Suffolk Spotlight: Primo 116

Remember Cheers, "where everybody knows your name"? Our Cheers is Primo 116, although it's a cozy, hole-in-the-wall Italian place instead of a sports bar (thankfully). Our waiter Chris greets us by name when we walk in and brings our drinks to the table without us having to order them.

This is all started on Valentine's Day, 2009. The day before - Friday the 13th - I moved back to Hampton Roads after living in DC and Cleveland for work for nine months. Needless to say, my husband (then-fiancée) was very glad for me to be back, and I was pretty excited to be home. We wanted to do something special to celebrate, so we decided to try the new Italian restaurant that had recently opened downtown. (Are you sensing a theme? Celebrating, for us, almost always involves a great meal.)

We were shown to our table by the very friendly head waiter, Chris. Thankfully we had reservations: that night, their 15 or so tables were all full. After skimming the menu, I quickly made my selection: veal saltimbocca.

My husband, however, likes to talk to the waiter about the menu, find out what his recommendations are, etc. and that night was no exception. He introduced himself to Chris, and they immediately started talking sauces, spices, and cuts of meat, all of which went right over my head. I don't remember what my husband finally ordered -- it might have been the osso bucco -- but his conversation with Chris assured Primo 116's status as our favorite local place.

Plus, at the end of the meal Chris presented me with a single red rose (it was Valentine's Day after all) for being "the most beautiful woman in the restaurant" that evening -- a slightly unfair contest, since I was the youngest female there by several decades. ;)

Since then we've been back many times: for a fancy dinner with my in-laws; for a relaxed meal with friends; and for just a quick bite after work when we didn't feel like cooking. We've never been disappointed.

Valentine's Day 2009:

• Vitello Saltimbocca: Scallopini of veal topped with prosciutto and mozzarella over a bed of spinach in a sage demi-glace, served with a side of polenta
• Belgian chocolate gelato

Dinner with My In-Laws:

• Funghi Farciti Cotti: Baked mushroom caps stuffed with bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, pignoli nuts, parsley and herbs - stuffed mushrooms done right
• Rockfish with onions & tomatoes over orzo pasta
• A limoncello

Dinner with Friends:

• Bruschetta with basil, red peppers and pignoli nuts
• Halibut with saffron citrus sauce over orzo pasta
• Tiramisu

Dinner with Friends Again:

• Cioppino: Jumbo shrimp, scallops, clams, mussels and fish, simmered in a light fish fumet, seasoned with basil, fennel seed, garlic and a touch of tomato
• Ravioli dell' Aragosta: Ravioli stuffed with lobster meat and ricotta with a roasted red pepper cream sauce

A Night We Didn't Feel Like Cooking:

• Rockfish with capers in a tomato cream sauce
• Braised short ribs over risotto with gravy

When We Wanted a Light Dinner:

• Antipasti Freddo: An assortment of imported Italian meats and cheeses, peppers, ripe olives and artichoke hearts - this butcher's plate plus a glass of red wine makes a great light dinner for two

• Pasta e Fagioli Napolitano: a classic Neapolitan soup of white beans and pasta in a light tomato sauce
• Insalata della Casa: Mesculin mix of greens, imported goat cheese, toasted pignoli nuts and a balsamic glaze - this salad plus the soup above is a light, healthy meal

What I'll Order the Next Time We Go:

• Farfalle alla Vodka: Bow tie pasta in a pink vodka cream sauce with baby peas, pancetta and mushrooms

The Scoop:

Primo 116 Bistro Italiano (www.primo116.com) is located at 116 W. Washington Street, Suffolk, VA 23434. Their hours are T-R 5-10pm, F-Sat 5-11pm (closed on Sun-M). Reservations are available by calling (757)923-0116.