New Restaurant Review: Carpaccio Tuscan Grill

We were lucky enough to get a chance to eat at Carpaccio’s Tuscan Grill this week as part of their Friends and Family hookup.

They have a solid wine list featuring several sub-$40 Italian wines. My party started with a Dolcetto, the 2004 Torremorro, and then followed that with a Sangiovese from Umbria. I recommend the Torremorro. It was a nice middleweight with balanced fruit and alcohol and will work well with lots of different dishes. The restaurant stores its wines on the walls enoteca-style, so make sure your red is served a little below room temperature. They offer over 20 wines by the glass in both 3 and 6 ounce pours.

One anomaly on their wine list was that vintages aren’t listed. This isn’t a problem for the price range I’m usually selecting from but they have some serious wines featured such as Sassicaia or Joseph Phelps Insignia. I can imagine people who are into those sorts of wines with dinner being concerned over a 2003 versus a 2004.The menu features Tuscan classics like formaggi platters (all good) and cured meats (good) and penne with vodka sauce (really good). There’s plenty for everyone, even the vegetarians.

I hadn’t been down to Annapolis in some time and was surprised to find Park Place has literally taken over the intersection of West Street and Taylor Avenue. The huge complex features Condos, Fado, Morton’s and Carpaccio’s and some other retail outlets. They have a parking garage available for $1.25 an hour and valet parking for $7. I parked on West Street where the meters stop at 7:30. The restaurant is located off the West Street Entrance and may be a little hard to find if you aren’t looking for it hard enough.

Opening night is officially this Friday, May 9. If you’re in the area, make time to check it out one night.

Carpaccio Tuscan Kitchen & Wine Bar
1 Park Place
Annapolis, MD 21401
http://www.carpacciotuscankitchen.com/