Verve Pizzeria

A new Italian restaurant recently opened near our home. Verve Pizzeria serves a range of salads, pastas, and pizzas, all in a casual atmosphere. The restaurant's theme is that icon of Italy, the Vespa. There are colorful images of Vespas of different eras on the wall, and even Vespa handlebars fashioned into a statue on the bar. The restaurant faces a small stand of trees, the last remnant of a forest that once covered the hill where a new condominium and the NTU alumni center sit.

I ordered the meat lasagna. It had a rich flavor, enhanced by the generous slices of Parmesan cheese on top. Unfortunately, one of the pasta layers was chewy, as if undercooked or of a different thickness than the other layers. The dish came with a small mixed salad with a balsamic vinegar and oil dressing. It was a small highlight of the meal.

Hisako ordered the linguine with sun-dried tomatoes. I'm not sure why though, since she has never been a fan of sun-dried tomatoes. It also featured pine nuts and Parmesan cheese. this dish was far from terrific. The pasta was quite chewy, leaving both of us unsatisfied. There was too much olive oil, yet it was dry overall.

The atmosphere and the free pizza slices brought out as an appetizer were the real highlights of the meal. There were few customers and the music was not very loud, meaning it was quiet enough to carry on a conversation. There was a large Christmas tree and other decorations, making it festive. We might return, but we'll order one of the meat dishes instead.