That's Amore - Rosarito

This place has been mentioned before, but having tried it I feel I can give it the official "Italian Stamp of Approval".

The food is, for the most part authentic Italian, as opposed to American Imitation Italian. Carlo tries hard to train his staff in what is, in the old country, a profession and not just a job - being a waiter at a restaurant, and he is progressing. We had Calamari Fritti, Pasta (penne) alla Puttanesca, Saltimbocca and all were good. I questioned him closely about the Puttanesca sauce, which most people don't know how to make, and he turned out a good one. The pasta was a little overcooked (but not too much), and the saltimbocca was quite good, though not served in the traditional way - in bite size skewers.

Wine was Monte Xanic Cabernet Sauvignon y Merlot, one of my favorite from the Valle de Guadalupe, as no Barolo or other worthy Italian wine was available, unfortunately.

All said, the place is well recommended and one of the better Italian Restaurants I have eaten at outside Europe, not to mention Italy. But, that wouldn't be a fair comparison.

So....What's the secret?

<Is it something you could explain in mixed company?>

I believe the term implies something quick and easy which can be prepared "between customers".

Good to hear that Roberto can take a break from Atkins long enough to enjoy some pasta.

For the two interested parties:

I'll break down "puttanesca" (roman slang).

Puttana is a hoar. A puttanesca sauce would be a sauce made by or like a sauce made by the above parties.

It's an interesting conconction, with tomato sauce, capers, hot peppers and (sometimes) olives. Carlo being Sicilian, the olives were there. No real secret, other than to know how to blend the ingredients so they amalgamate, and so it's not so hot that you can't taste them.

[Edited on 5-29-2006 by Roberto]

Special 3-course Dinner - $25

First lesson (free):

Italian foreplay only works when you're the client.

Quote:

Originally posted by Roberto Puttana is a hoar. A puttanesca sauce would be a sauce made by or like a sauce made by the above parties.

Gotta try it. Twice in the last few months, I have rewarded (female) employees with lunch at a restaurant of their choice. Yuma is growing rapidly and in the last year or so we've seen addition of chains we didn't have before. On both of these occasions, they picked the new Olive Garden. Well, I guess it was ok for me as I was paying for a bunch of people and it wasn't overly expensive. But gaack, what slop! I've had more enjoyable "Italian" meals around a campfire, eating Chef Boyardee ravioli straight out of the can. A couple of weeks ago, by myself, I decided to try the new Johnny Carino's in hopes that the slightly greater expense and favorable reviews would mean better, more authentic cuisine. It didn't.

When I treated my maintenance guys, they were not impressed by "ambiance". We went to the new Texas Roadhouse. Not bad.

Quote:

Originally posted by Oso Gotta try it. Twice in the last few months, I have rewarded (female) employees with lunch at a restaurant of their choice. Yuma is growing rapidly and in the last year or so we've seen addition of chains we didn't have before. On both of these occasions, they picked the new Olive Garden. Well, I guess it was ok for me as I was paying for a bunch of people and it wasn't overly expensive. But gaack, what slop! I've had more enjoyable "Italian" meals around a campfire, eating Chef Boyardee ravioli straight out of the can. A couple of weeks ago, by myself, I decided to try the new Johnny Carino's in hopes that the slightly greater expense and favorable reviews would mean better, more authentic cuisine. It didn't. When I treated my maintenance guys, they were not impressed by "ambiance". We went to the new Texas Roadhouse. Not bad.

When the Olive Garden's commercial says "They treat you like family" really gets me - Thats why I go out to eat to get away from the "family". I don't want to go to a place that treats me that way.