Bruschetta Toscana: Marinated tomatoes and olives with olive oil and fresh herbs served on toasted garlic bread

Gnocchi Verde al Quattro Formaggi: Potato spinach dumplings in a four cheese sauce

Rotini di la Nona: Cork screw pasta with prosciutto, mushrooms, green peas and parmesan cream

Cappuccino

Jess and I decided to go out for dinner on Friday night. I’d never been to Buona Terra, our neighborhood Italian spot, even though I’ve lived only a few blocks away for over a year. The space is small so I called ahead to make a reservation. When I arrived at 6:30, the restaurant was empty and I wondered if I’d even needed to call ahead. Within a half hour the place was packed.

For an appetizer we split the bruschetta. Tasty, but pretty much your standard bruschetta. Jess and I both decided to get pasta for our entrees. I got the gnocchi and Jess got the rotini. We skipped dessert and got coffee instead.

I liked everything we ordered at Buona Terra. The interior is cute and the service was good. I mean, it wasn’t like this place was the best meal I ate in my life, but I think it’s a solid bet. Kind of like Piazza Bella in our old Roscoe Village neighborhood, but, like Logan Square, Buona Terra was a bit less expensive.