THE BRIEF
My friends asked me to join them for a night out and they chose Alioli Ristorante in Mississauga for dinner. I’ve been going to Alioli for years on business lunches or dinner dining. I thought it was time to share my thoughts in a post for my readers.
Alioli is an authentic and contemporary Italian restaurant in the heart of Mississauga across from City Center Square. It offers fine, classic, Italian cuisine and emphasizes the use of fresh and seasonal ingredients in the kitchen. As you enter past the reception desk your nostrils are filled with delightful aromas. Freshly baked focaccia bread and homemade soups and sauces dance through the cozy dining area.
I arrived early and was escorted to our table where I would wait for everyone else. The restaurant features a large outdoor patio deck and a comfy dining room indoors where we were located. There are tables for two as well as larger tables to accommodate those more significant events. It’s a simple, clean, authentic, Italian decor.
The rest of my party arrived. It was time to pick out a wine for the table. As in all the fine dining establishments, there was an extensive list of offerings on the wine list to peruse. I decided on a Merlot from Lodi California called Leaping Horse.
This wine has a nose of black cherry and a little bell pepper. The palate shows cherry, raspberry and a hint of oak. This full-bodied wine is filling yet very smooth. It’s a classic Californian Merlot. It pairs well with grilled blackened salmon, meat sauced pasta, pork dishes, grilled vegetables or a steak salad. Perfect for the meal we were about to have.
With a nice glass of red in my hand, I perused the Antipasti menu for something appropriate. Of course, the first thing I thought of was the aroma. It greeted me at the door and I ordered the ROSMARY FOCACCIA. My eyes came across MELANZANE PARMIGIANO a traditional Italian eggplant parmesan. Bring it on!
Another mouth-watering item on the menu that caught my eye was the veal scaloppine. VITELLO ALIOLI OR VITELLO AL LIMONE with prosciutto (Italian ham), mushroom cream sauce or veal scallopine, capers, and lemon sauce.
Finally, it wouldn’t be an evening of Italian cuisine without some pasta. I ordered the SPAGHETTI PESCATORE. It has spaghetti with shrimp, calamari, mussels, and crab legs, all sprinkled in a light basil tomato sauce. Squisito!
THE DEBRIEF
Alioli has it all. Great service, excellent food with a pleasing presentation, enjoyed in an authentic Italian ambiance. This is why patrons return time after time, including yours truly when I find myself in town. If what you are looking for is not on the menu, just ask them for it. If they have the ingredients the chefs will make it fresh for you. Magnifico!
👍👍👍
