NOVEMBER 10, 2004
We ordered curried sea scallops for an appetizer, and they were the best I ever have eaten. We were in Sarello’s Restaurant and Wine Lounge, which seems cleverly hidden at 28 Center Mall Ave., in Moorhead. That’s right near Herberger’s in the Moorhead Mall.
The sea scallops were very white, very moist and very tender. They came in a spicy red curry broth with fresh basil and broccolini. My daughter Gail (DG) and I split the appetizer ($9), and our waitress, Tara, brought two serving plates without being asked.
I had a feeling of accomplishment as we settled into a table covered with a white cloth and large crisp white napkins on a recent Saturday evening. I had heard of Sarello’s and been told it had the best food in Fargo-Moorhead. You have to reserve early. They serve dinner from 5 to 10 P.M., but they serve lunch only once a week, on Fridays.
Our reservation was for 6:30 P.M. We were served in the main dining room, which is small and intimate and rather quiet. There is enough space between the tables so that you can carry on a private conversation. Although it has an Italian flavor, the restaurant describes itself as “Contemporary Dining” on the front window. The place is rather understated. It’s nice without chandeliers and brass railings. It has a wine wall in the dining room. It is my kind of place!
The menu is a la carte. We skipped soup and salad, intending to concentrate on our entrees. DG ordered grilled salmon fillet with a honey soy beurre blanc sauce, Asian noodles and sugar snap peas ($17). She found the peas were crisp and nicely flavored. I ordered lobster ravioli with asparagus and shiitake mushrooms ($17). Every bite was tantalizing. Portions are adequate, not enormous. There are 10 entrees on the menu ranging in price from $16 for peppercorn pork chop with potatoes au gratin and asparagus to $28 for filet mignon with whipped potatoes and asparagus.
Service was impeccable. Tara told us in detail about the menu. I appreciated the fact that she also told us the cost of each entree she described. She was professional, pleasant, and not intrusive by repeatedly asking, “How is everything?” She just made sure everything was right.
I noticed Tony Sarello, the owner, around the rooms all of the time. And I thought how important it is to have the proprietor on the premises and visible. He, too, was friendly and professional in a business suit. There seemed to be a rapport between the staff and customers and several of the customers knew each other.
Anthony “Tony” Sarello told me later in a phone conversation that he originally was from Toronto. He and his wife, Sarah, met while working on a cruise ship. That also is where they met their chef, Christian D’Agostino. Since Sarah originally was from Fargo, they decided to open their restaurant in the area four years ago in December.
Sarello’s desserts are flourless chocolate torte, banana chocolate chunk bread pudding, gelato, sorbetto, vanilla bean crème brûlée and dolci del giorni (the daily specials). DG ordered a trio of brûlées: vanilla bean, chocolate and caramel—that came in three small custard dishes. Again, Tara brought an extra plate and dessert spoon knowing full well I would be tasting. We finished with coffee.
Our check came to $69.01, and that included two glasses of wine.
Sarello’s is still in business.