You don’t have to be born and raised in Idaho Falls to recognize the lack of authentic Italian cuisine in our area. However, if you have lived in this region long enough, you can probably recall a couple of places that have come and gone over the years that temporarily teased us. Sadly, for the most part, this is a craving void that southeast Idaho has failed to fill for whatever reason. Visitors often take notice, but it does give locals something to complain about when the wind isn't blowing.
I’m sure some look at the chain restaurants that we currently have and insist they're true Italian cuisine, but I assure you they are not. These are probably the same people who voted Burger King as the Best Burger for our Idaho Falls Magazine Dining Awards a few years back. I wish I was kidding.
For years, when compiling a list of the top best places to go for Italian dining in Idaho Falls, that list seemed to always include a long car ride out of town to get there. Fortunately for those who crave Italian dishes, this is no longer the case. A new Italian restaurant is here.
Downtown Revival
Word has quickly spread that the social vibe of downtown Idaho Falls is back and this includes (finally) Park & A Italia, a brand-new Italian restaurant for our community. Thanks to 100 Proof Hospitality, a group that has already established XVIII and the Snakebite restaurant to help grow our downtown, the must-visit hotspot brings us an authentic Italian taste, but with a local flair.
In mid-November, Park & A Italia opened its downtown doors at (you guessed it) the corner of Park Ave and A Street in Idaho Falls, which was where the Snakebite restaurant was located before moving across the street. The new establishment is open Tuesday through Saturday, and although not required, reservations are encouraged. This is especially true on the weekends with roughly a seating capacity of around 50 patrons. Of course, if you do have to wait for a table as a walk-in, the lounge up front isn't a bad place to be. In fact, the lounge offers special drinks and appetizers that are not available when dining, which in reality encourages you to want to wait.
Making The Visit
Shortly after its opening, we sat down with Executive Chef Matt Feldman to get the inside scoop on the menu he created and what locals can anticipate when visiting.
“In Idaho Falls there aren't many local Italian places and the downtown area is especially lacking,” said Matt. “We wanted to give our old Snakebite location a new identity.”
Added Marketing Director Mia Kinghorn, “Growing up here I never was able to experience true Italian cuisine. Our downtown needed this.”
The chef prides himself on offering a creative menu that includes at least one special a week. Torry Aguirre serves as the general manager at Park & A Italia and plays a significant role in the kitchen.
“Torry and I collaborate a lot and come up with our specials together,” said Matt. “It's important to keep all members of the staff involved, but Torry is my right-hand man for sure.”
Locals Supporting Locals
Buying locally is a key ingredient to not only the quality but to its success. Park & A Italia purchases its wagyu meat through CRU Cattle from Taylor & Sons Farms. The desserts are also made locally by Paisley Cakes, a custom cake shop in Blackfoot. Another local partner is the Gelato, an Italian style of ice cream that comes from Manwaring Cheese.
“We want to support our community and try to buy local as much as we possibly can,” added Matt. “We also do zero-proof versions of our cocktails to support Community Youth in Action and other charities.”
Menu Options
For our visit, the accomplished chef first prepared his spaghetti and red sauce dish for us to sample. This traditional meal included two giant wagyu meatballs, which is considered a premium breed of beef. The 20-inch spaghetti noodles with its signature red sauce is topped with pecorino Romano and fresh herbs for a taste explosion with each bite. The presentation of the dish was spot on and complimented the cozy and inviting atmosphere of fine dining.
The second dish served was a classic fettuccine Alfredo, but again with a unique flair. The fettuccine noodles are tossed in its creamy house-made Alfredo sauce, which includes pecorino Romano, fresh garlic, and Italian seasoning. A nice added touch is that it's topped with a fresh lemon twist and fried capers. You can add primavera vegtables, hand-breaded chicken breast or sea scallops, but our dish included a fourth option of jumbo shrimp that completed the meal perfectly. The highlight by far was the creamy Alfredo sauce that is sure to satisfy even the most particular guests.
The third and final dish served on our visit was Lasagna Al Forno. Al forno is an Italian phrase that translates to English as “from the oven.” Served in the pan it was baked in, the layered pasta sheets of the lasagna included seasoned ricotta, béchamel, house-made wagyu Bolognese, and melted mozzarella. Again, just a fantastic tasting dish that lived up to its presentation.
To rank or rate these three dishes would be nearly impossible as each delivered a bold and unique flavor. The rest of the menu is waiting to be explored. Make your reservation today so you too can appreciate authentic Italian cuisine – now available in Idaho Falls – that will keep you coming back.
For More Information
Park & A Italia
401 Park Ave
Idaho Falls, ID 83402
208-973-1801
www.park-italia.com
Tuesday-Wednesday 4-9 PM
Thursday-Saturday 4-10 PM