El Arbol
http://www.elarbolrestaurant.com/index.php?pid=1So excited!
Friday, February 19, 2010
Friday, February 12, 2010
Quattro Gatti
I had been waiting for Gianfranco Mastrangelo to finally open, since the news of his restaurant hitting Congress came last Spring. My wait was over on, what seem to be,the rainiest night of February.
Nestled between Marakesh and Restaurant Jazebel is the cozy, inviting, and surprisingly colorful, newest Italian kid in town.
I met DVH for some quality time over dinner last night at brand spankin' new Quattro Gatti on the 9th block of Congress.
As I sat on the bar waiting for DVH, I stared at the faux finish painted walls, the delicately laid tile art work on the brick oven, heard the servers and chef yell at each other what I KNOW to be Italian cuss words, and the original antique bar with the liqueur bottles piled high. I felt like a fly on a wall, it was fantastic.
I guess a girl sitting alone at the bar draws attention?... Remo Mastrangelo put his arm around my chair, shook my hand, complimented my smile (with his Godfather-like voice), told me to enjoy myself, then quickly moved on to correct the hostess on her greeting, and the bartender for the fingerprints on the glasses.
It was then I realized I was surrounded by Italian servers, Italian owners, Italian food... I was happy and melancholic.
A very friendly Gianfranco chatted with me about what a long process it has been to finally open, complete the kitchen, hire reliable staff, paint the walls himself, pick out tables and chairs,and squeeze a nap here and there.
He takes pride in his food, multiculturalism, and his perfect Spanish, not to mention, his amazing bread.
Finally seated, DVH got the carpaccio e parmigiano to start and the Bolognese as his entree. I had the clams in a light tomato sauce, and the Chicken 4 Gatti.
The portions are Texan-friendly (BIG)...we were nearly full just from the apps. The carpaccio was simple, yet so flavorful. The clams were AMAZING! I kept wiping the plate clean with bread (Can't get enough of this stuff. YUM!).
I figured the Bolognese would be smaller since it was under the Primi Piatti, but it was a healthy full-size serving of fettuccine. The sauce was a bit too sweet for me, but DVH devoured it.
The chicken was simple and perfect- stuffed with prosciutto and asparagus drowning in a white sauce with a side of veggies. It's like no other chicken I've had in Austin. Simple definitely requires skill. It hit the spot.
The service was spotty, mainly due to the language barrier between the Torinese busboy and our server, but we were well taken care of.
I can't wait to take the Italianini!!! :)
Open for lunch and dinner. 11 a.m.- 11 p.m.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
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