Amorè Ristorante Italiano
Italian Food Created With Passion

Co-General Manager and Wine Director Marc Romero, Executive Chef Luis Zamora, General Manager America Lugo, and Owner Rick J. Lattanzio welcome you to Amorè.

It all starts with the architectural landmark building on Washington Street in La Quinta. The appeal is beautifully modern yet full of incredible character that's so unique you have to experience it personally. The open dining room with curved soft seating and exhibition kitchen sets the stage for dramatic views of the Santa Rosa Mountains. Add to the scene the best Italian cuisine in the desert.

The menu opens with a delectable selection of appetizers including Fried Calamari, Eggplant Rotillini, and Seven Spice-Crusted Baby Lamb Chops. You could return nightly just for the Seafood Louie or Portofino Salad. Special pastas include the Michelangelo or the Lobster Gnocchi. Or, choose to create your own pasta and homemade sauce combination. Be sure to try the homemade meatballs. Feast on delectable entrées including Pan-Seared Jumbo Sea Scallops, House Special Veal Parmesan, Osso Buco, or the Australian Rack of Lamb. You won’t find these dishes as expertly and flavorfully prepared anywhere else in the desert.

Every great meal deserves a fine wine and delicious made-from-scratch dessert. Sample the homemade cannoli, creamy gelato, or the wonderful homemade cheesecake. The sommelier will assist in your selection from the wine wall featuring wines from Italy to California.

A full complement of dessert wines, ports, cognacs, Grappa, and blended Scotches tops off the dining experience. For casual or impromptu dining, take advantage of a great new menu in the bar area — where every hour is Happy Hour nightly from 4 to 10 p.m.

Owner Rick Lattanzio, a Chicago native, created Amorè to reflect an authentic Italian dining experience reminiscent of what he calls “the old Italian neighborhoods of Chicago, Boston, and New York.” Rick invites his guests to enjoy the finest Italian meal in the desert, where everything is cooked and served with passion. “The passion is what makes Amorè fun and exciting,” Rick says.

Open daily for dinner from 4 to 10 p.m. Happy Hour runs all season Monday through Sunday from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Nightly entertainment features Jere Ring at the piano.

SHOWN ABOVE: A few of the classic Italian specialties created by Executive Chef Luis Zamora, clockwise from the bottom — Portofino Salad, Romaine lettuce, radicchio, arugula, Mandarin oranges, pecans, red onion, and Gorgonzola cheese, tossed with maple vinaigrette (also served with chicken breast); a combo of three appetizers, Shrimp Scampi, sautéed with garlic and herbs, in a lemon white wine butter sauce, Seven Spice-Crusted Baby Lamb Chop with figessence, and Pan-Seared Jumbo Sea Scallop with fresh-squeezed orange and peach sauce; Strudel di Mele, puff pastry filled with fresh Granny Smith apples cooked in brown sugar and cinnamon, tossed with toasted walnuts, served with vanilla bean ice cream; and Rolatine di Vitale, pounded veal medallion rolled with ricotta, spinach, pancetta, then wrapped with thinly-sliced Proscuitto di Parma, served with creamy risotto and a Parmesan crisp surrounded with a port wine beef reduction. The suggested wines are La Scolca, Gavi di Gavi, Italy 2006 and Tua Rita, Redigaffi , Italy 2002.

“A fun and exciting dining experience, reminiscent of Italy and old eastern Italian neighborhoods.”

MENU HIGHLIGHTS

APPETIZERS
Warm Portabello Mushrooms
Tomato Mozzarella Salad
Caesar Salad
Seven Spice-Crusted Baby Lamb Chops
Eggplant Rotilini
Portofino Salada

ENTRÉES
Michelangelo
Meat Lasagna
Lobster Gnocchi
Halibut
Cioppino
Veal Parmesan
Australian Rack of Lamb
Prime Rib of Pork

DESSERTS
Homemade Cannoli
Tiramisú
Zabaglione
Strudel di Mele

BEST OF THE CELLAR

RED WINES
Ruffino, “Ducale d Oro”, Chianti 2005
Colgin, “Red Wine Blend”, Napa Valley 2000
Gaja, “Conteissa”, Italy 2003
Tenuta San Guido, “Sassicaia” 2004

WHITE WINES
Autinori, “Cervaro Della Sala”, Chardonnay, Italy 2006
Cakebread Cellars, Chardonnay, Napa Valley 2006
Luna, Pinot Grigio, Napa Valley 2006

AMORÈ RISTORANTE ITALIANO
47-474 WASHINGTON STREET (across from St. Francis Church)
LA QUINTA, CALIFORNIA 92253
(760) 777-1315

More Information - Websites, Maps and Directions

BY GAYL BIONDI
FOOD PHOTOGRAPHY: ARTHUR COLEMAN/ASSISTANT: TIM CARTER
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED BY AMORÈ
FOOD STYLIST: ROLAND BIERI