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. Our meatballs contain bread crumbs and are NOT 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 – perfect for sharing (or as your meal)
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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, salamis and cheeses, with Italian olives and sweety drop peppers.
ROASTED RED PEPPER SPREAD 11
A warm, cheesy, sweet slather served with grilled ciabatta.
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.
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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 Kay’s tangy blend of artichoke hearts, red peppers and parmesan cheese. Served warm with grilled ciabatta.
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 and fennel frond.
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Insalate e Zuppa
House-made dressings include our own Caesar, Balsamic, Dijon,
Honey Balsamic, Gorgonzola Balsamic, and Red Wine Vinaigrette.
Add chicken $3. Steak tenderloin tips or shrimp $5. Smoked salmon $6.
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THE NICOISE 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. It’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 sautéed & served warm on spinach.
SIGNATURE ITALIAN SAUSAGE SOUP 5
This creation by Mary Kay has become our signature soup. Italian sausage, potatoes, tomatoes, spinach, onions and garlic, slow simmered and topped with parmesan cheese
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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.
CAVOLINI 7 / 14
Spinach, arugula, roasted apples and Brussels sprouts, with Pecorino Romano cheese and balsamic 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.
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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.
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SALSICCIA E PANNA 16
Italian sausage, fresh herbs and tomatoes with cream.
CARBONARA 15
A traditional dish of pancetta, sweet peas, egg and parmesan.
POMODORO E POLPETTE DI CARNE 14
Our famous San Marzano tomato sauce and house-made meatballs.
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 24
Sautéed 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.
PREFERITO DELLA CASA 18
Chicken, prosciutto, asparagus & arugula with balsamic vinegar, blended with mascarpone and sliced almonds.
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GNOCCHI 16
made potato gnocchi with your choice of our San Marzano tomato sauce, basil pesto, or gorgonzola cheese sauce.
ARRABIATA AL PADRE RICARDO 14
San Marzano tomato sauce, Italian sausage and red pepper flakes. Hot as you like it!
NOCE E PERA 16
Toasted walnuts, spinach and candied pear sautéed 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 sautéed 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 sautéed with olive oil and garlic.
CAVOLINI 16
Roasted Brussels sprouts with apples, craisins, and pancetta in a honey lemon wine sauce. Served with spaghetti and topped with Pecorino Romano cheese.
PAPPARDELLE AI FUNGHI 18
House-made pappardelle tossed in a mushroom thyme sauce with crispy prosciutto.
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Carne e Pesce
We are proud to source fresh and local ingredients whenever possible.
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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 sautéed asparagus. 33
house made risotto of mushrooms, cognac and cream. 38
AVANT GARDEN SALMON 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.
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MAHI MAHI 24
Pan seared filet served with angel hair pasta, roasted tomatoes, shallots, basil and oregano in a lemon white wine sauce.
CAPESANTE CON RISOTTO 27
Seared sea scallops (3) with house made risotto of mushrooms, cognac and cream. Topped with Pecorino Romano cheese.
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Panini
All panini are served with a side of our Signature Mista salad.
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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.
CAPRESE12
Fresh mozzarella, basil and sliced tomato. Add chicken $3.
PROSCIUTTO E PERA 13
Prosciutto with candied pear and honey goat cheese.
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POLPETTA DI CARNE 11
house-made Italian meatballs with our tomato sauce and provolone cheese.
ITALIAN CHEESESTEAK 13
Beef tenderloin tips with sautéed mushrooms, onions, red & yellow 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, sautéed onions, tomato, arugula and smoked salmon with mascarpone cheese on both slices of Panini bread.
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DOLCE
Mary Kay Berarducci makes all of our fabulous desserts from scratch, in house.
We also serve 12 different flavors of artisan gelatos and sorbettos. The options change daily so ask your server for today’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 Harry’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 Limonata
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
CONTRABBANDIERE 8
Minnesota-distilled citrus mint Tattersall vodka with soda water
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
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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
Grey Goose vodka and Limoncello
BELLATINI 10
Peach vodka, peach puree, peach schnapps, and Prosecco
WATERMELON COSMO 9
Watermelon vodka, Cointreau and cranberry juice
STRAWBERRY BALSAMIC MARTINI 11
Vanilla rum with balsamic vinegar, limes and strawberry puree
VESPER 10
Bombay Sapphire, Belvedere, 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
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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
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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.
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