“Rockin’ and Reliable Restaurant Reviews”: Colletta

When you first walk through the large wooden doors with “Colletta” written in fluorescent white letters above you, the atmosphere of the loud voices and comforting colors automatically makes you feel at home.

As I walk into the restaurant, the young host greeted me with a warm smile. The young host then seated me at a table for two that had some well-made woven brown chairs. Soon after, General Manager Jon Murray welcomed me with an inviting attitude and introduced himself.

As the night went on, Earl the waiter greeted me warmly and read out his personal favorites from the menu. His favorites were the meatballs– which were made with a combination of beef, pork and herbs– and the market catch. The market catch was smoked trout aioli with eggplant, tomatoes beans and celery.

While everyone was away from the table, I was able to take the time to look around and get a feel for the atmosphere. The spacious setting included dark blue booths and a grand fireplace.

I started my fine meal with bread and oils– an Italian classic– and a Caesar salad that was easy on the dressing and exemplified exquisite taste.

After the salad, I ordered the waiter’s number one personal favorite, the Farfalle. This was a bow-tie pasta with crab and shrimp that was covered in breadcrumbs and herbs. This entrée had the perfect balance of quality and quantity.

Further, into the meal, I noticed the soft rock background music, and the happiness radiating off of all the other customers. As of right then, I realized that Colletta was a place where people came to enjoy themselves and savor the real Italian taste.

To top the night off, Murray offered a free dessert.

He surprised me with the Almond Budino, which is an Italian custard. This dish is for someone with a refined palate, as well as someone who enjoys pudding dishes, which, unfortunately, I don’t.

After all that outstanding food, it all came down the much-dreaded bill. While the individual prices don’t appear to be that much money, the grand total is a completely different story, as you may as well take out a bank loan.

One of the reasons that this restaurant is so expensive, as I found out from Murray, is that 80 percent of the food is from local markets, causing people to spend a little extra for localized taste.

So, this restaurant might be an excellent spot for trendy locavores looking for nearby food eateries.

By the end of the night, I had tried new foods and been in an Italian setting away from Italy. Due to the higher prices, I would recommend this restaurant for important events or for celebrations, such as anniversaries or this Saturday’s homecoming dance.

The one thing I would change about the restaurant would be its layout, which is one that creates a loud environment. However, the inviting entrance makes up for this in more ways than one.

Colletta is a place to enjoy an immensely delicious meal and be surrounded by a different culture. The overall most enjoyable aspect was being able to eat there, while feeling like you’re a part of a modern Italy.

Adress: 900 3rd St, Alpharetta, GA 30009