Tim R.
Yelp
If you are visiting Reno, this is one of our local gems. If you're worried about having a quality meal you will be happy about, then set your fears aside visitor, let me guide you. The first thing that will greet you is an incredible staff and a really nice ambience. If you are calling for reservations you will literally have to wait till 5 PM.
They bring you bread, with balsamic vinegar and olive oil. It's a nice start, the bread is fresh, firm, and delicious.
I did not order an appetizer because I knew I was going to get a big meal.
I ordered the baked penne, and it was baked to perfection. I got a meatball on top, that was seasoned perfectly. But I wanna get back to the penne. This dish was carefully crafted. It has delectable sausage inside of this amazing cheese sauce. I can barely describe it because how do you describe perfection? First of all, none of their food was dictated by salt. It is so hard to make a penne like this, with sausage in it, and not have it too salty. I had such high aspirations for this dish, but I also had trepidation. Quickly removed. it was not quite tangy, but it had robust flavor. The combination of all things came together in a way that drove my tastebuds through the roof. Got in my head. Wow.
Next was the cannellini. Another wow. The perfect mixture of Ricotta cheese and spices, and a delectable marinara. These things were delicious. And you can get two different versions.
The cioppino was to die for. If you know this dish, and you're from the coast, just remember Reno is only four hours from the cost. You'd swear this was being served to you in San Francisco. I know because I used to live in San Francisco. This is a huge dish. You could order this for two. Be hungry. The flavor is incredible, the amount of scallops and mussels, and lobster is substantial, all in this awesome tomato based broth. FREAKING WOW!
The spaghetti and meatballs are very good. Better than any of the chain restaurants, get those guys out of your head and set a new expectation. These are handmade meatballs that you can tell are not loaded with sugar or salt. I find their spaghetti and meatballs to be superior to anything out there.
Now comes something I rarely hand out. I am going to give the best of all time award out for my dessert. I kid you not. I make this dish all the time. I tweak it in ways to master it all the time. I would consider myself a very high level tiramisu maker. In fact, until this meal, I have never met anyone that can make it better than me. This tiramisu was so good it got in my head. I'm gonna be going back there periodically just to pick it up when I pass by. I cannot believe how good it is. I have strived for years to create what was on that plate.
If you can read this review and not go there and eat, then why bother with Yelp? Have a great day/night in Reno visitor, or if you live here, what are you waiting for?