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| - A cold April Saturday night, off season. Cosy & warm inside. Italian coutryside kitch decor with a lot of tchotchkes & wine botlles all over the place.
The owner greets us kindly and shows us to our table. Cracks a well placed joke when he comes by soon after with a tasty "bouchée" to keep our taste buds occupied while we scan the menu.
Service was cheerful and courteous.
Appetizer: I had the mussels in a mustard, cream and wine sauce. My wife had the tomato & bocconccini salad. Both were excellent, the salad was much more elegant than I expected and presentation was also carefully crafted - quite beautiful.
Main:
I ordered the spaghetti carbonnara... my favourite italian pasta dish of which I've become quite the expert. I can't resist comparing these in all italian restaurants I go to. This one is authentic - not just bacon added to an alfredo sauce. This is authentic pancetta with egg yolks, as carbonnara should be. And must be spaghetti, not linguini! The portion was quite generous and the shape of the bowl kept the pasta hot up until the last delicious bite. I added a little salt and pepper to my personnal taste. Fresh parmesan was offered, but not necessary for my taste. As authentic carbonnara's go, this one rates 8.5/10.
My wife ordered a veal scallopini dish in rosé & white wine sauce with accompanying grilled vegetables (instead of offered pasta). The vegetables were perfectly cooked: just the right side of firm and hot. Tasty as well. The veal sauce was delicate (very little tomato) which was appreciated by my wife. Had zing and not sweet. Portion was reasonnable but by no means "american sized".
We had not time left for desert as this was a pre-movie supper. Notwithstanding, my wife got the crème brulée and green tea while we asked for the check at the same time. Crème brulée is not presented in the typical french ramkin with the scorched crust, but rather lightly caramalized top in an open dish. Tested of crème brulée: no surprise there.
6h30 pm reservation, out the door at 8h00 pm. We would return here gladly. The summer terrace must be great (facing the lake). Authentic italian comfort food, fairly priced.
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