Friday night supper club is a mix of old favorites and new venues. Tonight we chose Jim & Pete's on…read moreNorth Ave in Elmwood Park. There is a cluster of restaurants on North Ave, but Jim & Pete's is five blocks to the west, which makes parking near the restaurant much easier. They offer both interior and patio dining.
When you enter, you are greeted by a blend of classic decor--like a tin ceiling and chandeliers--alongside industrial elements like exposed brick and ductwork. All of the interior tables feature white tablecloths and black cloth napkins. The patrons range from date-night couples in button-down shirts and slacks, to casual guys in t-shirts, jorts, and high-tops, to families with small toddlers. It has a really cool, welcoming vibe. They also have a full bar an extensive wine selection
Our server, Annette, greeted us right when we sat down and made sure we had drinks while she finished up with another table. She was an absolute pro at guiding us through the menu. You have a few main directions to go: an extensive pizza selection with five types of crust and 21 toppings ($19-$36 plus toppings), tempting sandwiches and salads ($15-$27), or their handmade pastas, risotto, and specialties including chicken, veal, seafood, and house classics ($20-$35).
We started with the Calamari Fritti, and it was excellent--tender and crispy. My friend noted that the cocktail sauce isn't your standard out-of-the-jar sauce; it has a hint of sweetness and spice that really elevates it. We were also served warm bread for the table.
One of my friends had trouble deciding between the full slab of ribs and the Ribeye steak sandwich ($25), but ultimately went with the steak sandwich. If you put the bread aside, you essentially get an excellent charbroiled ribeye steak dinner for $25. Sandwiches come with fries, but Annette happily substituted a side of pasta in marinara. My husband opted for an order of meatballs and the Tortellini in meat sauce.
I am an adventurous eater--I've had tripe prepared in Mexico, Poland, and Ukraine, so I was excited to try the Italian version here. Served in a savory tomato sauce over pasta ($25), the tripe was delightfully tender and rich. I also ordered a side of neck bones braised in a hearty red sauce. Honestly, you could make a full meal of the neck bones alone using the warm bread to dip into that sauce.
We look forward to exploring even more of the menu the next time we visit!