Vox P.
Yelp
Italian cuisine that is sure to make you come back for more!
Walking in for the first time, we start to notice the atmosphere and decor. Before we get a good look around we're greeted by a wonderful man that asks us how we're doing while he rests on a table with, most noticeably, a basket of reading glasses for the menu (not that the print is small, just a kind gesture!). We tell him that we'd like to look at the menu and, if possible, place a to-go order. He informs us of a discount for take-out and tells us that if we have any questions he'd be happy to answer them.
Looking around, there's hand-crafted tiles (we later found out), beautiful art and murals, amazing light fixtures, and oh, the bar! The BAR! It's gorgeous! It has an awesome copper light fixture, real, antique wooden curio cabinet where they store the glasses (that you're actually served) and an AWESOME antique espresso machine (although they don't use it).
We sit in the chairs located by the door and begin to peruse the menu. Try NOT drooling when reading it! We decide on an appetizer, salad, and some pasta. I go up to that same kind gentleman and place our order. I ask him for a dessert menu, as well. Sitting back down, the two of us start salivating over the choices and I think the gent noticed. He came over and asked if we had any questions or needed help. We ask his opinion and he mentions one that was in the top 2 for us, so we go for it.
As we're waiting for our food, he comes over and starts to chit chat, very friendly, yet not pushy or overbearing (like some establishments I've been to). He tells us about his place (yep, that's right! The owner was the host!) He wasn't cocky or overconfident, just proud and matter of fact. We chat back and forth some more and I get up and sneak around for a few photos. If you noticed, which I did (and it makes a fantastic touch) there's linens on the table (hardly ever seen anymore) and FRESH FLOWERS in little vases at the table!
Our food comes out and we pay a decent price and head home.
The eating commences! First of all, they don't use styrafoam, Plus! That's always a good thing! The french baguette was a standard one. The beet, gorgonzola, walnut and mixed green salad was delicious! The dressing wasn't overpowering, but had a flavor that was just perfect! THEN! The GOAT CHEESE WITH FIG JAM AND PESTO served with sesame crackers was TO DIE FOR! Perfect form, just enough crackers, and nicely temperate, it just MELTED IN YOUR MOUTH! It was by far, my favorite of the meal! After that came the Beef braised in Borolo! The meat didn't need a knife and melted in your mouth, with wonderful sauce that had carrots and onions that still had crunch while being soft enough for the sauce. The noodles were cooked just right, but don't plan on saving them and them to not clump. They're real, This WILL HAPPEN. It's supposed to.
We waited for a bit to settle our stomachs to make room for dessert. It was, BY FAR, the best Bread Pudding I've had in this state YET! The texture was exactly what it should have been, a portion just right for two and caramel sauce that got sweeter the more you dipped the bread pudding into the pool! Mmmmm. It was exactly the right thing to finish off the evening with! My new comfort food!
To the owners and wait staff....you shall soon be seeing two more regular faces, as I'm undoubtedly sure you have a few already! Congrats on being our new Italian favorite!
All in all....You should eat there. Or, miss out on some of St. Paul/Minneapolis's finest!