Editor’s Note: La Vetta has closed.
La vetta means “The Summit” or “The Top” in Italian, and after sampling most everything on this historic downtown Flagstaff restaurant’s menu, we’re sure that you’ll agree that this dining experience is one of the “tops” in town. Handmade pasta, Sicilian-style bruschetta and saffron risotto are made from fresh, quality ingredients to complement mouthwatering entrees like Osso Bucco, T-Bone Fiorentina or Filet Mignon with Lobster Butter. All beef hails from Arkansas City, Kansas-based Creekstone Farms and is 100 percent Angus. The hand-cut chicken in the Marsala is free-range Phoenix-based Red Bird Farms. The Osso Bucco fell off the bone (as it should) while the T-bone was done just as we ordered.
Our favorite was the hand-wrapped Lobster Ravioli full of large chunks of, you guessed it, Maine lobster. Local ingredients such as Hatch green chiles make it into classic dishes like the macaroni and cheese for fun, chef-inspired fusions.
With curved booths, blue mood lighting and art created exclusively for the space, the restaurant’s imaginative design reflects the Italian perspective of la dolce vita. That good life is echoed in the music, the generous wine pours and La Vetta’s friendly service. Don’t miss the lively happy hour where specialty cocktails such as the God Father (Evan Williams bourbon and Amaretto liquor) and The Gangster Martini (Svedka, Tuaca, Amaretto and pineapple juice) are $2 off. We were impressed that we could order the Barbera d’Asti, Michele Chiarlo of Piedmont, Italy, by the glass as we had just visited that wine region last fall.
Happy endings included the decadent Tiramisu, the classic Italian dolce made of coffeesoaked ladyfinger cakes and rich mascarpone cheese. The lighter Italian Cream Torte layered with whipped mascarpone cheese was as good as we’ve ever had. We recommend the later with sweet, lemon-flavored limoncello, Italy’s “sunshine” liqueur. − A Flagstaff Foodie
and dinner. MC, Visa, AmEx, Disc (lavettaitaliano.com; 928-440-5280) (MODERATE TO EXPENSIVE)
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