7 minute read
Amore Bistrot
A welcome taste of Italy
Amore Bistrot
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— Billy Cox
in downtown Benicia
n Jeannine Mendoza, Ed.D
Now that signs of spring, like budding flowers, new grass, and flowering trees, are brightening our landscape and winter is but a memory, it is time to try something fresh and different. There is a new Italian bistrot (the Italian word for “bistro”) and Italian market in town that really fills the bill. Husband and wife, Massimo Biatta and Sonia Giovanazzi, and their two teenage sons, Lorenzo and Giacomo, decided to transform their lives in Milan by moving to Benicia, and opening a bistrot/coffee shop/market here, on D Street. Their concept store, Amore Bistrot, is located on the ground floor of the Inn at Benicia Bay, owned by longtime Benicians, and friends and partners of the Biattas, Dennis and Tracee Varni. In 2015, Massimo and Sonia spent their summer holiday with Dennis and Tracee in Benicia and fell in love with our picturesque waterside town and the warmth of our community. They arrived here from Milan on the last day of February, 2020, just ahead of the pandemic that shuttered dining establishments and travel, nationwide.
Like all of us, Massimo, Sonia and their sons were unprepared for the lifestyle changes, health risks, and business shutdowns that occurred in March 2020, but sometimes you just have to play the cards that you are dealt. After 9 months of renovation and permitting and delays and more waiting, Amore Bistrot was able to open and offer real Italian food to-go, and its charming market offers the same imported Italian wines, Felicetti pasta, Caputo semolina and pasta flour, olive oil, Mulino Bianco treats and Italian roasted coffee beans served at their bistrot. Beautiful gift baskets representing the various areas of Italy are also available and very popular.
Even though Massimo’s vision for his bistrot has been modified due to pandemic regulations, his intention of serving food that you would enjoy at a friend’s home is still very much alive. According to Massimo, a bistrot is a small or unpretentious bar or tavern that serves food and alcoholic beverages. Amore Bistrot, with its full liquor license, was intended to be a place for patrons to come and enjoy Italian comfort food and relax after a long day with drinks, aperitivos, to whet their appetite, and well made fare and finger food that reflects the seasonal local produce available on a given day. Truly an Italian experience. The menu changes frequently according to the gastronomical whim of Massimo, the chef.
Currently, Amore Bistrot is open every day from 9-2. Once indoor dining is allowed again, the owners wish to extend their hours; but for the time being, breakfast, lunch and takeout will have to suffice. The breakfast offerings include espresso and other coffee drinks made from their blend of select coffee beans roasted in Italy, and shipped here. Specialties include cornetti, an Italian version of a croissant. It is a scrumptious, flaky pastry that can be enjoyed with assorted imported European jams. Choices also include bomboletti, a cream filled, or Nutella filled donut creation typical of Emilia Romagna, and currently on weekends, rose di’ mele, a delicious pastry with fresh apple and shaped like a rose.
My personal favorite is Cannoli Siciliani, made with Italian ricotta cheese. The unbelievably yummy cream filling has Guittard chocolate chips mixed in, and chopped pistachios, typical of Sicily, embedded on one end of the cannoli. On the other end of the cannoli are Amarena di Vignola, hand-picked black cherries that have been gently preserved in a delectable syrup. American style maraschino cherries pale in comparison. Paired with a hot cup of Italian coffee, the Cannoli Siciliani are made to order, and one of the best things on the menu.
Lunch and takeout items are available and include gnocchi in a variety of daily sauces, including an amazing Gorgonzola cream sauce, two types of lasagna, one with a bolognese meat sauce and the other with a pesto and béchamel sauce, and green beans, an original recipe from Genoa. Also available is Scottish smoked salmon with mozzarella and vegetables. An Italian charcuterie assortment of sliced meats are available as well as an assortment of authentic Italian cheeses like burrata, mozzarella ovoline, and Asiago and fontina. Freshly made salads with innovative toppings are also available. Family meal-sized trays of lasagna and other Italian specialties are perfect for your next dinner or gathering, and are sure to please.
We locals are lucky that the Biatta family decided to settle here in our city, and share their exciting and tantalizing Italian culture and cuisine with us. We anticipate the day that Amore Bistrot can be more open to share the Italian experience with us, not just their food. For now, great, wholesome Italian comfort food will have to hold us over. Milan’s loss is certainly Benicia’s gain!
Join us for a Benicia mystery series. There will be clues as the story unfolds each month leading to an unexpected and terrifying conclusion. Welcome to “Picket Fences.” Picket Fences Picket Fences
Previously in Picket Fences …
Angela’s run-in with Connie, an unwelcome figure from her past, shook her. After she reluctantly revealed part of that past to her husband, Bruce, he stormed off in disbelief. We rejoin the story the following day, with Angela distracted at work.
n Darrell Mcelvane
As the sun sets on the beautiful bayside town of Benicia, a cool evening breeze signals to its residents that the workday is over. Closing her office for the day, Angela heads home. She gets a text message through her car’s speakers from Payton, “Mom, I just want to let you know I won’t be home for dinner, I’m studying with a classmate. I love you.” As Angela pulls into the driveway, she notices Bruce’s truck. A combination of relief and anxiety swirl in her stomach as she wonders what she is coming home to. Walking through the doorway, she is surprised by the sound of Bruce’s favorite blues album. An Original '67 LIGHTNIN' HOPKINS Something Blue she got him for his birthday. The aroma of his legendary steak that he thinks he cooks so well leads her into the kitchen, where she finds him in his jeans and a white T-shirt. “Hi,” Angela says softly, “I’m glad you’re home.” Throwing the towel over his shoulder and turning toward her, he says, “I am too, and I love you, it just hurts that you didn’t trust me.” “I’m sorry, I just didn’t want to involve you, or Payton,” Angela says, looking down at the floor. “You and me… we are a team Angela you cannot put us in harm’s way and not tell or give me a chance to protect you… to protect us,” Bruce responds, taking her hand and pulling her in close for a passionate kiss. Angela lets him take her into his arms, “no more lies, promise me.” Bruce says “I Promise …. I promise” Angela says knowing this is a promise she may not be able keep. The couple, enjoying each other for this moment, forget about the steak grilling on the stove top and lose themselves in their love for each other.
Payton pulls into the East N Street Trailer Park and heads to trailer slot 30, parking his car across from the trailer along the retaining wall. He gets to the front door and sees it is ajar. Pausing for just a second, he walks into the trailer, turning to survey its outdated furnishings. “Hello?” Payton says. Hearing a faint sound behind him, Payton turns to look, and there stands Xavier Leavenworth with a box of cupcakes from One House Bakery. “You came,” Xavier says, smiling at Payton. “Did you think I wouldn’t?,” Payton says, looking at the box of cupcakes. “I wanted to celebrate your birthday,” Xavier says. “My birthday is next week …you aren’t coming to my party?” Payton asks, knowing the answer. “Well, you see …I don’t think I can come —” Xavier stops short as a headlight casts its glow through the window. “No one comes down this far,” Xavier says, squinting through the blinds. “They’re coming this way,” Payton responds. “Quick, get in the closet,” Xavier says. Clutching a cupcake, Payton squeezes into the tiny space, not daring to breathe. Unsure of what’s going on outside, all he knows is nothing good will come from being discovered here.
To be continued…
