Black Skirt

Black Skirt 974 College St (at Dovercourt) 416 532 7424

A gem! A winner! A great new find!
Black Skirt is named after the grandmothers in Sicily who wear black clothes in memory of loved ones. Agata Decina and Rosa Galle are the owners and chefs. They are not professionally trained in Sicilian culinary art but practice the recipes handed down by their family and friends, Trust me. They know how to cook in the Sicilian style
This is one bustling place. You have to have a reservation. The front of the restaurant houses two large tables. Both were full with a large group. The long bar takes up one side of the restaurant. The other side of the room houses large wooden cupboards and shelves filled with exotic goodies from Sicily. A variety of canned of vegetables. flour, pastas, olive oil and condiments offers great ideas for gifts. Fresh prepared foods and cheeses are also available for take out.
We enjoyed viewing the operations of the open kitchen while waiting for our food to be prepared. We also did a lot of chatting back and forth. What a perfect combination for an evening, great company and superb food,
This is such a friendly place. Kit, our server, was very busy but was so willing to answer all our questions. Apparently the restaurant has only been opened since January. It was packed and apparently it is always crowded. There is a buzz in the air.
Three friends were dining on this occasion. We were starving and ready for a feast. We shared two salads. They arrived in an enormous white bowl. Each salad was sufficient for 4 persons. The Arugula Salad ($6.95) was lightly refreshed with tasty vinaigrette. Shavings of delicious cheese enhanced the peppery taste of the fresh greens. The Beet and Spinach Salad ($8.95) was also totally enjoyed. The greens tasted as if they had just been picked. The beets had been roasted and were perched on the side of the bowl.
While enjoying the salads we devoured the scrumptious bread. We dipped the bread in the superb sauce served in an olive wood bowl. The sauce was composed of extra virgin olive oil, garlic, basil and tomatoes. You are told to mash the concoction with the pestle to free the flavors.
It was beyond delicious. We were so content with our choices. The young couple beside us was celebrating a birthday. They told us that their food was also ‘spiritual’.
The pastas were served al dente and the flavoring was absolutely perfect. The Sicilian Pasta was prepared with spaghetti, tomatoes, pine nuts, raisins, fresh white anchovies, olive oil, basil and dill.($15.95) One pasta dish was flavored with aioli. Fretta Pasta is an offering of spaghetti tossed with ricotta and parmigiano cheese.($10.95)
I enjoyed the Shrimp from the Antipasto list.($10.95) Pan seared shrimp were served in a spicy pizzaioli sauce with grilled Italian bread. This was supposed to be an appetizer. There were 5 very large perfectly flavored shrimp.
Panini selections included one prepared with Veal or Chicken and served with mushrooms and a sweet tomato sauce.($11.95)
Main courses are served after 5:00p.m. Osso Buco, a house specialty, is served with potatoes.($25.00)
Black Skirt opens in the morning for breakfast or lunch. It is open from Monday to Saturday. Charming! Delicious! It is almost as good as being in Sicily.