10/21/2025
I could not have written a better review of last nights Grand Tour of Italy dinner at Gusto Napoletano Pizzeria and Italian Restaurant so without further ado here is the next WHATtheFORK review by our partner in foodie crime Angela …..
Sardegna Dinner: A Culinary Journey to Heaven (and Back)
Ah, Sardegna. A beautiful island full of crystal-clear waters, rolling hills, and, apparently, the finest food I’ve ever eaten. If you ever wanted to experience the Mediterranean in a single bite, look no further than the Sardegna dinner I had the pleasure of devouring at this month's Tour of Italy. Here’s my take on a meal that will haunt my taste buds in the most delicious way possible:
First Course: Fregola & Ragu Arancini. To kick off, we’re introduced to fregola, the little pasta that could. If couscous and pasta had a love child, it would be fregola. It’s like tiny pasta pearls that have been toasted to perfection, giving them a slightly nutty flavor. Now, let’s talk about that ragu arancini, the crispy, golden-brown ball of joy that’s like a hug for your mouth. It’s like your mom’s Sunday sauce in bite-sized form, gooey and savory ragu center, crispy fried outside; that’s just ridiculous. Ridiculous that we only got two and not ten. I don’t know who decided to wrap sauce and cheese in fried rice, but they deserve a medal; and possibly a statue. I could’ve eaten these all night, but my stomach has limits, apparently.
Second Course: Ravioli with Potato, Ricotta, Lemon Zest in Pomodoro Sauce. Next, we’re hit with beautifully formed ravioli filled with potato and ricotta, but hold up; there’s a twist. This isn’t just any ravioli. This is ravioli that knows it’s special. It knows its worth. It demands you pay attention. As you bite into the delicate pockets, you’re greeted with creamy ricotta and fluffy potato that almost melts in your mouth. But wait, there’s more. This dish doesn’t just whisper “delicious,” it yells it in a harmonious chorus of lemony goodness and tangy pomodoro sauce. It’s like an Italian summer vacation on a plate, with the citrusy zing and the bright, rich sauce making every bite feel like a celebration. You could easily mistake this ravioli for a fancy dessert if you didn’t know any better.
Third Course: Beef & Potato Pie
By now, I’m already full. But I’m not that full, because I remembered to wear pants that were too big today for just this occasion. I can still fit in a few more bites. And then this beef and potato pie arrives. This dish is so hearty and comforting that I’m convinced it has the power to cure bad moods and broken hearts, if not world peace. Think of it as a shepherd’s pie, but sexier and with a better personality. The beef is tender and flavorful, while the potatoes are so creamy they might as well be butter in disguise. As if that wasn't enough, there was a savory path of sautéed mushrooms circling the pie like a halo straight from heaven. All this goodness is encased in a buttery, flaky crust that had me contemplating running away with the pie. There’s no way this pie isn’t the reason people smile in Sardegna.
Fourth Course: Fried Pastry with Fontina, Ricotta, Lemon Zest, and Honey. Ah, dessert. The grand finale. This fried pastry filled with fontina, ricotta, lemon zest, and honey is like the love child of a donut and a cheese danish, only it’s better than both, and it knows it baby! The pastry is crispy and golden, and when you bite into it, the warm, gooey cheese and ricotta ooze out in the most seductive way possible. The lemon zest adds a zing of freshness that cuts through the richness, while the drizzle of honey makes it all come together in a way that can only be described as divine. Seriously, if heaven had a flavor, it would be this. I can’t even describe how perfect the balance of sweet, savory, and creamy was; it’s like this pastry knew exactly what I needed in my life, and it delivered. It wrapped me in a hug and kissed my taste buds.
If this Sardegna dinner were a movie, it’d be The Godfather of meals; everything was perfectly timed, impossibly delicious, and left me with no choice but to eat more, even when I knew I’d regret it later. Every course was an experience, and I’m pretty sure I’m going to spend the next week dreaming about that fried pastry. Except that I don't have to, because I get to enjoy the rest tomorrow! Yay me!!
So if you ever find yourself in the mood for a dinner that’s like a warm hug from Italy, Gusto Napoletano Pizzeria and Italian Restaurant Tour of Italy is it. Just make sure to bring stretchy pants, because you’re gonna need them.
