Gloria and Mauro Bonfanti, both native Italians, have created something truly special at Gloria’s Little Italy. Gloria’s is both a market and a trattoria. Because they are a market, they directly import quite a bit of Italian staples. Meats such as prosciutto, speck, and various other salumi, as well as several wonderful varieties of cheeses are plentiful at the market. They also stock olive oils, vinegars, pastas, and several of Italy’s more famous soft drinks (San Pellegrino waters, Aranciata, Limonata, Sanbittèr, and Chinò to name a few).

It’s the trattoria, however, that really makes this a destination to seek out. Gloria’s is a family affair. It is run by a husband and wife, and supported by several of their children. Gloria’s cooking is just fantastic! Their menu contains a delicious array of entrees including gnocchi, pasti, and an entire page of panini. On Tuesdays, they make calzoni. These are not just any calzoni, these are Gloria’s calzoni! They are filled with any of the wonderful vegetables, cheeses and meats that the market stocks, lovingly wrapped in their amazing home-made dough. What really sets Gloria’s calzoni apart from your standard calzone, however, is the way they are cooked. These calzoni are deep fried! Holy Cow! Try a deep fried calzone with ricotta, prosciutto, salami and tomato sauce. You’ll be in heaven.

To start your meal, Joe and I highly recommend the Misto della Casa.

This is a traditional antipasti plate comprised of prosciutto, salami, fresh mozzarella, and either a sharp provolone or the ever-welcome Parmigiano-Reggiano. All drizzled with a fine olive oil and a few grinds of fresh pepper. For me, these flavors just speak to my soul. Although my heritage is Italian, my family did not really pass down any of the culture or traditions. It’s strange to me how certain foods, especially those foods traditionally served or produced in Northern Italy, just seem to resonate with me in ways that no other foods do. Don’t get me wrong though — I love good food in all it’s varieties; and you might notice that my tastes predominately lie with Asian foods these days. There’s just something about classical Italian cuisine that really moves me, though. I’m not talking about Olive Garden or The Macaroni Grill here, but real, honest, classic Italian cooking. It’s comfort food for me.

So, after your entree, whether it be a panino like I had, a plate of spaghetti or gnocchi, or a deep fried calzone, you’ll have to try one of their desserts. You probably won’t have much room, so you might need to take it to go, but trust me — you have to order dessert. Gloria’s desserts are plentiful and varied. They make several amazing varieties of fresh gelatti (an Italian ice cream), exquisite cannoli, fantastic cakes and pastries, and a home-made tiramisu. Our friend Monica swears by their “Vulcano”, a moist, rich, chocolate layer cake, filled with mascarpone cheese. I have to push the traditional cannoli and gelati, though. They are just perfect. Whatever you choose, however, you just can’t go wrong.

Well, what are you waiting for? Hurry on over to Gloria’s Little Italy where you will be greeted like family and you will eat like real Italians. In the process, you will be supporting a true jewel of a restaurant. A local, family owned business that just happens to be one of the very best restaurants, albeit relatively obscure, in all of Utah.

Gloria e Mauro, sono l’amore!

Ciao, Jason

Although located in “The Monstrosity”, in downtown Orem, Pizzeria Seven Twelve is a truly wonderful place to eat. Based upon the concept that “We don’t need to be hip foodies or cool cats to eat well. All we need is a little time and a good place to sit.”, Pizzeria Seven Twelve serves only what is fresh and in season. Because of this, their menu is prone to change from time to time, but there are some staples that are always there.

While a “Pizzeria” by name, they are not by any means just a pizza joint. Besides the pizzas, they also serve fantastic panini, salads, soups, and fresh desserts. The pizzas they do serve are not your traditional heavy, American-style pizza. They are thin crusted, light, and not greasy. They come topped with ingredients such as hand-pulled mozzarella, house-made sausage, La Quercia prociutto and speck, goat cheese, and a house-made ricotta that is just amazing.

Once your pizza is assembled, it is baked to perfection in a wood-fired brick oven right in full view of the restaurant. Panini are also finished in this oven, after a quick grilling on their panini grill. The flavor and texture that the wood oven imparts to the food is just wonderful.

If you are a tea drinker (Black, Green or Herbal), you’ll definitely enjoy their tea service. They serve teas from The Republic of Tea. The tea is brought to your table in a steaming Japanese-style iron tea pot, accompanied by a bowl containing a few chunks of unrefined sugar, for those who like their tea sweetened. If you are new to teas, or want something light to go with your meal, try the Morrocan Mint. It is a blend of green tea and mint leaves that has a very fresh and spicy aroma, and a smooth flavor. A perfect compliment to the relaxed and comfortable atmosphere at this fine restaurant.

We’ve eaten here seven or eight times by now, and have sampled almost everything on the menu. I firmly believe that it is impossible to go wrong there. Top your meal off with one of their desserts, and you just might think you’re in heaven. I know that I usually do.

–Jason