Authentic, infectious, delectable… These three words aptly reflect an evening well spent at Bar Corallini in Madison.
Intimate lighting infuses the restaurant with a chill vibe, further heightened by the jovial greetings dispensed from the bar staff to all whom enter. And the desire to linger only increases as Instapic—and second round—worthy cocktails such as Just Like Honey are prepared with mixology finesse made even more impressive by the bit of showman’s flair that eventually produces a seductive combo: gin, elderflower liqueur, bitters and seltzer.
“Welcome to our social dining club!” proclaims Chef Giovanni Novella. “We want people to come in to enjoy the time with friends, family and to meet new people. So we make something special here everyday.”
Novella’s Italian heritage and extensive culinary training around the globe are evident in the menu design. Come prepared to savor multiple courses, plus be surprised in regard to how satisfying in taste—and appearance—a bowl of pasta or a wood-fired pizza could indeed be. He’s not cutting any corners when it comes to ingredients or prep time by sourcing all fresh produce locally, in addition to making in-house the gnocchi, pappardelle, tagliatelle, mozzarella and pizza dough daily. “My tomato and bolognese sauces simmer for six to eight hours,” Novella reveals. Those with special dietary needs will also happily discover the majority of the menu can be modified to be gluten-free, vegetarian, or vegan.
So dig into the antipasti board piled high with Prosciutto di Parma, soppressata, grilled eggplant, zucchini, roasted peppers, marinated artichokes, heirloom cherry tomatoes with pesto, toasted ciabatta and whipped (or dairy-free) ricotta. Follow that up with the Mezze Maniche if a hearty bowl of handmade noodles is calling your name or a grilled eggplant pizza if looking to enjoy the bounty of fall harvest as long as possible.
And no truly Italian meal would be complete without a sweet treat as the grand finale. The Cannoli, tiramisu, or a classic Venetian Spritz each make a fitting end to this memorable dining experience.
For more information about Bar Corallini and the complete menu, visit barcorallini.com.
Bar Corallini
2004 Atwood Ave
Madison, WI 53704