Michael Pirolo (from Scarpetta) has teamed up w/ The Pubbelly Boys to create this amazing Italian Gastropub.

We were fortunate enough to be their first guests at the new location (old Silvano’s on Alton and 8th) and try some of the dishes from the Pirolo. Needless to say, it is everything you expect… phenomenal Italian cuisine in its simplest form w/ an awesome and unpretentious twist – just like the rest of the Pubbelly cuisine. For example, the “Braised Short Rib Lasagna” sans tomato sauce. A take on a favorite salad,”Broccoli Rabe al Caesar” w/ hard boiled eggs and freshly grated pecorino romano cheese. And “Veal Cheek & Pork Meatballs” w/ baby carrots, tomato sauce and shaved parmigiano that give others balls a run for their money. Check out the pics.

What surprises me more than anything is that I rarely get excited over Italian food and it’s been a few days since we’ve been to Macchialina and I’m still dreaming of those three dishes… I can’t wait to try the whole menu and see what’s in store. Like Diane Keaton says in the Godfather…. “Oh, Michael!!!”