I ate $200 worth of food at Charlotte’s newest Italian spot. Was it worth it?
I wore shorts and a T-shirt on a chilly night in Charlotte, but I wasn’t going to let that stop me from sampling the food at Charlotte’s newest Italian restaurant: Italo.
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I invited my friend Alex, who I’ve known since I was 12, partly because we reconnected a few months ago, but mostly because the guy I’m seeing was busy. She was great company.
Italo officially opens Tuesday, May 19, bringing handmade pasta, focaccia and other Italian staples to Charlotte in a space designed to feel intimate and relaxed, CharlotteFive previously reported. But on Thursday night, we got an early look — and taste.
Here’s everything we ordered.
Prosciutto and Mozzarella ($25): 600-day aged prosciutto, fresh mozzarella, extra virgin olive oil, aged balsamic, cracked black pepper
Housemade Focaccia ($14): roasted garlic and herb focaccia, whipped sheep’s milk ricotta, fresh herb, extra virgin olive oil, aged balsamic
I told Alex these dishes reminded me of a “bougie Lunchable,” and I meant it in the best way. The salty prosciutto and creamy mozzarella paired with the fluffy focaccia was an excellent combo. I filled up on the bread, but I knew I had to save room for more carbs.
Tagliatelle ($24): Ragu bianco bolognese, wagyu beef, pancetta, prosciutto, mortadella, pecorino romano
Linguini Vongole ($30): littleneck clams, basil pesto
Turns out, Ragu isn’t just a pasta sauce brand – it’s a traditional Italian meat-based sauce typically served over pasta. I scarfed down the savory tagliatelle while Alex choked on a piece of basil, but she was fine. And the linguini was excellent.
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Picatta ($45): grilled spatchcooked mediterranean branzino, capers, lemon, garlic
Gnocchi ($12): Roman style semolina dumplings, parmesan, chives, extra virgin olive oil
The general manager told us we should enjoy the picatta, a dish that, she said, would “stare back” at us. I didn’t know what she meant until I saw the fish head, but it was tender and perfectly-seasoned. The gnocchi came out piping hot, but was somehow even more pillowy than the focaccia.
Gnam Gnam Gelato Sundae ($16): Chef’s choice
Ricotta Cheesecake ($15): Limoncello curd, lime wheel
Torta Al Cioccolato ($16): espresso ganache, salted caramel mousse, toasted crushed hazelnuts and shaved chocolate
The Gnam Gnam (pronounced like “nom nom”) sundae was appropriately named, because I woofed down that creamy chocolate and vanilla gelato in a matter of seconds. The cheesecake was citrusy without being overpowering, and the espresso ganache filling inside the torta was a welcome surprise.
Our total bill, including the glasses of wine we drank, would have come out to roughly $250, but the evening was complimentary as part of a media preview. Still, the experience was worthy of the price tag.
The food was divine, and the service was attentive and warm. Italo is unlikely to become an everyday restaurant for most diners, but for birthdays, anniversaries or the kind of evening that calls for lingering over pasta and wine, it makes a compelling case for itself.
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