Aventine launches spring menu

Aventine, the rustic Italian restaurant located in Jack London Village in Glen Ellen, has announced a new spring menu.

This is welcome news! Since its much buzzed about opening last year, little has changed on the menu which features hearty made from scratch lasagnas, seafood dishes and pizza. Chef Adolfo Veronese’s new menu is not a complete overhaul, local favorites will remain (mm…lasagna), but the new additions are well worth a visit.

A few small plates and starters were added, including a tuna tartar and a caprese salad, but the stars of the new menu are the pastas, which include new vegetarian offerings including Pasta Corta Alla Primavera (baby carrots, zucchini, asparagus, pear tomatoes, roasted garlic, grana padano cheese, micro basil) and a personal (non-veggie) Italian-favorite of mine, Fettuccine Nero (squid ink fettuccine, rock shrimp, roasted pear tomatoes, red bell pepper sauce, spicy calabrian chili).

Three new entrees are also included in the overhaul, including a new Mary’s chicken dish with fried baby artichokes, pancetta wrapped scallops, and a braised pork cheek.

Check it out on Wednesdays, when the wine list is half off. Reservations recommended. 14301 Arnold Dr., Glen Ellen; 934-8911; aventineglenellen.com