Campiello's Eden Prairie, Minn. location opened in 1996. Unfortunately the strip mall setting is a bit out of the way in an area with little evening activity. For those who live in the area, known for many national chain restaurants, Campiello is be a nice retreat from Olive Garden and Maggiano's. Campiello's menu changes occasionally, with new specials featured monthly. The May 2008 specials include a delightful appetizer, Burrata Pugliese con Insalatina di Fave, Pecorino, e Pepe Nero. The clever infusion of one cheese stuffed inside another puts other Italian cheese dishes in their place. Soft, rich cheeses resting in a light, nutty sauce are garnished with lima beans and radish slivers. The earthiness of the legumes and vegetables brings out the more subtle flavors of the cheese.
The menu includes hearty entrees featuring sea bass, steak and pork chops. For those interested in smaller portions, try one of several pasta dishes. Cheese lovers will enjoy the ravioli stuffed with creamed corn, chives and parmesan cheese, topped with a light butter sauce. The only missing element to this pasta is texture. The addition whole corn kernels would make it perfectly delicious.
Among the four pizza selections, the Neapolitan style Soppressata is baked in an oak-fired oven, leaving the crust toasted just right. A wonderful surprise, given the style of this pizza, is that the crust holds up well, with toppings that do not slide off onto the plate. Unfortunately, the cheese can be overcooked and chewy depending on how long the pizza is left in the oven.
For dessert, try the Chocolate Pannacotta, a beautiful presentation of a light mousse with complimentary dark chocolate fudge. Roasted, toasted nuts bring immense flavor and texture to the dish. Fresh raspberries bring the delicious factor over the edge.
The service at Campiello varies night to night. Generally, the wait staff are quite friendly and attentive. Bussers will have plates off your table as soon as they empty and your water glasses refilled after only a few sips. There are some annoyances, however. Given how empty the restaurant tends to be, food can take a long time to reach the table with significant lag between the appetizer and entree courses. Additionally, it is typical to be seated right next to the only other guests in the building. Giving patrons a little breathing room is not a strong suit of the host staff.
The location may be the primary reason Campiello often remains close to empty at dinner time. Another reason you'll never need a reservation - the restaurant doesn't appear to know its audience. There is a bit of a disconnect, a slight discomfort - servers with no tables to tend to standing by the kitchen watching guests finish dinner, candles nearly melted down stuffed inside cheap containers, and simple food at fine dining prices. Even when near empty, the acoustics are so poor that the restaurant will sound full. At first glance, Campiello appears to fit with its described philosophy, "Rustic Contemporary", a modern interpretation of traditional dishes. Faux frescos and dim lighting almost create a romantic atmosphere. However, by the end of the meal, it is quite apparent that Campiello is simply a casual restaurant masquerading as fine dining.
Expect dinner for two with appetizer and dessert to cost close to $70 including drinks.
Campiello
6411 City West Parkway
Eden Prairie, Minn. 55344
www.campiello.damico.com
952.941.6868 | map
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