Italian Bistro Hits the Spot

Lauren BonneyTHE SANTA CLARAJanuary 16, 2014[dropcap]T[/dropcap]hings are just starting to heat up this quarter and you may already find yourself craving some delicious comfort food.While the Santa Clara area offers plenty of varied food options, from gourmet sandwiches to Thaicuisine, some students seek to discover new venues that offer something different.Some of the best comfort food around is Italian food. With its delectable sautéed veggies, meaty sauces, fresh pastas and endless cheesy goodness, what’s not to love about Italian food?But genuinely good Italian cuisine can often be difficult to come by. Luckily, here in the Bay Area we are graced with some scrumptious culinary creations that are easy to get to.Satisfy your Italian craving at Il Postale, an Italian-American bistro-style restaurant located in downtown Sunnyvale, Calif. Italian for “the postal,” Il Postale is an unexpected burst of flavor in the heart of Sunnyvale.Located in what used to be the city’s post office building, the restaurant instantly draws you in with its warm, cozy lighting and heavenly scent drifting out the door.Il Postale recognizes the building’s past not only with its name but also pays homage by placing large, Italian-themed postal stamps on the walls around the room.The restaurant itself is small, but the room does not feel overly crowded. And even though the tables are placed close to each other, the proximity to your dining neighbor helps create a kind of eclectic, communal dining experience.The menu itself is an excellent combination of Italian classics with a slight American flare. Start your meal off with a traditional antipasto platter, or a fresh plate of assorted bruschetta. Or if you are feeling a little less traditional, try some pancetta-wrapped prawns for a unique burst of flavor.For your entrée, you can choose from a plethora of options including meat dishes, like chicken saltimbocca, calzones and pizzas or a variety of pastas.The homemade ravioli with beef, pork, spinach and ricotta cheese is sure to please, as well as the seafood risotto filled with clams, prawns, shrimps and scallops, topped with grilled salmon and a tasty saffron cream sauce. Seriously, what’s not to love?Il Postale is the perfect spot to bring a date, gather friends for a celebration or simply to treat yourself for making it through the first couple weeks of the quarter.So for a good time and some great food, stop by Il Postale where you will definitely not leave hungry. Contact Lauren Bonney at lbonney@scu.edu or call (408) 554-4852.