Located on the corner of 29th street and 3rd Avenue, Bistango is the local Italian trattoria proposing a selection of pizzettes, Italian salads, pasta, ravioli and innovative starters. Garlic is almost everywhere so I tried to avoid this ingredient as much as I could.
Dimmed lights in a cozy ambiance, the small restaurant is about a square space, with two sides open on the streets around. There is a bar, and a door opens to the Kitchen from where the plates sound originates. I was excited to try their pasta, especially after looking at the big bowl plates on the tables around us.
The place: Brown colored tiles, dark colored wooden tables, a long brown leather sofa follows the main wall, a bar prepares drinks, a wall made of bricks, a rectangular mirror making space look bigger and a lit design piece which you see when you are opening the restaurant door. Light music plays in the background.
Starters first: Watermelon and tomato salad with a robe of white cheese and aromas of basil; a refreshing and lemony salad with notes of enjoyable sweetness, the balsamic vinegar provides. The spinach ricotta pasta topped with parmesan and pepper is cooked al dente on a bed of cream; stuffed with white ricotta cheese and decorated with sheets of steamed spinach, this plate is good enough, needing a bit of salt to perfect it. I enjoyed my starters while the pasta arrived.
Tasty pasta is served here: spaghetti and rigatoni cooked al dente, juicy meatballs in an acidic tomato sauce and the light colored sauce with meat ragout for the rigatoni. I loved the flavors, the textures, the acidity of the sauce and the tenderness of the meat. I came here with low expectations, leaving happy and satisfied, adding this Italian eatery to the list of my favorite Italian restaurants in town.
Enjoyed the service, the vibes, and attention as well as the simple and tasty food; I’ll come back here.