Wonderful first experience at Trattoria Anna Maria!
So far, some of the food we've had in Italy has been a little subpar for us...bland, not bad, but definitely nothing to write home about. And this isn't our first time in Italy, so me and my husband had already started joking like, "Shoot...we forgot our seasoning."
But THIS place?! Baby...they did not miss.
The minute we walked in, it reminded me of an Italian restaurant we used to frequent back in the DMV for celebrations. Lots going on with the decor, pictures covering the walls, conversations happening all around us, people eating and enjoying themselves...it just felt warm, lively, and homey.
And the FOOD?!
The seasoning tasted like somebody put some love in it.
I had the tortellini, and it was rich but also incredibly flavorful. There IS a difference between rich food and flavorful food...and this had BOTH. We've had rich since arriving in Italy, but rich without flavor just ain't it. This tortellini? Flavor was absolutely present and accounted for.
My husband had the lasagna and, of course, initially hit me with, "It's not American..."
Sir.
We are in ITALY.
The birthplace of pasta! We didn't come all the way over here for somebody's American version of lasagna. When in Rome, do what the Romans do...and when in Italy, we're doing what the Italians do.
Then there was the Lambrusco.
Listen...I am normally a cocktail girl when I'm out. Wine is usually an at-home activity because, trust me, I WILL take down a bottle. But this Lambrusco was so good that somehow a whole bottle found its way onto our table...and disappeared.
It wasn't that heavy, syrupy-sweet Riunite Lambrusco back home but someone loves it, just not my... anyway this one was light, fruity, slightly sparkling, refreshing, and DELICIOUS.
And yes...I had dessert.
The Torta Tenerina was AMAZING! That delicate, slightly crisp chocolate exterior with the soft, moist, rich center?! Whew. Rich without being too much, chocolatey, and just the right way to finish the meal.
The staff was polite, our food came out quickly, and we were seated where we could actually see into the kitchen and watch some of the cooking happening. Between the kitchen activity, conversations all around us, the decor, the food, the wine, and the overall energy...it felt like an experience rather than just dinner.
There is a LOT going on inside this establishment visually, but somehow it works. It feels lived-in, authentic, warm, and homey.
Trattoria Anna Maria gave us exactly what we had been looking for...authentic Italian food with FLAVOR, personality, and some love in the seasoning.
Tasty. Flavorful. Homey. Divine.
Finally...somebody understood the assignment. GRAZIE!!!!
BTW... make reservations. This place seems like it stays packed... read more