Our expectations were high when we decided to have my birthday dinner with friends at Trattoria Stefano in Sheboygan. This downtown Sheboygan restaurant has a regional reputation for excellent northern Italian cuisine.
The group included nine of us who arrived at 7:35 for our 7:30 reservations. We were courteously greeting by the host who told us our table would be ready shortly and directed us to the well appointed bar where there was seating for most of us. The bartender inquired about drinks and directed our attention to the red wine "specials" We ordered two bottles of Italian red wine, a 2001 Speri Amorini and a 2003 Ripossa. Both were lush reds with little aftertaste, though I preferred the drier and less fruity Speri Amorini. Later I was quite surprised to find out the "specials" were priced at $75 & $48 per bottle respectively. The bar was comfortable, but the wait was much too long. We inquired about our table several times, and later a complimentary Bruschetta alla Campania appetizer was served to us. Homemade bread topped with fresh mozzarella, fresh basil and wonderful garlic and tomato rub left us hungry for more.
We were famished when the host came to seat us at 8:25pm. But the host graciously brought us a complimentary bottle of wine after remarking about our long wait. The server was well versed on the menu and took our orders quickly but occasionally had to be reminded about a beer order (which I never did receive) and about refilling water glasses. Our food orders came in a reasonable period of time and looked spectacular.
Most of the group ordered pasta dishes with my favorite being The Rigatoni Gorgonzola. It included sautéed bits of Italian sausage, prosciutto, cherry tomatoes, and peas in garlic light cream tomato sauce tossed with parmigiano. The Penne del Sud was a spicy southern Italian dish with garlic olive oil, dried chilies, calabrese salami and fresh cherry tomatoes, pecorino cheese. It had the perfect amount of "bite" and was delicious. The Fedelini con Filetto di Pomodori was another wonderful dish with tomatoes, basil, arugula in a light tomato glaze topped with pecorino cheese. The grilled chicken Pollo alla Trattoria was also a hit topped with Fontina Val D Aosta, sliced tomato, basil in a light white sauce served with rosemary potatoes and sautéed spinach. Two of the group raved about the Grouper Special that was pan-fried perfectly, served with warm butter.
The pasta entrees ranged in price from $12 to $17 with the most expensive menu item being the lamb loin chops at $30. Portions were adequately sized, but it helped to split a salad with a tablemate. None of us had room for desert.
The quality of food was excellent with everyone enjoying his or her meal. However the long waiting times, mucho expensive “special” wines, and some service issues clouded the evening making it less than perfect.
The Viglietti family owns four restaurants in Sheboygan ranging from the casual Field & Fork to the upper crust Steffano. Trattoria Stefano is located at 533 South 8th st. Reservations are often necessary, phone 452-8455.