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TESTIMONIALS
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TESTIMONIALS
yelp.com
Karin J.
Walnut Creek, CA10/20/08
This was delicious. An absolute joy.
BREAD: You get some bread. It looks kind of foccacia-y, but then you think, no, it is just flat bread wedges. Oh, but they are so much more. They had a nice chewiness that I appreciated. It made you earn that bread.
CARPACCIO: The filet carpaccio was quite tasty indeed, and there was no bad-chewiness about it at all. No, I don't remember which one we got, it was a month ago.
RISOTTO: I got a risotto with... asparagus? Corn? in it, and it was soooooo good. The "sauce" was so delicious and rich, but the meal did not sit too heavily in my stomach (no moreso than a fancy meal would without it being risotto). My dining partner got... something that came with figs, and it was divine as well. Venison? It was good, at any rate. OH and I neglected to mention...
BELLINIS: Yeah, they're tasty.
RICOTTA CHEESECAKE: Approaches how good homemade ricotta cheesecake is. It isn't fluffy enough for my tastes, but really, I did not care at the time and the fact they had a ricotta cheesecake at all makes me want to hug someone.
SERVICE: Our waiter was pleasant and unobtrusive. He wasn't at all fazed by our request of an ice bucket for the red we got (the red was warm)(do you really want a wine geek's explanation of what temperature a red wine should be? because I do a fair impression) and it was itself reasonably priced, as I recall.
PARKING: Didn't have too much of a problem finding a spot on a Saturday night.
TO SUM UP: Great place, and I look forward to going there again (which I will get to do in a couple months!).
yelp.com
Patrick H.
Crofton, MD 06/27/08
We have been waiting with baited breath for the opening of the latest edition of the Monte Restaurant group's mini Italian empire here in Anne Arundel county. Each of their restaurants bears it's own name and distinct/ unique concept. We've only made one visit, but the early buzz about Carpaccio is that this in MRG's finest hour.
With a decor that echoes some of MRG's previous restaurants, namely PomoGrille (Bowie) and 4Season's (Crofton), but with a much subdued and more sophisticated slant. Housed on the curve of the new Park Place development on West Ave in Annapolis, the outdoor seating here reminds one of being in a chic cafe in Florence, Italy. I would typifiy the interior as decidedly elegant casual.
The menu is clearly "upmarket" when held against some of the other locations. 6 types of Carpacci are offered, including filet mignon, tuna, anchovies, eggplant and prosciutto. A nice selection of salads is offered. On our visit my dining companion and I both ordered the Panzanella. It was very good, but I would have preferred a "breadier" presentation. These were more akin to homemade croutons, which is not a bad thing, just not what I think of when I think 'Panzanella".
Pappardelle Bolognese is one of those things that... if it's on the menu... I'm going to order it. I can honestly say this was the best Pappardelle Bolognese I've ever tasted. This is a real diet breaker. If I was at home I would have been licking the bowl.
My friend had the Monte Santo Pizza, one of the 9 choices of wood burning brick oven Neapolitan pizzas. All I can say is MMMMMMMMMMMMM! Mozz, Artichokes, Mushrooms, Peppers, Parmacotta on a crisp and snappy crust. It was equally good the next morning with eggs and coffee.
There are 18 homemade pasta choices (some classics and some not so classic) and 5 Risottos. That's all before you get to the fish or meat entrees.
For dessert, we split a Tiramisu. Typically I wouldn't order Tiramisu as it is so overdone, and rarely done right, but this was the real McCoy. I watched one pass by our table earlier and I went all "Homer Simpson" for a minute. "Arrrghghghhhghg" Actual lady finger cookies, with espresso and rum and a heapin' helpin' of sweetened Mascarpone. DEEE-lightful.
Word is already out and it's difficult to get in on a weekend evening, so if you are going, I suggest you make a reservation. Lucky for me I live nearby and a weeknight visit is not out of the question. |
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