Restaurant Spotlight: Don Angie
I’ve mentioned it before, but one side effect of living in a huge city during a pandemic is that there are suddenly less people around. Less people living here, driving here, and enjoying this city’s incredible restaurants. It’s still not the same, but since there is not that much to do this Summer here, it’s been a positive consequence. With that, my friends have secured a few epic reservations and tables over the last month. Don Angie was one I was pretty excited for! I always wanted to try the signature lasagna; I had heard so many people rave about it, and seen the pictures of the delicately rolled pasta again and again on social media. But the few times I tried to get a reservation or walk in I unfortunately had no luck. But tonight we finally got that reservation (Thanks To!) and a true Sunday supper being that it was at 5pm.
And this supper was really spectacular. The food was divine, as were the drinks, the ambiance and the service! We arrived as the sun was lowering in the skyline but it was still pretty hot and seeking shade. We were sat at a comfortable table under cover out of the sun, and quickly served some ice water and cool drinks. Given this was an Italian restaurant I felt it fitting to try their Aperol spritz, it always makes me think of happy hour on the Amalfi Coast.
The Food
Next up were appetizers. Since Mel and Christina had already ate there before they recommended some of their favorites. But everything looked good and stood out on the menu so it was actually really hard to choose just a few plates! But I think we chose wisely and I’d order these dishes all again the next time too… plus some more. Everything was so flavorful and delicious, each combination of ingredients perfectly complementing each other.
Garlic flatbread covered in (but also almost stuffed) with delicious melted cheese, scallions and sesame seeds. And the chrysanthemum salad, also covered in parm, but wouldn’t have it any other way.
Prosciutto and melon with cheese and hazelnuts, then garnished with fresh mint. Mind blown!
For dinner it was an easy choice, we had to try the lasagna! Unconventional in its construction, unbeatable in its consistency. It was truly as good as people had said, even in the heat of the summer! It was served piping hot with fresh ricotta and basil. Every bite was better than the last as I ate through this saucy pinwheel - crispy in the right places, soft in the others and covered in the richly seasoned bolognese. With so much flavor and depth, it’s definitely more than just a big plate of food, and truly a dish I’ll remember. For a vegetable we selected the sweet potatoes, as the waitress highly recommended this one. Very crispy and good!
The Setting
This past month after dining outdoor at several restaurants, I found that it can unfortunately be hit or miss. Some restaurants have transitioned well to the new regulations and others are struggling to find their way. It’s also not just the restaurant that is adjusting but also every patron. We’re each trying to get used to eating in the scorching heat, or being drizzled on when a storm passes through, and waiting a little longer for tables in some cases without the opportunity to “grab a drink at the bar while you wait”.
Even though Don Angie just re-opened, they really seemed to have it all down, and everything felt very normal despite not being inside the restaurant. Overall it was a great dining experience I’d recommend… even if it happens to be 90 degrees outside, I promise you will still enjoy your food!
If you’d like to try Don Angie for yourself, make sure to secure a reservation in advance.
Thanks!
Xx Gab