Il Farro in Newport Beach

Wednesday, January 25, 2016

A good size group gathered at Il Farro in Newport tonight for dinner. www.ilfarro.com,. I don't frequent the area too much as the parking sucks in Newport and Balboa. But this was winter and a cold night. With luck I got to park right across the street from the restaurant.

We started out with four appetizers. Hot calabrese'nduja sausage in puff pastry (had a kick to it), vodka cured salmon crostini with lemon salt (salmon did not bite clean), salisfy root with beef tartar (they used soup spoons - should have had some small white porcelin  spoons) and a large grilled proscuitto wrapped shrimp. These were served with a 2015 Torti White Pinot Noir. (Lombardi) Surprise of the day. I really liked with wine (bought some).

Nest was an Insalata di finocchietto, mela verde acchiughe bianche.  Otherwise known as granny smith apples, shaved fennel, marinated anchovies in a pomegranate citronette dressing. I am not a fennel fan but this was very good. Had to be the dressing.  Wine  was a 2014 Vermentino Guadaimare Toscano. Paired very well with the salad.

The Primo Piatto was Spaghetti alla Chitarra Porto Cervo.  Roasted cauliflower tossed with Chitarra (guitar) spaghetti, garlic, peanuts, olives and sprinkled with dry cured fish roe bottarga.  The spaghetti is square instead of round. To me this was the best dish of the evening. Loads of flavor. I have never had something like this before. A 2014 Castellani Montepulciano d'Abruzzo was paired and went very well.

The Secondo Piatta was disappointing to me. Sliced roast veal in a a Maderia sauce with artichoke bottom and snap peas. I thought the veal was not as tender as it should be. It was cut from the round. 2012 Torti Barbera was the wine. Rustic but good,

Dessert was a trio - lemon tiramisu, chantilly millefoglie and chocolate truffle.  They served a Sparkling rosato which was a little sweet for me.  But the restaurant brought out a special dessert wine that was not on the menu. From Sardina and the grape was "Caparno" which I do  not have yet.

Sat next to a gentleman that sells Wagu beef. He had asked if I ever had Wagu and told him yes, numerous times. I mentioned the Playground and their all steak dinner. Turns out he sells to the Playground.  Next to him was an owner of a Japanese restaurant in Costa Mesa. that buys from him.  I will be getting in touch with "Rick" the wagu guy and meeting him for dinner at the Japaneses place. Always nice to have connections.

This was a very nice dinner. priced reasonable. Food and wines were good. Good conversations at the table with everyone..