To start, I cannot stand how dark the images I share are. Most of the time, I am eating out for dinner. This is no exception, so pre-apologies for the mood lighting (enjoyable in person, not so much in looking through a screen). With that said, the start of March saw a bachelorette party for one of my best friends and with all of the gal pals. A reunion itself, we needed something that 15 different palettes would enjoy. Italian obviously comes to mind and Strada Italiano in Asheville, NC came recommended for a group looking to enjoy pizza, pasta, and free-flowing wine.
Not pictured: shared calamari and garlic ciabatta. Were you even at an Italian restaurant with a group if you did not share bread and calamari? No, so of course, we ordered. Nothing major to report with the calamari; it is your standard squid, fried nicely and served with a plum tomato sauce. I loved the sauce, definitely better than some others which feel canned. Overall, a good dish to share. The garlic bread on the other hand has a bit more to report because it is a must order to start here. The ciabatta itself was not necessarily special, I assume it was house made. But it is that garlic butter glaze, spread across the top so inconspicuously that I loved. Warm garlic and butter melted into bread- I could just have a loaf of this as a meal. Fortunately, not everyone was indulging in carbs so I got more than a fair share. If I were here in a smaller group, I would have potentially only ordered the Burrata di Zucca. Fresh mozzarella with roasted garlic and pancetta, pumpkin salsa, crispy Brussel sprouts, maple reduction, and crackers to boot. That sounds like a tantalizing plate of dishes to me and I want every single one. Still want to try this but, also know that the garlic bread must come too.
Moving onto one of the dishes we love from the Italians- pizza! The pizza pictured is the Papa Fred Pizza. Seasoned crushed tomato sauce, salami, spicy Italian sausage, cherry peppers, grape tomatoes, herb ricotta, and mozzarella.
All of the toppings were especially generous, every bite loaded with a great mix of all of the ingredients. The standout one being the spicy Italian sausage. The sausage is made with a blend of seasonings, including paprika, fennel, and red pepper flakes, which give it a bold and savory flavor and just the right amount of heat.The cherry peppers and grape tomatoes added a sweet and tangy element to the pizza. Then that herb ricotta added a creamy texture and a subtle hint of herbs. The cheese melted just slightly to be able to be spread across the thin dough so I could get that ricotta taste on everything (it’s become my favorite pizza topping these days). Speaking of the dough, a crispy crust with just enough dough to hold dipping into some of the plum and marinara sauce that came with the apps, it was a home run. If you’re not afraid to mix flavors and textures, this pizza should be your go-to. I’m salivating just re-reading what’s written here and remembering.
For my own meal, I surprised myself and skipped past to order the Chicken Marsala. Described as chicken braised in marsala and mushroom blend with a veal demi-glaze, served with “potato and vegetable del giorno.”
For those who may not know, “del giorno” means “of the day” in Italian, indicating that the side dish changes daily based on what ingredients are fresh and available. I was glad to have a little broccoli, zucchini, and squash in my life considering the kind of gluttonous weekend we were having. The potato was something that I could not get enough of. Similar to mashed potatoes, but with a unique twist that set it apart from the traditional side. It was incredibly flavorful and had a creamy texture that was simply irresistible. I stopped those around me in the middle of their meals to force them to try these potatoes they were that good.
Now, back to the Chicken Marsala. For those unfamiliar with the term, a veal demi-glaze is a rich, concentrated sauce made by reducing veal stock and wine with herbs and aromatics. The resulting sauce is dark and flavorful, adding a depth of flavor to the dish.
The chicken and Marsala were good but the demi-glaze added complexity that elevated the dish a bit (although they didn’t quite reach the same level as the incredible potatoes). Chicken Marsala is traditionally known for its savory flavor and tender chicken, which it certainly met those requirements. My sole request would be a bit of separation from the resulting sauce and everything else. You can see above, it makes for a sloppy, soupy dish. I don’t complain too much thought since said dish is delicious.
Combine all this with bottles of wine, enjoyed with laughs with friends, and I can see why Strada Italiano is a perfect recommendation for any group heading out in downtown Asheville!
