Assaggi, which means “tasting” in Italian, is serving up some very tasty and authentic Italian cuisine. Chef Domenico Cornacchia, of Café Milano fame, uses locally sourced and seasonal ingredients for his delicious rustic dishes. Everything is homemade – from pasta to dessert – and it shines through in the flavors.
There is an open and inviting feel to the restaurant and I was immediately struck by the beautiful Renaissance-style ceramics that adorn the walls. They were hand painted and kilned by the artist Gerardo Ribigini. Ribigini has a worldwide following, and if you are interested you can get more info about his art at www.bellaitaliaonline.com.
But on to the food… The meal started with a robust bowl of Minestra di farro e prosciutto croccante. The soup had a light broth that did not overpower the flavor of the organic spelt. Some crispy shavings of prosciutto were strewn on top of the soup. It was hearty, Umbrian comfort food at its’ finest.
Minestra di farro e prosciutto croccante
The next course was the Fettuccine alla norcina di vitello. I could taste the freshness in the delicate homemade pasta. The pasta had a rich ragu of braised veal, which had a strong accent of truffle, resting on top. The portions are generous at Assaggi, which is impressive when you consider the quality of the ingredients and the effort they put into making everything from scratch.
Fettuccine alla norcina di vitello
I finished off the meal with the Torta al cioccolato e nocciole con gelato al ciocoolato e salsa alla vaniglia. It’s a mouthful to say, and a pleasure to eat. The hazelnut and chocolate cake was rich and dense and held up well to the chocolate ice cream and vanilla sauce… a sweet ending to a satisfying meal.
Torta al cioccolato e nocciole con gelato al ciocoolato e salsa alla vaniglia
They also have an extensive wine list. On the first Wednesday of each month they invite sommeliers and wine representatives to serve flights of wine from different regions in Italy. These wine flights range from $15 to $20 per person, which is a good value in my opinion.
I am looking forward to my next visit where I intend to give the mozzarella bar a try. The bar feature bowls of fresh Italian style cheeses like ricotta di bufala and burrata.
All in all I found Assaggi Mozzarella Bar to be a quality, authentic Italian meal at a very reasonable price. I can’t wait to go back!
Assaggi Mozzarella Bar
4838 Bethesda Avenue
Bethesda, Maryland 20814
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