Fabbrica has been getting a lot of flak from foodies regarding its prices. While not the cheapest card on the block, it is, however, one of the few Italian restaurants of note in the area. Though the decor tries a little too hard to be rustic-yet-cool, it’s still a nice space to loiter in. Just get someone else to foot the bill.
Stracciatella alla romana is a classic with chicken broth, egg, and reggiano. This is the first time I’ve had this dish, and though quite nice, it’s not as transcendent as others have made it to be. Or maybe I was expecting too much.
Cherry peppers, anchovy, olives, capers, and bocconcini. Peperoni della nonna was both tasty and beautiful.
The linguine. Clams, white wine, and garlic. Really quite good. I didn’t order this, but I would consider it for next time!
Pappardelle with crab, guanciale, cream, and soft-poached egg. Delicious, but expensive at $27. Also, to nit-pick, the egg white was a bit tasteless, especially in contrast with the delicious yolk mixed in with the pasta.
The bistecca was a small and anemic portion of skirt steak that tasted okay. The salad of wild arugula, smoked tomato, pickled onion, reggiano, and balsamic vinegar was good, if a tad over-dressed, but that’s down to personal taste.
The canolo is well-priced and decent. It’s no Mike’s Modern Pastry in Boston, but it’s also not 800+ kilometres away. I also enjoyed their sorbets. The pear was especially nice.
All in all, Fabbrica isn’t somewhere I would go often, but I would still return. I found the pastas to be better than at Scarpetta, and to me, the prices are pretty equivalent. You just don’t get the same fancy wrapper as you do at Scarpetta, which is a blessing sometimes. If Fabbrica could tweak and lower their prices, it would certainly make it on to my roster of regular restaurants.
[mappress mapid=”2″]
Menus
More at Fabbrica
[flickr-gallery mode=”photoset” photoset=”72157625336731170″]
November 30, 2010 at 9:43 pm
Mike’s?!!? Those canoli I hauled home last spring were from Modern Bakery!
November 30, 2010 at 10:56 pm
oops! Modern it is!
December 4, 2010 at 9:51 am
I was considering this restaurant a few weeks ago but ended up decided to skip. Nothing I’ve read really entices me to spend that much on pasta. Would be nice to have a business lunch or something there.
December 5, 2010 at 12:34 am
Tonya Saw a lot of suits during weekday lunch, so I think you’re on the right track!
… I was also happier paying for the pappardelle at Fabbrica than I was for the spaghetti at Scarpetta.
December 7, 2010 at 12:25 am
That pappardelle looks divine. I want to try this place but first up will be Linda’s in the same plaza (it’s been on my to try list longer than Fabbrica)!
However, I did hear that Fabbrica streamlined their menu to please the general masses (i.e. no offal dishes or something like that) and reduced the costs on some of their items.
December 21, 2010 at 12:24 am
I went there recently, too. Drove from Montreal. Tried the the linguine that you didn’t try and it was good. Found the place nice, but I agree with you: a bit pricey
December 24, 2010 at 10:28 am
The pasta with the poached egg looks interesting.
I want to try it, it’s just so out of the way! Is it worth the shlep?
December 25, 2010 at 10:10 pm
I enjoyed the pappardelle and would order it again – though my sister went recently and said it was with a different pasta, so that changes apparently.
Tiff: I don’t mind offal, but reduced costs? Woo, might make a visit sooner than later. I also enjoy Linda’s, but I’m biased.
Lloyd: Glad it was good! I’m likely to order that next time I go.
Mark: Disregarding cost, Fabbrica is worth at least one trip (not exceeding 30-40 mins) to check things out. I think that if it’s worthwhile in the end factors on the value and distance for the individual.