The lovely 411 West Italian Restaurant and Cafe in Chapel Hill, North Carolina is a long standing culinary institution. We were invited to visit and share the 411 West experience. We loved the European exposure and the incredible Italian cuisine.
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411 West, Chapel Hill, NC by CarolinaMama© |
411 West just celebrated 25 years in Chapel Hill this past September. We tasted and experienced why! The atmosphere of 411 West is really relaxed and casual. It can be dressy and celebrate occasions just as well. The lighting and the music were at just the right level to relax and enjoy the awesome meal. We really loved the paintings on the walls. Our server was top notch, his knowledge of the menu was extremely helpful in some of our decisions. We learned why 411 West was named "Best Italian Restaurant and Best Pasta in the Triangle!"
411 West is located on the West end of beautiful and bustling Franklin Street which is the heart of University of North Carolina.
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411 West Restaurant and Cafe photo by 411 West© |
"411 West is a member of the Chapel Hill Restaurant Group, a Green Plus certified business, and recipient of the Sustainable Business of the Year award from the Foundation for a Sustainable Community."
This was an amazing meal, we decided we were vicariously in Italy! The atmosphere and food surely made us feel like it was true. We started with the 411 West Warm Crab Dip and the Wood Grilled Shrimp.
These appetizers were exceptional. Our teen sons LOVED the Wood Grilled Shrimp. These scrumptious appetizers could easily make a meal with couple of these other outstanding Piccoli Piatti (small plates). So many great options to choose from at 411 West.
Next, we had to try the Kale Salad. We both generally like kale, so this was a real treat to have a kale salad prepared so incredibly well with many ingredients we would normally not think of such as the reggiano cheese and fresh, grilled sweet peppers. This was the best Kale I have ever tried. It definitely made me want to up my Kale game! :)
Next, it was time to make a decision on the Entree. The choices were all sounding delicious. Our boys even found themselves challenged at narrowing down the options. We poured over the menus, the server was very patient and informative of dishes we were not familiar with at 411 West.
The Linguine was a great contender as 411 West makes their own handmade Pasta daily! That says it all to me. Fresh Pasta cannot be beat.
Then, I usually live on the edge and ask the server for a generous portion of freshly shredded Parmesan Cheese. This mades the dish. A little sharp flavor and it brings out the other flavors and blends them together
The meal was absolutely delicious. We all tried a different amazing entrée. One of our Tigers had one of his favorites, the Pizzette!
He loves pizza ... teenage sons, pizza...so this was perfect that he could have his own pizza fired in the wood burning oven, so delicious!
We also have a Classic Spaghetti fan in our family. He is happy with a great Marinara with some kick to it. And 411 West served up a unique marinara sauce for him.
Our other Tiger had the Spaghetti Bolognese. He said it was some of the best pasta he's ever had. Take a closer look.... it was amazing!
Everything made fresh from scratch that day, taking advantage of local North Carolina farms to have the freshest ingredients possible. Absolutely Amazing!!
My husband and I usually get 2 separate entrees to experience different flavors, but we really wanted to try our own Lemon Linguine Shrimp and Scallop Pasta.
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Lemon Linguine with Shrimp and Scallops, 411 West, Chapel Hill, NC
by CarolinaMama© |
Freshly made pasta (daily) with shrimp, scallops, some other fresh vegetables like roasted garlic, this amazing combination being perfectly completed by being sautéed in white wine, lobster butter and clam broth. This combination is one of the best pastas we have ever experienced.
Millionaire Pie Peanut butter mousse pie on graham cracker crust, glazed with chocolate and served
with whipped cream and chocolate sauce
.... the Millionaire Pie leaves you speechless. And wishing you had not chosen to share! lol
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Millionaire Pie at 411 West photo by CarolinaMama© |
The desserts were quite delicious to wrap up our scrumptious meal. We could not decide on one, so we got the Millionaire Pie and Chocolate Chess Pie. As much as we typically go for the chocolate, the favorite was the Millionaire Pie with the combination of the peanut butter and chocolate.
Chocolate Chess Pie Served with cookies 'n cream ice cream, fudge sauce and whipped cream
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Chocolate Chess Pie, 411 West, photo by CarolinaMama© |
411 West serves the Southern dish, Vanilla Creme Brulee Traditional baked custard with
caramelized sugar topping