This Thursday’s take out review is Vino E Cucina, a rustic Italian-style restaurant with its roots from Italy.
Vino E Cucina was established in June 2008 and has seen two owners, but the head cook and a few employees have stayed since they had first opened.
The majority of their menu is based upon Northern Italy cuisine. The seafood comes from the Southern part of Italy.
“Keep it simple. Keep it real, keep it genuine,” said Lorenzo Mottola, current owner of Vino E Cucina. “Wine and food is the priority.”
The dining area, which has been recently remodeled, has a very casual dining atmosphere much like you’re eating at home. A lot of neutral colors and slightly dimmed lighting.
First thing I tried was the Gnocchi Amalfi, an appetizer, which is a boiled potato ball in tomato sauce with mozzarella and basil.
The sauce was flavorful and the ingredients tasted very fresh. The gnocchi was soft and dough-like and it had the cheese on top and basil. I wanted to dip everything in the sauce because it was so good.
A recommendation by the owner was another gnocchi appetizer called Gnocchi Gorgonzola. This one is a spinach gnocchi in a white sauce with walnuts. “We produce our own gnocchi,” said Lorenzo.
I also ate two of their pizzas; their Pizza Margherita and Pepperoni. Both were very good, very fresh. You could smell the fresh dough from the bread through the box. Their dough was soft, crispy, and consistent.
“The pizza comes closest to the pizza I’ve had in Italy. Some of the best Italian food you can get around the area,” said Andy Henriquez, a Vino E Cucina customer.
Some of their more popular dishes include Nonna, which is a spaghetti pasta dish, and their lasagna.
Lorenzo has plans to open up a wine bar inside of the restaurant. “At my counter, wine is the king. I would love to host customers in the newly remodeled room with a wine bar and a tastier menu,” said Lorenzo.
Lorenzo has a lot of experience in food and hospitality from places ranging from Milano, Las Vegas, and Sonoma County as a wine consultant. “It is part of who I am, it’s in my blood. I have been in restaurants for as long as I can remember,” said Lorenzo.
I am excited to see what he has in store for the restaurant and cannot wait to go back and taste the new menu and enjoy the wine bar.