Among the hundred-plus restaurants participating in the Coolinary program, Avo has one of the best menus. Add the qualification of Italian , and it becomes the very best in that category this year. Not only has chef Nick Lama turned out an all-Sicilian menu that sounds spectacular--and probably is, judging from the ten or so times I've dined there. Adding to the appeal is that the $35 three-course repast gives three choices in all three of the courses. And the story keeps getting better. For an extra $18, you get glasses of Italian wine paired with with each of the courses. That's why I began with accolades for this already well established Uptown trattoria. My specific recommendations are marked by the > sign in the menu below. >Charred Octopus
Pork butter, black garlic, pineapple, calabrian chiles
~or~
Fried Calamari
Tomato pesto, savory lemon curd, parsley
~or~
>Heirloom Tomato Salad
Marinated field peas, lunch box peppers, quinoa
~~~~~
>Duck Confit
Arancini, giardiniera, red cabbage
~or~
Linguine & Clams
Fresh soppressata, herb pangrattato
~or~
>Chicken Marsala Cappelletti
Mushroom, Marsala reduction, herb puree
~~~~~
>Affogato
Vanilla gelato, espresso
~or~
Zeppole
Chocolate-hazelnut sauce, banana gelato
~or~
Tiramisu
Ladyfingers, espresso, amaretto, mascarpone cheese, cocoa
~~~~~
The only drawback is that Avo offers this menu Monday through Thursday evenings. Just makes your reservations carefully.
Avo
Uptown: 5908 Magazine. 504-509-6550. www.restaurantavo.com.
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