Trattoria da Lepri - Ellington CT

Cheese Twist Bun

Seared Foie Gras on Cranberry Churney

Close up of the Foie Gras

 Trattoria da Lepri

We just had a wonderful meal at Trattoria da Lepri, which is run by a husband and wife team - Frank & Debbie. The atmosphere is serene and inviting, each table topped with a potted herb plant (we has rosemary) and tiny salt dish with a little spoon all ready for us to use. Adriana, our server, was friendly and funny without being pushy and in our personal space. My hubby had a beer that looked refreshing, although I opted for the iced water. The meal started off with a roasted beet salad, followed by escargots and seared foie gras. Both were great but I favored the perfectly seasoned foie gras that was atop of cranberry chutney that was to die for!

The entries were equally impressive. Paulie had the Skirt Steak Au Pave with mashed potatoes, green beans and the crispiest onions I've ever tasted. The sauce was velvety and so perfectly seasoned that the little dish of salt on the table was ignored all night.

My entre, an elaborately placed diver scallops wrapped in grilled leeks with a tower of wild rice risotto in the center of the clean white dish accompanied by two very flavorful stuffed mushroom caps.

The owners know their clientele and stop in the dining room for a friendly hello which makes you feel like you are at an old friend's house rather than a restaurant. To add to their current location they are branching out starting tomorrow (10/13/11) to a new Burger Bar literally down the street on Route 83 in Ellington CT. We can't wait to try the new casual fair and wish them best of luck.