With its rich Italian flavors and handcrafted cocktails, North Italia is shaking things up at Mountain View Village in Riverton. The upscale casual-dining restaurant opened in March and quickly gained traction as a place to find irresistible pasta, pizza and drinks.
North Italia General Manager Colin Corbello stands by a popular mural outside the restaurant at Mountain View Village in Riverton. (Peri Kinder/City Journals)
General Manager Colin Corbello has been with the company for nearly 10 years, starting as a bartender and manager in Houston, Texas. When he got the opportunity to start the first North Italia in Utah, he jumped at the chance.
“North Italia is a modern Italian concept known for our scratch-made cuisine, hand-tossed pizzas and craft cocktails,” Corbello said. “As a newcomer joining Utah’s booming dining scene, the Riverton community has welcomed us with open arms. Everyone has made this opening such a smooth and exciting experience.”
In July, North Italia launched its Summer Sips event, mixing music and mixology with “The Greatest Sips” menu. The campaign features limited-edition drinks, created by bartenders across the country, inspired by iconic songs.
At North Italia’s Riverton restaurant, the zero-proof Everybody Talks combines watermelon, pineapple, lemon and soda for a light and summery taste that hits all the right notes. The citrus flavors keep the drink light and refreshing, and very sippable.
Christopher Reil manages the bar at the Riverton location and said the drink is elevated enough for adults to enjoy, but sweet and fun for kids, too.
Bartender Dana Martin prepares handcrafted cocktails from the Summer Sips event, along with other drinks on the North Italia menu. (Peri Kinder/City Journals)
“The non-alcoholic drink is inspired by the summer hit from Neon Trees, which graced ourradios in 2011, and only guests in Riverton can experience this one,” Riel said. “The catchy and hook-driven chorus of ‘Everybody Talks’ imitates the seasonal vibe we are trying to create at North Italia Riverton, something that makes you want to get outside and enjoy quality time with friends and family. And what better way to do that than with delicious food and drinks?”
Other summer sips on the menu include Watermelon Sugar, inspired by the Harry Styles hit, combining Sugar House Vodka, watermelon, Aperol and fresh lemon. The Pink Pony Spritz is a bubbly, refreshing drink, incorporating Cinzano Bianco, Giffard Peche, Hendricks Grand Cabernet, Ramazzotti Rosato, prosecco and, of course, glitter.
The Summer Sips menu is available through Sept. 1. Along with the specialty drinks, North Italia offers a full-bodied wine and beer list and an array of handcrafted cocktails to complement the mouthwatering food menu.
Come for the summer drinks, but stay for the Garlic Knot Sliders, available during happy hour and lunch. The sliders are a spin on a classic pizzeria offering, using house-made pizza dough to create slider buns. Patron favorites also include the seasonal heirloom tomato and burrata, followed by a hazelnut torta for dessert.
The spicy rigatoni vodka features Italian sausage with crunchy pancetta, and the chicken parmesan is a crispy cutlet smothered with tomato, provolone and mozzarella. Many menu items are also available gluten-free.
North Italia, a new upscale casual restaurant in Riverton, offers flavorful Italian dishespaired with handcrafted drinks. (Peri Kinder/City Journals)
With its location in Mountain View Village, North Italia is the place to visit after a game at The Ballpark, shopping at nearby boutiques or a day out with the family. Corbello said the restaurant leans into the vibrant energy of the surrounding area that fosters a family-friendly atmosphere.
“We have a fully covered patio, making the restaurant a great place to enjoy the warm weather and mountain views. We’re also currently serving seasonal dishes using prime summer ingredients, such as roasted mushrooms, asparagus, cherry tomatoes, fava beans, sugar snap peas, blueberries and pistachios, so each dish is as fresh as possible.”
North Italia is located at 13303 S. Teal Ridge Way. It’s open seven days a week for lunch and dinner, with brunch served on Saturdays and Sundays. The restaurant features a Happy Hour on Monday through Friday from 3 to 6 p.m. For a complete menu or more information, visit NorthItalia.com.
“We invite you to stop by,” Corbello said. “Enjoy a dinner with friends and family or a weekend brunch to see what we are all about.”
Dining and Cooking