From the moment you bite into the delectable potato gnocchi, served in a rich cream sauce with truffles and mushrooms in a white bowl that looks like a piece of art at Grissini Ristorante Italiano, all of your senses are immediately engaged. Encompassing a full-bodied combination of tastes, perfection is achieved with this richly divine dish that melts in your mouth, and offers flavors any truffle lover would marvel.
It is but one of many combinations of pasta and sauce, as well as other dishes, served at this authentic Italian eatery, tucked away in the corner of the Agoura Hills Town Center just east of Reyes Adobe on Agoura Road. Opened in December of 2009, the environment is just as enchanting as the food and will have you feeling like you are living a scene from the 2003 film “Under the Tuscan Sun.”
An oversized gold vase that holds dozens of freshly cut pink and white lilies serves as a centerpiece in the main dining room that boasts maroon decor with gold accents, faux finished-walls and a hand-painted Tuscan mural, complemented by Frank Sinatra’s legendary hits playing in the background, lending itself to an elegant ambiance in a relaxed setting.
Italian-born restaurateur Giuseppe Bellisario is warm and welcoming, serving the multifaceted role as owner, occasional chef and host, greeting guests and developing an intimate, personal relationship with them while sharing stories of his seaside hometown of Gallipoli, located in the southeastern Puglia region of Italy.
The seasoned restaurant owner owned several restaurants prior to opening this critically acclaimed favorite, and heads a staff comprised of experienced Italian servers, fluent in the language, several of whom worked at the longtime local Italian restaurant Allegria that was located on Pacific Coast Highway near the pier.
“It’s really a family affair,” Bellisario said of the restaurant. “The whole family was involved in every process, from designing the interior to selecting the menu.”
The restaurant boasts an enticing menu that captures the true flavors of Italy and is comprised of myriad traditional dishes, as well as a multitude of pasta selections and sauces that one can mix and match.
There are 20 different types of pasta to choose from such as the fresh lemon pepper fettuccine or the dry angel hair pasta, or filled pastas like the black-and-white striped lobster ravioli, all of which can be topped with any of the 27 sauces offered that are categorized into four types: tomato, seafood, cream and vegetable-based, each hand selected for the menu by Bellisario and his family.
“I’ve tried everything on the menu,” he said. “And I never put anything on the menu I don’t like.”
A full wine list featuring several local vineyards, as well as eclectic offerings from Italy and other regions is offered, along with beer selections and mixed drinks as well as creative cocktails made with Italian Prosecco such as the “Three Coins in the Fountain,” “A Goodnight Kiss,” and the traditional Bellini, which is made with peach schnapps.
Starters include Prosciutto San Daniele, which is served with melon or figs, Mozzarella Fritta, or traditional mozzarella sticks with marinara sauce, and Fiori di Zucca, or four small zucchini flowers, lightly battered then fried and stuffed with melted mozzarella cheese and anchovies, offering the perfect balance of creamy and salty flavors.
The dinner menu offers a selection of fresh salads, such as the Chopped Salad Italiana, which comes with garbanzo beans, mozzarella, tomatoes and turkey or salami served in a edible focaccia bowl, and the Insalata Caprese, made with fresh tomatoes and delectable burrata cheese that incorporates the full flavor of rich cream, and is garnished with basil for a fusion of fresh flavors.
The service is as wonderful as the food, and you’re made to feel as if at a family gathering.
Happy Hour is every Monday through Friday from 4:20 p.m. to 7 p.m., offering 50 percent off appetizers and $2 off each wine by the glass. More information can be obtained online at www.grissiniristoranteitaliano.com; Grissini Ristorante Italiano: 30125 Agoura Rd.; 818.735.9711