There might be a very good Italian restaurant in Fresno that almost takes me back to Italy .. almost.. And with saying that, that’s pretty good for Fresno! Fresno has always been behind in the restaurant industry, but with this up and coming restaurant that made its debut recently in the past few years, I️ want to say, “Where was this delicious food when I️ lived in Fresno a few years back?!”
The Annex Kitchen is very busy during dinner hours and especially on the weekends. This place is packed and without reservations, you’ll find yourself waiting!
The only catch? It’s kind of expensive.. but for a good restaurant like this in Fresno? They got no competition!!!
burrata mozzarella crostini. broccolini, brown butter, aged balsamic, smoked prosciutto breadcrumbs. This was my favorite appetizer! The bread was crispy and crunchy. The breadcrumbs gave it more texture. The mozzarella was soft and cheesy. Brown butter? Genius sweet way to feel healthy!
kale. pecorino, almonds, Caesar. This may seem like a very simple salad, but I️ liked it a lot! Maybe cause I️ also like salad in general but kale is always fun to chew. The almonds? Please make it “healthier” to eat despite all the creamy Caesar mixed in!
wood oven roasted bone marrow. pickled shallot and parsley salad, garlic confit, grilled bread. The bone marrow can’t be any softer and fatty than this!
tagliatelle. ribbon noodles, lamb ragu. I️ always love this italian dish every where I️ go! What makes this dish stand out from any other location is how tender the lamb was! Plenty of lamb to go around and easily soft and “shreddable.”
smoked prosciutto wood fired pizza. mozarella, fontina, goat cheese, caramelized onion. Whoa, whoa, whoa! This is almost like italian pizza! I️ mean REAL pizza 🙂
tagliolini. thin ribbon noodles, spicy tomato sauce, shrimp, crab, arugula. That spicy kick is what sets this italian dish apart from all the others! This special tomato sauce is different yet hits the spot. It takes me back to my childhood spaghetti and meatball days except classy style.
sliced hangar steak 8oz. aged balsamic. Medium-rare is the only way to enjoy a good steak! They slice it up and serve it Florentine-style. Each piece is packed with chewy, savory juices.
zeppole. ricotta doughnuts, amaretti, caramel and chocolate sauces. The donuts are so dough-y on the inside, filled with warmth. Dip it into the caramel sauce and you have yourself a warm, sweet treat.
When I️ left Fresno a few years ago, I️ thought to myself, “I️ am never coming back here.” Boy was I wrong! Thanks to a very good friend getting married, I️ had to pay this central city a visit. During the weekend, I️ was able to meet my preceptor again and catch up over delicious food. She’s Italian so I️ trust her taste in food. She knows what she’s talking about. I️ miss her.
YAY! I️ guess I️ won’t mind coming back again if there’s another reason and if/when I️ do, I️ expect to find another yummygem in Fresno.
