Matthew's Trattoria, Erie

I'm so glad that Matthew's re-opened. They were great before, but since they redesigned the menu (tapas-style with daily dinner specials) it is much more accessible. Last week I went with a group of friends and we all ordered tapas and passed everything around--what a fantastic evening! I especially loved the shrimp ceviche and the "beef stew" turnovers with gorgonzola cream sauce. We all ordered different martinis, as well, and WOW do they make great drinks. But tonight was even better with just me and my best girl. We decided to eat at the bar, which is very comfortable. Heidi, the bartender, chatted with us throughout our evening as we dined on black cherry bourbon glazed porkloin with homemade spicy apple chutney (mine--to die for) and grilled hawaiian escolar grilled and topped with a fresh mango glaze. After dinner, we moved to one of the comfy sofa areas (they call them "soft seating" areas--and they have several) to relax with after dinner drinks and homemade black raspberry pie that the chef's mother comes in to bake weekly (and the berries are apparently all from her back yard). As far as everything else goes: the service is friendly yet professional (not pretentious like some of the other "nice" places in town) and the ambience is modern chic with soft lighting and great music.