Kelly A.
Yelp
This was hands down the best meal we had in Italy. Expect modern reinterpretations of Northern Italian fair. I went with three companions and we all tried tasting menus with half the table doing the 'Our Tradition' and the other half of the table doing 'Taste and Thought.' Our meal was as delicious as it was beautiful. I also couldn't believe how much food it was. Between the amuse bouches, the generous bread basket, and the tasting menu itself I found myself (sadly) leaving a bit on my plate at each course. I was grateful though that it was enough for my boyfriend and I to each try bites of the other's tasting menu. Of everything I ate the amuse bouche, Gazpacho and red prawns from Mazara del Vallo (which in no way does the beautiful dish justice), and Pigeon, lentil sprouts, cream mustard were my favorite. I also really, really enjoyed the Ravioli stuffed with marrow on slice of scallops, coffee sauce and pink pepper extract from my boyfriend's tasting menu as well. With that dish the burst of liquid when you bit into each ravioli was a savory bomb of deliciousness.
I also thought the service was very good. The waiter did a great job of helping us navigate the menu and wine selections and was also kind enough to bring me bug spray without my even asking (guess my scratching is not as discrete as I thought.)
Ambiance wise the restaurant is very interesting. Unlike a lot of modern restaurants in America where the look of the restaurant is as cutting edge and orchestrated as the food itself, here there was an interesting contrast of the traditional, non-descript look of the interior and the art of the food. It worked beautifully though. Sitting outside we also enjoyed looking in at the large kitchen window to see dishes being made. We sat along the canal outside which minus the mosquitos (to be fair they were burning the anti-mosquito coils to try to keep the bugs down, but to no avail) made for great people watching both on the sidewalks and the water. The look of the neighborhood is a bit grungy, but in a way that those who have eaten out in up and coming, gentrifying neighborhoods in the US can understand.
I'd definitely recommend this restaurant for anyone who enjoys creative, modern takes on food. I thought the flavors, ambiance, and service came together beautifully and loved that the art enhanced the food without overworking it.