You definitely feel the spirit of this Italian restaurant’s tag line ‘live by the sun, love by the moon’ when you enter its Tuscan gold interior and are greeted by Christa Rossi, wife and partner to Chef Davide Rossi. Christa met Davide over 10 years ago when working at Baltimore’s Sotto Sopra Restaurant. She worked the front of the house while Davide was one of the chefs. It was love, marriage, and then a move to Davide’s home country, Italy, where they remained for a couple of years. Lucky for us they came back to the United States where the pair opened a seasonal restaurant in Maine’s Boothbay Harbor called Ports of Italy and now, Baltimore’s Pazza Luna Restaurant.

How to open a restaurant during the biggest snow of the city’s history

Snowpocalypse is what greeted this couple when they re-opened the doors of Pazza Luna in February – not an auspicious start to get the word out on one’s food. Christa reached out to a handful of “media” folks so we could come in and taste a selection of dishes prepared by Chef Davide. We sat at the chef’s rustic wooden table and not only enjoyed the delicious Northern Italian based dishes but Christa’s in- depth descriptions of the food and a bit of history behind them.

From piccolo morso to dolce

Our first hint of what was to come was the bruschetta, a small morsel to awaken our tastebuds of what was to come. It was topped with a mixture cannellini beans, red onions and a hint of acidic brightness, it was the perfect starter. Bread and grissini were delivered to the table in a paper bag with a golden olive oil for dipping. (see photo slide show of the evenings food and restaurant).

There is Italian food and then there is Italian American food. For this evening’s dining it is mostly Italian but with the Italian mindset to work with the products that are local to your region. Chef Davide’s soup of the day was his version of cream of crab, when I say his version; there was no cream, his take on the Maryland tradition. It was still rich, still decadent and the crab was the star.

Insalata di Anatra Affumicata, smoked New England duck breast sliced thinly like prosciutto adorned this arugula and sun-dried tomato salad. Topped with flavored toasted bread crumbs and dressed with a balsamic dressing, it was a hit. You will find this salad on their dinner menu and it is highly recommended.

Maybe Diamond Jim Brady, a renown glutton, could eat full portions of all these dishes but not us. Chef Davide and Christa offered up sampling portions on most of the dishes. On one plate two dishes shared the spotlight. The risotto of the day was an avocado risotto topped with shrimp using the king of risotto rices, carnaroli, known to make creamer risottos. Sharing the plate with the risotto was a lobster ravioli, a regular menu item called Ravioli di Astice filled with lobster, mascarpone cheese, brandy, chives with a shrimp and tomato ragout. Both were outstanding, the risotto almost had me in food heaven tears and the ravioli’s pasta was light in texture letting the filling shine.

Our next course was the Filetto Piemontese, a tenderloin filet, pan-seared, and topped with a Gorgonzola and truffle cream sauce with a light dusting of fried onions. This along with the other entrees offer a choice from any one of their side dishes: country potatoes, sautéed spinach, asparagus Parmesan, mixed wild mushrooms, spaghetti marinara or spaghetti with garlic and olive oil. These same sides can be purchased on their own for an additional five dollars each.

Are you full yet?

We were full but that didn’t stop Christa from bringing out her light and airy chocolate mousse.

Everyone at the table was suitably impressed. Here is a link to Liz Stambaugh’s What's  to Eat Baltimore blogger post and to Anne Boone Simanski’s Socially Speaking Column to read their reactions to this meal.

Pazza Luna is one of those restaurants you will find a favorite dish or two that will have you coming back again and again. This restaurant has been added to my list of favorites and once you go, I’m sure you will add it to your list as well.

What about happy hour?

There is a happy hour at Pazza Luna from Tuesday through Fridays, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. with $5 small plates and drink specials.

Pazza Luna
1401 E. Clement Street
Baltimore, MD 21230
410 962 1212 – Reservations highly suggested
www.pazzaluna.us
Open Tuesday through Sunday ~ dinner only

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