With grandmother’s recipes still guiding his gravy, Chef AJ Black leads an acclaimed Italian kitchen at Primavera Ristorante, 43 Route 6A, Yarmouth Port.
His birth name is Antonello Jacopo Maximus Cuoco – which, honestly, says enough. But his roots are tinged with time spent in the old country. He grew up in Sicily and opened a café in Rome, and those authentic flavors find themselves on every dish his team serves.
Primavera Ristorante is certainly a date night go-to, with dependably delicious meals, intimate atmosphere and helpful staff.
Primavera Ristorante’s Menu
The starting courses on the Primavera Ristorante menu are hearty and rich enough to order for an entire dinner – though a glance over at the entrees will surely be enough to dissuade you from that plan.
Four salads top the menu – the most unique of which, the Rughetta, is a delicate dish with sweet shaved pear, salty Parmesan cheese and earthy arugula – contrasted with a limoncello vinaigrette.
Diners anticipating antipasti will have a tough go of it – ten options range from the sweet-and-savory combo of Burrata and Speck, to the gremolata-topped grilled octopus.
Wines are in force here, but for a typical Italian experience, try ordering an aperitif – typically, a tasty, sweet-and-sour drink which supposedly arouses appetites. Aperol Spritzes and Negronis are the standbys, but nobody would look down on you for giving in to the Blood Orange Martini.
Pizzas are considered an appetizer, and six simple, seafood-tinged and traditional options await order.
A pillar of any main course at Primavera Ristorante is one of their filled pasta dishes. Paglia Fieno Trevisana, White and green capellini in a white truffle cream sauce with wild mushrooms, is easily paired with a side order of spinach olio. The cannelloni is stuffed with cheese and short ribs and topped with a tomato and béchamel sauce.
Desserts at Primavera Ristorante change by the week and are heavily inspired by Italian specialties.
Prices at Primavera Ristorante
This is a fairly swanky, yet unpretentious, establishment. That said, the prices at Primavera Ristorante are to be considered high-end.
Appetizers average around $15, drinks at $11. Main courses average around $27.
About Primavera Ristorante
Sicilian-born Chef AJ Black fished and cooked with his family every day in the old country. The experience inspired him to pursue training at the Italian Culinary Institute before rounding himself out at the famous Grand Hotel.
Black opened his first café at 19 years of age before moving to the United States. He was featured in Relais & Chateaux’s “85 Inspirational Chefs” and Chef’s at Home, and is currently working on his own cookbook.
Primavera Ristorante does provide catering services for functions of all sizes.
