Jonathan J.
Google
Most important: MAKE A RESERVATION!!
This is a hidden gem of fantastic Italian cuisine, you absolutely MUST check it out if you want a proper Italian experience. My friend and I went Saturday night, and I was beyond impressed.
Our table was ready when we arrived, and there was no way we would have gotten in without a reservation...so glad my friend thought ahead.
Service is excellent! They are friendly, genuine, and attentive. They let us know that the kitchen is very busy before we ordered, so that we knew what to expect. They know their menu and their wine selection well, and everyone treated us with a smile. These people clearly love working here...and that shows in the quality of food & service.
The bread service is only $3, and the presentation of the oil & balsamic vinegar is brilliant...they serve it in an inverted metal ramekin, and pull it off the plate when it is served, with fresh grated parmesan. The focaccia is delightful...a little more dense than what you would get in Italy, but that's due to the flour used here vs. Italy...gluten content is lower, so there's less loft to the dough. Excellent flavor and seasoning is perfect.
I got the Pappardelle Bolognese, and I have to say it was as if I was in Italy again (been several times). The noodles are made fresh daily, and the pappardelle had a consistency and quality that fits in with Northern Italy. Very close to the tagliatelle that I learned to make from scratch on my last trip. The sauce was excellent, with quartered mushrooms and ground meat. The consistency was a little different than the homemade Bolognese that my Italian friends make (theirs is a bit creamer, with smaller clumps of meat..probably because they cook their sauce for 18 hrs) but it did not detract at all from the dish. The little dab of marscapone is a nice touch. I didn't add any cheese or pepper flakes to it, even tho they offered, and it didn't need it.
We also ordered the arancini, which were delicious. Softer than what I've had in Rome, but that's perfectly fine in my book. Tomato sauce was rich and smooth, perfect consistency and quantity for the arancini.
The staff and owners are excellent, and elevated an already enjoyable meal to an exceptional experience.
We shared a slice of cake, the special for the night (I forget what it was, farina something with caramel sauce) and it was heavenly. I also got an espresso affogato, and it was nice. Only complaint I could find for the night was the gelato was extra dense, more like ice cream, so it took a bit of effort to get the espresso mixed in...and that's a very minor thing to complain about.
This is my new favorite restaurant in San Antonio...I *WILL* be coming back!!!