From its décor down to its music, Dolce Italian, located at the Godfrey Hotel ( 127 W. Huron St.; DolceItalianRestaurant.com ), knows how to do modernized Italian-style cuisine.
The restaurant has been open for about a year now and if you're trying to avoid busy lunch spots, this might be the place for you.
When one goes for Italian food, that person typically expects to receive a hearty, carb-filled dish. While the food was definitely filled with delicious carbs, Dolce Italian makes it its mission to keep the dishes rather light. In order to incorporate this concept, menus are kept seasonal. Delicate, yet fulfilling—just the right combination for a lunch menu.
I got the pleasure of trying Dolce Italian's lunch menu, family-style.
My dining partners and I ordered the fettuccine al pesto, the meatball parmigiana panini, the eggplant parmigiano and Dolce Italian's infamous "star-shaped" pizza, which isn't on the menu but can be ordered when requested. ( This little-known dish secretly excited me. )
The waiter was particularly attentive and the food didn't take long to come out.
My favorite dishes were the fettuccine al pesto and the "star-shaped" pizza. The fettucine was especially savory, coated with fresh shrimp and tomatoes.
The pizza ( also known as the Startufata pizza ) captured my attention for obvious reasons: its look and exclusivity although the taste does lives up to the hype. This cheese-stuffed crust pizza is topped with spicy salami and is easy to eat and share with others. It is sure to leave a good impression with your taste buds as well as your Instagram followers ( the perfect foodie pic ).
I'd recommend the eggplant parmigiano ( fior di latte mozarella, san marzano tomatoes ) and the meatball parmigiana ( dolce meatballs alla parmigiana, tomato gravy ) as well. Both of which were delicious and well-cooked.
As for dessert, I chose to keep it simple and classic by ordering Dolce's amazing Nutella-flavored gelato, which also comes in other assorted flavors. This was the perfect end to a great meal.
The only setback Dolce Italian may have is its pricey menu for such small portions. However, I highly recommend Dolce Italian for its tasty, Italian gems, speedy service and contemporary decor.
