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EAT & DRINK DULUTH REVIEW
By Andrea Busche, Eat & Drink Duluth Editor
Va Bene – “It Goes Well”
Fresh Italian Food, Served up in a Cozy Setting
If you enjoy Italian food, stay tuned. In this edition of Eat & Drink Duluth, we visit local favorite, Va Bene. And if, like me, you don’t speak Italian, no worries. Here are a few fun tidbits to get the party started!
Va Bene, pronounced “vah-ben-neh,” translates to “it goes well.” In addition to being the restaurant’s namesake, the phrase is an Italian sentiment staff take to heart daily as they provide exceptional service to every guest.
Va Bene is a sweet little restaurant offering fresh Italian food prepared with quality ingredients in a casual, comfortable atmosphere. The cozy restaurant features indoor seating and a lovely enclosed solarium for the colder months. There is also an outdoor, open-air deck and an outdoor grotto – all perched directly above Lake Superior!
Va Bene’s sauces, dressings, breads, gnocchi, and desserts are all made on-site from scratch. Everything is fresh and prepared to order. And their wine list is extensive. Dining here is a dream come true for any foodie or wine connoisseur.
Please join us as we sample some delicious Italian cuisine at Va Bene!
History
Va Bene is located at 734 East Superior Street, just two blocks east of the Fitger’s complex. The restaurant was opened in 2006 by married couple Mary Kay and Jim Berarducci.
Va Bene is now owned and operated by two of the restaurant’s long-term managers, Patrick Moore and Luke Schmitz.
Vibe
The vibe at Va Bene is cozy, warm, and comfortable. Due to the restaurant’s open-air kitchen, delicious aromas fill the entire space.
The restaurant consists of square, low-top tables, and a small bar area. The enclosed solarium directly overlooks Lake Superior. A lovely square vase of pink lilies was placed at each table.
The walls are painted in calming shades of blue and white, with a yellow, tiled fireplace. Local art, including the talented Sam Nielsen’s “Duluth Alphabet” are displayed on the walls.
While a few couples were dining, the vast majority were groups of two or more ladies. One of our neighboring diners, Hermantown resident Lindsey Roberg, noticed we were taking notes and photos and was willing to chat for the story.
“Every time I go out with a girlfriend, we come here,” she said. “We’ve even hosted baby showers here. This is definitely one of the best restaurants in Duluth.” Roberg’s favorite Va Bene meal is a pasta dish - the Preferito Della Casa.
Food
Va Bene’s lunch and dinner menus include creative salads, signature soups, fresh pasta and gnocchi, grilled panini, and steak and seafood entrees. Beverages include Italian coffee, sodas, espresso, wine, beer, and spirits – including some inventive cocktails.
Their soups, sauces, dressings, breads, pasta, and gnocchi are all made from scratch. Va Bene also rotates a large selection of Italian gelato and sorbetto, plus several other fresh-baked desserts.
While we perused the menu, our server, Nathan, brought us bread: two long slices of house-made rosemary Focaccia. The bread was served with a plate of extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar for dipping.
The bread was soft and fluffy inside, with a browned, salty crust. There’s no doubt in my mind: fresh bread dunked in olive oil is one of life’s greatest pleasures.
For my entrée, I decided to try one of the risottos – the maple glazed salmon risotto. From the menu:
Pan-seared, wild-caught Alaskan salmon filet cooked in a citrus maple glaze. Served on a risotto of asparagus and peas.
Maybe you’re wondering what, exactly, is risotto? We’ve got you covered. From the Taste of Home website:
“Risotto is a creamy Italian dish that tastes a lot like the rice version of mac and cheese. Unlike other rice recipes that require simmering in a pot of water, risotto is simmered by adding small amounts of liquid at a time. This process allows the rice to release its starches, creating a rich, velvety sauce with soft but slightly al dente grains.”[1]
This dish was amazing. The salmon was firm and perfectly cooked, with slightly crisp edges. And the rice – Villa Frizzoni brand, imported Arborio rice – was chewy and very hearty.
The risotto was creamy, with an incredibly rich mouthfeel. The citrus maple glaze gave the dish a hint of sweetness. Tiny slices of fresh asparagus were found throughout the risotto. And the salmon was topped with basil microgreens – which, in addition to being fresh and delicious, provided a beautiful garnish.
Mike chose the Arrabiata Al Padre Ricardo. From the menu:
Rigatoni pasta, San Marzano tomato sauce, Italian sausage, and red pepper flakes.
He also added chicken for some extra protein.
This dish was another winner. The thick rigatoni noodles were perfectly cooked and well-covered with a savory red sauce. The coins of Italian sausage were rich and salty and the chicken (cut into bite-sized chunks) was well-seasoned. The sauce had a bit of spice with a flavorful kick. A sprinkling of parsley added a beautiful garnish to the dish.
Both meal portions were very generous, easily providing leftovers for lunch the next day.
Wine
As noted, Va Bene serves wine, beer, spirits, cocktails, Italian sodas, and coffee. After Nathan told us Wednesdays were “half-priced wine night,” we embraced life like a couple of true Italians and shared a bottle of wine.
We were on the fence about ordering the red blend or the Cabernet. With Nathan’s gentle guidance, we ordered a bottle of the 2021 Sansonina Evaluna Cabernet. This lush, balanced red was incredibly smooth and velvety and was an excellent pairing for both of our dishes.
Service
Our server, Nathan, has been working at Va Bene since 2016 and shared that he loves the restaurant's food and management. Nathan was incredibly well-versed in the restaurant’s food and beverage menus.
Nathan gently guided us in our selections and was incredibly patient with all my questions. And he is a pro in selecting food and beverage pairings.
Verdict
Va Bene is highly worthy of its reputation as a Duluth favorite. The food, service, and setting were wonderful. This restaurant offers approachable Italian cuisine with price points for every budget. And their wine list is expansive, with options for every palate.
We can’t wait to return in the summertime to dine and sip on their outdoor patio.
Please note: Reservations are highly encouraged. And, pro tip: bottles of wine are half-priced on Wednesdays!
For more information, please visit vabenecaffe.com.
Andrea Busche is a Duluth and regional freelance writer credited with over 1,000 bylines in local print and digital publications. Her food column, Local Pairings, was first featured in Duluth.com magazine, and later published in the Duluth News Tribune from 2016-2018.
[1] What Is Risotto? (And How Do You Make It?) | Taste of Home
