Exequiel S.
Yelp
I had dinner here tonight, and I was very glad for it. The welcome and attention that Roberta provided was perfect, kind and considerate, but not intrusive. Literally everything i hope for with the people that help me experience the best of what my favorite restaurants can offer.
There were four strong sounding specials tonight, so I chose two of them, with a recommendation from Roberta, who suggested the calamari. It was delicate and sweet -- a perfect preparation.
Chef Laura Migliorini came out to ask me if I wanted the specials in a particular order and I asked for them both, together, as I like to graze.
I had the veal shank with saffron risotto, and it was incredibly balanced in flavor. The veal was rich and tender, but had enough substance to still chew - for me, a satisfying component of eating. The risotto was the surprise as it wasn't eclipsed by the veal. It was warm and flavorful enough to compete equally.
I also had the lobster tail with shellfish and a red, wide ribbon pasta. Now, while the lobster was perfectly cooked, it was also seasoned in such a way that I didn't think, "well, that was a lobster tail." It was delightful, and I felt that the chef didn't just lean on good preparation. She made me glad I chose it.
I finished off with a little bicerino, layered drinking chocolate, espresso and milk, and how could my meal already be anything but perfect, and then Roberta brought me a semifredo, which I paired with an espresso.
The semifredo was a crisp lemon, with a layer of caramel between it, and the crust, similar to that found in some cheesecakes, but thinner, and with a finer crumb that helped balance the sweetness of the caramel and lemon.
Everything about this meal made me think of balance. The veal and the risotto. The lobster and the spices. The coffee, chocolate and milk of the bicerino, and the lemon and caramel of the cold semifredo, with the warm espresso.
Because I was in a little earlier for dinner than I usually choose, I had a moment to talk with Roberta and Chef Migliorini. The chef is a modest woman and tried to give most of the credit to her mother, and to her experiences from the Hotel Principe di Savoia in Milan. I can't disagree with her, but respectfully, while her mother made and trained Chef Migliorni, it was Chef Migliorini's hands who made my food -- and it was perfect.
I can't wait to come back.