Penne Wise: Caffe Boa

Week 4: Caffe Boa | Slideshow

Week 3: Sassi | Slideshow

Week 2: Tutti Santi by Nina | Slideshow

Week 1: Tomaso's Phoenix | Slideshow

Driving down Elliot Road, off Interstate 10, an Italian cuisine connoisseur could be shocked that a hidden gem is tucked away in these parts. Our final review comes from Caffe Boa’s Ahwatukee location.

As we pull up to the restaurant, all of us wonder if Caffe Boa will live up to high expectations. While the exterior is unassuming and plain in comparison to our last backdrop at Sassi, it became obvious right off the bat that you should never judge the book (or restaurant) by its cover.

We were greeted by our friendly, prompt server, who provided us with consistently strong performance throughout the meal. Caffe Boa is nicely decorated with a spacious feel.

As we looked over the menu, we realized that this is not your grandma’s Italian restaurant. Rather, Boa brings a southwestern flare to traditional Italian tastes.

For appetizers, we started with the Bruschetta ($5.50). This take on the Italian classic was a good start. It was served with ultra-juicy tomatoes atop grilled bread, which was drizzled with olive oil.

The Quesadillas Viana ($9.25) is something that you do not find every day at an Italian establishment. This was a nice hearty take on the Mexican classic, with roasted chicken, artichokes, fresh cheese in an extra-crispy tortilla. This quesadilla almost resembled a calzone, because it was stuffed to the brim with flavorful goodies.

Our final appetizer was Shrimp Bisque Boa ($8.50) and it was the runaway hit of the night. We will go out on a limb to say that if there is one bowl of soup that you must taste in the Valley, then this is it. Boa’s version packs the perfect balance of flavors, temperature, consistency and spiciness. If you are in the mood for a light lunch, this would be a perfect dish for you.

For entrees, one of our group chose the Filet Mignon ($27.95). Served with mashed potatoes and steamed vegetables, this steak was big on taste. It was served atop a mushroom sauce, which was good, but didn’t add nor take away from the dish.

One of Boa’s popular dishes is the Voodoo Penne($18.45). The pasta dish did not disappoint, bringing bold flavor, with a creamy sauce.

The Boa Bowtie ($18) rated a No. 1 hit in this category. We substituted shrimp for chicken in this tomato cream-based pasta dish. The quality will make this a mainstay when we have a hankering for some good pasta.

The spicy Rigatoni Puttanesca ($14.45) is a fiery dish. Coming from an East-Indian background we are used to spicy, and can vouch that the Rigatoni lived up to its word. Many restaurants claim that their dishes are “spicy” but fall short when the taste test comes along. We are happy to report however, that the Puttanesca brought the heat by mixing its spicy tomato sauce with a nice helping of chili flakes. Mix in some mushrooms, olives and capers, and this pasta dish was a hit.

Now, on to the desserts. We decided to try the Dark Chocolate Brownie with Ice Cream. The chocolate was not-too-sweet and was perfectly balanced by the ice-cream. This was a perfect accompaniment to a cappucino.

The surprise performer of the dessert category was the Buttercake. The name itself is the most ordinary part of this confection. However, that is where the ordinary ends, and the extraordinary begins. The ultra-soft buttery shortbread was a winner with everyone who tried it.

Caffe Boa was willing to substitute in order to accommodate various dining needs, including our vegetarian. All the dishes were plated nicely, with tons of color throughout.

When it came to price, Caffe Boa was the most affordable establishment that we rated. For those who are budget conscious, you will be able to enjoy upscale Italian dining, without breaking the bank. In comparison to our earlier reviews, the pasta dishes (especially Bowtie Boa) may have exceeded the others in quality. Not to mention the bisque, which was the most memorable and tasty dish of the night.

By combining a simple setup with affordable original food and stellar service, Caffe Boa has made its mark as one of the top Italian spots in the Valley.

Tip 1: Reservations are needed.

Tip 2:The dress code is casual.

From left: Penne Wise members Gul Siddiqi, Imraan Siddiqi, Faisal Siddiqi, Ayesha Siddiqi