Anniversary Dinner at Gerbasi

To celebrate out anniversary last night, Mike and I went to dinner at Gerbasi, a brand-new restaurant on Arthur Avenue in the Bronx. Arthur Ave is known for it’s incredible Italian food, so we were excited to try a new place!

No Italian dinner is complete without incredible bread, and this basket definitely didn’t disappoint. The insides were simultaneously light and chewy. I had two slices dipped in sun-dried tomato-infused olive oil.

After hearing the evening’s specials, Mike and I decided to split the special appetizer: asagio and pecorino romano cheeses layered with pineapple and pears, served with arugula, walnuts, raisins and black olives and topped with a honey-lemon vinaigrette.

The dressing really made this dish! It was perfectly sweet and light but with a substantial honey flavor, which tied all the flavors together well. I’ve never been a big cheese person, but I did enjoy a few bites.

For my entrée, I chose another one of the specials: whole roasted branzino fish, served with marinated roasted vegetables.

The fish was brought out in its entirety, and our waiter prepared the fillet tableside.

It’s kind of ironic that I can’t stomach the thought of eating animals, but seeing my dinner with its head still attached doesn’t phase me.

In any case, this was another winning dish. The branzino was well flavored with herb vinaigrette.

The vegetables may have been my favorite part! Yellow peppers, eggplant, potatoes, zucchini, asparagus and carrots. Veggie love.

Mike ordered a meaty dish featuring lamb, wild boar, cheese and spinach stuffed sausage, broccoli rabe and roasted potatoes. He gave everything rave reviews, but especially loved the sausage.

Though we were quite stuffed from dinner, I pushed my fullness aside and made room for dessert J It was a special occasion, remember? We decided to share both the chocolate mousse and cannoli. Both homemade.

Though the cannoli was tasty, the chocolate mousse really stole the show.

It was a huge portion of rich, decadent mousse. We savored every bite! It was the perfect end to a excellent meal.

What I love about small, family-owned restaurants is that the owners and staff really seem to care about the food and the experience. Everyone at Gerbasi was incredibly warm and friendly, and the service was great- very attentive, but unrushed.

New Yorkers: if you’ve never been to Arthur Ave for Italian food, you’re missing out. Little Italy’s got nothing on it!

What's the most important part of a restaurant experience to you? The food, the service, the atmosphere?

Do you have a favorite authentic Italian restaurant?