When entering Nonna’s Kitchen, one is greeted with a beautiful lofted dining area and a full bar, all surrounded by warm wood finishes and flooring. Large framed windows make up the front wall, allowing daylight to stream into the building.
We were greeted by our server, who offered to seat us outside on the last warm day of fall.
He was cheerful and lent to our wonderful experience. He checked on us frequently and once it started to get chilly when the sun went down, he offered to help us move inside, although not necessary since my partner and I enjoyed the cold and the privacy. Sitting on Main Street, Spearfish wasn’t an experience either of us had the chance to have in our two years of living in town, so it was a welcome treat with the warm lights from other shops and the buzz of conversation down the street.
We started the night out with an order of crab-stuffed mushrooms and a Caprese salad. The mushrooms were either baked or roasted to a point that highlighted the meaty texture of a quality mushroom. The crab was sweet and, combined with the sausage in the filling, created a hearty and savory flavor profile. Topped with melted mozzarella, the appetizer felt like a home-cooked meal.
The Caprese salad had crisp, fresh tomatoes, and the mozzarella was a mild complement to the tart balsamic vinegar drizzled around the dish. The basil was beautifully fresh, and the olive oil added the clean, but heavy, texture and flavor needed to tie the dish together.
We sat and enjoyed our appetizers, and our upbeat server came back out to help us decideon our main course, providing helpful suggestions and opinions from previous guests.
I ordered the Crazy Green Bowties with shrimp, which featured a pinenut-free basil pesto. The pesto was earthy and packed with the vibrant flavor of fresh basil. The pasta was cooked to a perfect al dente, and the shrimp was robust with the signature snap of fresh seafood. It was sauteéd with garlic and other herbs.
My partner ordered the chicken parmesan with spaghetti. The chicken cutlet was crisp and light, even though it was bathed in red sauce and covered in melted mozzarella. The pasta was cooked well, and the marinara was warm, tangy and salty.
While the portions were huge and incredibly filling, we needed to try dessert.
My partner ordered an Italian lemon cream cake. The cake had two layers of zesty sponge cake filled to the brim with a tart, but sweet lemon cream. It was topped with a generous helping of powdered sugar.
I ordered the Tiramisu, the traditional Italian dessert often made with ladyfingers, whipped and sweetened mascarpone and coffee liqueur or another form of alcohol and espresso. Tiramisu has been one of my favorite desserts since childhood, and, while it was still incredible, the Tiramisu at Nonna’s Kitchen definitely wasn’t the most skillfully made I’ve ever had.
The ladyfingers were formless, and they became a slight paste under the weight of the mascarpone. To combat this issue, a lighter hand could have been used when dipping them in the coffee and liqueur mix. The flavor itself was spot on, but the texture was slightly lacking, which made me a little disappointed.
Although a slight damper was put on the meal by my pickiness over the quality of the Tiramisu, the meal was ultimately a success. Every single thing we ordered was absolutely delicious, and the entire experience as a whole brought joy to my partner and me.
We left with smiles on our faces thanks to the great food and great atmosphere. I would recommend Nonna’s Kitchen to anyone wanting a traditional Italian sit-down experience in the heart of Spearfish, SD.
