Nikki R.
Yelp
I don't really give five stars that easily especially not to an Italian restaurant but I'm definitely giving one today!
First I'll start with the location. Always a treat to go to Bown Crossing because for some odd reason it makes me feel like I'm on vacation outside of Boise. It's a small little getaway right outside Boise State University and it's open and Airy and quiet. Much quieter than downtown Boise these days!! Ti Amo also has an outdoor patio and when the weather is gorgeous outside there's nothing like sitting outside to eat and I was lucky enough that day to have outstanding weather!
The one thing that stood out the absolute most to me, was the service. First and foremost my waiter greeted me immediately with a smile, and knelt down near my table to create a relationship right off the bat! He was knowledgeable of the food, very friendly, had a bubbly personality and answered all of my questions and then some. Forgive me as I don't remember his name but I'm pretty sure it began with a "B". He was smart engaging, professional, funny and very attentive without being overbearing.
I ordered the crispy zucchini with Shaved Parmesan and it was served with a spicy Aioli of sorts and marinara sauce. I am a New Englander and I'm Italian and I have to say that was some of the best fried zucchini I've ever had in my life!!! It was a very generous portion and I ended up taking some to go because I couldn't finish it all nor would I dare,;-)!!! I also ordered a gorgeous cocktail made from cucumber, lemon, gin and some other amazing items that I can't remember right now! But it was delicious! I was torn between ordering the tortellini with prosciutto and peas as I love that combination and the spicy shrimp and mushroom stuffed gnocchi, and decided on the ladder. I guess I'll have to go back and try the other dish ASAP! I make it at home but with olive oil and garlic and white wine so I'm curious to try the creamy version of it. The shrimp were huge and there were like six of them I think, and the gnocchi we're round which I imagine lended well to the stuffing them. In all my years of eating and cooking Italian cuisine, I've never seen them stuffed before but they were good and they weren't super heavy like a lot of potato gnocchi can be. There were similar to the ricotta version that I actually make at home. Like little fluffy pillows. The marinara sauce was very very good, not too sweet or acidic and had a good texture as well. The absolute only thing I would say is that the red hot chili flakes were a plenty and they kind of messed with the texture of the sauce. Usually when I create a marinara sauce I put them in while the sauce is cooking and it becomes soft and I only put a small amount and there was a lot in the dish which made it nice and spicy which was great, but just kept bighting into something hard and then I realized that's what it was! Other than that the dish was beautiful it came out with a very large sprig of Basil which maybe was a bit unnecessary but it was impactful visually. I just broke it up and spread it around the dish and it was perfectly fine. It is my birthday week so I decided to splurge and get myself a shot of espresso and some homemade tiramisu which I was treated by the waiter with. I think that the flavor profile for this dessert was very good and on point but the only thing I thought was that the mascarpone was a little bit heavy and not as light and fluffy as some of the more custard reversions I have eaten in the past, but it was very delicious. The flavors were amazing! All in all I was absolutely impressed that I could get Italian food this good in Boise if I'm being transparent. I've lived here for 11 years but like I said I grew up eating and making Italian and I'm writing a cookbook right now as well, so I think I'm a pretty good judge! I give them five stars all around because they delivered the food the portions were great, the place was spotless clean and stylish and their weight staff was absolutely impeccable!!! Fantastic experience and I thank you! What a way to start out my birthday week!