Like a mini-vacation to Italy. Haven't been to Italy in a few years, and it definitely had that "I'm back!" feeling. Nico and Vali, http://www.nicoandvali.com/, Casual cafe style eatery, great atmosphere, and the food is superb - with fine attention to detail. You can tell it's made fresh. The menu has a good variety of classic pasta dishes, panini sandwiches, pizza + panzerottis, beer + wine! [Michigan's Bell's beer lineup is featured prominently], and home made biscotti [who does THAT anymore?]. With seasonal outdoor cafe style seating, and a great menu, it's a great place for a quick take-away sandwich, or a night out. The prices are an incredible deal as well, for the quality of the food is superb. Anyone who really like Italian food done right, must eat here.
True home made cooking - you can tell they really did make it fresh. The Owner's mother can occasionally be seen making all sorts of delicious things in the kitchen. As for my faves, here we go: I really love the Muffalatta sandwich - awesome olive tapenade really makes the sandwich pop. The Strachiatella soup is utterly fantastic - I find myself sometimes daydreaming about this soup at inopportune times. And your basic spaghetti and meatballs truly live up to what you'd imagine home made should taste like - simple and bold tastiness [many local Detroit Italian restaurants, as you well know, cannot do this simple dish well - but Nico & Vali does!]. One item not shown on the Nico + Vali's online menu is the fabled "Nico Burger" - basically a Angus patty, w/ caramelized sweet onions + red wine vinegar reduction, w/ some unusual cultureous cheese [almost like a swiss muenster], all topped with a smattering of arugula - a tart counterpoint to the sweetness of the onions - all housed together under a soon to be crinkled and cracked, dark topped butter bun....for you Burger fans [yes, yes you Red Coat and Millers veterans - yes, you know what I'ma talkin' bout~!], you'll immediately realize that this is one of the best burgers you've ever had on your first bite. No joke, the Nico Burger is the real deal! My vegitarian wife absolutely loves the Vegetarian Lasagne, and I must agree, meat or not, it's one of the best examples of ANY lasagna I've tried - it's savory X10.
Breakfasts are great too. I enjoy a breakfast panzerotti often, and their French Toast is incredible - all served with a nice portion of fresh fruit. Not on the menu, is a riff off of their Nutella Croissant - a crepe made with Nutella, instead of the on the menu 'strawberry mascarpone crepe'....so wonderful. It's nice to be able to sit outside on Nico and Vali's patio and have such a nice breakfast prepared for you.
All in all, Nico & Vali is one of those singular restaurants that somehow manages to nail all the small details, that make for an incredibly rich dining experience. The food is exceptional, fresh and made with pride, the atmosphere is quaint yet lively, and the value is superb. One of my favorite restaurants, and once you try it, it will be one of yours too.
True home made cooking - you can tell they really did make it fresh. The Owner's mother can occasionally be seen making all sorts of delicious things in the kitchen. As for my faves, here we go: I really love the Muffalatta sandwich - awesome olive tapenade really makes the sandwich pop. The Strachiatella soup is utterly fantastic - I find myself sometimes daydreaming about this soup at inopportune times. And your basic spaghetti and meatballs truly live up to what you'd imagine home made should taste like - simple and bold tastiness [many local Detroit Italian restaurants, as you well know, cannot do this simple dish well - but Nico & Vali does!]. One item not shown on the Nico + Vali's online menu is the fabled "Nico Burger" - basically a Angus patty, w/ caramelized sweet onions + red wine vinegar reduction, w/ some unusual cultureous cheese [almost like a swiss muenster], all topped with a smattering of arugula - a tart counterpoint to the sweetness of the onions - all housed together under a soon to be crinkled and cracked, dark topped butter bun....for you Burger fans [yes, yes you Red Coat and Millers veterans - yes, you know what I'ma talkin' bout~!], you'll immediately realize that this is one of the best burgers you've ever had on your first bite. No joke, the Nico Burger is the real deal! My vegitarian wife absolutely loves the Vegetarian Lasagne, and I must agree, meat or not, it's one of the best examples of ANY lasagna I've tried - it's savory X10.
Breakfasts are great too. I enjoy a breakfast panzerotti often, and their French Toast is incredible - all served with a nice portion of fresh fruit. Not on the menu, is a riff off of their Nutella Croissant - a crepe made with Nutella, instead of the on the menu 'strawberry mascarpone crepe'....so wonderful. It's nice to be able to sit outside on Nico and Vali's patio and have such a nice breakfast prepared for you.
All in all, Nico & Vali is one of those singular restaurants that somehow manages to nail all the small details, that make for an incredibly rich dining experience. The food is exceptional, fresh and made with pride, the atmosphere is quaint yet lively, and the value is superb. One of my favorite restaurants, and once you try it, it will be one of yours too.
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