Gut Reaction | Alfresco Bistro a gem tucked into the side of Front Street in Georgetown

A small, intimate restaurant and bar on Front Street emits a lot of atmosphere as well as savory Northern Italian cuisine.

The minute you arrive at Alfresco Bistro, you are surrounded by friendly staff, delicious cooking and a wide selection of fine wine, fresh pasta and local seafood.

Owner Eddie Chacon was raised in New Jersey by an Italian family and was schooled in the classic cuisine of Northern Italy.

This means a lot of fresh ingredients, which makes his recipes memorable from the very first bite.

“Northern Italian cuisine is more like French (cooking),” Chacon said while sitting in his bar at Alfresco Bistro. “There are a lot of sauces and homemade pasta.”

The specials of Alfresco Bistro include osso ucco, an Italian dish made with veal and served over saffron risotto.

According to information about the dish, osso bucco consists of veal shanks braised with vegetables, white wine and broth.

The meals in Alfresco Bistro are generously served with ingredients that make the tastebuds pop.

Flavors that are added into the mixture include truffle white bean puree and exotic mushroom cream, which is included in the capasanta.

The capasanta is a “seared jumbo scallop,” according to Chacon’s menu.

Other dishes are mussels alimone, which is sauteed with leeks, garlic, lemon and white wine.

The dish also contains diced tomatoes and onions.

Even the calamari gets a very special touch, as it is served with hot peppers, Gaeta olives, capers and a side of marinara sauce.

The layers of delicious peppers and seafood are considered the “best in town,” according to an enthusiastic diner Michael Cadorette.

The bacon-wrapped shrimp are also large and flavorful. The shrimp is served on bed of sauteed spinach, with orange sections and and tomatoes.

Of course, to wash it all down, Alfresco Bistro has a wide selection of wines and mixed drinks. The special selection of wines include Amarone and Barolo.

“We have a lot of Italian wines and a very good selection of high end Scotch and bourbons,” Chacone said.

Alfresco Bistro doesn’t have a traditional happy hour, but the prices are established for lunch and dinner.

Dinner runs from $18 to $28 and lunch runs from $10 to $13, according to Chacone.

TIPS

The menu can be found at http://www.alfrescogtbistro.com. The menu selections are often offered on a seasonal basis.

Kids menus are available by asking your server. Reservations are also available.

Alfreso Bistro is available for private parties on Sunday.

Reservations are available for a special family dinner, held on the first Sunday of every month, according to information from the restaurant.

This story was originally published September 16, 2015 at 1:08 AM with the headline "Gut Reaction | Alfresco Bistro a gem tucked into the side of Front Street in Georgetown."