Anteprima - A Review

This past week I had dinner at Anteprima, a relatively new Italian spot right in the heart of Andersonville. With a smaller but intimate front dining room and a lovely outdoor back patio the look and feel of Anteprima sets the scene, charming yet a bit rustic. The place started out on the right note, winning big points with me as I sat at the bar waiting for my friend and the bartender all of her own accord offered me several wine tastings to determine which Italian selection I'd like the best and then ended up pouring me a glass that wasn't even on the menu. Fabulous! (The pours are quite generous as well.) Anteprima's menu is not overcomplicated focusing on some simple, regional Italian dishes but that doesn't mean it's limited, there are a number of items that I would go back and try. I'm all about the movement to simple flavors and the focus on local ingredients and you get this at Anteprima. There were a number of specials that night and I shared one as an appetizer, some fresh figs that were deliciously in season with prosciutto, Gorgonzola and a balsamic drizzle - possibly perfection on a little plate. When going Italian I am usually a pasta girl all the way (and no surprise I was that night as well) but the menu had many intriguing meat dishes: quail, barramundi, veal - I was heavily tempted. In the end however I went with the bucatini with pea shoots, pecorino and seasoned with chili oil to give an interesting and welcomed quick, this was a light dish that still packed a punch. I also sampled the ravioli and it was melt in your mouth good.
Desserts, ours was an orange cake with sambuca whipped cream were so-so, I'd recommend skipping dessert and walking down half a block for a piece of confection perfection at Sweet Occasions bakery.
Anteprima: charming setting, solid service, simple and appealing flavors and most importantly plentiful wine! Definitely worth a visit.