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The Arcadia News features restaurant reviews each month.
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Furio
7210 E. 2nd Street ~ 480.945.6600

Contemporary Italian is something I am always in the mood for. But, I had no idea that, as a testimony to my ignorance, one of the city’s best spots has been just east of Arcadia for the last 2 years.

As I walked from my car to the entrance of Furio, my mind began to speculate the limitless possibilities of pun jokes available to me during my dining experience. “$19.00 for a crab puff still frozen in the center? I’m more than mad, I’m Furio!” By the time my associate and I had a hold of the wine list, I had already run the joke into the ground. Wine as it turns out, is serious business at Furio. Plus, the menu includes more small boutiques by the glass than I am aware of anywhere in town. There was no standing excuse not to furiously tear through at least six glasses of red, and so we did.

Our first dip into the apps menu was fought over. This included the Sautéed Calamari with chili flakes, marinara and fresh watercress ($8). Sweet tender calamari incorporated into a great red sauce reminded me of Brava sauce from traditional Spanish tapas: rich and smoky. The Furious Shrimp & Bay Scallops with papaya chili glaze and lettuce cups ($9) came along and kept the seafood theme through our first two glasses of wine. That’s the point where we couldn’t decide on the next appetizer. We wanted the Baby Octopus, which as a dinner menu comes with cracked peppercorn fettuccini, cauliflower and truffle sauce ($16). Instead, at our server’s suggestion, they prepared it as an appetizer with Portobello mushrooms and a garlic sauce. I was impressed and this turned out to be an incredible dish and a welcome surprise finding out that the kitchen enjoys being versatile.

I don’t mention servers by name very often but half the fun of our experience was Anthony Georoulis who knew a thing or two about wine and gave us some meaningful input on navigating our choices. There is no question that Anthony loves entertaining and being a host to a great evening out. I’m looking forward to my next trip and the great selection of entrées I still have to experience. The menu and other clever facts are available at: www.furio.tv.