600 Chestnut Avenue
Trenton, N.J. 08611
(609) 396-6300
I love the personal service you still get at some restaurants in the area. Owner Jimmy Kamies is one of those awesome proprietors who believe in that kind of service and everybody that works at Amici Milano practices it.
It was a Sunday and Trenton was being socked with downpours of biblical proportions. I wasn’t sure if I should go to dinner or build an ark. Nevertheless, I was looking forward to the evening and, you can not build an ark on an empty stomach. Or so I am told!
We arrived at 5:20 and were happy to see four tables occupied. That is a good sign because it meant that there are other people as crazy as my taster and me on this torrent driven day. Before the door could close behind us we were greeted and asked ‘Table or booth’? I always prefer table because I like when I can see the front door (too many screenings of The Godfather).
We quickly ordered soup, a bowl of lobster bisque ($10.99) and two appetizers: clams casino ($6.95) and a somewhat frequent special consisting of asparagus topped with a very generous portion of lump crabmeat ($5.99).
We were going to be conservative with the alcohol, but the mango martini (I use that word loosely because in our book, a true martini has only gin, vermouth and olives) had just the right cheery appeal to counter the dampness of the dreary day. While we waited for our appetizers, the cocktail ($7) arrived.
Ensuring you are in sync with the atmosphere before you begin to indulge in your meal is very important in my book and something few restaurants can accomplish. Jimmy is a pro and you can feel the difference when you dine under his roof. We munched on nice bread and butter well blended with sun-dried tomato. The resulting spread was very subtle and different. Sipping our mango drink both relaxed and enlivened us so that we could catch the spirit that is Amici’s.
The lobster bisque was simple and to the point. Lobster pieces in a white cream sauce, period. Some butter, salt, white pepper,but what else do you need? Don’t try to make it fancy with anything else. Simple is sometimes superb!
The five asparagus spears came topped with a very generous portion of lump crabmeat dressed in a very delicate horseradish sauce and garnished with an ‘X’ made from red grilled peppers and two slices of black olive to look like eyes. Fabulous to say the least!
The Clams Casino was a perfect take on an all-time favorite: six littlenecks, left whole rather than minced, topped with not much more than a garnish made up of tiny pieces of onion, garlic, green bell pepper, bacon, a hint of oregano, parmigiano cheese, parsley and few bread crumbs. The clams were broiled and served piping hot, washed with a butter, lemon and white wine reduction sauce (another bread dipping opportunity). It was divine!
Next up was Jimmy’s classic complementary salad. This is a great mix of crisp greens, black olives, tomatoes, provolone, and red peppers. The dressing is delicious, with just the right touch of balsamic vinegar to raise it above the typical house vinaigrette.
For wine, we selected a Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile, Veramonte 2008 ($30). It might seem an odd choice to accompany our seafood starters, but what can I say, I do love my reds. Our palates adjusted and the wine was getting better with each sip when, out of nowhere, a perfect amount of lemon sorbet intermezzo arrived on the table.
Did Jimmy know I was reviewing or was he just being Jimmy, the classic Chambersburg host, treating you like you are a guest in his home? Boy do I miss the old Chambersburg.
Our entrées arrived. Co-Muncher ordered a special for the evening: shrimp, chicken and veal in a vodka sauce ($21.99) that was divine. Every single bite was perfectly done; maybe there was a little too much sauce for Co-Muncher’s taste. But the second batch of bread arrived and we put it to use as a great sopping agent for the sauce. The sides were Italian potatoes and spinach. Both well seasoned and again, well paired with the meal.
The words ‘Porterhouse steak, 24 oz. broiled to perfection’ ($24.95) on the menu made my choice clear. When I was growing up, my mother taught me many things, one of which was that you can not really taste the meat when it is served well done. Every good butcher will agree. I like my beef rare; purple inside. Period.
If you are still reading, you know several things. I like Amici Milano’s. Jimmy is a wonderful host. The wait staff is very attentive. Even with all that going for it, a restaurant can still have a misstep.
The mushrooms were wonderful, but the steak disappointed. I tasted several bites and it was perfectly seasoned and the outside was grilled to a nice sear, just as I like it, but inside the meat was well done. It was not rare, as I had requested.
To the establishment’s credit, they wanted to make it better. They tried very hard to do so, but I would not let them. It is my own little thing. I never send anything back. I understand mistakes: leaving a meal under the lights because we are eating slowly, or there is pressure in the kitchen (it had gotten busy and the number of occupied tables doubled). Also, who can afford it? Again, I understand mistakes.
Will I go back to Amici’s? Yes, next week. Will I continue to go? You bet. Did my son enjoy the steak for lunch the next day? I believe his words were, “That was awesome, Dad, thanks!”
What I loved was the effort to satisfy a customer. The request by the waitress, Michelle, to make another, her complaining to the cook (her tip was not affected), Jimmy coming over twice to ask if he could make another one. I admire this kind of customer care and service. Thank you for showing me it still happens in Trenton.
So on to dessert. We ordered a single espresso with mini cannoli for the Co-Muncher ($2.50 and $5.75), double espresso and Tiramisu for me ($4.50 and $6.50). The espresso was hot and perfect, with a lemon twist. It’s the ’Burg; you had better be able to get your cannoli fix here! The cannoli are good.
The tiramisu is better. Every delicious bite was a little bit of heaven. Made in house, it perfectly capped the meal. The just right, not too sweet, light and coffee liqueur laden ladyfingers covered with mascarpone cheese and whipped cream dusted with chocolate. Yum.
As I sipped my complimentary Sambuca (thank you, Jimmy), I appreciated just how wonderful it is to be able to come to Amici Milano and partake in such an amazing two hour and 10 minute adventure.
So here it is, great last bastion of the ’Burg, holding down the fort. Wonderful service, Michelle, Dwayne and all the rest, great food and a wonderful host, thank you Mr. Kamies…I know it’s Jimmy. Stop in and tell him the Muncher sent you.
Lots of parking, lunch or dinner, not to worry.
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