Vespucci's Italian Kitchen
Dining Out - Episode 1
As more people move to the Peach State, I thought it would be a great time to present a tour of a few of my favorite restaurants in metro Atlanta. No matter what type of food you like, you can almost certainly find a spot that tickles your fancy here in Georgia.
Vespucci’s Italian Kitchen is a local bar and restaurant located between Woodstock and Marietta, right off of Canton Road. It specializes in serving a wide variety of pastas, pizzas, calzones and salads. The wine menu is rather extensive and be sure to ask your server for a recommendation if you are looking to properly pair your choice with your slice of pepperoni.
For my own part, I went with the standard soup of the day and side salad. The sweet potato soup was wonderful and truly one of the best things I have tried this year. They need to make it a permanent part of their menu, it’s that good. I also ordered a Caesar salad with an additional side of anchovies. As an appetizer, I started with a few stuffed mushrooms covered in a delightful lemon sauce. Of course, if you visit and Italian restaurant you have to try the garlic bread. Vespucci’s did not disappoint on this front. Soft and covered in seasoning, it was perfect with both the marinara and the left-over lemon sauce. I know nothing about wine, but the glass of Danzante Pinot grigio that I tried at my server’s recommendation complimented the entire meal.
Beyond the menu, the restaurant’s atmosphere makes it an amazing place to visit with a group of friends on a weekend evening. As budgets tighten due to inflation, many restaurants have turned to cutting corners when it comes to service and quality — but not at Vespucci’s. Tables boast silverware and cloth napkins, and emphasis is placed on presentation. You can imagine candles decorating each table not that long ago. The outside porch is kept cool by fans and open windows, and the jazzy background music is low and pleasant. The restaurant appears designed to foster conversation. If you are itching to recreate the restaurant scene from ‘Lady and the Tramp’ this is a great place to take a first date.
I was pleasantly surprised to have the opportunity to meet Vespucci’s owner, Ray, as well as the head chef, Z. Ray mentioned that the restaurant has already been open 13 years. He is also the namesake for Ray’s Signature, a pizza covered in mushrooms and sun-dried tomatoes, which I certainly wish to try on my next visit. The current menu is selected by Z, who was busy at work slicing and dicing in the semi-open kitchen. Be sure to wave at her when you stop by. I also want to give a shoutout to Taylor, my server for the day, who asks you to check out his music on SoundCloud (@tomarsandbeyond).
All in all, if you are in the area, I highly recommend you stop by for a panini or a pizza. Tell them bops sent you.