Tutti Bene, a new Italian-inspired restaurant located at 222 E. Main St. in the storied 1916 Baltimore Building, is now open in the heart of the city’s historic district.
Acclaimed Italian-born executive chef and general manager Cesare Lanfranconi leads the culinary team at the 4,300-square-foot restaurant, which seats up to 100 guests for dinner Tuesday through Sunday from 5 to 9 p.m.
Tutti Bene, which translates to “everyone is fine,” brings a chic yet whimsical dining experience designed by Paul Duesing of PDP Dallas.
Distinctive Dining Blending Italy and Montana
Lanfranconi, who has helmed celebrated restaurants including Galileo and Tosca Ristorante Italiano in the Washington, D.C. area, has crafted a menu that fuses traditional Italian flavors with Montana influences. Signature dishes include Ossobuco alla Milanese, Polenta Taragna with Fungi Trifolati and Swordfish Piccata di Spada.
Many prime beef selections such as Wagyu Sirloin Cap and Bison Striploin are sourced from regional ranchers and prepared over charcoal in Montana’s only Josper oven. The menu highlights locally sourced lamb, veal, pork, poultry and game, along with housemade pastas available in half and full portions. Desserts include Cannoli, Tiramisu, Affogato al Caffé and other Italian classics.
A Curated Beverage Program
The beverage program features a floor-to-ceiling open wine cellar with 165 labels from Italy, the United States, France and beyond. More than 50 Italian wines are available by the glass, while the bottle list includes an extensive collection of mainly Italian, including magnums and unique formats for special occasions.
Cocktails offer Italian-inspired twists such as Sicilian Sangria, Bianco Negroni, Tutti Spritz and Italiano Americano made with Campari, Cocchi di Torino (vermouth) and a flaming rosemary sprig. The beer list highlights selections from Italy as well as IPAs from Bozeman and San Diego. Amaro Falso Italian sodas are offered in honey rose hip and orange orgeat.
Bold and Playful Design
Taking a cue from the iconic historic Fred F. Wilson building that houses Tutti Bene, the restaurant’s design team led by Duesing, reflects a dynamic mix of vintage antiques and sleek modern details as seen in the art and photography displays, furnishings and wall treatments with striking orange and teal splashes.
Guests enter through a front garden inspired room featuring a beadboard ceiling and classic black and white checkered flooring leading to the richly appointed main dining room and dramatic curved bar area. Duesing has tapped into a playful intermix of bold colors and floral patterns punctuated with velvet and leather furniture. Infusing a whimsical motif are vibrant acrylic, ceramic, mixed media and print contemporary artworks by American and French artists – each carefully sourced and curated by Radovan and Garrett Art Advisory. A hand-painted wall panel by artist Brian Walsh is featured in the restaurant’s semi-private dining room, Carmenela.
Touches of Italian design include a Carrara marble bar top, maple and sapele paneled walls, arched windows, a Murano glass bar lamp and chandeliers suspended from coffered ceilings. Vintage photographs of celebrities enjoying spaghetti add a playful flair.
