Business & Tech
Bites Nearby: La Campagna Brings Traditions of the Italian Countryside To Westlake
This small eatery is perfect for lingering with friends and family.
When I’ve asked around about which restaurants I have to visit in Westlake, one name keep coming up – at 27337 Detroit Rd.
Family owned and operated, La Campagna is small - only nine tables were set up the day we visited. Our server was Chef Carmella Fragassi’s niece Keeley Brunner. With a late 8:30 p.m. reservation, my friend and I were the only ones in the restaurant, which had been full earlier that night.
The dining room is full of wines, imported food and gifts. It doubles as a pantry, something that contributes to the unique feel which felt like a scene set just for us.
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La Campagna doesn’t print menus – the daily selections are based on the number of reservations, what food is in season and what Chef Carmella finds at the market.
We started with an Italian fresh water buffalo mozzarella served with crispy flatbread. It was creamy and mild – a perfect way to start our meal.
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For dinner, I choose chicken pesto with a side of Alfredo pasta and my friend had beef ravioli in a walnut cream sauce. Both come with either soup or salad. I had the chicken tortellini soup while my friend enjoyed a fresh salad.
Everything is made to order – and we could taste it. The Alfredo sauce served alongside my chicken was light and flavorful, not the heavy sauce I’ve had elsewhere. The walnut cream sauce beautifully complimented the beef ravioli with a subtle sweetness in perfect harmony with the zesty beef.
To top off our meal, we had an Italian cheesecake made from ricotta cheese. Encased in pastry, it was less sweet than traditional cheesecake with a refreshing mild lemon flavor.
La Campagna hosts special events throughout the year, including wine tastings. The next one on May 4 features vintage wines. They also host a Feast of St. Joseph in March and the Feast of the Seven Fishes in December.
The restaurant is open Tuesdays through Saturday for dinner starting at 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. Reservations are highly recommended by calling 440-871-1771. La Campagna also caters and makes gift baskets.