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Taste of Italy fills new West Springfield eatery | ||||||||||||
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acarbone@repub.com WEST SPRINGFIELD - Two veteran restaurateurs have opened a new eatery that features fresh local produce and authentic Italian recipes. Brian J. Aussant and Phil Hillenbrand opened Bottega Cucina at 46 Morgan Road in August, but the grand opening celebration was on Sept. 1. Both have worked in restaurants for years, and both wanted to offer something different to the local scene. Before leaving the restaurant business to go into real estate, Aussant worked for nine years a Mulino's in Northampton, and Italian restaurant. He found that he missed working in a restaurant and wanted to open his own. "I felt we had a need for a small, locally owned restaurant. We're hitting a bit of a niche," Aussant said. Hillenbrand is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America and was also at Mulino's and the Deerfield Inn. Bottega Cucina is a member of Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture, a group that encourages the use of local farm products in restaurants, food programs, grocery stores and markets. "The whole thing is keeping it very fresh, simple, with local ingredients," Aussant said. "We want to put out a very fresh menu using local ingredients at a reasonable price." The restaurant has a very European, casual feel to it. There is no wait-staff. Diners peruse the menu (which changes, according to what produce is in season) and order at a counter that gives a great view of the activities in the kitchen. People are encouraged to share by ordering a couple of different pasta dishes, sides and entrees, just as people do in Europe. The flavors and selections are authentic Italian, and the style ranges from northern to southern regions. "I like to stick with the traditional recipes," Hillenbrand said. |
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