La Briciola

La Briciola Review

This high-profile restaurant has continually attracted a clientele of well-heeled residents and international visitors, including President Leonel, Andy Garcia, and Sammy Sosa. In the early 1990s a group of friends from Milan made the momentous decision to restore a trio of 16th-century buildings in the Zone. This historical ambience, with seating in the brick-arched, Spanish courtyard, continues to be the magnet—much more than the food. The menu has not kept up with contemporary trends, nor are the plates garnished artistically. Still, if you go with the Angus tenderloin carpaccio with arugula and shaved Parmesan cheese, a house-made pasta or gnocchi, a plate of imported Italian cheeses with onion jam, and a grappa to cap your meal, you can have a lovely and romantic night out. The man playing the baby grand and the white twinkle lights add to all this.