.

Chef believes that ingredients should be stellar and simply prepared with kind and efficient service.  He is batting a thousand having met all objectives while beautifully pairing his menu choices with some of the best wines available. A background as a sommelier will do that for you.

two choices

You have a choice of two places to dine; the Bites location is right next door to the fancier Kitchen location. Bites has been offering three-course lunch or dinner menus that price $35 and $60 respectively. You get your choice of one of three options on each course for a very memorable dining experience.

For our visit, we decided on the Kitchen option since we were celebrating the holidays. Stepping inside the cozy dining room, you get the aromas of Italian herbs and fresh bread mixed with the heavenly scents of seafood, sauces and cheese. The colorful Italian glasses on the table settings set off the copper light fixtures and soft contemporary design to create just the right atmosphere on a cold winter’s day.

The open kitchen view brings all the sounds of food prep to bear. Dish after dish of pastas, apps and entrees pop out to be whisked away by muscled Italian servers with dreamy accents dressed in classy gray slacks, white shirts and suspenders.

COCKTAILS & FIRST COURSEs

There are lots of fabulous choices on the menu that meet the simple prep fresh ingredients test. You will want a cocktail while studying on it but remember, the wine list is special by the bottle or the glass. We sipped on martinis and negronis while munching on the fresh bread which had the best of peppery olive oil for dipping.

Pair the bread with a lovely Caprese di Mozzarella with organic tomatoes, fresh cheese and basil with a nice pour of that super olive oil and you got yourself perfection on a plate. This is what Italians get so right when making food; keep it simple stupid!

You can always go for the classic Caesar which is better than you could ever make it at home because of the way the dressing is made. There is also a delicious Greek choice that highlights black olives and feta cheese.

SECOND COURSE

We were looking forward to Vitello Tonnato which I had seen on the website and were super disappointed to find it was offered only on the Miami menu. I am unsure why Chef Igor thinks only Floridians would like thin slices of veal with a saucy pour round of savory tuna and capers love. I assure you that is not the case for anyone who has had the tradtional dish prepared by an Italian who knows what they are doing. Shout out to add it please!

Having said that, you can not go wrong by having one of the carpaccio dishes as your second choice. I was very pleased to see that instead of the usual beef, the chef was preparing tuna or venison and we opted for venison. So paper thin, you could see through it and the slightly gamy taste was well suited to the simple addition of arugula, cracked black pepper, crispy parmesan chips and tart lemon citronette. I’m sure the tuna would be equally good with shaved black truffles on board.

THIRD COURSE

Since our second course was light we decided to go with a pasta dish for our third course. Fiocchi di pere e gorgonzola defies description. The pasta pocket is al dente with such sweetness from pears and no other cheese choice would have complemented it like the gorgonzola in the smooth rich sauce. Add on the earthy, garlic truffle oil with a hint of onion flavor and there are just no words that properly convey the sophisticated flavor profiles of this dish.

The plate could have benefitted visually from a sprinkle of fresh herb but I think the chef decided nothing should interfere with the primary tastes of the simple dish. This is a kitchen that knows what it’s doing. No matter what pasta you choose like pappardelle with wild boar, paccheri with seafood or spaghetti cacio and pepe prepared in a warm ooey gooey cheese round of Parmesan Reggiano, you’re gonna love what you get here.

If you have room for the main courses, then go for it. We did not, but if we had skipped a few things we would have liked to try a venison filet with wild berry sauce or a lamb ossobuco with lemon and rosemary gremolata. A fresh catch of the day and a Chilean sea bass are the choices for the folks who don’t like meat.

DESSERT AND AFTER DINNER

As families and dates lingered to enjoy their Saturday meals, many were sipping glasses of grappa with a small espresso on the side. We joined in and found the grappa to be excellent and the espresso fresh, rich and flavorful served with the correct sized spoon and cup that so many American restaurants get wrong.

Don’t skip dessert as the usual suspects are all on offer in the classic style you would expect. Ask for an affogato if vanilla and espresso are your thing. Choices of sorbets and gelatos will please for a lighter pick. Those with a sweet tooth might prefer tiramisu or cannoli but the chocolate temptation with hazelnut cream and crunch is the surefire winner. Bellissimo!

STUFF TO DO

Blue Ridge is a destination tourist area with lots of interesting retail, art galleries, bars and restaurants. It is a great place to spend the day doing leisurely browsing in book stores and antique shops while hopping in and out of wine tastings. Don’t forget to grab a ticket for a holiday train trip. There is still an operating drive -in running two movies a night when the weather cooperates. There are also some pretty cool rentals and hotels for weekend trips with views and fireplaces for cold weather visits.

CONCLUSION

Ferraro’s is our new Italian hot spot place to be. It’s perfect to include on your five-star weekend getaway with friends, a romantic pick for date night or wedding rehearsal, a super Sunday brunch idea or just a drive up for a special lunch anytime place. Get the idea? Mangi mangi…

If you enjoyed what you read, you might also enjoy other posts under Edible Fare. There you will find restaurant reviews, recipes, foodie tips and best spots to eat in a variety of cities. I also put emphasis on food experiences in my travel posts under Explore the World. Until next time…

Cheers!

ArtsyChowRoamer

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[italianeatery]

Exploring Local Dining Gem: From Pizza to Italian Delights

When it comes to finding the perfect dining experience, the options can be delightful and diverse. Whether you're in the mood for a cozy meal or a gourmet feast, local dining like Davinci restaurant and lounge spots offer something for everyone.

If you're a pizza enthusiast, discovering the best pizza near me is always exciting. Pizzerias are known for their dedication to crafting perfect pizzas, whether you’re looking for classic cheese and pepperoni or innovative toppings. For those who prefer the convenience of enjoying pizza at home, pizza delivery services are a game-changer. Many local pizza places offer great pizza deals and pizza specials near me, ensuring you get delicious slices at a fantastic value.

For a taste of Italy, you might explore different Italian dining options. A ristorante offers a refined atmosphere and a broad menu featuring high-quality Italian dishes. In contrast, a trattoria provides a more casual setting with hearty, traditional fare. If you’re seeking an even more relaxed environment, an osteria focuses on local, seasonal ingredients in a cozy atmosphere.

If you're not quite in the mood for Italian, many areas offer excellent Chinese food options. With the convenience of food that delivers near me, you can enjoy a variety of cuisines without leaving your home. Simply use apps or websites to order food from your favorite spots.

When it comes to unique dining experiences, consider visiting DaVinci Restaurant and Dining Lounge in Island Park, NY. This establishment blends the elegance of a ristorante with the comfort of a lounge, offering a sophisticated yet relaxed dining experience. Whether you're enjoying a gourmet meal or unwinding with small plates and drinks, DaVinci promises a memorable outing.

For those seeking options like restaurants open near me or looking for food open late at night, there are plenty of choices to satisfy any craving. From casual to upscale, local dining has something to offer for every taste and occasion.

[hyliandude]

[disneyrover]

Trattoria al Forno Is So Good, It's Worth Making a Special Trip For!

Trattoria al Forno at Disney's Boardwalk is often overlooked for dinner. I'm here to tell you why it's worth making a special trip for.

Despite knowing a lot of information about the various resorts around Walt Disney World and many of the restaurants at these resorts, I’ll admit that until recently I knew very little about Trattoria al Forno at Disney’s Boardwalk Resort. I knew they had a character breakfast, but that was it. Unfortunately, the character breakfast is paused for the moment. Breakfast is still available, just…

[farfallasims]

Lot Recommendations | Tartosa Edition Pt. 02 🍝

01. Tartosa Grand Hotel by AnRheya/Rheya28 (50x40) | CC 02. Tartosa Reno 08 by Soy160 (40x20) | No CC 03. Italian Vinehouse by Vemeis (30x20) | No CC 04. Tartosa Trattoria by SoSimsy (40x20) | No CC

Massive thank you to the builders!

[luanarbilo]

Fruili Trattoria

🌏 Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines

Main Course: Spaghetti Meatsauce and Margherita Pizza Drink: Cafe Latte Dessert: Tartufo

📅 2011-01-16

🗒️ Lunch