How modern of us to be able to find a restaurant then program the address in the GPS after reading positive reviews including promises of generous portions and authentic Italian food? We felt so modern.
Located right on Main Street, Brother's Trattoria was easy to find and we parked right across the street.
We were greeted as soon as we opened the second set of glass doors and seated in the first dining room (though we did not realize others existed until most of the way through our meal).
We are seated by a wall which makes me happy. What is it about sitting either around the edge of the room or in a booth that makes me happy? I just don't want a table in the middle.
The menu. The image certainly sets a tone and expectation that this will be traditional or old school. No modern day, inside-out, deconstructed anything and yep, we bet the sauce will be amazing. Every once in awhile I wish I enjoyed a good glass of wine and this restaurant certainly invoked those feelings. I go with my standard and order a Cosmopolitan for pre-dinner and a glass of water for with food.
We are brought garlic rolls that are dense and while coated in garlic, they are not overpowering. I am somehow reminded of pretzels by the inner texture.
Our server tells us about the evening specials including appetizers and I get so excited upon hearing some of the options I am tempted to interrupt and say, "That is exactly what I want you don't have to speak another word," but instead I sit patiently and smile.
We begin with the clams. It sounds so simple, but really if the broth isn't quite right or the clams are overcooked, the dish is ruined. We ask for plain bread for dipping and are brought a basket of toasted slices. Perfect texture for soaking up the delicious liquids.
"This tastes a little bit different," the Mr. said and pointed to the dish. "Is that rosemary?"
I almost wept with pride.
"I am married to a foodie," he smiled.
My eyes twinkled like the young ladies in cartoons when they meet their Prince Charming. Ah, but you want to read about the food. Fine.
Salad course. I have seen many disappointed faces when I ask for my salad to be served without dressing. I have recently learned that if I ask for a lemon wedge, the server will smile and nod as if we just exchanged an inner secret and that I am watching my weight. No, really, I just like the taste of the naked vegetables. This time, I use the lemon for a squirt and a drizzle. The Mr. was disappointed that our bread was cleared before the salad was served. I'm sure if we would have asked she would have brought more, but we know we have a lot of eating ahead of us.
The Mr. is brought 2 plates; one for the large serving of chicken parmesan, coated with sauce just as he likes and the other a side dish of angel hair pasta. I can almost see his taste buds smile.
My only complaint, if it can even be considered a complaint, is when a restaurant does not toss the pasta in the sauce before plating. I think it is just my personal preference. The Mr. was quite happy and yes, the delicate sweetness of the sauce is exactly what we hoped it would be.
Ah, the joy of ordering and receiving one of the specials and it is exactly what I hoped. Linguine with spinach, cherry tomatoes, and shrimp in a white wine sauce. The shrimp are large and tender and the spinach is just wilted without being mush. I ask for a spoon, "for twirling," I explain and again, our server smiles and says, "of course."
The other diners range from couples also out for a date night to a table behind us that seems to be 3 generations of males and a table in the middle of teen girls accompanied by 2 sets of parents. Everyone seems happy and the smells of food as it passes is intoxicating. I peek in one of the other dining rooms when I make a trip to the ladies room and it is also fairly busy.
By the way, I often think I should share a basic review of ladies' rooms when I am out and this one was clean and had a lovely over-sized sink with painted flowers.
We were stuffed. But, I couldn't leave without at least trying a dessert, you know, for the blog. This delicious pastry cream pie, topped with blueberries, strawberries, raspberries and a generous dusting of confectionery sugar was light and not overly sweet. Yes, it had a fantastic Italian name that I have since forgotten, but it may be referred to as the dream pie in this blog.
The Renegades game was eventually cancelled and the rain continued. We thoroughly enjoyed our meal and the discovery of Brother's Trattoria. "We should bring my mom here," the Mr. said and that was an official thumbs up. The Mr.'s mother is from an area near Lake Como in Italy (yes, where George Clooney has a house) and has particular opinions about gravy.
We were Fed Well and will be happy to return to Beacon for a fabulous Italian meal.
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