A Vetri-licious experience at Amis- Washington Square (Philadelphia, USA)

Marc Vetri’s Amis is on the top of every Italian restaurant list in the city (and arguably the country) and of course was on my list of places to try during our year in Philadelphia. My visit came in a timely fashion right before the James Beard Foundation released its nominations for this year’s culinary awards. Marc Vetri was just nominated for Outstanding Chef and Brad Spence was nominated for Best Chef, Mid-Atlantic for his efforts at Amis. After dining at Amis I can’t say I am surprised for their nominations. Simply put- dining at Amis was one of the most amazing Italian food experiences I’ve had (in and out of Italy).

DSC_0109

If you are looking for large, red sauce-drowned portions of cheap Italian including the likes of eggplant parmesan and spaghetti and meatballs do yourself a favor and skip Amis. But if you are looking for a sophisticated Roman Italian food experience that one would expect only at a trattoria in Italy, then do yourself a favor and make yourself a reservation at Amis.

The Hungry Nomad- Amis

I was introduced to the fine italian cuisine of Marc Vetri after visiting Osteria very early in our time in Philly. Of course, Osteria blew us away and I had no doubt that Amis would too.  I had studied the menu prior to our visit like the food geek that I am and knew exactly what I wanted to try (see menu).  The Hungry Nomad- Amis

Antipasti- 

The night started off with bountiful glasses of red wine and a basket of fresh baked bread and cheese. As the cheesemonger that I am- I first ordered the baked pecorino.

The Hungry Nomad- Amis

The baked pecorino ($10) was, well…like the name states- baked.   Drizzled with almond honey with two slices of grilled bread. The salty flavor of the pecorino cheese, the sweet honey and crunchy almond made for a perfect dish. I could have had more of that all night and I would have left satisfied. But there was more… much more.

The Hungry Nomad- Amis The eggplant caponata ($8) was served inside of an eggplant. Chopped and cooked pieces of gooey eggplant, tomatoes, olive oil and more of that delicious bread.

The Hungry Nomad- Amis

The swordfish meatballs ($10) ( a first for me) is another popular item on the menu. Three pieces of fish balls served over creamy polenta and crunchy pine nuts. It was my least favorite dish of the evening (only because there were so many other tasty treats). 
DSC_0102 The fried cauliflower with pecorino and salsa rossa ($9) was a beautiful colorful serving of meaty cauliflower, fried and sprinkled generously with pecorino cheese and salsa rossa. I’ve been seeing a lot of cauliflower on menus these days and I have to say that it makes me happy. It’s such a beautiful vegetable and if cooked right can be absolutely delicious. The Hungry Nomad- Amis The charcuterie platter consisted of three different meats along with complimenting spreads. The pate and mortadella were my favorites. DSC_0108Pastas:

I was quite full by this point but could not resist trying some of the handmade pasta dishes offered at Amis. First off was the Paccheri with swordfish and eggplant fries ($18). What an amazing combination of flavors and textures. I rarely eat fish with pasta but the swordfish was so meaty and full of flavor. And there’s nothing I enjoy more than eggplant in any shape or form. The eggplant fries were such a wonderful additional to the pasta. Overall, I loved this creative pasta dish.

DSC_0112 We also ordered the pasta special for the evening which was a bucatini pasta with almond pesto and jalapenos peppers. I’ve never tasted something quite like it. I’m still dreaming of this dish. The bucatini was cooked to perfection in a creamy sauce with the added crunchy texture of the almonds and a spicy kick from the jalapenos. Simply amazing. DSC_0117

Dessert:

I know what you are thinking. This girl can eat! And yes I can because to me no meal is complete without a good dessert. And boy did Amis deliver in his category once again. I’m still dreaming of the rice pudding and the hazelnut chocolate cake special.

The “tartufo al bacio”  a round chocolate and hazelnut semifreddo with amarena cherries ($10) was perfection. DSC_0119 DSC_0126

The Tiramisu was perfection! Exactly what a tiramisu should be. Creamy yet light layers of mascarpone cheese, rum and espresso soaked lady fingers and bittersweet chocolate powder for taste. If you want to try the best tiramisu in town you should definitely try one at Amis. DSC_0121What really won me over was mom’s rice pudding ($8) and the hazelnut chocolate cake special. The rice pudding took me back to my own mom’s rice pudding she used to make when we were young. It was absolutely delicious. Milky and creamy topped with pistachios and amareno cherries. I highly highly highly recommend it.
DSC_0122 I was a kid in a candy store. Every single dessert plate was fantastic and absolutely the best dessert I’ve yet tasted in any restaurant (no exaggeration). The special for the evening was a hazelnut chocolate cake which let’s just say I singlehandedly polished clean. No words or photos will do justice to just how amazing this was. DSC_0124 As a lover of Nutella, anything that combines chocolate and hazelnut will win me over.  This cake was so decadent, so rich, so good. I hope they make it a regular part of their menu. Everyone deserves to taste a piece of heaven. DSC_0125
DSC_0129 DSC_0132 DSC_0134 DSC_0136And so with that our evening at Amis came to an end. Now I understand why Anthony Bourdain made a point to dine here on his two day trip to Philadelphia. It simply is one of the best Italian restaurants offering authentic Italian cuisine.

Amis on Urbanspoon

 

You may also like

6 Comments

  1. Could someone PLEASE get me the recipe for the bucatini with Jalepena. It was the absolute best. I get the bucatini, jalepena and almond pesto. I guess I can figure a really good parm cheese in the mix. O my, I too dream about this dish….

    1. Hi There,

      I too have been searching for his recipe. Could not find one for Marc Vetri although rumour has it he is coming out with his very own cookbook (so who knows maybe he will include it in his cookbook).

      I did find Mario Batali’s jalapenos recipe. Should be similar although I have not tried it myself.

      http://www.rachaelrayshow.com/food/recipes/mario-batalis-linguine-jalapeno-pesto/

      Ingredients
      For the Jalapeño Pesto:
      6 fresh jalapeño peppers, cored and seeded
      5 fresh Serrano chiles, cored and seeded
      1/2 medium red onion, chopped into 1/4-inch dice
      1/2 cup sliced blanched almonds
      1 cup extra virgin olive oil
      Salt

      1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
      6 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
      1 1/2 pounds linguine or trenette pasta
      1/2 cup fresh breadcrumbs, toasted
      Yields: 8 to 10 as an appetizer, 6 as main

      Preparation

      Make the jalapeño pesto: Place the jalapeños, serranos, onions, almonds and olive oil in a food processor and process until smooth. Season with salt to taste.

      Bring 8 cups of water to boil in a large pasta pot.

      While the water is heating, combine the olive oil and the garlic in a 12- to 14-inch sauté pan, and sauté over medium-high heat until the garlic is almost brown, about 3 minutes. Add 1 1/2 cups of the jalapeno pesto and bring to a simmer.

      When the water comes to a boil, add 2 tablespoons salt. Drop the pasta into the boiling water and cook for 1 minute less than the package instructions indicate. Just before the pasta is done, carefully ladle 1/4 cup of the cooking water into the pan containing the jalapeño mixture.

      Drain the pasta in a colander and add it to the jalapeño mixture. Toss over medium heat for about 30 seconds, until nicely coated, and then pour it into a warmed bowl. Scatter the breadcrumbs over the top and serve immediately.

      Note: Use any extra pesto to top cooked vegetables or as a spread for crostini. Stored in a plastic container with a snap-tight lid and covered with a thin layer of olive oil, it will keep nicely in the fridge for 2 weeks.

    1. Thanks Emily! If you have not been you MUST go. Its definitely on my top three places to dine in Philly. You won’t be disappointed.