North Italia
First Impressions
Alright babes, gather 'round, because we need to chat about North Italia—aka the spot sandwiched between Brandy Melville and Anthropology at Mountain View Mall. You know, the part of the mall with all the stores you go into just to say, "I'm just looking," while praying your debit card doesn’t scream in protest.
So here's the deal: I've been to North Italia twice. Once when it was a newborn restaurant still getting its sea legs, and again recently when I thought maybe—just maybe—they had pulled it together. Spoiler alert: kinda.
The Ambiance and Service
Let’s start with the basics. The ambiance? Chef's kiss. Picture moody lighting, posh wood accents, and enough aesthetic wall greenery to make your Instagram story scream "I brunch with class." The staff? Total sweethearts. Super friendly, prompt with drinks, and not afraid to check in on dietary restrictions. Shout out to our waitress who brought us bread when the kitchen decided time didn’t exist.
Hurry Up and Wait
But then... the wait. GIRL. Waiting for food like you're in line at the DMV but wearing heels and hunger pains? Not it. We were practically in a committed relationship with our menus by the time our entrees arrived.
Cocktail Therapy
Now let’s talk about drinks, because that’s what kept me sane. I got this crisp cocktail that hit harder than my ex’s emotional unavailability. So good. So strong. So pretty. Honestly, might go back just to sip that little glass of liquid courage on the patio like the main character I am.
The Gluten-Free Struggle
Now, the menu. For a place that calls itself “Italian” and fine dining, you'd think they'd have their gluten-free game on lock. Nope. You have to hunt for it like it’s buried treasure. There’s a tiny note under the pasta section about gluten-free options, and that’s it. No clear markings, no allergen key, nothing. For the price point? That’s criminal.
Little Diners Club
With kids in tow, we tried the chicken tenders and fries. The presentation was phenomenal—seriously, they came out looking like a kid’s dream meal at a five-star resort. The tenders were hand breaded and golden perfection. The fries had a little truffle twist—my picky eaters weren’t into it, but the ones with a fancier palate were obsessed. They cleaned the plate.
Main Dish Musings
Now to my main dish—the Ricotta Cavatelli, subbed with gluten-free penne because your girl is a delicate flower with a gluten vendetta. It came with lump crab, tiger shrimp, peperoncino, mint, and lemon olive oil. Sounds like a spa day for your mouth, right? Well, the crab was deliciously chunky and the shrimp were having a five-star moment. But the mint? AWOL. Like, you couldn’t taste it at all, which felt like a missed opportunity to really make those lemony notes sing.
Final Thoughts
Overall vibe? North Italia is a fabulous date for drinks and apps after you’ve been financially devastated at Lululemon. But dinner? Meh. Don’t bring your picky kids. Don’t bring your high-expectation foodie friends. Maybe don’t even bring yourself unless you’re in the mood to drop $$ for ambiance.
Final verdict: 3 out of 5 on the delic-o-meter. Gorgeous space. Super competent, top-tier staff who seriously know how to take care of a table. Mid-tier food experience. Would I go again? Sure—but only for cocktails and maybe a little patio gossip.
See ya later loves