Ambli Kitchen + Bar has transitioned from upscale global cuisine to Amore Italian Grille, and February, the month of love, feels like perfect timing for an Italian romance.

The new Amore, 5278 N. Nevada Ave., greets diners with warmth and sparkle. Lights glow across the dining room, and the heavy draperies that once blocked the expansive windowed wall are gone. Drapes behind the hostess stand have also been removed, opening sightlines to happy diners and giving the space a lighter, more inviting feel. There’s a fresh vibe at work here.

The rebrand extends to the food. The regionally focused Italian menu comes from owners Pariza Mehta, Kelly Morrison and chef-owner Ricardo Morffin.

“It was a hard decision to change the focus of Ambli Kitchen + Bar,” Mehta said in late December. “We saw the need for a cozy place where diners could enjoy refined, fresh flavors of Southern Italian comfort food with Northern Italian influences. It’s our love song to the food we love and our passion for hospitality.”

At a recent soft opening for friends and family, that intention came through clearly. The amuse bouche, saffron arancini, a miniature version of the antipasti menu item ($15 for three), featured crisp rice orbs bathed in slightly spicy saffron cream sauce, finished with green olive aioli, sweet shallots, and whipped Parmesan. A savory temptation for what was to come.

“This is Ambli’s Italian version of our popular lobster shooters,” Mehta explained. “They could never leave the menu, so Ricardo created this as an alternative.”

Next came fried pizza bruschetta ($12), with puffy, crispy dough topped with tomato marmalade, capicola, spicy honey, stracciatella and Parmigiano Reggiano — just right for sharing.

For secondi, chicken parmigiana ($32) and bolognese ($30 each) delivered comfort and confidence. Juicy breaded chicken arrived atop al dente saffron fettuccine, cloaked in vodka sauce and melted mozzarella. The bolognese, made with premium Angus beef over sun-dried tomato pappardelle, stole hearts.

A Caesar salad dressed with white anchovies, cornbread croutons, chili oil, and shaved Parmesan was love at first bite. Aged New York strip ($52), branzino ($32), and decadent Parmesan butter mashed potatoes ($12) sealed the deal.

Dessert? Bomboloni. “They’re Italian donuts,” Morrison said. “You’ll like them.”

She was right. That’s amore.

Hours are 4–8 p.m. Sundays through Mondays and 4-9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Details: 719-308-5579, facebook.com/amoreitaliangrille, AmoreItalianGrille.com.

The Paris-Brest Heart is featured at The French Kitchen Culinary Center for Valentine’s Day. (Courtesy of The French Kitchen)

CUPID’S BACKUP PLAN

The French Kitchen, 4771 N. Academy Blvd., has your back for Valentine’s Day — especially if Cupid needs a little help. The bakery is offering several festive pastries throughout February, with select treats available for Saturday. Pre-orders are recommended. Details: 719-528-6295, tfkcc.com.

Among the highlights is the Paris-Brest Heart ($11), a February-only twist on the classic French pastry. Traditionally shaped as a circle to symbolize bicycle wheels — a nod to the historic Paris-to-Brest race — this version features delicate choux pastry formed into a heart, filled with praline cream, and topped with toasted almonds.

Also dressed for the occasion are heart-themed éclairs ($10), made with house-made puff dough, filled with light chocolate pastry cream, and finished with red fondant.

For those who want it all, a limited-time duo box pairs a Paris-Brest heart and a heart-shaped éclair for $19.

Additional treats include a chocolate-covered cherry Queenet ($5.99) and Scone Saturday on Valentine’s Day, featuring a chocolate strawberry with milk chocolate drizzle.