Fantastic Italian Food at Twisp’s Tappi

My visits to Eastern Washington are no longer complete without a stop for dinner at Tappi.  Chef John Bonica soulfully prepares his delicious family recipes in a cozy outpost in downtown Twisp.  From pizzas to lamb chops, Bonica cooks most of the simple country dishes in his wood-fire oven and sources many of his ingredients from nearby farms in the Methow and Okanogan Valleys.

I find myself daydreaming about the “pillow bread” appetizer.  Huge lumps of dough are used to test the heat of the wood-fire oven, baking into a heavenly bread with the most perfectly browned crust.  The bread is then dressed simply with herbs, olive oil, and either chevre or roasted tomatoes, and subsequently devoured by everyone at the table.

The atmosphere at Tappi is unassuming and friendly.  There is live music on the weekends and the menu always features special wines by the glass and dishes based on what’s in season.  Snag one of the few seats at the bar and watch the chef in action as he cooks his time-tested recipes for a full house in his gorgeous oven.

Tappi
201 Glover Street
Twisp, wa 98856
(509) 997-3345
www.tappitwisp.com

Photos by my talented sister Danika Pariseau