Campagna : Restaurant Michael White’s fine dining restaurant at the Bedford Post Inn

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Opening the door to Campagna, Michael White’s fine dining restaurant at the Bedford Post Inn is similar to entering your best friend’s home.  Walking in, the airy rustic interior puts you right at ease as you are greeted warmly by the hostess.  There is a beautiful bar to the left where bartender Katie is at the helm.  This bar invites you to sit on the plush chairs or the couches near the fireplace that anchor the room.  I am poured a glass of Dumangin Champagne $22 which is a perfect way to start the evening.

Champagne Restaurant
With my Champagne in hand, I am then shown to the dining room which is nothing short of urban chic.  It is 6PM and the tables start to fill up with families, couples and groups of businessmen.  Looking over the menu that was placed before me, I feel as though I want one of everything since it looks amazing.  

Starting it Off with a Bang
Appetizers started with the Fava Bean with ricotta, almonds, prosiutto $10, Fluke Panzanella which was the best spin on a crudo I have ever tasted $18 and the Lobster Salad with snap pea caponate, robiolina, pine nuts and chervil $19.

Next up were the 2 pastas I was dying to taste since they are hand made every day:  
Garganelli with mushroom ragu, Swiss chard and a subtle nettle pesto $20 cooked to a perfect al dente and each piece is rolled on what looks like a pencil.  

Creste Nero (I could eat this all day long) brimming with seafood, Calabrian chilies and tarragon $24
As a treat, the Chef sent out the Capaletti $22 with Marscapone, ricotta, English peas, lamb and mint.  This dish screams Spring and tastes as decadent as it sounds.

There is a pasta making technique that Chef Michael White teaches the kitchen staff which he ensures is correct when he visits the property 3 times a month.

Main Courses to Die For
Now the entrees are put in the middle of the table starting with the Halibut $32 (my favorite) in a very light Aqua Pazza seafood broth with chickpeas and salsa verde. As my fork then wandered over to taste the Long Island Duck breast $30, Grape Panzanella, broccoli rabe and the crunch of pistachios…OMG.  That is one amazing dish! Far from done, I cut into the Filet of Beef $37 and the combination of the herb crust, and Porcini Sugo was just dazzling.   For a vegetarian dish, please, please, please have the Carrots $23.  The dish seems simple, but when there are Nettles, and Marcona almonds, it becomes a perfect rustic dish.

Mouth Watering Desserts
Pastry Chef Jim Eckler comes to the table to introduce himself before his parade of desserts arrive.  Jim is not only dashingly handsome, but just as nice.  Each dessert was so beautiful that it was almost difficult not to devour them.  First I tried the Semifreddo accompanied by poppyseed cake, blackberry and tarragon, YUM! After 2 forkfuls, I moved onto the Mixed Berry Cobbler with poached rhubarb, crème fresh gelato and mint.  With Rhubarb being “the” ingredient of the moment, poaching was the best way to bring this dish together and make it awesome.  Now, being the caramel addict that I am, yes, my biggest addiction, I knew that when my fork dipped into the Caramel Bar with coffee sabayon, chocolate sable, and cardamom gelato, that I could have had just that for dinner and be one happy girl as it was to die for!!!!!  Last, for all you chocolate lovers was the Dark Chocolate Crema with devil’s food, hazelnut praline and fior di latte gelato.  All desserts are $14 but taste and look priceless.

Insider Tips
In addition to the menu, there is a 5 course $95 Chef’s Tasting Menu

Campagna has an outdoor grill area with seating for the warmer months

Make sure to order the specialty cocktails which incorporate one large ice cube and according to the mixologist “One should not be punished by diluting a cocktail if you would like to savor it”.

Chef Michael White was a former football player and after being injured, followed his passion for cooking.  Thank goodness.

Campagna has many options for private dining indoors and outdoors