Negroni

By Annabelle Goodman –

Negroni offers the best panini in town. I like this restaurant because it knows what it is about and does it well. It is comfortable and not pretentious. In the summer the patios in front and back offer an outdoor dining experience. The ciabbata bread is made on the premises. The bread is so good you could enjoy it with out any filling. All panini are served with an arugula salad with fennel. It is fresh delicious food offered at a reasonable price. The menu is selective  and everything is well prepared.

Two friends were headed for a quiet lunch with good food and much chatter. Negroni was so quiet and friendly we knew immediately we had chosen the right spot for lunch.

The BLT Panini was my friend’s choice. Pancetta, arugula, oven dries tomato with the most fantastic lemon garlic mayo was grilled in that great home made bread. The two large sections could have easily been shared. It was so good I ate all of mine. The peppery fresh arugula balances the flavors of the panini and makes for a perfect combination.($11.00)

I opted for the Italian Tuna Panino. Italian tuna, egg, artichoke, capers and lemon mayo made me feel as if I was back in Italy.($12.00)

Caprese Panino offers basil pesto, oven dried tomatoes and fior di latte.($12.00)

Mortadella Panino is a combination of mortadello, soppressata, red onion mayo and provolone.($11.00)

The panini are the best. The restaurant does offer several other choices. The Soup of the day was Mushroom.($7.00) A Caprese Salad of Fior di latte with oven dried tomatoes and basil pesto is offered at $12.00

Several pasta dishes are also listed on the menu. Lemon Linguine is prepared with meyer lemon, butter and pecorino.($14.00) Rigatoni Pugliese offers spicy sausage, chickpeas, tomato and rapini.($15.00) Butternut Squash Risotto is prepared with butternut squash, fresh sage and parmesan.($15.00)

Flourless Chocolate Cake served with fresh berry coulis and whipped cream is a good choice of dessert.($8.00) I have tasted this remarkable dessert at Side Car at 577 College St. It is the same ownership. Sidecar is noted for the remarkable 3 courses for $25.00 served during the week. The salmon entree dish is perfectly prepared.

The tables at Negroni are well spaced. The service is very warm. Those Panini are the reason you go to Negroni. Wine and beer are available to make it a perfect dining experience.

We could have sat there all afternoon and never be bothered. We both had so much to talk about. We had privacy and at the same time we enjoyed fine food.