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Dining With Gilles

by Gilles and Kathy Syglowski

Luna Blu
36 West St., Annapolis
410-267-9950

It's early evening, just after a misty rain, and the street outside our window is filled with people rushing to get home from a hectic day at work. How delightful to view it all from the most picturesque table on West Street-at the cozy and airy Luna Blu, where the walls are painted with small murals of scenery from the owners' native Naples. With the short summer behind us and a long winter ahead, is it time to order red wine? It certainly is!

As Italian music played in the background, I had no problem choosing a beautiful glass of Santa Christina, Antinori, from the Luna Blu wine list. It's outstanding-50% Italian, moderately priced and easy to read. The menu followed suit.

Choices for the antipasti consisted of eleven selections priced from $6.95-9.95, and included everything from seafood to Brie. We chose two: the Cozze Bianche, farm raised mussels sautéed in white wine sauce, garlic and olive oil, excellent, and the Lumache alla Luna, escargots sautéed with mushrooms, marsala wine, garlic and cream sauce served in a puff pastry, beautifully prepared.

Insalada della casa was my choice for a light salad of wild field greens and assorted garden vegetables topped with the house dressing and balsamic vinaigrette, while Gilles chose the Insalada di Arugula with garden rocket lettuce, marinated tomatoes and sharp provolone and balsamic vinaigrette. Both were fresh and very flavorful.

Our two entrees were also delicious. My Tortellini Giardino, cheese tortellini with spinach, mushroom and artichoke hearts in a light marinara sauce, was enough to serve as dinner and tomorrow's lunch. Gilles' Picatta di Vitello, veal scallopine sautéed with capers in a lemon wine sauce, was equally large. He doesn't believe in doggie bags, however, and had no problem leaving the plate as though it had arrived empty.

Best of all, our meals were served piping hot and in a timely fashion, as if we were the only couple in the place.

We also had the opportunity to speak with chef/owner Ivano Scotto. He and his wife Michelina re-invented their restaurant only months ago, changing the name from Lotsa Pasta to the more elegant Luna Blu. Scotto is a self-taught chef. He learned his trade in Italy and locally, working at various restaurants including Squisito's on the Eastern Shore and Café Mezzanotte in Severna Park. Eventually venturing off on his own with the blessing of the owners of both restaurants, he and Michelina have managed to bring an authentic taste of Italy to Annapolis.

I was happy to have the conversation; it gave us ample time to relax before dessert. And when you dine with two chefs, everything sounds so much better when they describe the preparation. So for the first time, I, like Gilles, had two desserts. Bye-bye size six! How could I resist? After all, this young and talented chef makes all of the desserts on premises. Once I heard him describe how he made the Zabaglione (eggs creamed with Marsala wine with fresh strawberries) and the Tiramisu, I had to. They go with the cappuccino! And then of course there was the apple strudel, not Italian, but quite excellent. Did I mention that all four courses are priced at $24.95? This is the best prix-fixe menu in town! And if you're starting to put two and two together…brilliant young chef, great food…yes, it's time for red wine. Make mine Italian. Buon Appetito!