P J.
Yelp
The long-awaited opening of the newest North Italia has finally arrived at the Galleria!
We were seated on the patio to our chagrin, but our misplaced and premature disappointment was soon replaced with thankfulness and joy. The front patio is long, so you can either sit near the bar for more of a fun social scene or sit at the other end for a peaceful open-air conversation.
We started with cocktails. I chose the Veni, Vidi, Vici, my favorite, a smooth blend of iwai japanese whisky, montenegro amaro, limoncello, orange and fresh lemon. My sister went with our server Skye's suggestion of the New Italian Spritz, opting for something lighter and less sweet, with aperol, citrus smash and prosecco. Our friends chose the Julietta, also a prosecco, but with ginger & vanilla infused tito's vodka, italian elderflower and lime. And the fourth person, a gin lover, was very happy with his Negroni Rosa, which consisted of Hendrick's gin, starlino rosé, italicus, bitter bianco, with grapefruit essence. We would all order the same drinks again. But I might have to try the Pomegranate Mule at happy hour.
We always start our meal with one of the seasonal Chef boards. The Classico, with prosciutto di parma, speck, pecorino stagionato, crescenza, house giardiniera, castelvetrano olive, marcona almond, fig mostarda, grilled bread is my favorite., and my friends started off with that. We can't imagine starting a meal at North Italia, without one of their fabulous cocktails and a Chef's board!
The kitchen was nice to split the Seasonal Vegetable Salad, to share with my sister. It was absolutely wonderful, with butternut squash, brussels sprouts, thinly sliced cauliflower, kale, radiochio, delightfully tiny pecorino romano cheese cubes, whimsical fregola (tiny round balls of pasta), pistachios and dates, all tossed in a mild white balsamic vinaigrette.
My sister's branzino was epic! Not only was it beautifully plated, but she appreciated the generous toppings of capers over the subtle lemon butter sauce. My Bistecca Marsala was a pair of nicely grilled medium rare, as requested, bistrosteak medallions, with a smoky black truffle and mushroom risotto, halved roasted brussel sprouts and a sprinkling of grana padano.
Our friends couldn't praise their choices enough! One chose the braised short rib with lumache snail shaped pasta, with a sauce of parmesan fonduta, topped with fresh horseradish, wilted arugula and herb breadcrumb. My mouth was watering! The other thankfully decided on the Ricotta Cavatelli, jumbo lump crab, tiger shrimp, peperoncino, mint, lemon olive oil over small, hallow pasta resembling puka shells.
Morgan, the GM, suggested the Dark Chocolate Torta. We loved the addition of the amarena cherries, the vanilla mascarpone, and the bits of almond in the flour. What a wonderful way to end a meal!
Great food shared with family and friends. It was a night we didn't want to end!