DOMENICO RISTORANTE

Last week I got the chance to have dinner at the new Domenico Ristorante in Silver Lake. Since we got back from Italy we have had a new appreciation for Italian food.

Amazing food, great ambiance and awesome service. It is a small restaurant with fewer than 50 seats, half of them outside. It is beautifully decorated by Italian Designer Vanni Vezzosi and Ahmad Boyer with an all-white interior and stylish chandeliers. On a side note we sat next to Tim Curry, Dr. Frank-N-Furter from The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Not an utterly huge star, but you can see him in the back of the group shot.
The restaurant doesn’t have a liquor license yet, but you can bring in your own wine with no corkage fee (for the time being). We brought some Italian Wine from the Chianti Classico region. Owner Domenico Frasca, was in the house, and came to talk with us during our meal to make sure that we had a nice experience, he's very friendly and cordial.

We were first served bread and olive oil and then two little deep fried, cheese filled olives--too good!
For appetizers we tried the Calamari e Limoni Fritti (thick, tender strips of calamari served with fried lemons and a savory pine nut romesco),
Capesanti con l’Escarole e Salsa Parmigiano (Plump scallops get a boost of rich flavor from braised escarole and luscious Parmesan cream sauce),

fried zucchini flower stuffed with mozzarella cheese

Fior di Napoli -Imported Mozzarella di Bufala, Organic Tomato and Fresh Basil (buffalo mozzarella in a hollowed out tomato). This was definetly an interesting presentation of my very favorite salad, but the presentation outweighded the taste. I prefer the traditional caprese.

I had the Tuna special, Chad had Cacciucco Toscano - Clams, Mussels, Scallops, Jumbo Prawn and Rock Cod in a Lightly Spicy Tomato Sauce. Mine was great, Chad's was meh. It looked more spectacular than it tasted.

And for dessert...
Torta di Cioccolato e Lamponi - Chocolate Raspberry Tarte served with Crème Chantilly. I love chocolate and raspberries together, pure decadence.
I also tried a bite of the Affogato di Limone e Prosecco - imported Italian lemon sorbet served in a frosted glass bowl, drowning in a pool of Prosecco.
And the Panna Cotta di Miele e Lavande - Honey Lavender Panna Cotta, Pistachio Dust.
Pan di Mandorle e Cantuccini - Traditional Marzipan Cookies and Tuscan Biscotti

Everything was delicious, but the desserts won. It was a great, but pricey meal.