Restaurant Menu

Our menu includes our signature soup, fresh pasta and gnocchi, creative salads, grilled panini, and steak and fish features. We serve Italian coffee, sodas, espresso, wine, beer and spirits. Our menu features made-from-scratch soups, sauces, dressings, breads, gnocchi, and pappardelle pasta. We rotate a large selection of Italian gelato and sorbetto, plus Mary Kay’s fabulous house-made desserts.

Vegan & Gluten-Free

There is something for everyone on our menu! Please consult with your server
when you dine so we can best accommodate your dietary needs.

GLUTEN-FREE SELECTIONS

All of our pasta sauces and salad dressings are gluten-free. We offer a gluten-free pasta noodle (made from brown rice) which can be substituted into any dish. A majority of our pasta dishes and salads can be made gluten-free.

VEGAN OPTIONS

Our Bruschetta, Focaccia bread, Mista salad, Beet or Va Bene salads when ordered without cheese, Pasta Primavera, and Pasta di Estate when ordered without cheese, are all vegan. Our tomato sauce is vegan.

Our penne, spaghetti, angel hair, shells, and gluten-free noodles are vegan. Our house made gnocchi and Pappardelle pasta noodles would NOT be vegan.

We have a build your own pasta option which could create many wonderful vegan combinations.

Antipasti

Fresh Italian appetizers with a modern flare â€“ perfect for sharing (or as your meal)

ROSEMARY FOCACCIA 3
House made bread, baked fresh each day. Served with extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

ANTIPASTO SUPERIORE 16
Imported Italian prosciutto, salumi and cheeses, with Italian olives and sweety drop peppers.

ROASTED RED PEPPER SPREAD 11
A warm, cheesy, sweet slather served with grilled focaccia.

CAPRESE 12
Fresh basil, mozzarella, and sliced tomatoes drizzled with extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar reduction.

BRUSCHETTA 10
Our take on the classic is made fresh in house, served on grilled ciabatta.

BURRATA E POMODORO 15
Fresh mozzarella cheese with a soft, creamy center. Served atop basil pesto with heirloom cherry tomatoes and grilled focaccia bread. Drizzled with balsamic vinegar reduction.

ARTICHOKE DIP 11
Mary Kayâ€™s tangy blend of artichoke hearts, red peppers and parmesan cheese. Served warm with grilled focaccia.

HONEY GOAT CHEESE WITH PEAR 11
Grilled crostini topped with honey goat cheese and fresh pear, drizzled with honey and sprinkled with fresh rosemary.

PROSCIUTTO & GORGONZOLA 13
Grilled crostini topped with fig jam, imported proscuitto and gorgonzola cheese.

SALMON & MASCARPONE 12
Grilled crostini topped with lemon caper mascarpone cheese, smoked salmon tomato and fresh dill.

Insalate e Zuppa

House-made dressings include our own Caesar, Balsamic Vinaigrette, Dijon Vinaigrette,
Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette, Gorgonzola Balsamic Vinaigrette, Lemon Vinaigrette, and Red Wine Vinaigrette.
Add chicken $3. Steak tenderloin tips or shrimp $5. Smoked salmon $6.

THE NICOISE ^â€ 16
Romaine lettuce topped with olives, asparagus, artichokes, potatoes, tomatoes, red onion, hardboiled egg and grilled Wild Alaskan Salmon from Dave Rogotzke served with Dijon vinaigrette. Itâ€™s a classic, with a Va Bene taste.

TENDERLOIN & GORGONZOLA 15
Beef tenderloin tips, fresh tomatoes, red onions and romaine served with house-made gorgonzola balsamic dressing.

PESTO VERDURA 12
Kalamata olives, artichokes, tomatoes, onions, asparagus, and our house-made basil pesto sautÃ©ed & served warm on spinach.

SIGNATURE ITALIAN SAUSAGE SOUP 5
This rustic creation by Mary Kay has become our signature soup. Italian sausage, potatoes, tomatoes, spinach, onions and garlic, slow simmered and topped with parmesan cheese

SIGNATURE MISTA 6 /12
Mixed field greens with fresh fennel, red onion and shaved carrot served with balsamic vinaigrette.

BEET 6 / 12
Mixed field greens, roasted red beets, goat cheese, and crushed
pistachios with honey balsamic vinaigrette.

VA BENE 7 / 14
Mixed greens with pear, gorgonzola and candied walnuts served with red wine vinaigrette.

CAESAR 6 / 12
Fresh romaine with parmesan and house-made croutons served with own Caesar dressing.

ARUGULA E PECORINO 6 / 12
Fresh arugula simply tossed with our house-made lemon vinaigrette topped with shaved imported Pecorino Romano cheese.

Pasta

Our pasta sauces are all made in house, from scratch,
and include San Marzano tomato, Alfredo, gorgonzola cream sauce,
basil pesto, and sun dried tomato pesto.
All our pastas can be made with gluten-free noodles upon request.

SALSICCIA E PANNA 16
Italian sausage, fresh herbs and tomatoes with cream.

CARBONARA ^â€ 15
A traditional dish of pancetta, sweet peas, egg and parmesan.

POMODORO E POLPETTE DI CARNE 14
Our San Marzano tomato sauce and house-made meatballs with spaghetti.

ALFREDO 12
Our rich blend of butter, cream and parmesan cheese with a touch of pepper. Add chicken 3. Shrimp 5.

PESTO FRUTTI DI MARE ^â€ 24
SautÃ©ed shrimp and scallops served with our creamy house-made sundried tomato pesto sauce.

PASTA PRIMAVERA 15
Marinated artichokes, bell peppers, broccoli and mushrooms with our tomato sauce.

RIPALLO PESTO 16
Our house-made basil pesto combined with roasted potatoes, and asparagus. Inspired by an Italian resort town favorite.

BOLOGNESE 16
Our house-made meat sauce, slow roasted for hours on the stove.

PREFERITO DELLA CASA 18
Chicken, prosciutto, asparagus & arugula with balsamic vinegar, blended with mascarpone and sliced almonds.

GNOCCHI 16
House-made potato gnocchi with your choice of our San Marzano tomato sauce, basil pesto, or gorgonzola cheese sauce. With Bolognese sauce $19.

ARRABIATA AL PADRE RICARDO 14
San Marzano tomato sauce, Italian sausage and red pepper flakes.

NOCE E PERA 16
Toasted walnuts, spinach and candied pear sautÃ©ed with our gorgonzola cheese sauce.

AMATRICIANA 15
A zesty pancetta, red onion, and tomato sauce, topped with Pecorino Romano cheese. Just like in Roma!

BISTECCA 18
Beef tenderloin tips sautÃ©ed in fresh herbs, served with our very own gorgonzola cheese sauce.

PASTA di ESTATE 14
A surprisingly simple, yet very flavorful blend of fresh basil, sundried & diced tomatoes, and toasted pine nuts.

SALMONE E RUCOLA 16
A fresh-tasting dish of locally-smoked salmon and arugula sautÃ©ed with olive oil and garlic.

PAPPARDELLE AI FUNGHI 18
House-made pappardelle tossed in a mushroom thyme sauce with crispy prosciutto.

PASTA ALLA ZUCCA VIOLINA 17
Roasted butternut squash, candied pancetta, sauteed arugula and
penne pasta tossed in a light white wine alfredo sauce. Topped with toasted pecans and Pecorino Romano cheese.

Carne e Pesce

We are proud to source fresh and local ingredients whenever possible.

TORNEDOS DE LA FORET
Pan seared beef filet with a rich Cognac mushroom sauce. Served as tender slices atop your choice of:

herb roasted potatoes and sautÃ©ed asparagus. 33
house made risotto of mushrooms, cognac and cream. 38

AVANT GARDEN SALMON ^â€ 27
Pan seared wild caught salmon {from local Dave Rogotzke} with an orange glaze served on house-made pappardelle pasta in a light alfredo sauce. Topped with locally-grown micro greens from North Woods Fresh.

MAHI MAHI ^â€ 24
Pan seared filet served with angel hair pasta, roasted tomatoes, shallots, basil and oregano in a lemon white wine sauce.

CAPESANTE CON RISOTTO ^â€ 27
Seared sea scallops (3) with house made risotto of mushrooms, cognac and cream. Topped with Pecorino Romano cheese.

Panini

All panini are served with a side of our Signature Mista salad.

P.L.P. 11
The B.L.T. our way with pancetta, lettuce, pomodoro (tomato) and mayo. Juicy, salty comfort food.

MANZO 13
Beef tenderloin topped with fresh tomatoes, arugula and gorgonzola sauce then grilled.

POLLO CON BALSAMIC 10
Chicken, romaine, provolone cheese and balsamic vinegar.

CAPRESE 9
Fresh mozzarella, basil and sliced tomato. Add chicken $3.

PROSCIUTTO E PERA 13
Prosciutto with candied pear, honey goat cheese and arugula.

POLPETTA DI CARNE 11
house-made Italian meatballs with our tomato sauce and provolone cheese.

ITALIAN CHEESESTEAK 13
Beef tenderloin tips with sautÃ©ed mushrooms, onions, red peppers, and provolone cheese. Served with au jus.

SALUMI TRIO 13
Calabrese, salame al tartufo and salame finocchiona with provolone cheese, house pepper relish and honey balsamic vinaigrette.

SALMONE PANCETTA DUO 13
Pancetta, sautÃ©ed onions, tomato, arugula and smoked salmon with a lemon caper mascarpone spread.

DOLCE

All of our fabulous desserts are made from scratch, in house.

We also serve 12 different flavors of artisan gelatos and sorbettos.

The options change daily so ask your server for todayâ€™s selections.

Bevande

We serve Italian coffee, tea, sodas, espresso, wine, beer and spirits, plus these featured cocktails and signature martinis.

Cocktails

BELLINI 10
Made famous at Harryâ€™s Bar in Venice, the Bellini is white peach puree blended with sparkling wine

VIKRE CEDAR NEGRONI 10
Locally distilled gin with Campari and sweet vermouth served on ice

ITALIAN MARGHERITA 10
Don Julio Blanco, Blood Orange Puree, Cointreau, lime juice, and sour

ITALIAN LEMONADE 9
Chambord, Vodka and sparkling Limonata soda

MOJITO (classic or pomegranate) 8
Fresh mint leaves, limes, simple syrup, rum, and soda water

SOUTHSIDE 9
Fresh mint, Vikre Juniper gin, lemon juice and soda

SCOTCH APPLE 9
House infused Vanilla scotch, raw apple cider, and a bitters float

APEROL SPRITZ 8
Aperol with Prosecco and soda

ROSE SPRITZER 9
St. Germain, Campari and Sparkling Rose

ST. GERMAIN COCKTAIL 8
St. Germain, Prosecco, and soda water

CANADIAN SWEET TEA 8
Makerâ€™s Mark, maple syrup, iced tea, and bitters

Signature Martinis

ESPRESSO MARTINI 10
Shot of imported Italian espresso, shaken with vanilla vodka

LAKE SUPERIOR MARTINI 9
Citrus vodka, Blue Curacao and lemonade

BLOOD ORANGE MARTINI 11
Citrus vodka and blood-orange puree

LIMONCELLO MARTINI 10
Premium vodka and Limoncello

BITTERSWEET GINPHONY 10
Vikre Juniper gin, Aperol, lemon juice, and simple syrup

WATERMELON COSMO 9
Watermelon vodka, Cointreau and cranberry juice

PUMPKIN SPICED MARTINI 10
Grappa, Baileyâ€™s, Pumpkin Pie Torani, and fresh nutmeg

VESPER 10
Bombay Sapphire, Grey Goose, and Lillet

ANN-HATTAN 10
Maker’s Mark bourbon, homemade beer jam, and bitters

LEMON BASIL MARTINI 11
Fresh basil with Benham’s gin and lemon juice

CLASSIC MARTINI
Gin or vodka, shaken with vermouth, straight up

Birra (Beer)

ON DRAUGHT 6
Castle Danger Cream Ale
Bent Paddle Bent Hop IPA
Peroni Nastro Abruzzo Pilsner (Italian imported)

BY BOTTLE OR CAN 5
Coors Light
Buckler (N/A)
Castle Danger Cream Ale
Bent Paddle Bent Hop IPA

Vino Della Casa

ROSSO PICENO 7/26
Produced from century-old vines of Sangiovese and Montepulciano, mellowed in oak barrels. Crisp and dry with youthful freshness. Citrus and floral notes.

PINOT GRIGIO 7/26
Notes of ripe fruit and honey. A harmonious taste with strong sensation of minerality balanced by silky tannins.

Our complete wine selection is available to downlaod in PDF format.

â€ CONSUMING RAW OR UNDERCOOKED MEATS, POULTRY, SEAFOOD, SHELLFISH, OR EGGS MAY INCREASE YOUR RISK OF FOODBORNE ILLNESS