Dark. Exposed, rough concrete walls. High ceilings that accentuate (greatly) the acoustics. Narrow and tiny with only 12 or so tables. Not sounding too inviting yet?
Al contrario, il mio amico.
Add in being greeted by the owner in fluent Italian, flickering candles on the tables, an open kitchen in the back, streetside windows that open to the plaza and oh yeah, incredible Italian cuisine, and well, now you could have easily transported this NYC-loving girl to her old days of dining at great Italian hidden gems on the east side.
Scopa is a family-run Italian trattoria, opened last May in Healdsburg by husband-wife team, chef Ari Rosen and wife Dawnelise Regnery Rosen. Open for dinner only, Scopa’s menu changes often with what is local, seasonal and piques their interest for the day. The menu is deceivingly simple (Scopa_DinnerMenu_Sample), proving our mother right when she said, too many times to count: less is more.
Have your table order a handful of antipasti plates and secondi plates, share family-style and you’ll have the perfect amount of food. Believe me. You’ll be missing out if you stick with your own entrée, Stingy.
Highly recommended is the Peaches & Purslane antipasti (grilled to perfection Dry Creek peaches with purslane & arugula) and you must, must, must order the Burrata Cheese served with grilled bread & arugula. Even if you don’t see it on the menu, ask your waiter. We hear they keep a few on hand – even after they ‘run out’ – for the few locals (myself now included) who specifically come in for that piece of Mozzarella paradise.
The Cannelloni special was delicious in its simplicity – incredible housemade pasta folded over Bolognese sauce and sprinkled liberally with a pile of freshly grated Pecorino cheese.
And for the finale, Scopa offers only one dessert. Because when dessert is this good, it’s all you really need: decadent Chocolate molten soufflé with mint-inflected crème anglaise. Believe me. You’ll make room.
Oh wait. Did I mention the most expensive plate on the menu is $16? Told you you’d want to order family style.
Scopa: 109a Plaza Street, Healdsburg; 707-433-5282 (reservations recommended). Open Tues-Sun, 5:30-10.
