This was the best summer of my life. I spent 6 weeks in Europe traveling, eating, and absorbing as much culture as possible. In particular, I fell in love with Italy and its gorgeous scenery, ancient architecture, and, of course, the delicious food. From pasta to pizza to seafood to tiramisu, I ate some of the best tasting foods I’ve ever been fortunate enough to try. I remember one particular lunch in Rome when I ended up eating five extra entrees that my friends couldn’t finish — I mean, come on, who doesn’t finish a meal when in Rome? Well their tiny stomachs were my jackpot. And having firmly established my love for Italian cuisine, I jumped at the chance (almost literally) to eat at and review Ann Arbor’s little Italian mecca of Gratzi.
Gratzi is one of the “Mainstreet Eateries” — translation: fancy, expensive, and delicious — and I’ve been excited to start trying each one since freshman year. As a senior, I’ve gotten off to a late start, but let me tell you, it was much worth the wait. Located, unsurprisingly, on Mainstreet, between East Williams and East Liberty, Gratzi is an adorable Italian restaurant, complete with chandeliers, painted murals, and a menu filled with Italian classics. In addition, Gratzi is known for highlighting different regions of Italy, offering dishes from each section. So, if you want a culinary tour of the country, coming here to try these dishes is an excellent idea.
Having made reservations previously, my party and I were seated immediately and were taken to the second floor and given a table overlooking the rest of the restaurant. We were eye-level with their full-length mural of muscular, nude people who looked like they were flexing, which, let me assure you, is very Italian. (If you’ve ever seen the inside of the Vatican Museum, you know what I mean.) Our grinning server was prompt, bringing us water with focaccia bread and olive oil. The bread was saltily delicious, reminiscent of central Italy, and the olive oil was very olive-y, which some really enjoyed and others were more put off by.
As for my main course, I decided to try their Gnocchi con Pancetta Affumicato e Gamberi — aka gnocchi (little potato dumplings) with shrimp and bacon. It was delicious. The dish came beautifully presented, which I regret to say had me overly-excited to the point where I forgot to take a picture before I jumped right in. But I guess that’s a testament to how well it was served. The gnocchi, covered in a peppery tomato sauce, was well prepared; each bite was a little pillow of potato, creamy and soft. While I did enjoy the sauce, it was a little peppery for what I normally eat, though I have to say, the (rather large) bits of smoked bacon more than made up for it. However, the shrimp was the true star of the show, as several large shrimp dominated the plate. They were impeccably prepared, seasoned amazingly, and had a good meaty texture. Often, shrimp can fade to the background of dishes due to their naturally subtle flavor and softer consistency, but this was Italian cooking at it’s finest: simple and delicious.
As for dessert, I decided to split what I consider to be my favorite dessert: tiramisu. Tiramisu is a layered convection with espresso soaked ladyfingers, mascarpone cream, cocoa powder and chocolate shavings — and it’s every bit as heavenly as it sounds. While I thought my gnocchi was beautifully served, it had nothing on the dessert. Sitting squarely on the plate surrounded by fresh berries and a sweet sauce, the tiramisu was perfect. It was creamy, light, and oh so mouth-watering. The cream had a nice tang to it, due to the mascarpone, which I found very tasty. This is by far the best I’ve had outside of Rome. Plus, sharing one of these with someone special is pretty much the best way to end any meal.
Overall, I highly recommend Gratzi for a fun and fancy dinner out. Whether it’s a date, business meeting, or just a small party with friends, Gratzi definitely fits the bill — the desserts alone are worth the trip. So, I hope you all enjoyed this little tour of Italy via Ann Arbor. Next time you’re off to have a delicious night out, be sure to check out this treasure, and don’t forget to tell them who sent you!
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