I wore shorts and a T-shirt on a chilly night in Charlotte, but I wasn’t going to let that stop me from sampling the food at Charlotte’s newest Italian restaurant: Italo.
I invited my friend Alex, who I’ve known since I was 12, partly because we reconnected a few months ago, but mostly because the guy I’m seeing was busy. She was great company.
Italo officially opens Tuesday, May 19, bringing handmade pasta, focaccia and other Italian staples to Charlotte in a space designed to feel intimate and relaxed, CharlotteFive previously reported. But on Thursday night, we got an early look — and taste.
Here’s everything we ordered.
Appetizers
Prosciutto and Mozzarella ($25): 600-day aged prosciutto, fresh mozzarella, extra virgin olive oil, aged balsamic, cracked black pepper
Housemade Focaccia ($14): roasted garlic and herb focaccia, whipped sheep’s milk ricotta, fresh herb, extra virgin olive oil, aged balsamic
I told Alex these dishes reminded me of a “bougie Lunchable,” and I meant it in the best way. The salty prosciutto and creamy mozzarella paired with the fluffy focaccia was an excellent combo. I filled up on the bread, but I knew I had to save room for more carbs.
Pasta
Tagliatelle ($24): Ragu bianco bolognese, wagyu beef, pancetta, prosciutto, mortadella, pecorino romano
Linguini Vongole ($30): littleneck clams, basil pesto
Turns out, Ragu isn’t just a pasta sauce brand – it’s a traditional Italian meat-based sauce typically served over pasta. I scarfed down the savory tagliatelle while Alex choked on a piece of basil, but she was fine. And the linguini was excellent.
Secondi (second course)
Picatta ($45): grilled spatchcooked mediterranean branzino, capers, lemon, garlic…