Hit by an Italian Asteroid

Following up on a recommendation, my hubbie and I sought out a "hidden" Italian gem in Fremont this weekend, Asteroid. Sure, that immediately conjures up red and white checked tableclothes, jugs of Chianti and mounds of fettucine, doesn't it? Well, technically their name is Asteroid Ristorante e Bar Italiani and believe me, this Italian was more than satisfied and happy with the goods.

First off, they offer a stunning array of innovative and traditional Italian cocktails, ranging from Negroni to Bellini to a lovely peach concoction my husband ordered called a Fellini. Campari flows from this bar like water at the Fontain of Trevi. I tried to be adventurous and sample the Negroni, a mix of Campari, gin and other treats, but that bitter taste knocks me over each time, so the waitress graciously traded it for a refreshing Pear Martini.

The place is in an odd location: it looks like the bottom floor retail space of a 2 or 3 story office plex in downtown Fremont. There is a lovely sculptured fountain in front and Asteroid places bistro tables there for al fresco dining. After you get used to it, it's quite peaceful and lovely. Inside, the restaurants and bar looks like it'd be a fun time for meeting friends and even dining indoors.

We started with salads. I was not overly nuts about my dinner salad of mixed greens (way too much arugula made it oh so bitter) but the vinaigrette was lovely. My husbands spinach salad with goat cheese was a better choice. Complimentary bruschetta was served up and it was delicious with a bean/red pepper puree on crostini.

Boasting tons of things we would enjoy, the menu will keep up coming back to try more delectables. We opted for this Spaghetti alla'Amatriciana and a Ravioli made with marscapone and artichokes dressed in a butter/white wine sauce. Both dishes were delicious. The ravioli was just pure joy going down your throat. My only beef was that the Amatriciana did not taste like the ones I am used to (although it was great) and they used a very thin, almost Ramen-type noodle - this sauce begs a thicker noodle like bucatini, which it is traditionally served with in Rome, or a fettucine. This way, the noodle can hold the thick sauce better with each bite. But overall, the dishes were wonderful.

Too carbo-loaded for dessert (until we walked down the street to Simply Desserts, more on this below), we left Asteroid full and happy. The service was excellent, they have not one but TOW happy hours a night, and they showcase jazz and wine tastings. I managed to find out why the heck they call it Asteroid. Seems the owner had another spot in Ballard, which he named after the large prop "asteroid" on the roof of the building they occupied (according to the maitre'd, this was a real prop from "Armageddon"). And then they opened up the Fremont location and christened it the same thing. Interesting.

As for Simply Desserts, all I can say is the Truffle Cake was to die for, and we felt better about it since we packed it to go and walked home before gorging ourselves. They bave a variety of scrumptious cake slices or you can order the whole damn thing, which I'm pretty sure would fill you up for a month. Mmmmmmm is all I can add to that.

So now we have not one but two yummy Italian joints in the Hood. Ah, all is right with the world.