In the space formerly L'Impero - Convivio is the "fine" casual arm of Chef Michael White's growing universe of outstanding Italian themed restaurants - the physical atmostphere is "laid back" - the energy of the place is "buzz" - the staff if extremely "profressional" - the heavily Italian wine list (with expert guidance from Sommelier Leonard LoRusso) is "extensive" - the food is simply "amazing" -
- Salame Piccante - spicy salame sott’olio - homemade - you could almost call it hot - everyone wanted just one more small glorious nugget -
- Funghi- grilled mushrooms, vin cotto - spliced paper thin before grilling - at room temperature - sliced paper thin - intense flavor - even a mushroom hater would love these -
- Olive - marinated castelvetrano olives - low salt - i suddenly realized they were all gone -
- Arancini - saffron risotto croquettess - what a treat - crisp on the oside - warm inside - clean with balanced seasoning - tried to finish my wife's 1/2 uneaten piece - had my hand slapped -
- Polpettine - tomato braised pork meatballs, ricotta salata - little bites - pushing through the sauce - eaten a-half-at-a-time - deliciousness -
- Animelle- crispy sweetbreads, porcini salad, salsa verde - fabulous
- Fegatini- rustic chicken liver crostini, marsala onions - not for me - but - the report was delicious - and - "oh - - so much' -
- Polipo- grilled octopus, fregola salad, citrus - missed this one - it disappeared on the other side of the table
- Orecchiette - durum wheat pasta, maine lobster, shrimp, pesto cetarese - richness - don't know why I was expecting a flat pasta - but orecchiette worked - that's why I'm not a chef -
- Malloreddus - sardinian saffron gnocchetti, crab, sea urchin - house signature dish - fiery red - thick texture - sauce clinging to the pasta - flavors abound - slight crunch - 8-plus on the richness scale - 10-plus for intensity -
- Tortelli di Amatrice - tomato, guanciale, cacio e pepe sauce - my favorite - each flat pocket exploding with tomato and mild spice - lush - creamy - the pasta melting with its contents - definite OMG -
- Dentice all’ Acqua Sotto - red snapper, fennel, cherry tomatoes black olives, saffron mussel brodo - perfect construction - crisp skin - each ingredient correctly prepared - presented - mussels were "just right" hidden treats -
- Maiale- roasted hampshire pork chop, wild mushrooms broccoli rabe, marsala - half inhaled as soon as it hit the table - balance being packed for late night snacking -
- Costoletto di Vitello- parmigiano crusted veal chop, dandelion greens, hen of the woods mushrooms, ramps - after everything that came before - it was too much (in a good way) - she took only a bite - but the Costoletto di Vitello made it home with the promise of continuation - subsequent late night (next day) review - "best veal chop i"ve ever eaten" - "even the side vegetable were amazing" -
- Tartaletta di Caramelle - valhrona chocolate ganache, salted caramel, vanilla gelato - wanted to steal this one but had to share with my dining companions -
- Torta - mascarpone crema, almond cake, sour cherry gelato - whoa - the sour cherry was "other worldly" - unique - distinct flavor - set against the subtlety of the ultra smooth mascapone -
- Affogato al Caffé - “super punch” jannamico gelato, freshly-brewed espresso - would it have been impolite to lift the glass and just drink it all -
- Sorbetti - a selecon of three freshly-spun sorbet - tart - resfreshing
- Gelati - a selection of three freshly-spun gelati - lush - rich - clean - plus the over the top creamy "cream cheese" Gelati - too much except to taste -
Oh yes - everyone drank - Vodka - Hanger One - Kettle One - the request for the oh-so-cold dirty Stoli Martini was correct - practically frozen -
For yours truly - Pietranera - Marco De Bartolli - 2007 - Zibibbo - Sicilia - clean white - touch of sweetness - slightly more austere than was expected - but - matched the wide range of dishes that graced the table during the evening - mellowing as the meal progressed - the Vodka drinkers staying with their beverages of choice - leaving the entire bottle to ....... --
Yet one more treat - Moscato d'Asti - Chinato Luli - Mauro Vergano - Piemonte - the deep sweetness of Moscato with spritz - refreshingly light - cleansing -
The evening at Convivio finally came to an end - dinner ? - entertainment ?? - definitely enjoyment - the Times gave it 3 Stars - out of the starting gate - one can understand why - we can't wait to go back -
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