Ristorante Illando: Simple, Fresh, Italian

Another month, and another trip to a fabulous restaurant with my lunch bunch group.  In September we dined at Ristorante Illando, at 1825 India Street in Little Italy.  If you're not careful, you'll end up at Landini's, their pizza restaurant.  Illando is upstairs, reached by a narrow staircase that is almost missed.  In fact, part of our group walked right by it the first time.  I had heard it was good, and their $15, three course luncheon menu, could not be passed up.  It was worth much more, and is a great spot for lunch or dinner when you're in Little Italy.

First, the restaurant menu is inspired by the Florentine roots of its owners.  The restaurant itself has the rustic charm of Tuscany, with wood on the walls, great metal tables and comfortable chairs.  We all ordered the three course menu which consisted of the following:  bruschetta (with a little arugula salad in the middle) or caesar salad first, followed by spaghetti bolognase, ravioli stuffed with ricotta and spinach and topped with a pink vodka sauce (that's what I ordered), or pollo limone with vegetables.  We had all of these dishes, and everyone cleaned their plate.  The pasta was perfectly cooked, the sauces were delicious.  For dessert, we enjoyed tiramisu or cheese cake.  I ordered the tiramisu and it was fantastic.

Ristorante Illando uses fresh, local ingredients, and has a pretty typical Italian menu.  Burrata, prosciutto, carpacio, tomato or minestrone soup, and several salads are on the left hand side of the menu.  The right hand side has about 12 different pasta dishes such as the ones we had a lunch, but also pappardelle, made several ways.  Chicken parmesean, scallops and grilled lamb are also on the menu.

Ristorante Illando reminds me of dining in a small Tuscan farmhouse.  The restaurant only seats about 40 people, so do make a reservation.  It's a great little find, and although I didn't try their pizzas, I have a feeling that they're great too.  Their downstairs restaurant, Landini's, is nothing but pizza.