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| - I will start off with the notion that the food world totally overuses the word "local". Very rarely is there a place that truly does "local" food, with the Angry Trout in Grand Marais, MN being an exception. Nostrano abuses that term even though Nostrano means "local". Let's go through a list of what isn't local from their menu. This list includes Olives, Octupus, Yellowtail Crudo, Meyer Lemon, Taleggio, Aged Balsamic vinegar, vanilla bean, cocoa nibs, seafood brodetto (there is no seafood in Wisconsin), nocellara olives, Madeira, ceylon cinnamon, Marcona Almonds, kumquats, Sicilian Pistacchios, Pomelo, etc. Plus the wines are from all over the world. Being in Southern Wisconsin, there should be no beers from outside the area because that is one thing we have plenty of good selections. Grolsh should not be on the beer list.
That brings me to my point. Who cares whether it is local or not?!! It just has to taste good. Food moves around the world and thank god it does. I like seafood in Wisconsin. Although Walleye, Trout, Northern Pike, Perch, Sturgeon, and other local fish are tasty.
Let's just shutup about the "local" b.s., admit it is clever marketing that brings people in even though they should realize eating seafood in Wisconsin is by definition not local. Just enjoy the food.
What didn't I like about the meal:
1- The Carnarolli risotto was off. It tasted like Chef Boyardee risotto finished with too much balsamic vinegar. It was cooked perfectly.
2- Not a big fan of the yellowtail. When it comes down to it, i just don't love raw fish.
What I liked:
1- Our server was fantastic and knowledgeable
2- The entrees of the beef short ribs and the pork shoulder were good. But the gnocchi with the short ribs didn't taste great and were crumbly and not al dente.
4- The presentation was very nice
5- Cocktails were delicious
6- Desert was really good
7- Very romantic and pretty inside.
I really didn't enjoy the starters. This place prices the entrees well ($16-$19) but gets you with the starters and the drinks. if we had come in at $40 per person, I would have given this place 4 stars.
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