These were the wise words written on the wall of this quaint little Italian restaurant :
"Amicizie e Maccheroni, sono meglio caldi"
(Friendship and Macaroni are best when warm)
Chicago hasn't disappointed at all when it comes to food (Cooking at home is definitely an exception to this theory).
Nibha 'B'rastogi took us to this cute little Italian Diner in Belmont and it's definitely in the top 5 of the best Italian restaurants I've ever been too (High Five Nibha!). It was sort of a quiet girls night and it was one good meal!
The decor is simplistic, cozy and relaxing. Wooden Chairs, Yellow lights, a potpourri jar filled with Pasta assortment, Silverware framed inside a little photo frame, white crockery et al. It's homely and welcoming and perfect for a quiet dinner after a long day or a cozy dinner for two.
Like any other Italian meal this meal started with Garlic Bread. The bread was really good but what was actually melt-in-my-mouth was the Mozzarella. It was delicately toasted with little golden brown specks of crumbly cheese. It was definitely a great start!
Being a vegetarian I sometimes feel that options are too little.
But Boy! I'm okay even if I'm just given one option at Pasta Al Gusto : Penne Verdure.
Tube Pasta with mixed veggies, mushrooms, spinach, broccoli, onion, olive oil and garlic sauce.
This is what the menu reads. It sounds pretty basic right?`
But that's the thing! The best chefs whip up the most delicious food with the most basic ingredients.
Here's what it was :
I asked the chef to replace the penne with spaghetti(I live for noodles). The vegetables were noticeably fresh especially the spinach and mushroom.The spaghetti was tossed in parmesan and olive oil and the vegetables were lightly sautéed in olive oil with a hint of garlic sauce. The only spices I could taste were chilli flakes(Which I asked him to add), pepper and salt. The taste of the garlic wasn't in the face. It was subdued yet very flavorful. That's the thing about garlic I guess, the uncanny ability to enhance any spice and bring it to its actual potential.There was a slice of bread that was served as a side to the Pasta. The presentation wasn't out of the world but it was fairly tempting in a homely way.The portion was huge but my appetite is of an elephant so ya, I finished it all!
As they say, the best things are worth waiting for. (Read: Dessert)
One Word. Tiramisu.
(Did you know that 'Tiramisu' means 'Pick me up'. Quite literally, I'd definitely Pick you up!)
It was orgasmic. That's the only adjective I could think of. I'm pretty sure that I haven't had better Tiramisu. It was the usual Tiramisu with Coffee, Mascarpone cheese , and a batter of flour, eggs and coffee BUT there were little caramel bubbles between the layers. There's no caramel in traditional Tiramisu but this one was special! After a spoonful of tiramisu had melted in your mouth the caramel stayed and melted slowly and deliciously and OH MY GOD that feeling! The presentation was beautiful too (Or maybe it sucked, but because it was so delicious it looked beautiful) There was cocoa sprinkled over the dessert and all over the plate.
So Yes, It was a simplistic meal but it was uber-satiating!
If you ever end up going there (which you should) you can take a bottle of red wine with you!
So basically,
All's well that ends well boys!
Bon appétit !
A big spoonful of Rich creamy Tiramisu,
Juie
