Italian By Night for First Timers

February 11, 2019

Whether you're an adventurous foodie or not, trying out something new can be intimidating. Don’t worry - you're not alone. That's why we're here.

Discover Saint John teamed up with Chef Jesse Vergen to highlight some of the amazing restaurants in our city. ‘For First Timers’ is a video series where we show you what to expect from the moment you walk in the door to what you should order and everything in between.

We also want to share the incredible people behind the restaurant doors and their culture. You may have heard the rumour that Saint John is quickly earning a reputation for fantastic dining and it’s because of the talented folks that choose to call Saint John home.

Without further ado, let’s talk food.

It’s hard not to love Italian food and we aren’t only talking about pasta and pizza. Let’s look at Italian By Night (97 Germain St. Saint John, NB) which is open Monday to Wednesday, 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm, and Thursday to Saturday, 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Italian By Night is Saint John’s hottest Italian restaurant serving up food largely inspired by the Tuscan region of Italy.

Italian By Night Exterior

The team at Italian By Night genuinely want to take care of their customers. Shortly after being seated, they offer a hot towel service to help you freshen up. Don’t worry if you’ve never experienced this service. Check out the video to hear Executive Chef Michelle Hooton explain the simple process.

Hot Towel Service

Italian By Night is owned by 3 incredible people -- Michelle Hooton, Elizabeth Rowe and Gord Hewitt. Together, they have worked tirelessly to bring Saint John amazing Italian flavours with a North American spin. Chef Michelle Hooton shared that the menu titles at Italian By Night are traditional but even Italians don't eat from every section unless it's special occasion.

Beer with Ravioli

The sections of the menu are as follows: Antipasti (appetizers), Pizza, Primi (first plates - pasta) and Secondi (second plates - from the oven or grill). A common misconception is you need to order something from each section of their menu - you don’t. You can choose to share or order any dish all for yourself from any section of the menu. They have a seperate menu for Dolce (dessert) to complete any meal. #ChooseYourOwnAdventure

Here are the food dishes featured in the video.

1. First, Chef Michelle Hooton shared her Affettati E Sottaceti Della Case, an Antipasti. The title is a mouthful and the plate is equally plentiful. It is a charcuterie of imported cured meats, house-made breads, cheeses and more. You can share with a table of 2-6 people or enjoy it to yourself, as a meal. It’s almost too pretty to eat! #breadlove

Affettati E Sottaceti Della Case

2. Second, the classic Ravioli Del Giorno, listed in the ‘Primi’ section. Their ravioli is handmade from fresh pasta and serves up a mouthwatering experience. #dumplinglife

Ravioli Del Giorno

3. Third, Michelle featured two different plates from the ‘Secondi’ section of the menu: Osso Bucco Di Agnello (lamb shank) and Brasato Di Birra (beef short rib). These elevated meat and potato dishes are both hearty meals perfect for sharing if you want to try both.

Osso Bucco Di Agnello

Brasato Di Birra

4. Finally, a great dessert recommendation is their famous Tiramisu. Jesse Vergen is bit of a Tiramisu connoisseur and he most definitely approves of this dish.

Italian By Night offers a large selection of wine and servers can make a recommendation for the perfect pairing. However, they believe that you should not feel limited by the recommended pairings. Ultimately, order your drink of choice to make your dining experience enjoyable. If you like white wine, order it. If you prefer beer, go with a beer. They carry local beer and an Italian beer enjoyed by Jesse.

Cheers