The Farm Italy

I dined at The Farm Italy last night, and overall, it was a lovely experience with a few mixed moments. The ambiance is beautiful, thoughtfully designed with a cozy, elevated vibe that feels special without being stuffy. Even though we had a reservation, we were seated upstairs in a corner, which at first felt a bit like an afterthought. But in hindsight, it ended up being quiet and intimate, so I’ll call it a win.

We started with the house bread and the meatball appetizer. The bread was good but underwhelming — it reminded me more of a buttered hamburger bun than anything artisanal, and I didn’t feel it justified the price. The meatballs, on the other hand, were solid. The sauce was a little greasy, but the meat itself was flavorful and satisfying.

For mains, we tried a few dishes and none disappointed. The malfaldine with jumbo lump crab was unique and had a nice balance of gremolata butter and heat from the Fresno chile. The pappardelle with beef bolognese and ricotta was comforting and rich — definitely a standout. The chicken parmesan was surprisingly excellent. I’m usually not a fan of chicken parm when dining out because it often turns out stringy or overcooked, but this one was perfectly tender and full of flavor.

Another highlight was the boneless pan-roasted chicken served with tomato harissa, duck fat fries, and sweet peppers. The chicken was juicy and well-seasoned, and the fries were a crunchy, chip-like delight!