Amerigo’s Grille

Walking into Amerigo’s, the dark piano bar instantly sets the tone for a classic fine dining experience. Oil paintings cover the walls, with soft classical music adding to the ambiance. White linen tablecloths adorn rows of tables alongside tall glass windows, which offer a beautiful view of the patio garden.

The rumors are true… Amerigo’s is ultra fine dining at its best. Let us start with the service. After spending several evenings at Amerigo’s, it is safe to say this restaurant is filled with qualified service industry humans, as well as an adequate… manager. No matter how busy or slow, the quality of service is consistent.

The bar is quite dark, with a piano sitting in the corner, adjacent to a glass wall. This would be for the, um, piano player that is employed to entertain.

On one particular evening recently, this very important piano employee was not present. There were, however, three champagne drinking divas sitting at the piano barking out jingles like a pack of angry Chihuahuas. Many guests began to wonder just how much choir practice would ultimately be endured.

After one singing sensation decided her gig was up, she began to exit and walked head first into the glass wall. Chris, the friendly bartender, quickly came to her aid and escorted her back to the table.

Running into the wall is one thing, but what occurred next is the real deal breaker. Um, I’m sorry, but there is no reason to break Rule #186 from the handbook on speaking to a service industry worker:

Refrain from using a “whistle” to get the attention of your server.

Who does this? If you know someone who does the whistle, well, the time for a new friend has arrived. Double Whistle Wouch. This is outrageously grotesque in the world of waiters. Please & No Thanks.

Moving right along, the antipasti menu is inexpensive, offering a variety of suitable options for AVH. The Lobster Mezzaluna consists of lobster served inside half moon shaped pasta, with fresh corn & salsa forte essence.

Another tasty dish is the Salmon Carpaccio, which consists of wild Atlantic salmon marinated in grapeseed oil, lime & dill, with mandarin orange.

Bruschetta is on the happy hour menu. It is always exciting to find busy bruschetta. This tasty appetizer is definitely not lacking ingredients.

The entrée section of the menu offers Snapper Florentine, which is a fillet of red gulf snapper baked with creamed spinach, seasoned bread crumbs & parmesan cheese. Another entrée that sounds delicious is Trout Pignoli, which is baby (sniffle) rainbow trout crusted with pine nuts & preserved lemon, in a candied garlic citrus sauce.

Shrimp & Crab Cheesecake is served with a trio of sauces. One cannot help but compare this entrée to that of La Griglia’s signature item bearing the same name. Amerigo’s entrée simply doesn’t make the cut. Even with three sauces, it pales in comparison to the creamy cheesecake entrée at La Griglia.

Amerigo’s offers lobster bisque as an everyday menu item, as well as soup du jour. If soup & salad is your cup of tea, the salad options at Amerigo’s are festive, offering the always excellent walnuts & pecans.

The Spinach Salad is served with candied pecans, bleu cheese & shiitake chips in zinfandel vinaigrette. Another option is Green Salad Watercress with Belgian endive, walnuts & gorgonzola in fresh raspberry vinaigrette. Total Salad Excitement.

The Classic Caesar consists of hearts of romaine, oven‐dried tomatoes, bruschetta & Reggiano. Most Caesar salads have the potential to be a huge snore, but not this one. The creamy dressing mixed with crisp romaine, as well as the bruschetta surprise, made snoozer salad status impossible.

The Shrimp Parmesan consists of jumbo panko‐crusted shrimp, lightly brown & topped with fresh mozzarella cheese & basil pesto. This entrée is bursting with flavor & freshness. Really… This pasta dish is incredibly delicious!

When deciding on dessert at Amerigo’s, um, don’t look around for a menu, because there isn’t one. Appearing excited, servers dash off to the secret spot that holds the… dessert tray.

Listening to the description of each creation lasts around five minutes. Just think of any dessert that makes your heart skip a beat, and Amerigo’s has it! Berries are everywhere, including many different cheesecakes, as well as classic desserts.

Wow… The presentation is flawless and the flavor will leave you speechless. This creamy cheesecake has white & dark chocolate with cherry sauce. Amerigo’s, like Jasper’s on Market Street, does not play any dessert games. Heavenly.

The combination of food, service, and ambiance that Amerigo’s maintains is exceptional. Minus the occasional whistler at the bar, your dining experience at Amerigo’s will leave you feeling it was a success.

FIVE: High 5!
FOUR: Please & Thank You
THREE: Yada
TWO: Double Wow
ONE: Wow + Ouch = Wouch


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