I Trulli Restaurant
M-Th 11:30am-10:30pm; F, Sa 12pm-11pm; Su 11:30pm-9pm
The simple, wood paneled windows and genial maroon awning marking the entrance of I Trulli draw in locals looking for an authentic, friendly, and unpretentious Italian dining experience. Indeed, the restaurant’s name, which references traditional Italian stone huts, alludes to its commitment to truthful, exceptional, southern Italian cooking. For all of the good vibes we got from I Trulli’s exterior, we did not expect to walk into such a warm, homey interior with a massive wood-burning fireplace and enormous outdoor garden covered by a wooden veranda.
Nicola Marzovilla opened I Trulli in 1994, and it continues to be run by his family. Nicola, also the chef, hails from Puglia, Italy – his menu features dishes inspired by his hometown’s local fare. I Trulli features an extensive southern Italian wine list, and pasta handmade by Nicola’s mother, Dora. The menu is innovative with a number of decadent creations, but what most enchanted me was the Panzerotti served in four different ways.
We were enamored by the sight of dough puffing up into something light and beautiful as Dora dipped it into hot oil for the Pomodoro e Mozzarella. Little did we realize that when we took a bite moments later, it would ooze with melted cheese and tomatoes. As one of the Sideways members put it, these mini calzones were “pizza in a puff.” He went onto say, “The Italians nail it every time, be it the food they cook, the furniture they make or the clothing they design.” I could not agree more.
