Italian Restaurant Indianapolis

Posted Wednesday, July 8, 2009 by Mitch Burk

Champps Americana
49 W Maryland St.
Indianapolis, IN 46204
317.951.0033

Recently my lovely girlfriend Melissa and I had a nice little date night. After searching through the perfect selections of Indianapolis date restaurants, I landed on Champps, located in Circle Center Mall downtown. We were both very happy with this downtown Indianapolis restaurant.

Surprisingly, we were seated immediately at 7:30 on a Saturday evening and had very good service. The wait staff was on top of things, and very friendly.

We were also surprised by the wide variety of selections on their menu. This is definitely not just another restaurant in Indianapolis, Champps has pastas, burgers, wraps, ribs, pork chops and so much more!

I went with the Chicken Parmesan and could not believe how big the entree was! I only finished less than half of it and took the rest home. Melissa landed on the Fresca burger and was very happy with her selection as well. (Coincidentally, she asked the question "Do you put ketchup on this" which was the same question she asked on our last date night to Red Robin)

All in all, we had nothing bad to say about Champps... It was a very solid choice and definitely on the the best restaurants Indianapolis!

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Oodles of Noodles!

Posted Tuesday, February 17, 2009 by Jason Gergely

There is this place in Broad Ripple that my friends and I go pretty frequently. Especially when we don't want to cook dinner. It is called Noodles & Company and is located across the stree from Union Jacks and next to La Jolla.

It is one of those places that everyone can find something great to eat. If you like spicy, they have spicy. If you like mild, they have mild. If you like Mac and Cheese... it's phenomenal!

They have three different menus with different types of cuisines... American, Mediterranean, and Asian. All are delicious and like I said before.. they have something there for everyone.

When I go, I usually order the Chicken Pad Thai treo with a ceasar salad. The "treo" is the size of meal, which means you get a pasta, a meat, and a choice of salad or soup. They also have other smaller sizes for the days that you

want to eat light.

So the next time you are cruising through Broad Ripple (or any of their other locations) and you feel your stomach start to grumble... go ahead and check out Noodles and Company, located at 927 Broad Ripple Avenue. They also have one located on IUPUI's campus. So you can check that one out too.

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Deano's Wine Bar & Restaurant - Indianapolis Restaurant Review

Posted Saturday, November 22, 2008 by Chris Baggott

Deano's Wine Bar&Restaurant
1112 Shelby St
Indianapolis, IN 46203

(317) 423-3154‎

Indianapolis Nightlife, Wine, fine dining?   OMG thank you for Deano's Wine Bar & Restaurant!

Located just off Fountain Square this is sincerely one of the best restaurants in Indianapolis.   Just about a mile from downtown, owners Dean Wilson and Jody Bryant have created something that is truly unique.   With a motto of "Good food, good wine and good friends" these guys have really come through in creating a great Indianapolis date restaurant.

Oh...did I mention they have music on weekends? How's that for those of you looking for some Indianapolis Nightlife that's for adults?

The dinner menu has lots of seafood like a smoked salmon platter appetizer or a "more crab than cake" Crab Cake. What Indianapolis fine dining restaurant review would be complete without a shrimp cocktail? (Shrimp Cocktail is to Indianapolis Restaurants like wings are in Buffalo...available everywhere)

The appetizer menu even includes an Italian restaurant touch with four different Pizza's and a portabella & pistachio salad.    Entrees cover seafood to chicken to beef. As an Atkins eater who is trying to eat more locally produced food, I was thrilled to see Indiana Bison Steaks on the menu...pared with a suggested Petite Sirah......perfect.

Writing this Indiana Dining Guide is makeing me hungry...

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Italian Restaurant Indianapolis...(actually Carmel) Macaroni Grill?

Posted Tuesday, November 4, 2008 by Chris Baggott

Romano's Macaroni Grill
Carmel Indiana
2375 116th East
Carmel, IN 46032
317-582-1637

Today I had a great lunch up in Carmel Indiana with Patty Bender of Compendium Blogware client Sheetz Century 21.

I've never been to a Macaroni Grill before and usually try and avoid the big box eateries on Indy's north side. If I'm looking for the best Italian food in Indianapolis, I'm not sure this would be my first choice.

Until now that is.   Every time I have this experience, I have to just say: "Chris Baggott: Get over yourself"   Romano's Macaroni Grill is awesome. I can't say for dinner, but for a lunch restaurant it was fantastic. The environment is high end Italian cusine. I love an Italian Restaurant that has bread and olive oil on the table....just sets the quality meter up right from the start.

I had the Grilled Halibut Seasoned halibut topped with a tomato basil relish and served with pesto Parmesan risotto for $16.99. Clever marketers that they are, each item on the menu was accompanied by the Chef's Recommended Wine. In this case a Chardonnay by Mezzacorona (Italy).

I'm guessing that this place packs them in at night, but the bar is huge and looks like a lot of fun.   Patty and I kept it to business and didn't indulge in any wine or cocktails, but for a lunch meeting is was one of the best restaurant experiences I've had in Indianapolis.

One last great thing about Romano’s Macaroni Grill is their Curbside to Go program. Call or order Indianapolis Best Italian food online and pick it up at the curb.   They have great to-go family style food too!

oh..and they teach you Italian in the bathroom and on the site:

Impress Mom and Pop with anniversary wishes spoken in Italian. Or learn how to celebrate the evening - Italian style.

Sample:

English

- "Happy Anniversary!"

Italian

- "Felice anniversario!

Listen to It in Italian here....

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My Favorite Pizza for Lunch in Indianapolis

Posted Friday, October 17, 2008 by Chris Baggott

Actually, Giorgio's is not only the best pizza in Indianapolis for lunch, it's also the perfect Pizza for meetings and in office events. If I were writing and Indianapolis dining guide, this would be at the top of my list as among the best fast food Indianapolis.

Located just off the circle on East Market street, what you will love about Giorgio's (other than Giorgio himself who always makes you feel special) is the urban feel...unusual for and Indianapolis Restaurant. I've tried to capture the essence in the video here, but there is a great process for ordering with all the pizza, pastas, salads&sandwiches on display. The place is always full but never so crowded that you want to turn away. Even if you see a line out the door, it moves fast. Inside there is plenty of seating and a really nice din that you won't feel at any of the other Indianapolis Lunch Restaurants I frequent. I wouldn't call this a date restaurant and not a dinner type Italian Restaurant but of restaurant's I review in Indianapolis, this is one of my favorites.

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Indy's Best Old Italian Restaurant

Posted Monday, October 13, 2008 by Krystal Featherston

This past weekend, I had the privilege of dining at one of my favorite Italian restaurants, Mama Carollas Old Italian Restaurant. I’ve lived in Broad Ripple for over a year, but never taken the time to eat there. After eating there once … I won’t over look it again – that’s for sure!

I was promptly seated upon arrive in a nice, quiet area. Our waiter – Kevin was delightful!! He was very funny and he made our dining experience that much better.
I ordered a glass of Melot which went perfect with the atmosphere. After drinks were served, we received the bread and dipping sauce. The bread was fresh and hot, and it appeared that it was never ending – we always had a fresh basket.
We started with the bruschetta appetizer which was a nice starter - fresh tomatoes and smoky cheese gave it good flavor. For dinner, I decided on the pasta primavera. It had some good fresh veggies and a garlic oil dressing. Unfortunately, I was not able to try any of the dessert because my meal was so filling (I usually don’t make it to dessert thought).
Mama Carollas Old Italian Restaurant definitely gives a whole different take on Italian food. I was great food and it was reasonability priced.

What more could I ask for ….

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Hungry for some Authentic Italian?

Posted Friday, September 26, 2008 by Jason Gergely

The other day, my coworker Jennifer Buscher was telling me about a restaurant just north of Broad Ripple on Westfield Boulevard and 86th street. To read up on Jennifer’s business blog Click Here

It is called Amalfi Ristorante Italiano. It is authentic Italian food made by an couple

who moved to the United States from Italy. She said it was a high end restaurant with a romantic atmosphere. She also mentioned that would be good for a romantic night out for an anniversary or Valentine’s Day. Not some much of a place for a first date or a business meeting. The pasta dishes are phenomenal, but she highly recommended their lasagna, which is apparently the restaurants most popular dish. Also, she said there is a vast wine selection, which would probably be a good topper for that romantic evening you were looking for. As for price, she said it was “Not very expensive; but expensive.” From what I can guess, I think it means that it was cheaper than she was expecting. As for a rating from Jennifer, 5 out of 5. So go check it out.

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Ah Barista Cafe

Posted Thursday, September 25, 2008 by Downtown Lunch Guru

Ah Barista Cafe - http://www.ahbarista.com
Location: 201 S. Capitol Ave.

DLG Rating: 8/10

Ah Barista Cafe is a little less-known place on the ground floor of the Pan Am Building. It features a variety of sandwiches and salads, good for a quick lunch. The sandwiches are a fairly good size, come with chips and usually fill the appetite with a solid light lunch. If you are a big eater, this is not your place.

Some of the specials include: Taco Salad, Pizza Pretzel Paninis, Loaded Baked Potatoes and some other very unique choices. The cafe serves all Boar's Head meats, so the sandwiches are quality.

Another plus to the cafe is a plethora of drink options - every type of coffee, Italian cream sodas and much, much more.

The most enjoyable part of grabbing lunch at Ah Barista is the staff. Always very cordial and helpful with great recommendations.

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Goodfella's Pizza

Posted Friday, July 18, 2008 by kristen hanschu

Goodfella's Old World Brick Oven Pizza
Location:
9641 Olio Road
McCordsville, Indiana
317-336-6666
http://goodfellas.com/

My husband and I are from a small town Northeast of Indianapolis. Our town has very few good restaurants. What our town does have are 1,000 pizza restaurants to choose from and they just keep on coming. (Seriously we can get any kind of pizza within a 15 mile radius. Ok, maybe not 1,000, but at least 15.)
One of the best restaurants of Indianapolis is Goodfella’s Restaurant Old World Brick Oven Pizza. It has become our favorite Italian restaurant. It just opened last year and it is absolutely wonderful! I just crave the wonderful Italian cuisine.
It was voted World’s Best Pizza Restaurant in 2007. Goodfella's is real NEW YORK ITALIAN!!

My husband and I start off with their chopped salad and house balsamic vinaigrette dressing, which we split. Then on to the main course, the pizza. We order the Old World Brick Oven Pizza, which is a thin crust type of pizza. We order the works with pepperoni, sausage, extra cheese, meatballs and prosciutto. YUMMO!
Check out the menu guide to see all the wonderful choices they have to offer.
Oh, I almost forgot to mention the hot Italian bread with dipping sauce is scrumptious, but be careful not to fill-up on the bread. Side note: they do not serve bread before 5:00.
They also have wonderful pasta. My kids love their spaghetti and meatballs. The sauce on the pizza and spaghetti is so fresh. It is like eating fresh squeezed tomatoes.
The service is wonderful. The waitresses and waiters are always friendly and helpful in ordering. They also have full bar and their Cosmos are my fave! I would highly recommend this wonderful Northeast Indianapolis Italian restaurant!

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Uncork Your Creativity: Name that Ruffino Wine

Posted Wednesday, July 16, 2008 by kristen hanschu

We have an exciting new announcement from Carrabba's Italian Grill. Do you know your wines? Would you consider your self to be a wine connoisseur? This is a fantastic opportunity for you to win big with Ruffino and Carrabba's.

Carrabba’s Italian Grill invites consumers to help name a new, Carrabba’s-exclusive, limited-edition baby Super Tuscan wine debuting this fall from Ruffino. This is a fun opportunity for one winner to receive a $1,500 epicurean prize package including:

A case of the exclusive Ruffino wine
A catered 2008 holiday celebration for 12
A year’s worth of Carrabba’s dinners in 2009

Entries can be submitted online at www.Carrabbas.com until July 31, 2008.

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Palomino restaurant: Ambiance and fine dining all in one package

Posted Friday, June 13, 2008 by Dean Stratman

In early May of 2008, myself and around eleven or thirteen other teenagers were trying to decide what type of restaurant downtown we were going to eat at right before we went over to the Children's Museum for prom. We thought of plenty of places that we considered fine dining, but most of them were far out of our price range as seniors in high school. Then, we tried to decide what type of food we wanted, and most of the girls in the group decided they either wanted Italian cuisine or a steak restaurant that had ample room for such a large group and that had a pleasant atmosphere. So, we looked and looked, and finally we found the place: Palomino Restaurant and Bar. Not only is Palomino a great lunch and dinner

For a menu guide to Palomino, follow this link!

restaurant, but on top of that, it was decently priced, has a pleasant atmosphere and bar area, and is an excellent place to take a date, just as we did before prom that night. Every single one of us there absolutely loved the food, with myself and my date splitting the Fettuccine Alfredo, and some other people in our group got excellent looking seafood dishes like their calamari or some very delicious steaks. In my opinion, the second most important part of a restaurant besides the taste and presentation of its food is certainly its atmosphere, and Palomino seems to have mastered blending fine dining with an upscale bar perfectly! Afterward, we all enjoyed the dance, but the restaurant certainly brought our night up considerably, and I would suggest visiting Palomino to everyone I know: friends, family, business colleagues, and everyone! By the way, while our prom group is too young to experience it, the night life of the restaurant is said to be quite outstanding as well!

Palomino
49 W Maryland Street, #189
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Phone: 317-974-0400
Visit: Palomino

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Eddy's Neighborhood Bar and Eatery, for all occasions

Posted Thursday, June 12, 2008 by Dean Stratman

While most of the restaurants I will include in my Indianapolis dining guide actually are located in downtown Indianapolis, sometimes a restaurant just grabs my attention enough that I feel the need to include it in my guide, even if it is located all the way out on Geist Reservoir. Most people have heard of Geist if they are from Indianapolis, as it is a mere half-hour drive east on I-70 and north on Olio Road, but most probably haven't heard of a pretty good restaurant located on its shores, known as Eddy's Bar and Eatery. I first heard about Eddy's through one of my friends that I went to high school with, and after the couple of times I have gone there for dinner, I sure am glad she told me about it. Eddy's Neighborhood Bar and

Grill is an indoor-outdoor sports bar, and delicious eatery that serves everything from great steaks to Italian cuisine, to local seafood, all at a very reasonable price for its prime location with a view of Geist Reservoir. In my opinion, Eddy's is an anytime restaurant, in that one could have lunch or dinner there with colleagues, friends, relatives, business partners, families, or just about anyone else, because it has an atmosphere of what I would consider a seafood restaurant with an upscale twist. The combination, however, makes for a delicious lunch and dinner restaurant, with a great view, and anyone who goes there is bound to have a great and memorable experience. So, take the drive out to Eddy's Neighborhood Bar and Eatery--it is certainly worth it!

Eddy's Neighborhood Bar and Eatery
11693 Fall Creek Road
Indianapolis, IN 46256
Phone: 317-849-0925
Visit: Eddy's Neighborhood Bar and Eatery

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The Best of the Best

Posted Wednesday, April 23, 2008 by kristen hanschu

This past Monday, my fiance and I had the privelege of dining at one of my favorite italian restaurants, Carrabba's Italian Grill. I have not been here in years and this delightful visit made me realize what I was missing.

We were promptly seated upon arrive in a nice, quiet booth. Although the food was amazing, one of the best parts about dinner was the service. Our waitress, Kristen, was sweet, knowledgeable, and gave us wonderful suggestions. It was Brian's first time to Carrabba's and Kristen was able to guide us through the menu to decide what we would enjoy the most.

Brian started off with a Sam Adams Summer lager. Kristen brought him a sample of Italian beer, since he had never had it, to see if it suited him better. I ordered a Sauvignon Blanc which was light, crisp, and went perfect with the dinner.

After drinks were served, we received the bread and dipping sauce. This is truly unique to Carrabba's. The bread is always fresh and hot, and the wait staff ensures that you have plenty to eat. Kristen went over the day's specials and informed Brian of popular dishes he might want to try as a first timer.

For dinner, Brian decided on the Pollo Rosa Maria which is a grilled chicken breast stuffed with fontina cheese and prosciutto. It is topped with mushrooms and complimented with a delicious basil lemon butter sauce. The chicken was grilled to perfection and the combination of flavors was brilliant. I opted for the Lobster Ravioli. Stuffed with tender Maine lobster in a white wine cream sauce with diced tomatoes, this dish was to die for.

Unfortunately, we were not able to try any of the dessert because our meals were so filling. In the past, I have tried the Tiramisu. This dessert encorporates lady fingers dipped in liqueur laced espresso, layered with sweetened mascarpone, Myers’s Rum, and chocolate shavings. There were a few others that we wished we could try as well but our stomachs would not allow.

Carrabba's definitely gives a whole different take on Italian food. This Italian Grill tops the charts with incredible dishes, unique flavor combinations, and outstanding service.

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Broad Ripple Steakhouse

Posted Friday, April 18, 2008 by Mike Pecchia

Broad Ripple Steakhouse

929 Westfield Blvd.
Indianapolis, IN 46220

Genre: Steakhouse
Rating: 5 out of 5
Location: Broad Ripple

Broad Ripple Steakhouse may be a small white building on a corner in Broad Ripple, but it packs in a great amount of taste and atmosphere; I would give this restaurant a 5 on presentation alone.

The menu is a great compilation of every type of meat and seafood that can be grilled, seared, or marinated. In my first dinner at Broad Ripple Steakhouse, I chose the Tenderloin Medallions with Cognac-Peppercorn Sauce. This dish was absolutely amazing! The sauce was especially delicious and a great combination with the tenderloin.

The drink menu displays some of the finest Napa Valley and Italian wines. I would highly recommend the Chateau Thomas, Cabernet Franc red wine.

If you are in the area, stop by Broad Ripple Steakhouse for a nice steak and fabulous glass of wine!

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Maggiano's Little Italy

Posted Wednesday, April 9, 2008 by Mike Pecchia

Maggiano's Little Italy
3550 East 86th Street
Indianapolis, IN, 46240-2424

Genre: Italian-American
Rating: 5 out of 5
Location: North Indianapolis

"...when the moon hits your eye, like a big pizza pie, that's amore..." Everytime I walk into this restaurant, that song plays in my head at least once. This restaurant gives you the feel of a traditional Italian-American establishment, as if you were in little Italy. Ive been here on many occasions (family visits, couples night, friends, etc.) and the food is just as delicious as when I ate there that time before.

I can't really put my finger on a specific plate that I like the most because Ive enjoyed all of the meals that Ive had here. Maggiano's features signature plates in the menu that are cooked house-style. I would recommend eating here, at least once, and experience for yourself the taste of little Italy!

I gave this restaurant a perfect score because of the menu. It does contain such dishes as Fettucine Alfredo and Spaghetti with Meatballs, two non-authentic Italian dishes. We must realize, however, that Maggiano's represents a "Little Italy" style of dining, not a purely home-land Italian style. It is this that allows Maggiano's to represent Italian-American dining.

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Ambrosia Ristorante

Posted Monday, March 31, 2008 by Mike Pecchia

Ambrosia
915 E Westfield Blvd
Indianapolis, IN 46220
(317) 255-3096

Genre: Italian
Rating: 5 out of 5
Location: Broad Ripple

"Ambrosia" has its roots in the Greek culture as meaning "immortality". As a food, it was referred to, in mythology, as the "food of the gods". Today, this restaurant adorns Broad Ripple with its elegance and intimate setting. Unfortunately, I don't believe any Greek gods have eaten here recently.

Like many Italian restaurants I frequent, I look for certain criteria: A menu filled with CORRECT Italian dishes, an Italian themed setting, and at least one individual in the restaurant that is fluent in Italian. Good news: Ambrosia had each one of these. Once inside this establishment, it is clear that lighting, colors, seating arrangement, and table displays are conducive to an Italian restaurant. Moreover, the menu is blessed with beautiful, authentic dishes. Menu Advice: if you are at an ethnic restaurant and cannot pronounce the dish names, that is a good thing. I am fortunate enough to have an Italian language background and constantly judge the accuracy of the menu in order to understand the owner's attention to detail. Lastly, it wasn't hard to find the native Italian in the restaurant. This older woman, who reminded me of my grandmother, was patrolling the restaurant ensuring all meals were accounted for. Seeing this woman led me to believe that she was the individual preserving the Italian style dining experience within those walls.

I ordered the Spaghetti Tutto Mare, literally translated to "everything sea", because I needed to have my seafood fix for the week. I trusted that the Italian Patrolwoman would deliver a beautiful dish of everything from the sea. The dish was excellent!! My food had no chance of survival once I smelled the aroma wafting from the kitchen.

I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone in the mood for an authentic Italian dinner. The reason I gave this restaurant a perfect rating is because it met all my criteria for Italian style dining AND I didn't find Fettuccine Alfredo or Spaghetti with Meatballs (Both American forms of Italian dining). Make your reservation today!!

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Corner Wine Bar

Posted Wednesday, March 26, 2008 by Mike Pecchia

Corner Wine Bar

6331 Guilford Ave
Indianapolis, IN 46220
(317) 255-5159

Genre: Bar/Restaurant
Rating: 4 out of 5
Location: Broad Ripple

The Corner Wine Bar (CWB) situated on the corner next to Broad Ripple Qdoba is a perfect place for couples and old friends to meet. On top of that, CWB features weekly events and specials that will bring out the 'wine-o' in you.

I enjoyed CWB this past Sunday with my girlfriend around lunch time. The restaurant was empty when we got there because it was pretty early in the afternoon but it slowly began to fill in after an hour. The interior was very intimate, even in the early afternoon, and the atmosphere was promising. To begin, we ordered the Cheese Crock. Now I was a little hesitant to order this dish because I am not a fan of sourdough bowls. To my surprise this appetizer was phenomenal! It was a fondue for two. Needless to say, I ate the majority of it. For my main course, I ordered the Prosciutto Panini. Originally, I wasn't aware of the exact makings of this Italian sandwich but knew that I loved prosciutto. The meal came and I was pleasantly surprised. It was a mixture of asparagus, prosciutto and chevre cheese. The chevre was a great compliment to the prosciutto.

I have no real complaints about this restaurant. I hope to frequent CWB at a later date to enjoy the wine tastings and other events. Overall, I recommend this place to everyone!

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14 West Restaurant

Posted Wednesday, March 19, 2008 by Mike Pecchia

14 West Restaurant
14 West Maryland Street
Indianapolis, IN 46205
(317) 636 - 1414

Genre: Mixed (French, Asian, Italian)
Rating: 4 out of 5
Location: Downtown Indianapolis

I was fortunate enough to muster up enough cash to enjoy this restaurant last summer. I chose this restaurant with the mind-set that I wanted a urbanite feel while also maintaining the integrity of my wallet.

I was impressed from the get-go. I ordered the 14 West Crab Cake and found myself in a complete trance. The crab cakes were phenomenal! Just the perfect size for two people. The butter sauce was a great compliment to the cakes.

For the main dish, I ordered the Lobster Ravioli. I was impressed by the presentation of the dish and the timeliness of the service. The ravioli was a pleasant compliment to the Jack Daniels and Coke I was enjoying. The lobster filling was the perfect consistency and the confit sauce was delicious.

The reason for my rating is that I thought that it was a little pricey for the food and drinks. One of my biggest peeves is ordering a drink and getting a splash of liquor. Other than that, I would recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for an intimate feel and amazing crab cakes in Indianapolis!

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Italian Food

Posted Tuesday, March 11, 2008 by kristen hanschu

Buca de Beppos has been a downtown Indianapolis restaurant staple since 1979. Known for their great food as well as huge portions, this is the place to go for food. Recently remodeled, the place feels warm and cozy, yet not cramped and closed in. It's a wonderful atmosphere where you can truly relax. Calming mood music plays in the background, and we were delighted to be serenaded by the likes of Bobby Darin, Dean Martin, and "The Chairman of the Board" Frank Sinatra. I was impressed at how knowledgeable and extremely helpful our waiter Brian was. The other wait staff that I observed seemed to be just as exceptional. The establishment was absolutely spotless.

Complimentary Bread with a nice thick Italian crust is served, and is accompanied by a wonderful Garlic Pesto Butter. The parmesan on the table seemed to be of good quality as well. Many items have small or large portions to choose between. The small portions are anything but, and the large portions are enormous. Larger portions also include your choice of fresh tossed salad, Caesar salad, or homemade soup.

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Amalfi Ristorante

Posted Wednesday, March 5, 2008 by Mike Pecchia

Amalfi Ristorante Italiano

1351 West 86th Street
Indianapolis, IN 46208
(317) 253 - 4034

Genre: Italian
Rating: 5 out of 5
Location: Northwest Indianapolis

Having spent the second semester of my junior year in Italy, I had the chance to distinguish between the American and authentic versions of Italian foods. This restaurants embodies everything that an authentic Italian restaurant needs: Intimate seating arrangements, knowledgeable waiters, and a Neapolitan chef.

One of my main reasons for rating this restaurant a 5 out of 5 is that I am very particular about my wine. No, I'm not too particular about the taste (though very important) but more particular about how it is presented and opened. In Italy, waiters and waitresses are graded on how they open the wine bottle; unacceptable is usually determined on how the individual cuts the top seal, where they cut it, and how it looks (frayed? torn?) after. Failed attempts result in expulsion from the training. The waitress for my girlfriend and I opened the bottle the most accurate way that a restaurant has since Ive been frequenting restaurants as an adult. This means that this restaurant pays attention to detail, even to the presentation of wine, which is very important.

For my meal, I chose the Scaloppine Di Vitello Al Marsala. This dish includes veal with marsala wine sauce and Crimini mushrooms. This dish was fantastic! The veal was so tender that I used barely any energy to chew it. The sauce was a perfect fit for the mushrooms. To top off the whole meal, I ordered the cheesecake. I figured that I ought to test out the Cheesecake Factory monopoly reputation. From the first bite I knew that this was the real deal. It was the perfect texture that one would expect from an Italian cheesecake.

After staying in the restaurant for 2 hours, enjoying Valentines Day with my girlfriend , we decided to call it a night. On the way out, I noticed an Italian chef noticing my Mediterranean features. Find out that this is the head chef who is from Napoli. After conversing in Italian for 20 minutes, I realized this guy was the real deal.

All in all, I would highly recommend Amalfi to anyone who is looking for an authentic Italian meal that will knock your socks off.

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