One of my good friends and I like to wine and dine each other for our birthdays every year and this year to celebrate my belated 23rd we headed into the Mission to try some delish pasta. She gave me two options to choose from and while both menus really got me going, it was the way Barzotto described itself as an “American pasta bar” that intrigued me the most.
We met up in the evening and because I got there first (unusual for me, I’m chronically late) I got to check out the menu again and was pleasantly surprised by the simple, short menu that offered salads, pastas, entrees, sides and desserts. Plus their wine list was easy to navigate for someone like me who is a frequent wine drinker but by no means a sophisticated one.
After she arrived we hopped in line and ordered our food first at the front counter and then we picked out our own seat. I can really get down with that type of efficiency, it can be a real bummer waiting for the check for twenty minutes as you slowly fade into the depths of your food coma.
I was starving and really wanted to try a little bit of everything so we shared a Little Gem salad, the house made focaccia and we both had to get the Pappardelle pasta even though it obviously would have been more exciting to get something different and share both but you know, the heart wants what the heart wants. We ended our meal with the only appropriate way to end anything: gelato.
We both also got glasses of the Lieu Dit or what I referred to as the “medium rose”. This would be the appropriate time for me to go in depth but as I stated before, that is NOT my thing. It is their Rose of Pinot Noir and it came in a giant glass so a win in my unpolished book.
The house made focaccia came to our table warm and with a side of creamy marinara sauce. It’s so soft and flavorful, I wish there were 10 pieces instead of 2!
The salad was so tasty, with a yogurt vinaigrette, pickled cucumber and smokey radish seeds that added a satisfying crunch.
The pasta arrived and it was time to get serious. A smaller portion than I would usually want but each bite was so delicious. Slow braised beef with mushrooms and rosemary in a buttery cream sauce that was somehow extremely rich and satisfying while also remaining light. Pasta heaven y’all.
The beef was so tender and was falling apart on my fork with every bite. The pasta was cooked al dente (is there any other way to have it?) and the sauce. THE SAUCE. So creamy and comforting. I don’t know how I’ll order anything else the next time I go.
The cool thing about not being served a giant, heaping pile of pasta and a normal portion instead is that there is room for dessert! The vanilla gelato sundaes were the perfect way to end a delightful evening. I got the salted caramel and dark chocolate and she got the nitro coffee affogato with mint. The amount of heart eye emojis I would like to insert here are endless. The gelato is the perfect consistency and so creamy and tasty on its own. But the toppings are what really take this up a level. The salted caramel with small dark chocolate balls (I’m too immature for this) sprinkled on top made for an amazing combination of texture, sweet and salty. The coffee and mint were so well balanced and made it such a refreshing sweet treat.
Our total bill came to about $85 which isn’t too bad for a nice dinner out in the city. The staff are efficient but friendly and restaurant has low lighting and casual high stools making it the perfect low-key date night option or an awesome spot to catch up with friends.
I will definitely be back! Check out their website: www.barzotto.com
Happy eating!
Xoxo,
She
