Sapori Trattoria **

Monday family night at Sapori Trattoria is the quintessential essence of Italian style dining. I would be lying if I didn’t say I had one of one of the best dining experiences at Sapori Trattoria. Upon entry, executive chef and owner, Anthony Barbanente, personally escorted us to a lovely patio table, directly under a winding string of incandescent lights, where warm crusty bread and extra virgin olive proactively invited us to indulge.

The warm summer breeze called for a cold refreshing wine that would pair well with our selected dishes. Eli, our self-educated wine connoisseur, provided us with a number of accommodating suggestions as well as various wine samplings. We decided on an Argentinean Malbec Corte C-VistAlba, a beautiful rose, meant to enhance the different sauces in our Cappellacci all'Aragosta (described vividly below), the Gnocchi al Brivido, and finally our Bass a la Piccata.

Each appetizer came in courses; we were given the perfect amount of time to savor each taste. The tomatoes in our bruschetta were red and juicy; they very easily could have been handpicked out of Barbanente’s grandfather’s garden in his hometown Puglia. To say that the Calamari Griglia was phenomenal would be an understatement. One can expect a perfectly grilled squid served a top a well-balanced balsamic vinaigrette, accompanied by roasted red peppers; I doubt I could ever go back to eating fried calamari. Brace yourself for Barbanente’s towering Caprese salad sure to impress; slices of moist mozzarella perfectly sandwiched between alternating layers of tomato slices stacked into a hillocks formation.

If you’re not already booking a reservation to Sapori Trattoria, I’m sure you will after hearing about the Cappellacci all’Aragosta; a perfect conglomeration of sweet, lobster stuffed pasta, tossed in a light creamy tomato sauce. The pesto gnocchi held a strong consistency, a powerful sauce infused with ample basil; and quite possibly the tastiest sun-dried tomatoes I’ve ever have. The bass was not a hit for me; however my team players seemed to enjoy the mild flavors it offered.

For dessert, we ordered the Pana Cotta, a signature Italian treat. I would describe it as a cross between smooth Nutella fudge and Jell-O. For no particular reason, we were offered a complimentary piece of tiramisu and three accompanying glasses of sparkling dessert wine.

I was so impressed with the Monday Family Night theme at Sapori Trattoria, that I was compelled to check it out again during “Tuesday in Tuscany”. Choosing to sit inside this time, I was able to gain a better perspective on the ambiance of the restaurant. I was able to appreciate the live jazz exclusively offered on Tuesdays. The atmosphere indoors was much more reserved and conservative compared to the patio seating though that didn't stop up from taking full advantage of the featured tapas menu.  Spicy polenta fries, savory mushroom risotto, and succulent beef ribs were our tasty tapas selections. The julienned sweet potato shavings accompanied with the beef ribs were so flavorful; they could have easily passed for a self standing tapas dish.

Tuesday tapas are offered at an amazing price with small plates ranging anywhere between $4.99 to $8.99. Vhino Verde was the wine selection for the evening; a dry white wine with a unique citrus lime twist. Not only was the bottle was affordable, but it was the perfect pairing for tasty tapas dinner.

For anyone who’s looking for an authentic Italian dinner, with exceptional hospitality, and countless higher touches, Sapori Trattoria is for you. Eli, our server, was personable, and welcoming; his recommendations were of impeccable taste. I will definitely be revisiting this magical restaurant especially for “Wine Tasting Wednesday”!