IL BASILICO

Il Basilico is what happens when you mix an Italian mother’s cooking with a sprinkle of hospitality magic. Natalia Nuckowska raves about the calamari and scallops, making me wonder if they’ve been blessed by the pasta gods. Everything seems to come together in a perfect Italian opera with Gina Gould declaring it one of the nicest Italian meals she’s had in a while. The vibe? Cozy enough to make you want to hug strangers and share a table of pasta.

But before you head over, don’t ignore the few murmurs of ‘great but not mind-blowing’. While it’s a safe bet, it’s not revolutionary, just comfort food done right. So if you’re in the mood for Italian with a side of warmth, this place is your ticket. Just don’t expect to have your culinary world rocked; it’s more like a comforting Sunday dinner with family.