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| - As an Italian who has traveled (and eaten) extensively in Italy, let me tell you this is truly authentic Italian food from the south, specifically Puglia and probably some Calabria thrown into the mix. For appetizer, we chose the calamari fritti and the posillipo. The latter is more or less seafood in a somewhat spicy red sauce that's a little more watery than it would be if it was just used on pasta. Calamari is often disappointing at other area restaurants because the seafood is sub-par and it comes out greasy because the kitchen either doesn't know how or doesn't care to fry it right. Here, the calamari is light and crispy and not oily. It comes with a marinara sauce that is also similar to the sauce used with the posillipo.
Our entrees were the stuffed pork chop with gnocchi, a salmon entree with penne pasta, and two of us ordered the seafood fradiavola that we heard so much about. The only not-completely-positive thing I have to say about it is that the seafood is just not quite as fresh as it would be if you were dining near the ocean. It's OK, about as good as one has a right to expect in Arizona without paying $10 more per plate. (I did not ask how fresh the seafood was.) The fradiavolo was in a sauce similar to that made for the posillipo. It came with an abundant amount of pasta (perhaps even too much). It was excellent. If you do not like things spicy, be sure to tell the waiter and he can have the kitchen hold off on the amount of chili pepper flakes used; conversely, if you like things spicy tell them so!
As I mentioned, the portions are HUGE. So go easy on the appetizers and bread unless you are really hungry.
The wine selection is extensive. We ordered the cheapest bottle of Chianti at $24 and were surprised at how good it was; usually I avoid the cheapest bottle and get the 2nd cheapest bottle if I'm feeling frugal.
The dessert selection is also extensive but not daunting. I had the limoncello flute, which was quite refreshing to finish the dinner. I am pretty sure they actually used limoncino (creamy limoncello) with the lemon sorbet. My dining companions, I don't know how they had any room for dessert but they were equally delighted with the chocolate covered spumoni and the humongous truffle with peanut butter core.
And just to cap off this experience that took us all back to our fond memories of Italy, we ordered four macchiati. Of course, the coffee was excellent too, just as good back in Italy.
Bravissimo, Mario! We look forward to returning again and again!
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