2 appetizers + 2 entrees + 4 glasses wine + 1 dessert > $120 CAD
After a long work week I was finally off for a couple days. I had plans to go and meet with my friend Ruth that evening but felt quite hungry on my way over. I called her and asked if she would be interested in getting a bite to eat. She agreed and asked where we would go. I told her I had a few places in mind and I would make some calls. Initially I wanted to grab some tapas and wine but the few places I called were closed on Sunday nights. I told her about Corso and that it was a hard reservation to get but we might luck out as it is a Sunday. Sure enough I called and they had a table for two available right away. It was not my plan to eat at Corso this night but I was very excited nonetheless.
Corse 32 has developed quite the reputation in Edmonton in the short time it has been opened. With very little marketing I may add. They have built a following based entirely on word of mouth and some social media type marketing but all that aside they are able to do this because of the merit of their food. They are committed to using fresh and local ingredients and simple traditional Italian cooking. They truly show us that using fresh and simple ingredients is half the battle in making great food.
We did not take long to look over our menus, I was already familiar with it and Ruth trusted my judgment. To start we ordered the house made goat ricottta with crostini, and the orange and fennel marinated nocellara olives.
The ricotta was very smooth and creamy. It completely coated my mouth. With a drizzle of good olive oil and some fresh rosemarry the natural and simple flavours really came through.
The olives were marinated in orange and fennel, again the focus was on simple and fresh flavours. The dish was not overly complex by any means but the saltiness of the olives works well with the fresh flavours of the fennel and the citrus from the orange.
I had the carbonara and it did not disappoint. The fresh pasta, the house cured pork jowls, the fresh ramp, and the fresh cracked pepper all combined wonderfully. The dish was very salty, but in that good pork saltiness kind of way. It left my mouth watering and longing for more.
Ruth is a vegetarian so the house made ravioli stuffed with fresh goat ricotta that was on special sounded perfect. I only had a small bite of it but the flavours and textures were excellent.
Although we were sufficiently full, we still wanted to try a dessert. We decided on the pistacchio & olive oil cake with blood orange, and mascarpone. Much like the rest of our meal it did not disappoint. The cake was so moist and delicate and combined very well with the sweetness of the orange and the mouth feel of mascarpone. It was a wonderful end to a wonderful meal.
Corso 32 is a great restaurant. Everything about it is done simply and well, from their small minimalist dinning room with a small open kitchen, to their menu that is full of fresh and simple ingredients. They really show us that using fresh and simple ingredients is half the battle when trying to produce good food. Our experience at Corso was great and I can't wait to make a return visit.
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Corso 32 is surely one of the best restaurants in town. Awesome review.
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