I’m a little prejudiced, because I come from a city where there’s an abundance of top-notch restaurants, so for me it’s rare to find a restaurant that meets my standards. Yes, I know, I’ll eat just about anything you put in front of me, but every once in awhile it’s nice to go to an upscale place.
Last weekend I went out to eat at Avellino’s. It’s an Italian restaurant that serves typical Italian fare, including homemade pizzas and desserts. They’re open from 4:30 p.m.to around 9:30-10:30 p.m. every day of the week, except for Mondays.
Before I had my entrée, I ordered their Arugula Salad. It’s a sizable salad that consists of arugula lettuce, homemade balsamic vinagrette, roasted red peppers, and large shavings of Asiago cheese. Another light appetizer that you may want to start with is the “Insalata Caprese,” which is a dish that includes large slices of fresh mozzarella and tomatoes covered with olive oil and basil. All appetizers range in price from $4.95 to $6.95.
If you like spicy food, I’d recommend ordering the Penne Arrabiata ($8.95), which is penne pasta coated with very spicy tomato sauce. Make sure you order a cold glass of water with this dish. The Linguine con Gamberi alle Erbe ($13.95) is awesome if you like shrimp. It’s a bed of linguine, topped with shrimp sautéed in garlic, olive oil, and fresh herbs.
If you’re just in the mood for pizza, they make everything from plain mozzarella to specialty pies like the Vangole Oreganata (topped with clams), Il Broccolo or La Fiorentina (topped with broccoli or spinach), or the Pizza Rusica (topped with chicken). The cost of a 12 inch pie varies from $6.50 to $10.95, and for a 16 inch pie, $9.50 to $16.95.
Avellino’s is a pretty casual restaurant. There’s no need to get all dressed up, but I would definitely not dine there wearing sweats. The dining area is small and intimate. It’s a classy place to take your date, and you can also bring your parents here for a nice dining experience. No reservations are needed.
An added plus is that it’s located two doors down from a bar (Al’s Place), so if you want to eat and then go out and party with your friends, it’s very convenient.
Note: this restaurant is not inexpensive. Dinner for two, including a few drinks, appetizer and entrée can add up to around $50, which is why I wouldn’t go there every night for a bite to eat. Go there every now and then when you want to splurge and enjoy some really good Italian cuisine.
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