Photographed by Martha Williams
Because the hours develop late, it takes a dedication to one thing particular to drive this East Pointer to the northern barbeque for a chunk. However on a current Saturday, starvation and curiosity received out, as a result of, as my Italian boyfriend from Jersey mentioned, “I am listening to issues.”
We made our method south to Marietta Sq., the place a moonlit night time led us to Bottega Italian Market and Pizza. We have been greeted by Italian music and a heat greeting from behind the counter. Holding court docket was owner-chef Rafael Crispino, a charismatic, espresso-fueled dynamo from Naples. Chef Raff, as he is identified, owns different Atlanta-area eating places, together with the charming Crispina Restaurant and Pizzeria in Vinings.
Right here at her bottega, a vibrant mural of Sophia Loren provides cinematic glamour. A minimalist Italian area outlined by white subway tiles, wood flooring, tall ceilings with fleur-de-lis stamps, and trendy pendant lamps. A pair of nostalgic outsized clocks—one marked “Marietta,” the opposite “Roma”—cling above an imported Italian pizza oven. Alongside prolonged tables and a dark-green banquette, a photograph mural exhibits a scooter exterior a restaurant, whereas an unique crimson Vespa that belonged to Crispino’s grandfather sits on a platform above the entrance door.
Likewise, meals is a research completed merely and effectively, with a lighthearted nature. The hybrid resto/deli/market presents imported meats, cheeses, and olives, plus ready mains and sides, do-it-yourself desserts, and freshly baked focaccia and ciabatta. The autumn menu holds the promise of lobster ravioli. The market’s cabinets are full of Italian items, from pantry staples, snacks and spices to curated wines and delightful, gift-ready olive oils and vinegars, particularly Briati Glaze with Balsamic Vinegar of Modena.
A advisable sampler for first timers: bruschetta bella, caprese salad, pepperoni and margherita pizza squares, and do-it-yourself cannoli and tiramisu. Each is perfetto. We took dwelling marinated artichokes, grilled eggplant and ribbon-wrapped bundles of amreti cookies (lemon and chocolate). Memorable bites on second go to: the pesto-slathered grilled vegetable sandwich and the dreamy affogato (salted-caramel gelato layered with a swirl of thick cream and a dusting of espresso powder). Sinatra crooning “Strangers within the Night time”: Bonus.
This text appeared in our November 2024 concern.
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