Food Writing: Restaurant Review

The simplistic elegance of the interior and outside seating area, complemented by the welcoming staff and family-friendly atmosphere makes dining at Tortello Divino feel like seeing your good friends for a long awaited reunion. The classy, comfort food-style dishes here are sure to exceed any expectations one might have for comfort food. Tortello's heavily sauced pasta dishes, thick al dente pasta and small town charm can almost replicate the feeling of sleeping in freshly dried sheets.

I ordered the tortelli alla burrata con pomodorini e basilico (10 euro), or burrata cheese-filled tortellini with cherry tomatoes and basil topped with balsamic vinegar, my personal addition. It is one of Tortello's many vegetarian options. The bright red tomatoes and the deep greens of the weaving basil strands on the white plate stand out among the neutral tans and yellows of the tortellini. The earthy scent of the tomatoes and basil waft around, revealing the freshness and of the ingredients. The first bite of the creamy cheese tortellini feels like it could warm your whole body on the coldest day as soon as it hits your mouth. In contrast, the astringent balsamic vinegar cuts through the sweet juice of the cherry tomatoes.

Tortello's staff is attentive and friendly, seating my party of eight even minutes before the restaurant opened and graciously pulled up another seat and table setting when a ninth arrived late. The outdoor seating invites the aroma of flower pots adorning terraces to drift down to tables and diners and the fast, excited conversations that only comes from friends laughing and finishing each other's sentences fill the ambiance of the area. The warm atmosphere and friendly staff at Tortello Divino makes every dinner feel like welcomed, relaxed and in good hands.

While Tortello Divino hit a lot of home runs, it wasn't without its misses. Our plates were all brought out at different times. While nine plates is a lot to carry, the first dish brought out was well on its way from steaming to room temperature by the time the last dish came out. But, slower service is the price you have to pay for a friendly waiter who takes the time to help and talk with every dining party.

As I only have a month to explore all Italy has to offer, every subpar dinner is an amazing experience wasted. Tortello Divino did not disappoint and proved to be another one of the many gems Arezzo is hiding among its twisted alley ways and intertwined, cobblestone streets. The creamy pasta dishes are worth a first try and guarantee second visit.