Sorso

Italian. It all began with bruschetta. The finely diced, impossibly red tomatoes skyscrapingly perched atop each piece of bread. One bite and you’re on the coast of Italy. Gazing at the Mediterranean, warm breeze blowing through your hair.

This is not utter hyperbole – the chef confirming these gorgeous, ridiculously flavorful tomatoes are indeed imported from Italia.

My next indulgence was the panzanella from Tuscany. Another piece of artwork, and not for one second coasting on its looks, this chopped salad brilliantly composed of baby mix leaves, cherry tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, red onion, basil, oregano and citrus dressing. Not only do these ingredients play nice together, they’re orchestrated for maximal impact. Each flavorful taste dancing on the fork.

What else they got? Polpo e patate, the octopus slow cooked with potatoes, celery, olives and sundried tomatoes. The seafood succulent, the day players keeping pace with this peerless fish.

And their meat? I discovered that answer in the roast beef all’inglese. Pink and thinly sliced, amongst the likes of button mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, parmesan shaves and truffle oil. Pure perfection.

You might wonder what roast beef is doing in an Italian wine bar. Well, the chef doesn’t shy away from his globetrotting resume and so the menu is also graced by hamachi, sashimi, oysters and couscous.

It will come as no shock that his talents are not limited to one continent. Or appetizers and entrées.

My experience ended on tiramisu (amaretti biscuits, dark chocolate). Transported once again to Italy, this time a fountain kissed piazza. Such an ideal finale to this truly unforgettable dinner.