Sabatini's Trattoria - Is the Carbonara worth the carbs?

This Specialty Dining venue costs $45 per person. If you have Premier 80 (with two specialty dining meals included) or Premier 90 (with unlimited specialty dining) then the cover charge is waived. The cover charge includes one selection from each course. Any additional pasta or main course is $15 each.

If you've ever been around an Italian family long enough, you learn that the Italian word mangia ("eat" in English) is equivalent to saying "I love you." Dining in a restaurant like Sabatini's Trattoria will definitely make you feel full of food and love. There are several courses to the meal but there won't be any calls to the mafia if you skip a course or choose not to clean your plate. 

Stuzzichino Della Casa (Small snack or appetizer of the House), sometimes called amuse bouche and served to stimulate the appetite.

 Polenta Fries with Tomato Sugo di Pomodoro 

Zuppe e Insalata (Soup and salad) course

Antipasti (before the meal) small bites

Antipasto Platter - finocchiona salami, prosciutto di parma, terre ducali coppa, parmigiano reggiano, sicilian olives

Arancini al Tartufo - aromatic Sicilian fried mozzarella rice balls scented with black truffle, served with tomato and herb marinara, named for the little oranges they resemble.

Burrata Caprese - creamy, fresh stracciatella-filled cheese complemented by red and yellow tomatoes, fresh basil leaves, balsamic glaze and basil oil. 

Primi Piatti - (First Plate) pasta and risotto course

Spaghetti Polpette - a family favorite of rich beef and pork meatballs braised in a san marzano tomato broth with garlic, onion, and herbs. Basically the classic spaghetti and meatballs and one of Dad's favorite dishes. Note that these are not all beef meatballs so you may want to choose something else or ask for a modification if you don't eat pork.

Spaghetti Alla Carbonara - our classically Roman dish of spaghetti tossed with lucious egg, pancetta, and parmesan cream sauce. Now you know I wasn't going to pass up the chance to try the Carbonara! I can't believe I'm even saying this...but this dish was just a little too cheesy. Who knew there was even such a thing as too cheesy?! I did order this again during a second visit and it wasn't as cheesy.

Lobster Tortellini - delicate pillows of lobster-filled pasta, simmered in a rich creamy lobster sauce

Secondi Piatti (Second Plate) - Main Entrees that are mostly meat and/or seafood based

Tender Grilled Lamb Chops - served with truffled polenta, broad beans, and mushrooms. I've only recently tried lamb chops so I've had the dish a few times at most. I'm sorry to say this was way too tough and stringy. I gave up after a few bites.

Chicken Parmigiana - classic dish from southern Italy with fresh buffalo mozzarella and tomato, served with basil roasted potato.

Tried the Chicken Parmigiana again during a later visit

Dolci - desserts/sweets

Ricotta Cheesecake - served with vanilla and chocolate sauce (interestingly similar looking to the Sanctuary Cabana cheesecake option)

Classic Cannoncini - italian cream horns of buttery puff pastry filled with chantilly cream

While customary to dip desserts like this into nuts like the pistachio pictured here, I was surprised to not see any notation on the menu that this item contains nuts. Always make sure you mention any allergies at each dining venue.