Restaurant: Sassella Restaurant
Location: 225 Johnson St, Santa Fe, NM 87501. (505) 982-6734
Date: March 25, 2023
Cuisine: Italian
Rating: Good
Sure we had a lot of Southwestern in Santa Fe, but we had to get at least “some” Italian in.
A fairly formal traditional space. Like the real venetian masks.
The menu.
Bread, including those Italian donut-shaped bread sticks.
EVOO.
Amarone — very young amarone.
Composizione di Pere. Sliced Singo golden pear, Meredith Farms sheep and goat cheese, artichoke, caramel bits, encapsulated fruit pearls, mint, pistachios, aged balsamic.
Ceasar a Modo Mio. Romaine, parmesan crisp, focaccia crostini, white anchovies, capers, tonnato dressing.
Eggplant Parmigiana. Eggplant in pastella, Italian bread crumbs, marinara, parmesan, mozzarella, basil pesto.
Le Tre Polpette. Veal and wagyu beef meatballs prepared three ways, spicy and sweet marinara. Not ure what was the exact difference between the balls other than keft to right ascending crispiness. They were good though.
Limone e Gamberi. Capellini pasta, shrimp, clams, white wine, lemon juice, lemon zest, mint, pistachio, capers, Sassella EVOO.
Pasta Pomodoro.
White Seabass. Seabass, rösti potato, Mediterranean tomato sauce with preserved lemon and capers,
aged balsamic reduction.
Scaloppine. Wild boar scaloppine, marsala demi-glace, cream, artichoke, prosciutto wrapped asparagus. Very tasty and tender with a great reduction sauce.
Osso Buco Milanese. Braised veal shank, mirepoix, risotto alla Milanese, gremolata. Less fatty than a normal OB, but nice.
We skipped dessert.
Overall, a surprisingly elegant and sophisticated Italian. Very good execution. Style is a bit deconstructed and slightly modern.