Prima Fila

Authentic Taste, Unmatched Italian Atmosphere

As I waltzed into Prima Fila one blustery evening, I was met with the warmth of an establishment that dances on the line between charmingly local and confidently upscale. Nestled within a bustling town center, this Italian bistro indeed provides an authentic slice of Italy without leaving your postcode. Inside, the ambiance buzzes with the sounds of diners who, adorably full and steadily tipping back magnums of Chianti, chat animatedly as if seeking to bottle the joviality with their leftovers. Prima Fila boasts a food spread as rich as the tapestries hanging upon its walls—a menu brimming with classics like the ethereal Ravioli al Granchio, counterpointed by the outrageously palatable Seafood Tagliatelle, which wafts promises of Mediterranean summers and salty ligurian breezes.

I must extend my appreciation to the staff, who handle every curveball—be it a toddler’s tsunami meltdown or an off-menu request—with barely a heartbeat skipped. Not once did their composure crack under the weight of an over-literary request: evidently skilled folks in making a whole table swoon by graciously whisking plates away to reveal tiramisu landscapes for dessert. Yes, sceptics might murmur about sprinkles of inconsistency such as hastily arriving courses and some slightly elevated pricing, but the effervescence of buoyant meals enjoyed in such hospitable quarters outweighs those qualms. “Costly,” perhaps taps shoe to toe with “worth it,” as any dish seasoned with genuine love tends to be concluded with gut-busting gusto. And so, do meander there for it is a spot where plates are driven by passion's flair and Palates leave peppered with nothing short of longing for that complementary true caffè coretto finale. Heaven knows, with what’s served here, you might need two. — Milo Tastemaker