Il Gatto - 3001 Hennepin Ave. S. Mpls
If you have been to Uptown lately, you may have noticed that the beloved Figlio is no more and in it's stead is a restaurant that starts with the letter 'i', Il Gatto. When it originally opened, it was quite a dud for such prized real estate. It has since been retooled by Tim McKee (James Beard Award winner, also of Sea Change, La Bella Vie, Solera, and Smalley’s Caribbean BBQ). He redesigned the menu and brought in chef Jim Christiansen (long time sous chef at Sea Change - my favorite seafood restaurant in the state. Keep this seafood background in mind when making your selections). The menu consists of a variety of salads, pastas, pizzas, meat and seafood dishes. Sunday through Thursday, nightly specials are offered at a great discount. They have a full (and quite impressive) bar, an extensive wine list, and a few local brews.
We ordered exclusively se
afood dishes throughout the evening, starting with the Frito Misto for an appetizer. This one is definitely to share! It was a heaping serving of lightly breaded and fried calamari, shrimp, scallops, and c
rispy vegetables. Served with a lemon, caper aioli, and a delicious cracked pepper marinara. Although I 
am usually not a fan of deep fried foods, it was light and crisp.
The Bobolati pasta was cooked to a perfect al dente, and tossed with a
very healthy portion of lobster, shrimp, crab, and clams. The slightly spicy chili and tomato sauce added the right amount of zip to the succulent, sweet shellfish.
Our second seafood/pasta entree wasn't quite as spectacular. The Trofie pasta lacked a depth of flavors. It's pistachio pesto was good and the lemony zing added to the shrimp, but overall the dish could have benefited from more of the tomato confit.
In an effort to offset all of the carbs we had just injested, we ordered the Cavolo Toscano. It was a delicious blend of Tuscan kale, garlic, peperroncino, and pancetta, and it did just the trick.
The interior of the old Figlio's also received quite a redesign. Il gatto is much more modern, sleek, and streamlined while maintaining a warm and cozy feel. The remodeled space is utilized much better and consists of dark booths and high tables. My only complaint about the decor was that there were many TVs hung around the dining area. While enjoying the game may be fun when sitting at the bar, being inundated with commercials for the latest energy drink during a meal can distract from the food in which patrons are partaking. Overall, I would not say that Il Gatto was a major improvement over the old Figlio's, nor is it a downgrade. You will have to decide for yourself on this one!
We ordered exclusively se
afood dishes throughout the evening, starting with the Frito Misto for an appetizer. This one is definitely to share! It was a heaping serving of lightly breaded and fried calamari, shrimp, scallops, and c
rispy vegetables. Served with a lemon, caper aioli, and a delicious cracked pepper marinara. Although I 
am usually not a fan of deep fried foods, it was light and crisp.The Bobolati pasta was cooked to a perfect al dente, and tossed with a
very healthy portion of lobster, shrimp, crab, and clams. The slightly spicy chili and tomato sauce added the right amount of zip to the succulent, sweet shellfish.Our second seafood/pasta entree wasn't quite as spectacular. The Trofie pasta lacked a depth of flavors. It's pistachio pesto was good and the lemony zing added to the shrimp, but overall the dish could have benefited from more of the tomato confit.
In an effort to offset all of the carbs we had just injested, we ordered the Cavolo Toscano. It was a delicious blend of Tuscan kale, garlic, peperroncino, and pancetta, and it did just the trick.
The interior of the old Figlio's also received quite a redesign. Il gatto is much more modern, sleek, and streamlined while maintaining a warm and cozy feel. The remodeled space is utilized much better and consists of dark booths and high tables. My only complaint about the decor was that there were many TVs hung around the dining area. While enjoying the game may be fun when sitting at the bar, being inundated with commercials for the latest energy drink during a meal can distract from the food in which patrons are partaking. Overall, I would not say that Il Gatto was a major improvement over the old Figlio's, nor is it a downgrade. You will have to decide for yourself on this one!
Other recommendations from our club that start with a ‘i'
I Nonni -Rustic Roman food using locally soured ingredients.
It's Greek To Me - Known for their spanakopita, dolmades, and mousaka. Beautiful patio dining.
Izzy's Ice Cream Cafe - Some of the best homemade ice cream in the metro
Next month’s destination – Jasmine 26
Bon Appitte!
Bon Appitte!
