Lé Fresca | Ristorante Italiano | Italian Restaurant

2218 2nd Ave N Birmingham, AL 35203

(205)593-4241

TAKE AWAY MENU WINE & DRINKS

DINE IN AND CURBSIDE ARE AVAILABLE

RESERVATIONS ARE SUGGESTED

Tuesday – saturday

11 – 9

open all day

Lé Fresca brings the taste and excitement of Northern Italy to 2nd Ave North Birmingham, AL. We offer a wide variety of Italian cuisine, imported pizza oven, full bar & wine.

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lefresca

Ristorante Italiano ..... 🍷🍕Passione per il cibo e vino Italiano
Da Peschiera a Birmingham Alabama
2218 2nd Ave N Birmingham, AL 35203
(205) 593-4241

Cocchi Americano Cocchi Americano is an aromati

Cocchi Americano

Cocchi Americano is an aromatized wine created in 1891 by Giulio Cocchi and since then produced without interruption according to the original recipe.
The name “Americano” is both due to the alcohol made bitter (“amaricato”) by the addition of herbs and spices and to the American habit of drinking vermouth with ice and soda.

CHARACTERISTICS
Cocchi Americano, for its nature, represents the link between wine and liquors being a wine plus a small quantity of alcohol bittered (“amaricato”) by the infusion of precious herbs and spices: white wine, sugar, herbs and spices infusion in alcohol and in particular gentian flowers and leaves, Artemisia, Cinchona, bitter orange peel, elderflower and others.
To produce Cocchi Americano, white wine is aromatized with the extracts obtained through a cold infusion in alcohol, then refined for balancing the spices’ aromas and tastes.

HOW TO DRINK IT
The classic version sees it served well chilled in a cocktail glass with ice cubes, completed with a splash of seltz so to free all its aromas and typical perfumes. It can be perfected with a squeezed out orange peel.

TECHNICAL INFO
Alcohol content: 16,5% Vol
Bottle content: 75 Cl
Ingredients: wine, sugar, alcohol, aromatic herbs and spices infusion.

Source: https://www.cocchi.it/en/wines/americano/

Grappa We have some new grappas and we will be h

Grappa
We have some new grappas and we will be highlighting them individually.

Grappa is an alcoholic beverage: a fragrant, grape-based pomace brandy of Italian origin that contains 35 to 60 percent alcohol by volume (70 to 120 proof). Grappa is traditionally produced in Northern Italy. The flavor of grappa, like that of wine, depends on the type and quality of the grapes used, as well as the specifics of the distillation process. Grappa is made by distilling the skins, pulp, seeds, and stems (i.e., the pomace) left over from winemaking after pressing the grapes. It was originally made to prevent waste by using these leftovers. A similar drink, known as acquavite d'uva, is made by distilling whole must.

#lefresca #lefrescabham #newrestaurant #birmingham #birminghamalabama #alabama #italianfood #foodie #foodiesofinstagram #bhamrestaurants #bhamfoodgram #bhamfood #bhamfoodstagram #ristorante #ristoranteitaliano #instagrambham #bhamnow #happeninsintheham #bhamloftdistrict #grappa #poli #poligrappa #poligrappa1898

"Porchetta" Slow roasted pork shoulder served wi

"Porchetta"

Slow roasted pork shoulder served with roasted potatoes, braised fennel, carrots, and finished with a pan sauce made from the natural jus and a touch of dry vermouth.

Perfect dish for a rainy day.

#lefresca #lefrescabham #newrestaurant #birmingham #birminghamalabama #alabama #italianfood #foodie #foodiesofinstagram #bhamrestaurants #bhamfoodgram #bhamfood #bhamfoodstagram #ristorante #ristoranteitaliano #instagrambham #bhamnow #happeninsintheham #bhamloftdistrict

"Cocchi Dopo Teatro It’s a rare “evening vermo

"Cocchi Dopo Teatro
It’s a rare “evening vermouth” called Dopo Teatro on the wake of Piedmonts tradition to drink a small cup of cool vermouth with lemon zest in the evening, maybe after watching a performance in one of the historic theatres of the Savoy capital.

CHARACTERISTICS
Vermouth Amaro Cocchi has been created according to the original recipe by Giulio Cocchi where Artemisia was enriched with rhubarb, quassia wood, chiretta and a double infusion of cinchona.
The addition of Barolo Chinato to the base wine gives delicately red nuances and a further soft and complex note – totally Cocchi style.

HOW TO DRINK IT
The richness of the bitter principles makes this vermouth a tonic aperitif and a pleasant end of meal.
Today it is perfect as a bittering ingredient for the best cocktails.

TECHNICAL INFO
Alcohol content: 16% Vol
Bottle content: 75 Cl
Ingredients: wine, sugar, alcohol, aromatic herbs infusion and spices.
Close the bottle with its cap after opening.
Once open, keep chilled and drink within a month"

Source: https://www.cocchi.it/en/wines/dopo-teatro-vermouth-amaro/

#lefresca #lefrescabham #newrestaurant #birmingham #birminghamalabama #alabama #italianfood #foodie #foodiesofinstagram #bhamrestaurants #bhamfoodgram #bhamfood #bhamfoodstagram #ristorante #ristoranteitaliano #instagrambham #bhamnow #happeninsintheham #bhamloftdistrict #Amaro #cocchi #cocchidopoteatro #cocchiamericano #cocchirosa #cocchidryvermouthditorino

Campari vs Aperol While both are produced by Gupp

Campari vs Aperol

While both are produced by Guppo Campari the two have some sharp contrast. Campari features a ruby red color, bright bitter orange rounded with light floral notes and herbal woodiness. While many amari share one or two ingredients to the public Campari's has remained a closely guarded secret. You can find Campari in cocktails such as the Negroni, Spagliato and Garibaldi on our cocktail list.

Aperol by contrast has a bright sunset orange color and fresh orange sweetness with a hint of bitterness. Aperol is made from some thirty different herbs, fruits, and spices such as bitter and sweet oranges, gentian, and rhubarb. The most popular cocktail of Aperol would be the Aperol Spritz. This seems to be the cocktail of choice on a Saturday afternoon at Le Fresca.

So, to simplify it all Campari features a stronger bitter flavor while Aperol has a sweeter flavor with a hint of bitter note.

#lefresca #lefrescabham #newrestaurant #birmingham #birminghamalabama #alabama #italianfood #foodie #foodiesofinstagram #bhamrestaurants #bhamfoodgram #bhamfood #bhamfoodstagram #ristorante #ristoranteitaliano #instagrambham #bhamnow #happeninsintheham #bhamloftdistrict #Aperol #Aperolspritz #Campari #Amaro #negroni #Sbagliato #Garibaldi

Cynar Milan, Lombardy, Italy Part of Gruppo Camp

Cynar

Milan, Lombardy, Italy

Part of Gruppo Campari’s Italian portfolio, the low-alcohol amaro emblazoned with an artichoke on it’s vibrant label contains thirteen different plants and herbs and takes its name from the Latin for artichoke: Cynara scolymus. In name and looks it would seem to have a very vegetal taste, but artichoke is just one ingredient in this cocktail-friendly amaro. Despite its murky appearance, it has a low-proof status that makes it flexible as an aperitif mixed with soda and adorned with an orange slice, or on its own as a digestif at the end of a meal. This carciofo-style amaro, the name used for artichoke-based amari, was created in 1952 by Venetian philanthropist Angelo Dalle Molle. It grew in popularity in the 1960 perhaps in part due to television ads starring actor Ernesto Calindri that had the tagline “Cynar, against the strain of modern life.”
In the summer of 2015, Cynar 70 proof came to market, doubling the amount of alcohol in the original recipe. This bold new bitter is perfect for the bar industry crowd, who tend to take their amaro in shot form.

Alcohol by volume: 16.5 percent
Known ingredients: Artichoke

Notes: Dark brown, savory herbal and earthy vegetal notes with sweet caramel finish.

Source: Brad Thomas Parsons “Amaro” A fantastic book for anyone wanting to learn more about Amaros.

Also thank you Reese from Paperdoll for letting me barrow your copy of "Amaro" by Brad Thomas Parsons

We excited to share more of that authentic Italian

We excited to share more of that authentic Italian culture with our guest in Birmingham through our new highlight on Amaro.

Call us for reservations: (205) 593-4241

#lefresca #lefrescabham #newrestaurant #birmingham #birminghamalabama #alabama #italianfood #foodie #foodiesofinstagram #bhamrestaurants #bhamfoodgram #bhamfood #bhamfoodstagram #ristorante #ristoranteitaliano #instagrambham #bhamnow #happeninsintheham #bhamloftdistrict
#Amaro #Cynar #frenetbranca #campari #Aparol #cocchi

What perfect fall weather. We have plenty of outdo

What perfect fall weather. We have plenty of outdoor seating available tonight.
For reservations call: (205) 593-4241

Fritto Misto Gulf shrimp and calamari are breaded

Fritto Misto
Gulf shrimp and calamari are breaded with semolina then fried. We serve the fritto misto with salsa ruccalo and lemon.

Call us to make reservations at (205) 593-4241

Prunotto Dolcetto d'Alba 2018 Historical Data Do

Prunotto Dolcetto d'Alba 2018

Historical Data

Dolcetto is a historic wine from Piedmont’s long-established winemaking traditions. Aging occurs in steel vats in order to bring out the full expression of aromas and flavors characteristic of this grape variety.

Harvest and Vinification

Grapes were brought to the cellar for destemming and crushing. Grapes were left to macerate on the skins for 7 days at a maximum temperature of 27–28 °C (81-82 °F). Malolactic fermentation was completed by mid December. The wine was aged in stainless steel tanks for several months. Dolcetto was bottled in spring.

Tasting Notes

Dolcetto is a lively ruby red color. Youthful and grapey on the nose it is reminiscent of ripe fruit.

Source: prunotto.it/en/vino/dolcetto-d-alba-doc-en/?wineyear=2018

Call us @ (205) 593-4241 for reservations

One of our most popular white wines by the bottle.

One of our most popular white wines by the bottle.

From their website: https://cadeifrati.it/en/brolettino-lugana/

Brolettino

Lugana Doc

This is the wine of our great native vine: the Turbiana. Fully ripe grapes are harvested around the middle of October and the highly productive land gives us a product with structure and a great capacity for ageing. All its complexity is tangible to the taste. To the nose, there are hints of ripe fruit, peaches, yellow apples, rose petals with fresh, balsamic notes. The palate is enveloped by an invasion of flavour, maintaining all its freshness and elegance. The full structure is accompanied by a taut acidity and a characteristic savouriness that completely cleans the palate, leaving it full of delicate aromas. Perfect for winter soups, legumes and pasta with white sauces, white meat and poultry, medium seasoned cheese, fished cooked long and well and shellfish.

Technical data

Vines used: 100% Turbiana
Soil composition: limestone – clay
Cultivation system: Simple and double Guyot
Planting density: 2.30 x 0.70
Yield per hectare: 90 hundredweight
Vinification type: Begun in steel, completed in barriques
Malolactic fermentation: conducted in barriques
Refinement and development: in barrique for 10 months, followed by 3 months in the bottle
Alcohol content: 13.5%
Total acidity: 6.60 g/L
Volatile acidity: 0.30 g/L
pH: 3.25
Dry extract: 22.5 g/L

#lugana #brolettino #wines #winetasting #wineoftheday #sommelier #winelife #wineenthusiast #winecellar #winephotography #winelovers #winery #winesragram #winesofinstagram #winesofitaly #lefresca #lefrescabham #newrestaurant #birmingham #birminghamalabama #alabama #italianfood #foodie #foodiesofinstagram #bhamrestaurants #bhamfoodgram #bhamfood #bhamfoodstagram #ristorante #ristoranteitaliano

Call us @ (205) 593-4241 for reservations

Zenato Valpolicella Superiore 2017 This red ble

Zenato Valpolicella Superiore 2017

This red blend from Valpolicella in the Veneto region of northern Italy is truly a taste from Marco’s home. The blend is 85% Corvina Veronese, 10% Rondinella, and 5% Corvinone. When pairing food with wine we try to follow the traditional pairings from the region of that dish’s origin. Thus, the Zenato Valpolicella Superiore can be paired with many of the dishes at Le Fresca. Made from vineyards in Valpolicella, this wine has an impressive lingering finish with rich flavor. To be classified a Superiore the Valpolicella must be aged another year in wooden barrels. On the nose, it delivers delicate hints of almond and violet. On the palate, it's dry and smooth with good structure and wonderfully robust notes of cherry and prune. Some dishes we would suggest pairing with this wine would be our gnocchi with porcini mushrooms, vitello tonnato, chicken cacciatora, and our porchetta.

Zenato
"95 hectares of top vineyards in Lugana and Valpolicella’s “classic zone.” Two faces: One white, the other red, both emblems of high-quality wines that are born through a visceral passion for the land, through respect for time, through a family tradition that has championed local grape varieties for more than 60 years. 1960 – San Benedetto di Lugana. It’s here that the heart of Sergio Zenato started to beat. His story is made of passion and hard work; a deep connection to his land and his people; entrepreneurial ability and openness to innovation and new vinification techniques and investment in native grape varieties. A story that stretches from the banks of Lake Garda to the hills of nearby Valpolicella where the estate’s reds are born from sunny vineyards of Corvina and Rondinella in Costalunga in Sant’Ambrogio commune.”
Source: https://www.zenato.it/en/winery.html
#lefresca #lefrescabham #newrestaurant #birmingham #birminghamalabama #alabama #italianfood #foodie #foodiesofinstagram #bhamrestaurants #bhamfoodgram #bhamfood #bhamfoodstagram #ristorante #ristoranteitaliano #instagrambham #bhamnow #happeninsintheham #bhamloftdistrict

Nothing could make this beautiful fall day better

Nothing could make this beautiful fall day better than some authentic Italian food with us at Lé Fresca.

#lefresca #lefrescabham #newrestaurant #birmingham #birminghamalabama #alabama #italianfood #foodie #foodiesofinstagram #bhamrestaurants #bhamfoodgram #bhamfood #bhamfoodstagram #ristorante #ristoranteitaliano #instagrambham #bhamnow #happeninsintheham #bhamloftdistrict

Our pizza oven roars to life as we prepare for ser

Our pizza oven roars to life as we prepare for service from 11am-9pm today and every Tuesday through Saturday.
Call us at (205) 593-4241to make reservations.

#lefresca #lefrescabham #newrestaurant #birmingham #birminghamalabama #alabama #italianfood #foodie #foodiesofinstagram #bhamrestaurants #bhamfoodgram #bhamfood #bhamfoodstagram #ristorante #ristoranteitaliano #instagrambham #bhamnow #happeninsintheham #bhamloftdistrict

Olive oil cake garnished with blueberry compote.

Olive oil cake garnished with blueberry compote.

Similar to a pound cake the olive oil cake uses olive oil in place of butter. A thin layer of sugar across the top of the cake gives the cake a nice light crunch. Each slice is garnished with a blueberry compote made with a hint of lemon zest.

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Rapini pizza! Our new pizza made with broccoli r

Rapini pizza!

Our new pizza made with broccoli rabe, olives, mozzarella on our pizza dough made using imported Italian flour.

#lefresca #lefrescabham #newrestaurant #birmingham #birminghamalabama #alabama #italianfood #foodie #foodiesofinstagram #bhamrestaurants #bhamfoodgram #bhamfood #bhamfoodstagram #ristorante #ristoranteitaliano #instagrambham #bhamnow #happeninsintheham #bhamloftdistrict

New on the menu we have our porchetta. So here w

New on the menu we have our porchetta.

So here we have pork shoulder that has been broken down, seasoned with capers, orange zest, fennel and other herbs. The shoulder is then rolled and trussed before being slowly roasted making this incredibly tender pork dish. Every order is served with braised fennel, carrots, roasted potatoes and finished with the a sauce made from the roast's natural jus, dry vermouth and a touch of butter.

Call us to place your reservation at (205) 593-4241

#lefresca #lefrescabham #newrestaurant #birmingham #birminghamalabama #alabama #italianfood #foodie #foodiesofinstagram #bhamrestaurants #bhamfoodgram #bhamfood #bhamfoodstagram #ristorante #ristoranteitaliano #instagrambham #bhamnow #happeninsintheham #bhamloftdistrict #porchetta

Our traditional Italian pizzas. We start by import

Our traditional Italian pizzas. We start by import the highest grade flour from Italy to make our pizza dough. This high ph flour is one of the keys to our light and crispy pizzas. We spread a thin layer of sauce on the dough to start. From there we add the ingredients for one of our signature Italian pizzas followed by crumbled pieces of mozzarella. As the pizza cooks in the oven the crumbles of mozzarella melt creating a thin layer of cheese. Now many of our first time guest are suprised to discover that we serve our pizzas uncut. We do this for a few reason. First of course this is how your pizza would be served in Marco's home country. Second by not cutting the pizza that thin layer of cheese traps the heat keeping our thin pizzas hot for much longer. Finally this allows you to decide the size of your slice. Marco says that his mother always cuts eight slices from her pizza, Marco always cuts seven slices from his pizza and his brother Luca only cuts his pizza into two slices. Our servers of course are more than happy to slice your pizza table side upon request. While our American servers are getting quicker ever service none are quite as fast as Marco at cutting your pizza table side.

Today's pizzas:

Margherita: mozzarella and basil - $14
Diavola: hot salami and red peppers - $15
Porky: bacon, sausage and hot salami - $16
Capricciosa: prosciutto, mushrooms, artichoke and black olives - $16
Speck: speck and mozzarella - $16
Puttanesca: olives, capers, anchovies, red onion and basil - $16

We are open from 11am-9pm today and every Tuesday through Saturday for both indoor and outdoor seating. Call us to place your reservation at (205) 593-4241

#lefresca #lefrescabham #newrestaurant #birmingham #birminghamalabama #alabama #italianfood #foodie #foodiesofinstagram #bhamrestaurants #bhamfoodgram #bhamfood #bhamfoodstagram #ristorante #ristoranteitaliano #instagrambham #bhamnow #happeninsintheham #bhamloftdistrict #pizza #pizzaria #pizzariaitaliana

With weather like this how can you not have a perf

With weather like this how can you not have a perfect lunch at one of our outside tables?

#lefresca #lefrescabham #newrestaurant #birmingham #birminghamalabama #alabama #italianfood #foodie #foodiesofinstagram #bhamrestaurants #bhamfoodgram #bhamfood #bhamfoodstagram #ristorante #ristoranteitaliano #instagrambham #bhamnow #happeninsintheham #bhamloftdistrict

Today we wanted to talk about the wines of Veneto.

Today we wanted to talk about the wines of Veneto.

These are the wines of Marco’s home region. From the bright white of Lugana, the approachable reds of Valpolicella, to the complex Amarone there is nearly always a perfect pairing for your meal at Le Fresca. While slightly smaller than many of the other Italian wine regions, Veneto generates more wine than any other.

The region is protected from the harsh northern European climate by the Alps, the foothills of which form Veneto's northern extremes. These cooler climes are well-suited to white varieties like Garganega (the main grape for Soave wines), while the warmer Adriatic coastal plains, river valleys, and Garda Lake zone are the places where the renowned Valpolicella, Amarone and Bardolino DOC reds are produced.

In Veneto, two different wine areas are clearly distinguishable: an eastern part, close to the Venice Lagoon between the hills of Treviso, the plain of Piave river and Adriatic coast, where it is typical to produce the famous Prosecco (Glera), and other varieties are grown like Merlot, Carmenere, Verduzzo, Raboso Piave, Refosco, Tocai, Verdiso, Marzemino; and the western part, close to Garda Lake and the city of Verona, famous for the wines based on the varieties Corvina, Rondinella, Garganega, Trebbiano of Soave, and Oseleta.

In the central part of Veneto the winemaking transitions between the varieties and styles of the Eastern and Western parts. In that area you can find the Colli Euganei, the hills close to Padua, that is a special Mediterranean microclimatic zone; it is even famous for the Moscato fior d'arancio production, a sparkling dessert wine.

Another area in the North-center of Veneto, close to Asiago, is Breganze, where the dessert wine Torcolato is produced with the Vespaiolo grape.

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#amarone #amaronedellavalpolicella #ripasso #lugana #soave #bardolino