THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Chianti

THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Chianti Restaurant Review:

The serene setting of this country home-like spot is surprisingly in the shadows of the Galleria-area business district. The charming décor of this upscale Italian restaurant is enhanced even more by white lights twinkling on the exterior landscaping while the office buildings loom just over the horizon. Another surprise is the lively atmosphere just beyond the dining room wall where the Martini Bar, with 50 versions of the classic cocktail, heats things up with drinks and dancing until the wee hours. Until then, indulge in the savory culinary concoctions of this Tuscan trattoria. Start with bruschetta (toasted bread with chopped tomato, basil and garlic in olive oil) or the carpaccio (thinly sliced raw beef with Parmesan, capers and lemon). Several seafood dishes also are available or you can order the antipasti della casa, an assortment of appetizers. From there, move on to such pasta dishes as tiny shells with artichokes, pancetta, cream and Parmesan or the rigatoni with sausage and sweet peppers in a tomato-cream sauce. Better yet, sample the risotto, a creamy rice dish that changes daily. For entrées, Chianti excels in its Petti di Pollo al Funghetto, a chicken breast stuffed with prosciutto and Fontina cheese and topped with a delectable mushroom sauce. Other winners are the veal scaloppine with prosciutto, sage, spinach and white wine sauce, as well as the veal and lamb chops. To end the meal, indulge in the rich tiramisu (lady fingers soaked in espresso and layered with mascarpone cheese, rum and cocoa).