Under the Radar

So, a few days ago I received an email from a gentleman named Angelo.  He invited me to come and try out his Italian restaurant, Pane e Bene in Westport.  “What Italian restaurant in Westport”, I thought!  Is it new?  Nope! Been there for 2 years!!!  Yet, I had never heard of it, or noticed it on my infinite trips up and down Post road.   How can this place exist for so long under my radar?!!!

Then I reasoned that its possible this place has stayed under the radar for me and most foodies I know - because it is probably not that great.  What other reason could there be, I thought?  Nevertheless, I decided to give it a try.  It is the least I could do after Angelo’s warm invitation, right?

So, my friend, H.A, and I met up for lunch at Pene e Bene.  It took a couple of minutes to realize that the entrance is on the side of the building.  Once inside, I was struck by the rather casual interior.  With just a handful of diners, we were seated immediately.  

Since it was our first trip to this restaurant, we asked our server to give us small sampling of a few of their special dishes.  We wanted to try food that makes them stand apart from other Italian restaurants in the area.  

And so the food started to arrive!  Extremely authentic in feel, delicious in taste (with fresh clean flavors) and rather surprisingly sophisticated presentations. Dish after dish made us go “wow!”   This is Italian cuisine like I have never had before.  

Our first dish was Farinata, Di Parma.  A delicious chickpea pancake topped with arugula, prosciutto and Stracchino cheese.  Topped with fresh tomatoes and olives it offered delicate nuances of salty, bitter, tart flavors.   Such a great summertime choice.

Next we tried a special on the menu, Vittelo Tonnato.  Chilled veal served with a tuna and olive oil cream sauce, topped with capers, and thin slices of cooked egg. There is a version of this dish enjoyed in Argentina as well.  I did some research and realized that this dish takes over a day to prepare - not in cooking time but in the time it takes for all the wonderful flavors to develop in the veal.  Having a dish like that on the menu shows me that the owner and chef are not doing this to make a quick buck - rather they are doing it because they truly believe in this cuisine and all of its delicate complexities.

Peperone Farcito was our next bite.  Super moist peppers stuffed with sweet italian sausage.  I loved this dish with its perfectly portioned topping of marinara sauce and cheese. It was warm and comforting, deeply flavorful from the sausage, it’s spices as well as the marinara sauce ... and artfully presented.

By now we were feeling quite full and almost said no to trying one more savory course.  So glad we didn’t!   Are you ready for this? .... Ravioli Di Ricotta e Spinach Al Limoncello.  A spinach and ricotta ravioli in Limoncello cream sauce.  OMG!  Absolutely divine. I loved the hint of lemon from the Limoncello and the creaminess surrounding it. It’s gentle sweetness really takes this dish to a whole new level.  This could be main course or even a dessert in my world!

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