By Claire Kimsey
(Photo courtesy of Bratalian Neapolitan Cantina)
Sisters Carla Pellegrino and Alessandra Madeira are the stars behind Bratalian Neapolitan Cantina, located in a small plaza along Eastern Avenue between Horizon Ridge and Sunridge Heights.
Although the name Bratalian alludes to the sisters’ heritage, they grew up in Rio de Janeiro mastering the Brazilian foods of their home country and the cuisines of their mother’s Italian roots, the whimsical restaurant specifically serves Italian dishes.
The atmosphere of this cantina is reminiscent of Naples, Italy with soft hues and clothing lines strung across the walls. In conjunction with the food, Bratalian’s atmosphere transports the customer from the strip malls of Henderson to the rustic side streets of Italy.
When choosing what to order, I advise splitting dishes, so you can have a three-course meal– the servings at Bratalian are ample. For a starter, try the tortellini in brodo, a cheese tortellini served in chicken broth. The simplicity of this traditional Italian soup is a refreshing and comforting opening to your dinner.
Penne alla vodka, their most popular dish, is perfect for a main course. In Bratalian’s spin, penne noodles are tossed with a heavenly cream tomato sauce and spiced with Italian cooked ham.
To conclude your meal, order the torta di ricotta, aka, Sicilian cheesecake. Known for its purity, torta di ricotta has a decadently smooth texture and is amplified by just a hint of lemon zest. If this sounds too delicious to share, you can always take home leftovers for lunch the next day.
