Paesano Restaurant and Wine Bar

Family-owned since 1984, Paesano’s Restaurant & Wine Bar features a seasonal menu of new Italian dishes with an emphasis on regional preparations and an influence from Italian wines.

Proprietors Michael and Bridget Roddy offer guests a true Italian experience... beyond what goes on in the kitchen. The restaurant offers three levels of Italian language classes taught by Sicilian-born, Salvatore Bissaccia; Italian cooking classes; a popular series of wine tastings and wine education classes; private parties with Chef David Whitney at the restaurant or off site; an annual guided “dine and wine” excursion to Italy; and theme wine dinners featuring vintners visiting from Italy.

The main dining room has seating for 160 guests. The cozy banquet room may seat up to 65 with additional space available on the adjacent Italian inspired patio for another 20 guests. For more intimate gatherings, the private wine room is perfect for small get-togethers or meetings. A full service catering team is available for on or off site events.

Paesano’s was named one of the “Best Italian Restaurants in America” by restaurant writer Luigi Veronelli. We’re located at 3411 Washtenaw Avenue in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Contact us at 734-971-0484.

Press
Detroit News Logo The Detroit News includes Paesano's in their 10 places to dine in 2009 article. Paesano's was the only Ann Arbor restaurant to make the list.

Reviews

Hour Mag"In breadth, variety, and innovation, Paesano’s Restaurant & Wine Bar in Ann Arbor is in a culinary class by itself. It rates among my favorites not because I think the food is the most exquisite I’ve had, but because of the remarkable breadth and variety of its menu. It’s like no other Italian restaurant I know in the Detroit area."
- CHRISTOPHER COOK, HOUR DETROIT MAGAZINE

A newly published cookbook that caught my eye recently and would make a great gift for the cooks on your list is "Perbacco Isabella!"... is a beautiful hardback book filled with lavish color photos and recipes from Chef Isabella Nicoletti... Yes, it's another Italian cookbook, but the recipes are decidedly original and creative, steeped in the influence of the Veneto region where Nicoletti grew up. The book is divided by the four seasons, and many of the offerings give suggestions for wine to accompany them.
- PUALA EVANS NEUMAN, GOANDOMICHIGAN.COM

A new cookbook is on the shelves that shouldn't be dismissed as "just another Italian cookbook.'' ... "Perbacco Isabella!'' is a must-have for any home chef and cookbook collector. If you frequent Paesano's you might even recognize some of the dishes from past years at the restaurant. ...easy-to-follow directions, gorgeous photos are included for most dishes.

Italian born and raised, Nicoletti has also included personal commentary about most dishes. After reading the insights into the creation of these recipes you'll feel as though you've known Nicoletti for years. This book has more than 100 original recipes, from appetizers to desserts. It would make a wonderful gift for yourself or for your cooking friends.
- ANN ARBOR NEWS

Most Italian recipes are comparatively straightforward, relying on fresh ingredients more than complicated preparations. Isabella Nicoletti's Perbacco Isabella! ($35, Huron River Press) is a celebration of chef Nicoletti's culinary wisdom and creativity, which can be sampled at Ann Arbor's Paesano's, a restaurant that we have not tried, but likely will by the time you read this. The recipes sound great. The photos illustrate the exquisite presentations of the food. Swordfish grilled on rosemary skewers with Romesco sauce caught our eye.
- METRO TIMES

Chef Isabella Nicoletti grew up in a small village in Italy and trained at a top Italian cooking school before moving to the states and taking the chef job at Ann arbor’s beloved Paesano’s. The traditions of her heritage and a few culinary secrets are revealed in her new book, “Perbacco Isabella”. Divided into seasonal recipes, it includes everything from Gnocchi di paptae con le Cozze (potato dumplings with mussels) and pollo farcito (balsamic-braised chicken) to delectable desserts such as Castagnaccio (chestnut cake). Buon appetito!
- STYLE THE MAGAZINE

Perbacco Isabella is a new Italian cookbook by chef Isabella Nicoletti of Paesano’s Restaurant & Wine Bar in Ann Arbor. The photography is delicious and many of the recipes are on the chefy side, but seem doable for the home cook. The recipes are listed by spring, summer, autumn and winter, with the main focus on Northern Italian cuisine from the Veneto region. Recipes are listed in both Italian and English.
- DETROIT FREE PRESS

* Award of Excellence
Wine Spectator Magazine 03 & 04
* Grand Prize Winner
Best Wine List in America
Restaurant Hospitality Magazine 2003
* National Award Winner
Sante Magazine 03 - 04
* Best Wine List
Metro Times Magazine
* Named one of the Best Italian Restaurants in America by Luigi Veronelli
* Named one of "America’s Best Wine Driven Restaurants 2005" by Wine Enthusiast Magazine