This past Sunday a group of us headed to Capitol to return to LOCANDA (633 PA Ave, SE-www.locandadc.com) where chef Brian Barszcz and his charming wife Tammy are running the show. Indeed, all of us were thoroughly entertained with virtually every element of our evening. Locanda is a local bistro or trattoria style spot with simple decor and while the food is the star, the crystal is elegant Schott and the service is attentive. We started with a bottle of RUSTICO NINO FRANCO PROSECCO to celebrate a dear friend's recital that had just been completed. We moved on to a SPERO VALPOLICELLA 2005 Classico Superiore "Sant Urbano" that was a big wine needing food more than sipping alone. The star wine of the evening was a magnum of ISOLE e OLEANA 2003 CEPPARELLO which we got for a deal as it had been opened the night before. This did nothing at all to detract from the silky smooth Sangiovese that we all adored! The Moretti Draft Beer also got a rave from one of us who chose to go the beer route.
The appetizers included my creamy rich MANCHEGO & CARAMELIZED ONION SOUP with Crispy Prosciutto. If you think the consistency of a superb Chestnut Soup, that is what this was but with intense onion flavor and that punch or rich tangy Manchego cheese.
ARANCANI were wild mushrooms served with truffle oil and the simple OLIVES come warm and spicy to the table making them irresistible. The BEET Salads were popular as well as we all devoured our food with glee.
A plate of complimentary CROSTINI with a tangy ROMESCU Sauce and Manchego Cheese was a nice in-between course and we proceeded to our big main courses: MINT PAPPARDELLE with LAMB Ragu, Gaeta Olives and Parmesan had only a hint of mint and did not overpower. Chef Brian easily knows his pasta and makes it all and should win an award for just that. The PENNE ALL'ARRABBIATA and the ORECCHIETE with BROWN CAULIFLOWER, Swiss Chard, Garlic and Peperoncini were hits along with the superb special of ROASTED BEET RAVIOLI with CHIVE Butter (a dish that seems to appear every now and then on the "ravioli of the day").
I had the DUCK LEG CONFIT with Spiced Red Cabbage, Glazed TURNIP & Vincotto (I never did find out what that was!) which was dreamy, moist and tasty. The veggies were both of the most supreme quality.
A couple of desserts rounded the table with CHOCOLATE HAZELNUT CAKE, a tasty MEYER LEMON PANNA COTTA and a to die for BRANDIED CHERRY BREAD PUDDING that was actually light and crisp rather than heavy and intense. We all enjoyed a bottle of sparkly sweet BRACHETTO D'ACQUI 2006 "Passione" from Coppo and some superb spice cookies arrived as we filled our full tummies even more.
I can guarantee that while the folks may not be Italian here, they sure know exactly how to put on an Italian feast!
