Nonna

Where:  4115 Lomo Alto Drive, Dallas, TX 75219

Menu:  It changes, but:  http://www.nonnadallas.com/images/menu.pdf

What:  Ladies' Night (and the feel is right)

The Scene:  Understated class.  Soft lighting, spare furnishings, warm brick walls, and high ceilings, great acoustics.  A zen by way of Tuscany feel.

The Drinks:  The sommelier is your friend here.  He has fabulous wines at every price, and he's more than happy to walk you through the menu.  We had a good Pinot Nero from Puglia (three bottles, actually!) and an absolutely lovely quartino of Barolo.  Mmmmm....

The Food:  Largely delicious.  We began with a mixed plate:  Crostino, carmelized criminis, porcetta, and burrata.  I want to lay on a bed of burrata. It's a buttery, creamy style of mozzerella that they make in house.  It will rock your socks, promise.  We also had a salad of grilled romaine with avocado, pancetta, and parmigiano.  It was pleasantly salty and creamy, although it could have stood a bit of bite...maybe some pepper? 

Then, we split a white truffle pasta.  The pasta is made in house, and had an unmistakable, delightful, homemade toothsomeness.  Sadly, the chef was a bit timid with the spices.  I think his instincts -- to showcase the fresh truffles -- were fantastic, but it needed salt, pepper, and a bit of nutmeg.  But...BUT.  Then we had the Waygu short ribs.  If short ribs have a Socratic form, it was here.  They were gently falling apart, and perfectly flavored.  Meaty and earthy, but sophisticated.   I would eat them weekly, if my pocketbook allowed.

Bonus:  The service.  Our waiter was charming, knowledgeable, and magically kept everything perfectly filled.  A true delight.

Extra Bonus:  Chef Julian.  He was making the rounds, and he spent some time with our table.  The man knows his food, and his wine, and he's charmingly humble...and talented.

Overall:  This is worth saving up for.

Ciao,

the U.E.