Restaurant review: L'Uva Enoteca

With each trip to Durham's American Tobacco Historic District, I discover another pleasant surprise, signs of a growing urban hot spot.

Of course you've been to see the Durham Bulls. You may have even grabbed a bite at Mellow Mushroom or Tyler's Tap Room or attended a function inside the gorgeously renovated Bay 7. 

But the action takes on a different feel on weekdays, when clusters of entrepreneurs and investors working on the next new thing out of the American Underground incubator space and other downtown Durham creative types converge to do business.

Dishes are just on the edge of adventurous. We had to ask our server to translate Trippa e Cavolo. Tripe with cabbage somehow has less audible appeal.

On this day, the white bean soup with smoke ham was a welcome warm-up. 

Two of our party chose to eat light, ordering salads with pear, walnuts and gorgonzola in white balsamic dressing.

Just one person ordered pasta, a spicy shrimp dish with the aptly named orecchiette (ear-shaped) pasta.

I had the braised pork shank, which was fork-tender and served with white beans and broccolini.

The dinner menu is more robust, but still reasonable. Appetizers range from the aforementioned white bean soup ($7) to a platter of sliced meats for $10. Pastas at dinner are available in small ($12-14) or larger ($17-19) portions. Entrees include a salmon choice, leg of lamb, pork, chicken and tripe.

The Verdict: A delightful, delicious way to break up the work day. I'm willing to bet L'Uva would be equally right for date night.