Rustico Trattoria: Traditional, Tasty Italian in Westport (sponsored post)

Wherever you are from, a meal at RUSTICO is like coming home. From the kitchen of Chef Miguel Angelo D'Onofrio, exquisite and thoroughly Italian dishes are only a heartbeat away. This family owned and operated establishment has been open for a year showcasing Chef Miguel's talents and passion for Italian cuisine. 

Chef Miguel was born in Brazil and his mother is from Spain, but he is all ITALIAN on his father's side and these roots run deep. From traditional recipes, handed down from generation to generation yet modernized by Chef Miguel's creativity, a meal at RUSTICO is a delicious culinary experience. Using only the highest quality meats and fish - no hormones or antibiotics of any kind - and sourcing only the freshest ingredients, Chef Miguel prepares each dish to perfection. For 25 years he worked as an executive chef in Connecticut and was most recently co-owner of Finalmente Trattoria, also in Westport. Now in his own space he prepares dishes that originate from the passion that is Italia, RUSTICO is an extension of Chef Miguel's history.

The menu here represents the soul of the Italian kitchen. Come for lunch and try the PASTA e FAGIOLI - a true Italian classic- made with fresh, short tube pasta, cannellini beans and garlic. This Italian staple is comfort food Italian style, and Chef Miguel does comfort right.

Another lunchtime favorite is theMELANZANE GRATINATE, grilled eggplant topped with fresh mozzarella in a refreshing tomato sauce. Lunch or Pranzo classics also include several fresh PANINIS as well as soups, salads, fresh pastas and meat dishes. This is the perfect lunch location whether you are a busy business person in search of a meeting spot or just a group of friends looking for a great lunch locale.

TheCena,or dinner menu is more extensive and includes many of the chef's favorites.  Start, perhaps, with a glass of your favorite wine and thePEPERONE RIPIENO, sweet peppers are roasted to perfection and stuffed with spicy Italian sausage and sweet Gorgonzola, then baked and finally basted with a Balsamic glaze.

Next, enjoy the specialty of the house, the ORICHIETTE TOSCANA, the pasta dish that is a local favorite. Fresh Porcini mushrooms and speck are sautéed with fresh figs, artichokes, garlic and Parmeggiano Reggiano and then tossed in black truffle paste. With the tiny pasta cups as the perfect vessels to hold the mouth-watering sauce, this pasta masterpiece is a must. Other pasta choices include the exotic BLACK TIGER (with fresh black linguine, tiger shrimp, tomatoes and arugula in a white wine sauce), FETTUCINE di AGNELLO (with lamb meatballs and fresh mint in a tomato sauce), and other traditional LASAGNE, RAVIOLI or GNOCCHI dishes.

For meat lovers, RUSTICO offers a variety of Italian specialties including a wonderful OSSOBUCCO TOSCANA.  This OSSOBUCCO (Italian for "bone with a hole") follows the traditional Milanese recipe with the addition of tomatoes. Veal shanks are braised to fall-off-the-bone perfection, and cooked with vegetables in a red wine broth. RUSTICO serves the OSSOBUCCO with a saffron infused risotto to soak up the delectable potage.

Another favorite is the SCALOPPINE di VITELLO TARTUFATTO. Thin filets of veal are topped with Prosciutto di Parma and seasoned with sage and truffle paste and finally glazed in a Pinot Grigio sauce. VEAL CHOPS, CHICKEN and STEAK are also available, served with the chef's creative flair.

Chef Miguel is more than happy to accommodate diners with special dietary needs. Rustico's kitchen offers a thoughtful menu to enable Gluten-Free dining without compromise, and Gluten-Free pasta is available every night. 

At RUSTICO, you feel that you are part of the family. Leave your busy lives behind and take a culinary trip to Italia. Benvenuto e buon appetito!

Rustico Trattoria 1431 Post Road East, Westport. 203.292.9638