Bon Appétit Magazine just published poll results for the best comfort foods, pasta and pizza claiming the top two spots. Both of which you can order up at Café Gia Ristoranté, classic, homemade Italian made with fresh ingredients and artistic pizzazz.
Caprese Tower
Whether you are a Baltimore local or just visiting, you can’t miss the colorful murals adorning the walls of Café Gia Ristoranté on Eastern Avenue in Little Italy. I see it every morning on my way to work and smile back at the jovial faces peering down at me, what a welcome way to start the day. Although it has been on my “to dine” list for quite some time, I just made my first trip for lunch a day ago and now regret not heading there sooner. Baltimore is lucky to have a robust Little Italy, full of long-standing Italian families graciously sharing their heritage and secret recipes for outstanding food.
Café Gia Ristoranté is no exception. In fact, it is owned by a mother-daughter team, Giovanna Aquia Blattermann (mom) and Gia Blattermann-Fracassetti (daughter) with Gia’s husband and executive chef, Gianfranco Fracassetti, manning the kitchen. Interestingly enough, the Blattermann clan is the only family to still have four generations residing in the close knit neighborhood of Little Italy. Just take a closer look at the murals, created by the late artist Yuri Fatkulin, for a peek inside their family history. Among Gia’s favorites is a re-creation of a photo from her grandparents, Rosa and Pasquale’s, wedding day in Cefalu, Sicily. Rosa and Pasquale were also responsible for the family immigration to the United States and planting their roots in Baltimore in 1953.
Another is a painting of Gia, herself, in Cefalu, surrounded by children and standing next to fishermen and locals playing a game of cards. She explained that Yuri was aware of her growing family and envisioned what her son, Luca, would look like at age 6, wide-eyed and curly haired standing next to his mother. My personal favorite, is an art deco feeling rendition of Little Italy as seen from Café Gia’s balcony, are located on the second floor.
Not only do the walls speak and tell a story, but everything is colorful and welcoming down to the hand painted stairs, tables, glassware and plates. Expect to see a heavy Sicilian influence on the food that graces your table. Family favorites and classic Italian dishes are artfully prepared and presented using fresh ingredients. Since joining the Café Gia team six years ago, executive chef Gianfranco has commingled his own culinary tastes to the food. Hailing from the Lombardy region of Northern Italy, the tastes and base foods, such as polenta, are vastly different from ocean-based Southern Italy.
Homemade Meatballs
We were first to arrive upon opening on a Saturday for an early lunch. Sat at a sunny table on a cold day, my party and I decided to try one of each categories on the menu: appetizer, salad, pizza, sandwich and pasta. An impressive tower of homemade mozzarella and thick cut tomatoes drizzled in olive oil and balsamic vinegar, a classic Caprese salad was the first item to arrive. If you have never had true, fresh mozzarella, you are missing out. Large enough to eat for my entree, I could have devoured it on my own, but was kind enough to share. Pair the Caprese salad with a side of garlic bread, topped with just enough garlic to get the full flavor, but too much to overwhelm, I was in heaven. Gia brought out a sampling of a Café Gia top seller that is typically not on the lunch menu, Grilled Octopus over Garbanzo Beans and Arugula.
Grilled Octopus
It was undeniable why this salad is top rated, octopus that is tender and lightly charred, brilliant in color over buttery garbanzo beans, capers and red onion tossed in a light vinaigrette that was careful to not overpower the delicate taste of the salad. This dish was certainly the favorite among my table. My husband ordered the Capricciosa, a personal sized pizza covered in house-made sausage, pancetta, meatballs, tomato sauce and cheese, a meatlovers dream! I had the Gnocchi Bolognese, my favorite comfort meal. I order this dish because I have great respect for those who can successfully make pillowly and light gnocchi, a skill I have failed at so many times at home. My dish was filling, but not heavy, and hit the spot of tasty and traditional.
Gnocchi Bolognese
Lastly, the sandwich selection is quite impressive, using a hearty bread to pile high with fresh vegetables, meats and cheese. My next task is to make it in for dinner to try the Fettuccine Lucia, a dish named after their daughter and made with homemade black pepper infused fettuccine tossed with house made Italian chicken sausage, red grapes, goat cheese, arugula, white wine and garlic. As if all of this wasn’t enough, we indulged in a dessert sampler. Tiramisu cake was light and fluffy, the perfect choice for a full stomach, my sweet tooth was satisfied, but I felt no more full. Traditional cannolis with crispy shell, creamy filling and chocolate chips, are also available.
By the time we departed, the homey 82 seat space mimicking cafés one would see in Sicily, was nearly full with families and laughing children. Café Gia also offers al fresco dining on the veranda, which is enclosed and heated during the winter. Lunch portions are generous and dinner portions, so I’m told, are proportionate. While I do hope you make it into Café Gia to experience their soul warming food for yourself, you’ll also be able to get a sampling at A Taste of Maryland presented by Catholic Charties. The Blattermann-Fracassetti family will be generously donating both food and a gift card for the auction.
This evening of food and fun celebrates Maryland and benefits Our Daily Bread Employment Center. Your event ticket includes valet parking, fine food donated by Maryland chef’s and restaurants, and features an open bar plus live and silent auctions. Enjoy outstanding, unique cuisine prepared by the top chefs of Baltimore and bid on exciting auction items that include trips, golf outings, sports memorabilia, and so much more, highlighting all the best of Baltimore.
Date: Saturday, March 7, 2015
Time: 6:30 PM – 10:30 PM
Address: Our Daily Bread Employment Center
725 Fallsway, Baltimore, MD 21202
If you’d like to attend this event you can purchase tickets online here.
Other restaurants also participating in A Taste of Maryland: Aldo’s, B-Bistro, Café Gia, Café Hon, Chipparelli’s, The Classic Catering People, Clementine, CP Kitchen, Faidley’s Seafood, Gertrude’s, Gourmet Again, Gourmet Girls, La Scala, Linwoods, Pierpoint Restaurant, Prigel’s Creamery, The French Kitchen, The Salsa Grill, Woodberry Kitchen and more!
Win 1 of 3 pairs of tickets to Taste of Maryland HERE:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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