Restaurant Review: Gloria's Little Italy

guests: 

trip#1: Laura Cañate, Danielle Mathis and Diane Cañate

trip#2: Diane Cañate and Caroline Christiansen
place: Gloria's Little Italy
northeast corner of Center Street and University Ave (probably 16 E. Center St.)
Provo, UT 84601
801-805-4913
hours: 11am-3pm; 5pm-9pm

Owners Gloria and Mauro Bonafanti have created a beautifully authentic slice of Italy in downtown Provo, Utah. From the moment you enter this great hotspot, you'll feel like a fly on the wall at an Italian family dinner. The Bonafanti's  welcome you in with rich Italian accents and invite you to pull up a chair like you are their only dinner guest. 

It's a  perfectly simple and affordable menu with classic Italian favorites like lasagna, gnocchi, cannelloni, and everything in between. Gloria puts her love into every dish, generally working twelve to fifteen hour days. We were welcomed with a basket of deliciously rustic crusty bread slices lightly drizzled with olive oil. Do not ever underestimate the power of high quality olive oil. I have never wanted another basket of bread more than at Gloria's. 

One of the best options on Gloria's menu are the combinations of pasta and signature sauces. The most popular sauce among my friends is the salsa rosata.

Gnocchi with Salsa Rosata

Gloria's gnocchi are obviously handmade and perfectly cooked creating a plump, soft pasta. It is hearty and satisfying. Paired with the salsa rosata, a tomato infused béchamel sauce; this dish is rich and tasty. The dish showed an expert ability to compliment flavors, an authentic italian flavor profile and a chef who knows how to feed the soul.

Spinach Ravioli with Salsa Rosata

These spinach raviolis were expertly formed and filled with the perfect amount of delicious cheese. Paired again with the salsa rosata, this dish did not disappoint. By sticking to simple flavors and expertly executed homestyle Italian cooking, Gloria nails it. 

Penne with Quattro Formaggio Sauce

Classic al dente penne paired with a four-cheese sauce. It was buttery and cheesy, with balanced saltiness. This dish is ideal for picky eaters, but if you are looking for something a bit more adventurous grab one of the many other winning fares that really feature the delicious flair of authentic Italian home cooking.  

Tiramisu

To round out our meal, we had to try some of the tiramisu. Tiramisu is one of my all time favorite dishes, but Gloria's version was not as I expected. Perhaps it's because of the conservative non-caffeinated air in Provo, but this dish was missing the classic punch of espresso that blends beautifully with the marscarpone creamy custard.  I have a feeling they are attempting to cater to their local audience by leaving out this key ingredient. I was a bit disappointed, but this lackluster dessert does not represent Gloria's overall bold, classic, and satisfying flavors. 

Run, don't walk to Gloria's newly expanded location off Center Street in Provo! It definitely is worth the forty minute drive down from Salt Lake.  

**Visit this site to find more about Gloria's backstory.