We started off with a basket of crispy hot
bread with balsamic vinegar and olive oil….this is always my favorite part of
the whole meal at any Italian restaurant or home.
Willie chose the Pollo Erve – chicken breast
sautéed with garlic, basil, rosemary, sage and onion red sauce. I can’t remember his pasta choice. I did try his sauce dunked in a piece of
bread. It was very good…light not heavy
because I am sure that they made it using fresh tomatoes. I thought there was
also a lemon or citrus taste to the sauce.
I ordered the Bolognese – ground beef, carrots,
celery, onions in a creamy tomato sauce with parmesan over penne. It was very good but I have eaten better
Bolognese. I love Bolognese.
Jeanne ordered the Mussels starter – a “big”
plate of mussels. They looked marvelous.
Big kudos from me because after we were served
the waiter came around with the garter and topped everyone’s dish with freshly
grated parmesan. That always earns big
points with me. In fact I rarely return
to an Italian restaurant that doesn’t do that very thing.
Jeanne and I split a dessert – Spumoni Bomba –
spumoni ice cream all covered with dark chocolate and drizzled with white
chocolate. I was disappointed because it
was a layer of pistachio ice with a layer of chocolate on top of it and a layer
of strawberry on the bottom. I wanted
spumoni ice cream..even a small dish of it would have been wonderful. The presentation though was great. It was a hug ball – a big ice cream truffle.
I smiled to myself as we were about to
leave. A new couple was seated. She asked about lasagna which they didn’t
serve. Girl after my heart. I am from peasant Italian stock. There isn’t anything quite as good as lasagna
served piping hot with lots of meat and cheeses.
This, however, was a much more refined Italian
restaurant. I appreciated its
loveliness…cloth table cloths…proper place settings…and of course all the
delicious fresh ingredients that were used in the food.
The welcome in the menu:
“Alessia's Ristorante Italiano opened their doors in June of 2004.
Owners Jonathan and ShariCarr have created the best authentic Italian
restaurant in the east valley of Mesa, Arizona.
Unlike most other Italian restaurants, Alessia's features dishes made from
scratch every time you order with a focus on freshness featuring recipes from
central to northern Italy. Alessia's has created a wonderful
neighborhood family italian restaurant which is great for dining any day of the
week. If you're looking for something other than the turn and burn
establishments of today, the Carr family invites you to come try our wonderful
food and enjoy our casual atmosphere!”
Alessia’s Ristorante Italino
5251 E. Brown Road
Mesa, Arizona 85202
(480) 396-2888
Hours:
Tuesday – Saturday 3:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Sunday 5:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Monday- Closed
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