Celebrating at and with Amore

On July 15th, we raised our glasses and our forks to toast the 15th anniversary of Amore Trattoria Italiana — a milestone that proves love truly is the secret ingredient in every dish! As luck would have it, my husband and I were also toasting to a new career milestone. What better way to mark these dual occasions than by indulging in a delightful evening at our favorite Italian restaurant?

It was a sunny afternoon, a hint of mischief in the air, and I found myself face-to-face with the Mina cocktail—a tantalizing trifecta of house-made limoncello, vodka, and limonata that dances on your taste buds like a spirited Italian tarantella. The limoncello is so bright and zesty. Then there's the vodka, smooth as a silk scarf fluttering in a gentle breeze, adding just enough soul to keep you from mistaking this potion for lemonade. The limonata rounds it all off like an enthusiastic cheerleader at halftime—effervescent and bursting with citrusy cheer. With each sip, I felt transported to a sun-drenched piazza where every hour is happy hour, providing just the right balance of spritz and serendipity to make summer feel eternal!

It's time for antipasti! Imagine, if you will, a culinary duet so melodious that it could make Beethoven weep—enter Speck & Brie, a delightful assembly of cubes of Brie snugly wrapped in the sultry embrace of smoked prosciutto and executed on the grill with a finesse that it was refreshingly free of any greasy residue or pools of bacon fat, proving that indulgence doesn’t have to come with a side of guilt! The cheese, all gooey and golden, melts seductively against its salty counterpart. It’s served alongside crostini, which adds just the right crunch to this affair—think of it as the perky friend who shows up to liven up an otherwise serious gathering! Each bite is a flirtation between texture and taste, ensuring that every nibble is an indulgent escapade. Even if you're not typically swayed by fancy charcuterie, these little cubes might just convert you into an unapologetic connoisseur.

Fragole

Ah, insalata! Hubby had the Caesarina - romaine, croutons, freshly grated Grana Padano, with house-made Caesar dressing, while I decided to wander into uncharted territory with the fragole, a charming concoction that sounded more like an Italian dessert. Fragole is a crisp, vibrant bowl of salad, where the goat cheese takes center stage, dancing alongside their leafy green companions and strawberries with the elegance of ballroom dancers at a summer soirée. This delectable concoction harmonizes sweetness and zest—a juicy medley of ripe strawberries splashed with tangy balsamic glaze, subtly complementing a slab of what looked like fried goat cheese, adds just enough salty sass to keep things interesting. The dates and pecans lend a delightful crunch that’ll make your taste buds stand up and applaud. It’s like Mother Nature herself decided to whip up a dish that screams “freshness!” and “joy!” in one gloriously colorful package. Not only is this salad a feast for the eyes with its vibrant colors, but it also packs a nutritional punch, brimming with vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber. So, whether you’re impressing guests for dinner or simply treating yourself to a gourmet experience, Amore’s fragole is your ticket to culinary bliss. Watching Hubby wrestle with leafy greens while I savored fruity jubilation felt like winning at both supper and life—a classic case of “I’ll take the strawberries while you handle your greens!”

Polpette Della Nonna

Hubby had the Polpette Della Nonna for the main course. It’s a delightful duo of eggplant patties and ricotta patties, lovingly crafted from the cherished recipe of Chef Jenna’s Nonna. Each patty is generously adorned with a rich tomato sauce, velvety béchamel, and succulent portobello mushrooms. It's a dish that whispers tales of family gatherings and culinary traditions, all while impressing your taste buds.

Risotto with Tenderloin Steak

With unbridled enthusiasm, I dove headfirst into a creamy risotto, which was accompanied by a perfectly medium-rare tenderloin steak for my main course. It was the chef's special of the day, and let me tell you, it wasn’t even on the menu! The risotto was creamy enough to rival a cloud, infused with rich parmesan and hints of white wine that sing like a Broadway chorus in your mouth. But wait—here comes the star: a perfectly cooked tenderloin steak, so exquisitely medium-rare that it practically oozes flavor with each cutting slice. The steak’s seared exterior gives way to a juicy interior that could convince even the most devout vegetarians to rethink their choices (at least for one meal).

It was the Dubai Chocolate Tiramisu for dessert, a luxurious twist on the classic Italian dessert that’s practically begging for a taste test. Imagine velvety mascarpone mingling with rich dark chocolate, kissed by espresso. Each layer is like a well-guarded secret—creamy, dreamy. The moment you take your first bite, you'll be transported to cocoa-pistachio-laden heaven where calories don’t count, and guilt is left at the door.

Dubai Chocolate Tiramisu

And that’s how we celebrated—indulging in Amore’s exquisite cuisine, a culinary adventure that will linger in our memories long after the last bite. It was a feast fit for foodies and dreamers alike!

Cheers to love, success, and a plateful of carbs! Here’s to love, success, and a generous helping of carbs! The celebratory dinner was delightful, but if you’ll excuse me, it’s time to hit the treadmill—because that was quite the feast!

Postscript: We couldn’t help but overhear someone remarking on the prices, but let’s be honest: you truly get what you pay for. Amore is far from your run-of-the-mill national chain Italian restaurant; it’s a delightful escape into authentic flavors and artistry. If this blog doesn’t sway you, then I’m not sure what will!