OUTstanding food! I ordered Angel Hair San Marino. It was my favorite shrimp and pasta dish I've had in memory. This is a local family owned restaurant. The owner is also the chef. He came out during dinner and greeted each table. Waitress Gina was great. Best word-of-mouth recommendation I've gotten in a very long time. You won't regret this one! Loved it. I will be recommending Di Fratelli to everyone! Sidenote: This is family dining at it's best - Come as you are. The food speaks for itself so you can overlook the family diner type decor. It is quaint and cozy!
(5)
Laurent F.
The food, service, and ambiance were okay. It is a small restaurant, on par with the Olive Garden but 75% smaller. If you can't find Papa Vino's Italian Kitchen, then go here or to the Olive Garden.
(3)
Brandon C.
I have been coming here since I was a little kid, when it was called Valerias. I never remember having a bad meal here. Coming here reminds me of being a kid with my parents and sister and just think the 4 of us would eat dinner for under $20. They still have good food.
(4)
Jessica M.
My husband and I met up with another couple for dinner here. We got seated about 7:30. Took quite a few minutes for the server to greet us. Most of the tables were occupied, but the restaurant was empty except for us and one other table by the time we left. The service could have been better. Our waitress seemed annoyed by us. She didn't smile or offer us parmesan cheese with our soups or entrees. She took about 10 minutes to get the bottles of wine we ordered. I think she wanted us to hurry up and get out of there, even though we ordered wine and dessert. I observed the other servers and they seemed way more friendly. We got the one that hates her job. The food was meh. I remember eating here a few years ago and it was yummy. Unfortunately this trip may be my last. I ordered the mushroom soup, which was more like sausage and tomato soup with flavorless hunks of mushrooms. Strange, yes, but not horrible. Would have been better with cheese grated on it. The bread basket was good, but they didn't put enough balsamic or spices in the oil. It was basically a plate with oil and a few tiny specks of flavoring. My disappointment came with my entree. I ordered chicken Scicilano. The amoigue sauce was delish, but the breaded chicken was on the light side. Three chicken breast pieces pounded flat and breaded. Breading was tasty, but could have been done longer. The first piece of chicken was ok, but I noticed the second and third piece had not been cooked through. There was a cut in one of the pieces hidden under another and it was still pink. By the time I noticed I just wanted to get out of there and could tell the waitress and other workers wanted us out too, although it was only 8:30. We did order a cannoli and that was good. My impression of my visit was not stellar. I hate feeling like I am an inconvenience when I am spending money somewhere. I would have much enjoyed if the staff would have tried a little harder, rather than rush to get us out. It was obvious by our waitress, the oil for the bread, and the way my chicken was prepared. Wish we would have went to Carrabba's.
(2)
Nathan N.
Best Italian food in town. We are regulars here. Never have had bad service or food ever!
(5)
Ron C.
Went tonight , just to try something different as we have been to the other 2 places on VanDyke. I got to say pulling in at 5:45 on a Saturday night & only a handful of cars, I was wondering what we were in store for. However when we opened the lobby door & the aroma caught us & made us both smile. No host/hostess on duty, but an ambitious server grabbed us & seated us pronto. A server brought us our beverages & a little bread basket with 3 hunks of fresh bread, one roll & several wrapped breadsticks + a dipping sauce of olive oil & balsamic . Quite a large /varied menu plus multiple sauce options. The bride ordered chicken & portabello risotto, served in a Very Large Dish/Bowl It was pure comfort food on a wintery night. $14 I ordered the Angel Hair Bianco Sausage Peppers Onions Tomatoes Portabello Mushrooms sauteed in Garlic + had mine served with meat sauce. $14 Both were very large portions & came with the soup or salad option, and we chose one of our favorites stracciatella soup On my clear chicken based broth & these little puffs of pasta! The interior is kind of stark & well lit like a cafeteria , all tables no booths. Our server was kind & efficient . Note when we left around 6:50, there were around 16-19 people waiting to get in & a 30 minute wait.
(4)
Jack R.
Very good Italian place with authentic food and friendly service. The bread and dipping sauce are amazing. Portions are perhaps a little too big.
(5)
K. K.
Had lunch here yesterday.... Best meal I've ever had at DiFratelli. Having been about 6 or so times before , it's usually pretty good, but occasionally glacial service. I had the lunch special, Chicken Toscana with fresh green beans laced with fresh minced garlic and olive oil and the Stratatelli soup. It was all FANTASTIC!!!!! Service was even quite a bit better. Prices are very reasonable, quality is superb!
(5)
Jeffrey R.
OK, I screwed up. Da Francesco / Di Fratelli, both Italian restaurants, about two blocks apart. Oddly I give both 4 stars (for different reasons). Here is the correct review.... The service is OK. The dining room is basic and borderline cheap looking. The food is outstanding. This is why we keep coming back. I almost always get the chicken with the spinach sauce on top. I forget the name even though I just had it last night. Their bread basket is delicious with their dipping oil. My wife typically gets a simple pasta or ravioli and as simple as her meal is it is still wonderful. I've met the owner / chef and he seems to be a great guy. A while back they had an accordion player one night a week who was great with my kids. I'm uncertain if he still plays there. They have a catering business which also operates out of the same building. It must be pretty profitable because as good as the food is here I rarely see more than a handful of the tables in the dining area occupied.
(4)
Theresa C.
My husband and I came here by mistake. One of the best mistakes we have made! Starting with the friendly hostess, we had a short wait before being seated and were treated to a delightful bread basket with a simple dipping oil. We had to stop ourselves from over indulging. The Calamari appetizer is hands down the best I have ever had (and I've had a lot!) Next the entree I had the Papa Mia! Plentiful, perfectly seasoned, just the right balance of cheese, sauce and pasta, it was delicious! My husband had something Seafood marinara and he loved it! The chef came out and chatted with us and was a very nice man. Keep up the great work we will be back! (soon I hope)
(5)
Don S.
This is the second and probably my last time here. Although the food has been good the service leaves a lot to be desired. The waitstaff although nice seems preoccupied with everything but our table. On the first visit we had to compete with a group that hadn't even arrived yet. On the second trip we gave the waitress a 2 for 1 coupon. My wife wanted pizza and the waitress said that she had to order a large because of the coupon. I was ok with this since I love leftover pizza. Right before our order comes out she says that we can't use the coupon because it isn't good on holidays. Needless to say this left a very bad taste in my mouth. Our friend found eggshell in his omelette and the owner/manager just happened to come to the table at that moment. His response was ' I wish you would have told me sooner. I would have made you a new omelet'. That was the only thing I needed to hear. Even though my wife called them after the fact and they offered a discount or free meal on the next visit, I will not be back.
(2)
Danielle M.
Definately the worste Italian I've had in a while. I could've gotten the same result by boiling my own noodles and adding tomato's to it. The place looks like it used to be a carwash. Big waste of money and meal.
(1)
Theresa M.
The service was extremely slow so by the time my chicken piccante arrived I was really annoyed. But it was so delicious I almost forgot that it took 45 minutes to get it. The best chicken piccante that I ever had. On a side note: I'm 1st generation Italian so I'm pretty hard to impress as far as Italian food goes
(4)
Rob D.
I call this place my little Italian truck stop. Not much on ambiance but the food is terrific. Being 100% Sicilian and 2nd generation from the boat! I'm not easy to please when it comes to Italian food. I'm never disappointed with DiFratelli's. I've eaten there many times but mostly for lunch. I love their soup and salad combo on Fridays. The clam chowder is among the best I've ever tasted. Lasagna is top notch! Service can be slow at times, dinners seem to be on the pricier side but not foreboding. All in all a very good choice for a real Italian meal.
(4)
Kelly L.
Italian food is my favorite food. I was a bit nervous to go into Di Fratellis. I have passed by it several times and always thought of it as Da Francesco's red head step child. That's said I wasn't a fan of Da Francesco's so I thought I would give the "Ginger" a try. Upon entering the parking lot I was nervous my the lack of cars. The parking lot at Francesco's was packed and half the places in the strip mall it's in aren't even occupied. But, because I didn't want to argue with the wife and I was hungry I parked the car and entered with an open mind. 3 of us were seated an a clean open area. The menu was a bit to lengthy for my taste but I may just be a prude to that due to watching too many Gordon Ramsey shows. Strike one was the bread. The bread basket came out with a roll, 3 bread like sticks, and what was a very rubbery garlic bread. At this point I was worried. That said I did eat the roll and it wasn't so bad. I flipped through the menu a few times and found that they had exactly what I wanted. Gnocchi with palomino sauce. We placed out order and I got the stracciatella soup to start. The soup was wonderful. I loved the flavor and found that adding Parmesan cheese and some pepper only made it better. At this point I wished with all my heart that they had good bread that I could dunk in the amazing soup. They main dishes arrived with ample portions all around. I had asked for baked cheese on my dish and it came without. The waitress was happy to take it back and was quick to return it with the cheese in place. The gnocchi was dense, a good size, and the taste was perfect. The palomino sauce was a good mix of tomato and alfredo sauce.And the baked cheese was real, stringy, and the perfect topping to a wonderful dish. The only thing missing was sausage, but I'll get that next time. All in all Di Fratelli's felt like an italian version of an Country kitchen. Good food, good portions, and good prices. Oh... and before I forget to mention this. It was my birthday so I got a free piece of cannoli pie that I will wake up a week from now craving a piece of. I will be back and I will recommend to friends. Fat person seating friendly. Fat seating gold award: All tables (Though look for one in the middle so you aren't bumping up against someone on the tables along the wall.
(4)
Shannon S.
This restaurant has been a family favorite for over 25 years....starting when it used to be called Valerias...so so so many memories at this restaurant. It started with my Dad taking my sister and brother and I every Thursday night, for pizza night. While Mom worked afternoons at the hospital, Dad was left to fend for us and our nightly meals. We loved going here for the pizza and the staff.. Many family events have been celebrated at Valeria's/DiFratellis - Anything we've ordered off the menu is amazing... And, even when going with a large group, we generally order our own meal, but still order an extra large cheese and pepperoni as a side! Truly authentic, excellent Italian...,,my mouth is watering for their spaghetti, and pizza...
(5)
Liz G.
This is my favorite Italian restaurant in the area. It's a short drive from the commercialized Hall Road sector, but worth the extra five minutes in the car. The food selection is authentic Italian, with real options from the regions (despite what Olive Garden would have you believe, real Italians are much state-centered and consider Roma and Sicilia *very* different!) The portions are also an excellent size, allowing for even the hungriest patrons to have their fill. The only reason I won't give it five stars is because I agree with some of the other reviewers that the decor is a bit stale, and the waitstaff can be a bit slow. When you come here, plan for a long dinner, filled with good food, good conversations, and good wine, to be followed by cannolis for dessert. It's definitely a worthwhile place to check out, and it's heads above the "authentic experiences" available on Hall Road.
(4)
Michael P.
This place has been here forever and we finally went in. Weak pizza. Canned mushrooms and no flavor sauce. Sorry. Fair service but not great. Very clean restaurant, family business.
(2)
Bill B.
My wife and I ate dinner here tonight; we were in the neighborhood and I had a coupon. Though the building is somewhat rustic, it is clean with nothing that says former car wash. The room has a relaxed atmosphere. Parties at adjoining tables ranged from an older couple to a family celebrating a birthday. The opening bread basket was nice if not thrilling (save for the notably crispy and seasoned flattened bread stick). The olive oil, balsamic vinegar and dried tomato dipping sauce was not the fanciest but was tasty. It was nice to see a wine list, unusual for a place like this, with a variety of choices; my wife, a connoisseur of sweet wines, enjoyed her Lambrusco. House salads had a mixture of dark and light lettuces and their composition showed some care. My eggplant parmigiana was a little too cheesy on top but was blissfully devoid of breading (I could taste the eggplant). It was accompanied by mostaccioli with a quite serviceable marinara sauce. My wife's chicken risotto was a bit cum Rice-A-Roni with evidence of powdered chicken base and a somewhat salty and unsubtle taste. However, it was freshened with mushrooms and some onions. All in all, this is a fine place if you are looking for simple Italian cuisine in an unpretentious setting.
(3)
Jane E.
I have been going here for years, even back in the day when I could eat meat. The meat sauce, marinara sauce, and palomino sauce are all delicious. Now I do not eat meat anymore but luckily the marinara sauce is very tasty. The palomino sauce is an orange sauce -- a combination of the marinara sauce with the alfredo sauce and is very tasty, although a little on the heavy side. The garlic bread is homemade -- warm, soft, flavorful. The inside is friendly and inviting and the servers are very attentive. It is a family environment. The portions are very generous so plan on taking home some for your next couple of meals. My favorite dishes here are the manicotti with marinara sauce, any pasta with palomino sauce, eggplant parmesan, calamari with amogue sauce (the amogue is excellent -- very zesty and appetizing), veggie calzones, and toasted ravioli. They always have the stracciatella and minestrone soups, and a third soup of the day. The minestrone soup is the only one I can have nowadays and it is palatable. I cannot have the stracciatella because of the chicken broth but back in the day this was my favorite soup there. Chicken lovers will especially enjoy the chicken marsala, chicken siciliano, chicken picatta, and chicken angelina.
(5)
David C.
The food is awesome. The place reminds you of the old Italian hole in the wall places, mom and pop no frills just solid food quality and portions. The decor is eh, but if you can live with that you will not be disappointed and the prices are reasonable.
(4)
Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
Address :49860 Van Dyke Ave
Shelby Township, MI, 48317
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
FirstName L.
OUTstanding food! I ordered Angel Hair San Marino. It was my favorite shrimp and pasta dish I've had in memory. This is a local family owned restaurant. The owner is also the chef. He came out during dinner and greeted each table. Waitress Gina was great. Best word-of-mouth recommendation I've gotten in a very long time. You won't regret this one! Loved it. I will be recommending Di Fratelli to everyone! Sidenote: This is family dining at it's best - Come as you are. The food speaks for itself so you can overlook the family diner type decor. It is quaint and cozy!
(5)Laurent F.
The food, service, and ambiance were okay. It is a small restaurant, on par with the Olive Garden but 75% smaller. If you can't find Papa Vino's Italian Kitchen, then go here or to the Olive Garden.
(3)Brandon C.
I have been coming here since I was a little kid, when it was called Valerias. I never remember having a bad meal here. Coming here reminds me of being a kid with my parents and sister and just think the 4 of us would eat dinner for under $20. They still have good food.
(4)Jessica M.
My husband and I met up with another couple for dinner here. We got seated about 7:30. Took quite a few minutes for the server to greet us. Most of the tables were occupied, but the restaurant was empty except for us and one other table by the time we left. The service could have been better. Our waitress seemed annoyed by us. She didn't smile or offer us parmesan cheese with our soups or entrees. She took about 10 minutes to get the bottles of wine we ordered. I think she wanted us to hurry up and get out of there, even though we ordered wine and dessert. I observed the other servers and they seemed way more friendly. We got the one that hates her job. The food was meh. I remember eating here a few years ago and it was yummy. Unfortunately this trip may be my last. I ordered the mushroom soup, which was more like sausage and tomato soup with flavorless hunks of mushrooms. Strange, yes, but not horrible. Would have been better with cheese grated on it. The bread basket was good, but they didn't put enough balsamic or spices in the oil. It was basically a plate with oil and a few tiny specks of flavoring. My disappointment came with my entree. I ordered chicken Scicilano. The amoigue sauce was delish, but the breaded chicken was on the light side. Three chicken breast pieces pounded flat and breaded. Breading was tasty, but could have been done longer. The first piece of chicken was ok, but I noticed the second and third piece had not been cooked through. There was a cut in one of the pieces hidden under another and it was still pink. By the time I noticed I just wanted to get out of there and could tell the waitress and other workers wanted us out too, although it was only 8:30. We did order a cannoli and that was good. My impression of my visit was not stellar. I hate feeling like I am an inconvenience when I am spending money somewhere. I would have much enjoyed if the staff would have tried a little harder, rather than rush to get us out. It was obvious by our waitress, the oil for the bread, and the way my chicken was prepared. Wish we would have went to Carrabba's.
(2)Nathan N.
Best Italian food in town. We are regulars here. Never have had bad service or food ever!
(5)Ron C.
Went tonight , just to try something different as we have been to the other 2 places on VanDyke. I got to say pulling in at 5:45 on a Saturday night & only a handful of cars, I was wondering what we were in store for. However when we opened the lobby door & the aroma caught us & made us both smile. No host/hostess on duty, but an ambitious server grabbed us & seated us pronto. A server brought us our beverages & a little bread basket with 3 hunks of fresh bread, one roll & several wrapped breadsticks + a dipping sauce of olive oil & balsamic . Quite a large /varied menu plus multiple sauce options. The bride ordered chicken & portabello risotto, served in a Very Large Dish/Bowl It was pure comfort food on a wintery night. $14 I ordered the Angel Hair Bianco Sausage Peppers Onions Tomatoes Portabello Mushrooms sauteed in Garlic + had mine served with meat sauce. $14 Both were very large portions & came with the soup or salad option, and we chose one of our favorites stracciatella soup On my clear chicken based broth & these little puffs of pasta! The interior is kind of stark & well lit like a cafeteria , all tables no booths. Our server was kind & efficient . Note when we left around 6:50, there were around 16-19 people waiting to get in & a 30 minute wait.
(4)Jack R.
Very good Italian place with authentic food and friendly service. The bread and dipping sauce are amazing. Portions are perhaps a little too big.
(5)K. K.
Had lunch here yesterday.... Best meal I've ever had at DiFratelli. Having been about 6 or so times before , it's usually pretty good, but occasionally glacial service. I had the lunch special, Chicken Toscana with fresh green beans laced with fresh minced garlic and olive oil and the Stratatelli soup. It was all FANTASTIC!!!!! Service was even quite a bit better. Prices are very reasonable, quality is superb!
(5)Jeffrey R.
OK, I screwed up. Da Francesco / Di Fratelli, both Italian restaurants, about two blocks apart. Oddly I give both 4 stars (for different reasons). Here is the correct review.... The service is OK. The dining room is basic and borderline cheap looking. The food is outstanding. This is why we keep coming back. I almost always get the chicken with the spinach sauce on top. I forget the name even though I just had it last night. Their bread basket is delicious with their dipping oil. My wife typically gets a simple pasta or ravioli and as simple as her meal is it is still wonderful. I've met the owner / chef and he seems to be a great guy. A while back they had an accordion player one night a week who was great with my kids. I'm uncertain if he still plays there. They have a catering business which also operates out of the same building. It must be pretty profitable because as good as the food is here I rarely see more than a handful of the tables in the dining area occupied.
(4)Theresa C.
My husband and I came here by mistake. One of the best mistakes we have made! Starting with the friendly hostess, we had a short wait before being seated and were treated to a delightful bread basket with a simple dipping oil. We had to stop ourselves from over indulging. The Calamari appetizer is hands down the best I have ever had (and I've had a lot!) Next the entree I had the Papa Mia! Plentiful, perfectly seasoned, just the right balance of cheese, sauce and pasta, it was delicious! My husband had something Seafood marinara and he loved it! The chef came out and chatted with us and was a very nice man. Keep up the great work we will be back! (soon I hope)
(5)Don S.
This is the second and probably my last time here. Although the food has been good the service leaves a lot to be desired. The waitstaff although nice seems preoccupied with everything but our table. On the first visit we had to compete with a group that hadn't even arrived yet. On the second trip we gave the waitress a 2 for 1 coupon. My wife wanted pizza and the waitress said that she had to order a large because of the coupon. I was ok with this since I love leftover pizza. Right before our order comes out she says that we can't use the coupon because it isn't good on holidays. Needless to say this left a very bad taste in my mouth. Our friend found eggshell in his omelette and the owner/manager just happened to come to the table at that moment. His response was ' I wish you would have told me sooner. I would have made you a new omelet'. That was the only thing I needed to hear. Even though my wife called them after the fact and they offered a discount or free meal on the next visit, I will not be back.
(2)Danielle M.
Definately the worste Italian I've had in a while. I could've gotten the same result by boiling my own noodles and adding tomato's to it. The place looks like it used to be a carwash. Big waste of money and meal.
(1)Theresa M.
The service was extremely slow so by the time my chicken piccante arrived I was really annoyed. But it was so delicious I almost forgot that it took 45 minutes to get it. The best chicken piccante that I ever had. On a side note: I'm 1st generation Italian so I'm pretty hard to impress as far as Italian food goes
(4)Rob D.
I call this place my little Italian truck stop. Not much on ambiance but the food is terrific. Being 100% Sicilian and 2nd generation from the boat! I'm not easy to please when it comes to Italian food. I'm never disappointed with DiFratelli's. I've eaten there many times but mostly for lunch. I love their soup and salad combo on Fridays. The clam chowder is among the best I've ever tasted. Lasagna is top notch! Service can be slow at times, dinners seem to be on the pricier side but not foreboding. All in all a very good choice for a real Italian meal.
(4)Kelly L.
Italian food is my favorite food. I was a bit nervous to go into Di Fratellis. I have passed by it several times and always thought of it as Da Francesco's red head step child. That's said I wasn't a fan of Da Francesco's so I thought I would give the "Ginger" a try. Upon entering the parking lot I was nervous my the lack of cars. The parking lot at Francesco's was packed and half the places in the strip mall it's in aren't even occupied. But, because I didn't want to argue with the wife and I was hungry I parked the car and entered with an open mind. 3 of us were seated an a clean open area. The menu was a bit to lengthy for my taste but I may just be a prude to that due to watching too many Gordon Ramsey shows. Strike one was the bread. The bread basket came out with a roll, 3 bread like sticks, and what was a very rubbery garlic bread. At this point I was worried. That said I did eat the roll and it wasn't so bad. I flipped through the menu a few times and found that they had exactly what I wanted. Gnocchi with palomino sauce. We placed out order and I got the stracciatella soup to start. The soup was wonderful. I loved the flavor and found that adding Parmesan cheese and some pepper only made it better. At this point I wished with all my heart that they had good bread that I could dunk in the amazing soup. They main dishes arrived with ample portions all around. I had asked for baked cheese on my dish and it came without. The waitress was happy to take it back and was quick to return it with the cheese in place. The gnocchi was dense, a good size, and the taste was perfect. The palomino sauce was a good mix of tomato and alfredo sauce.And the baked cheese was real, stringy, and the perfect topping to a wonderful dish. The only thing missing was sausage, but I'll get that next time. All in all Di Fratelli's felt like an italian version of an Country kitchen. Good food, good portions, and good prices. Oh... and before I forget to mention this. It was my birthday so I got a free piece of cannoli pie that I will wake up a week from now craving a piece of. I will be back and I will recommend to friends. Fat person seating friendly. Fat seating gold award: All tables (Though look for one in the middle so you aren't bumping up against someone on the tables along the wall.
(4)Shannon S.
This restaurant has been a family favorite for over 25 years....starting when it used to be called Valerias...so so so many memories at this restaurant. It started with my Dad taking my sister and brother and I every Thursday night, for pizza night. While Mom worked afternoons at the hospital, Dad was left to fend for us and our nightly meals. We loved going here for the pizza and the staff.. Many family events have been celebrated at Valeria's/DiFratellis - Anything we've ordered off the menu is amazing... And, even when going with a large group, we generally order our own meal, but still order an extra large cheese and pepperoni as a side! Truly authentic, excellent Italian...,,my mouth is watering for their spaghetti, and pizza...
(5)Liz G.
This is my favorite Italian restaurant in the area. It's a short drive from the commercialized Hall Road sector, but worth the extra five minutes in the car. The food selection is authentic Italian, with real options from the regions (despite what Olive Garden would have you believe, real Italians are much state-centered and consider Roma and Sicilia *very* different!) The portions are also an excellent size, allowing for even the hungriest patrons to have their fill. The only reason I won't give it five stars is because I agree with some of the other reviewers that the decor is a bit stale, and the waitstaff can be a bit slow. When you come here, plan for a long dinner, filled with good food, good conversations, and good wine, to be followed by cannolis for dessert. It's definitely a worthwhile place to check out, and it's heads above the "authentic experiences" available on Hall Road.
(4)Michael P.
This place has been here forever and we finally went in. Weak pizza. Canned mushrooms and no flavor sauce. Sorry. Fair service but not great. Very clean restaurant, family business.
(2)Bill B.
My wife and I ate dinner here tonight; we were in the neighborhood and I had a coupon. Though the building is somewhat rustic, it is clean with nothing that says former car wash. The room has a relaxed atmosphere. Parties at adjoining tables ranged from an older couple to a family celebrating a birthday. The opening bread basket was nice if not thrilling (save for the notably crispy and seasoned flattened bread stick). The olive oil, balsamic vinegar and dried tomato dipping sauce was not the fanciest but was tasty. It was nice to see a wine list, unusual for a place like this, with a variety of choices; my wife, a connoisseur of sweet wines, enjoyed her Lambrusco. House salads had a mixture of dark and light lettuces and their composition showed some care. My eggplant parmigiana was a little too cheesy on top but was blissfully devoid of breading (I could taste the eggplant). It was accompanied by mostaccioli with a quite serviceable marinara sauce. My wife's chicken risotto was a bit cum Rice-A-Roni with evidence of powdered chicken base and a somewhat salty and unsubtle taste. However, it was freshened with mushrooms and some onions. All in all, this is a fine place if you are looking for simple Italian cuisine in an unpretentious setting.
(3)Jane E.
I have been going here for years, even back in the day when I could eat meat. The meat sauce, marinara sauce, and palomino sauce are all delicious. Now I do not eat meat anymore but luckily the marinara sauce is very tasty. The palomino sauce is an orange sauce -- a combination of the marinara sauce with the alfredo sauce and is very tasty, although a little on the heavy side. The garlic bread is homemade -- warm, soft, flavorful. The inside is friendly and inviting and the servers are very attentive. It is a family environment. The portions are very generous so plan on taking home some for your next couple of meals. My favorite dishes here are the manicotti with marinara sauce, any pasta with palomino sauce, eggplant parmesan, calamari with amogue sauce (the amogue is excellent -- very zesty and appetizing), veggie calzones, and toasted ravioli. They always have the stracciatella and minestrone soups, and a third soup of the day. The minestrone soup is the only one I can have nowadays and it is palatable. I cannot have the stracciatella because of the chicken broth but back in the day this was my favorite soup there. Chicken lovers will especially enjoy the chicken marsala, chicken siciliano, chicken picatta, and chicken angelina.
(5)David C.
The food is awesome. The place reminds you of the old Italian hole in the wall places, mom and pop no frills just solid food quality and portions. The decor is eh, but if you can live with that you will not be disappointed and the prices are reasonable.
(4)