If you’re looking for a high-end Italian restaurant and a fun, casual night, look no further than L’incontro on Murray Avenue! Recently under new ownership, L’incontro boasts a unique twist on a classic Italian menu, including creative new dishes such as Prosciutto Fig Pizza and Ube Sweet Potato Tiramisu. 

The first thing we noticed as we entered were the groovy tunes and the vibey LEDs adorning the walls of the joint! We were immediately seated and provided with perfectly temperate water glasses and a sizable water jug. Our sweet waiter DeAydre kindly waited for us to select our dishes, the focaccia ($6), Margherita pizza ($18), and cacio e pepe ($22).

The dining room was nicely lit (could be a yellower hue) and was covered in a slightly cheugy but charming wallpaper. We immediately noticed the crowd to Pearl’s right and Amelia’s left that provided some entertainment while we waited for our first course. “It’s wine o’clock!” exclaimed a cheeky lady seated near us, and indeed it was! L’incontro offers an extensive wine menu for those in that demographic. Then, our first meal arrived: the focaccia! It was super yeasty with a delightful airy crumb that melted in our mouths. The crust was topped generously with large pieces of flakey salt. On the side was a housemade red pepper chili butter that elevated the simple dish. We agreed that we would have liked the addition of a side of olive oil or balsamic, and Amelia wished for the option of plain butter as well. Amelia rated it an 8.5/10, while Pearl rated it an 8/10. 

Now onto the main course! Though we did not order the enticing bambas, we were pleased when our cacio e pepe and Margherita pizza arrived plated beautifully before us. Now, the pasta might come out a little gray-looking, but don’t let that deter you. The cacio e pepe was a pleasantly simple dish featuring homemade black garlic rigatoni, pecorino romano, butter, and black peppercorn. This dish, although expertly prepared, was a little too expensive for how plain it was. We both agreed that $22 for a dish without any meat or seafood was excessive, and gave the dish an 8.5/10. 

We moved on to our favorite dish, the classic Margherita pizza. If there’s one thing to try when visiting L’incontro, it’s the outstanding fresh wood-fired pizza! This pizza blew our pants straight off and across the room!! The freshness of the tomato is paired expertly with a grounding earthy basil garnish, resting on a satisfying bubbly, chewy, crunchy, dreamy bed of crust! Needless to say, this skillfully executed specimen of archetypal Italian design immediately won our favor and provided a transformative experience for us both. The magical combination of crushed tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, basil, parmesan, and olive oil scored a 9.5 for Pearl and a 9 for Amelia. We were completely satisfied with this heavenly pie. 

Though we do not have high opinions of tiramisu, we were pleasantly surprised with L’incontro’s Ube Sweet Potato interpretation of the dish. The tiramisu included a base layer of creamy sweet potato and a middle layer of coffee soaked sponge cake, topped with a custard ube layer and a light dusting of cocoa powder. We enjoyed the lovely use of these unconventional ingredients, and thought they created a unique contrast between the sweetness of the potato and the umami of the ube. We held a united rating of 7.5/10 for this sweet treat. Even if you don’t favor tiramisu, give this one a shot! It might surprise you in ways that you were unable to foresee. 

After some detective investigation, your two favorite foodies uncovered the story behind the change of ownership in March of this year. Under the old name, “Tavolino,” the chef was very limited in the creation of the menu, so he bought the restaurant! Now our clever chef is no longer tied down artistically (not in a weird way)! As we wrapped up our meal and a soulful Sam Cooke song played in the background, we rubbed our full bellies and reflected on our night out at L’incontro. As a final cumulative rating of the three pillars of excellent dining – service, environment, and food – we agreed that L’incontro scores an 8/10. Please consider hitting up this flippin’ buss joint! Signing off, this is Amelia and Pearl. Spread Peace and Love!