If you want to find out more about North Italia, including nutritional facts, company history, and their mouthwatering menu, be sure to check out www.northitalia.com. However, I'm here to share my take on this memorable dining experience.
Walking in, the first thing that struck me was the buzzing vibe of North Italia. Open for lunch, dinner and late-night drinks, North Italia also serves brunch on weekends. Definitely a must-go if you’re fond of relaxed brunch get-togethers. And did I mention they have a full bar?
I learnt that North Italia originated back in 2002 in Phoenix, Arizona, thanks to the creative vision of Sam Fox. It evolved from a small Italian bistro into a nationally recognized restaurant chain under the Fox Restaurant Group. An interesting tidbit is the Cheesecake Factory's initial stake in the restaurant and its eventual acquisition. Even though ownership changed hands, Sam Fox stayed to help develop new dishes and concepts – something that is evident in the broad menu.
Now, North Italia has sprawled its roots into 21 locations and shows no sign of slowing down. From Nevada and California to Tennessee and Pennsylvania, I was surprised to learn North Italia has plans to expand to more than 200 locations across America. No matter your location, you're likely to get a taste of it sooner or later.
So, what makes North Italia different, you ask?
What struck me about North Italia is their commitment to fresh, high-quality ingredients – a from-scratch approach that pays off in the food's fantastic flavors. Not to mention their menu spans beyond just Italian; you’ll find American classics like burgers and sandwiches. Additionally, their breakfasts on weekends give an extra spin to the Italian dining experience.
One more thing I observed is their full bar where they serve cocktails, local beer, and wine. About 25% of their sales come from the bar, which prompted me to try their wine list. With servers trained to recommend the perfect wine pairing for their dishes, the dining experience definitely stands out.
And what can you order at North Italia?
One of their unique features is the variability of their menus - depending on which location you decide to dine in. Once on their site, you'll select your location, giving you access to the branch-specific menu.
Categorically, these are your options:
- Small Plates
- Chef's Boards
- Salads
- Pizza
- Fresh Pasta
- Entrees
- Sides
- Desserts
- Kid's Menu
- Drinks
- Full Bar
Now, for the best part – their weekend brunch. Not only is it extensive, but the breakfast menu is also served until late, available from 11 am to 2 pm in most locations.
As for the crowd-favorites at North Italia:
A personal favorite was the Tuna Crudo – a fresh and healthy option perfect for lunch. For the pizza lovers, the Prosciutto Pizza with its mission fig, goat cheese, and arugula is a crowd-pleaser. If you want something traditionally Italian with a twist, the Braised Short Rib is a must-try. With a balanced mix of nostalgic Italian and contemporary flavors, the Chef's Boards, Bolognese, and the Burger are must-trys.
And of course, you can't round off an Italian meal without a classic – the Tiramisu. It's a delightful layering of mascarpone mousse and ladyfingers soaked in Italian brew that wraps up the meal perfectly.
Even with its extensive bar and wine selection, North Italia caters to the family crowd with an array of kid-friendly choices. Some I noticed were the Crispy Chicken Strips, Kid's Pizza, and Grilled Cheese Sandwich. If you’re planning family outings, this spot is definitely an option.
Do they offer healthy options as well, you wonder?
Though they don’t have specialized menus, I found some plant-based options like the Heirloom Tomato and Burrata and the Spicy Broccolini. Also, if you're on a gluten-free diet, they do not offer gluten-free bread but do have gluten-free pasta and pizza dough.
Don't feel like dining in? North Italia offers online ordering and delivery. Just visit their website, choose the location nearest to you, and place your order. Or use UberEats or GrubHub if they’re accessible in your area.
As for the timings, North Italia operates from 11 am to 8 pm and they open earlier on weekends for their Weekend Brunch. To wrap the weekday on a high note, they have a Happy Hour from 3 to 6 pm!
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Great wine selection.
- Brunch on weekends is a bonus.
- Menu varied and suitable for dietary needs.
Cons
- Site navigation can be a little confusing.
- The service can be a bit slow during peak hours.
- No designated menus for vegetarians, vegans and gluten-free folks.
So there you have it! That was my experience at North Italia and it's definitely a spot I plan on revisiting!