The New York strip steak I ordered recently at Bar Verona stands out as one of the tastiest steaks I’ve enjoyed in years. Topped with garlic-herb butter and grilled medium-rare as specified, my steak came with whipped potatoes and roasted Brussels sprouts with bacon. Based on this entrée and other items sampled, I have high hopes for this upscale-casual Italian trattoria that opened June 30 in Commerce Township.

Bar Verona is a new venture for Executive Chef Fabio Viviani, a native of Florence, Italy. In 2008, the celebrity chef/entrepreneur was a popular contestant on Bravo Network’s program Top Chef. Moving to southern California, Viviani began launching restaurants in the United States, including three in his current hometown of Chicago.