Lovin' the Oven!…read more
Italian Food, the great unifier! Rare is the person who doesn't enjoy cheesy, saucy pasta or a crisp slice of pizza. Add on fresh, complementary salad and bread (with pasta entrees), and you will be in love with the 'ove.
I've never had a bad meal here. My favorites are the classic Eggplant or Chicken Parmesan. I've also tried the Shrimp Scampi, Chicken & Vegetable Penne (a veggie lover's dream), and Cavatini (linguine and penne with sausage, meatballs, onion, peppers, and mushrooms).
Alongside their al-dente pasta comes bottomless salad with warm, luscious bread fresh from their wood-fired oven. Also, as a salad freak, there's nothing I appreciate more than fresh, crisp salad with generous toppings. And honestly, they have the best ranch dressing I've ever tasted in my life.
Feeling creative? Try their Pasta Your Way and choose from six different pastas and eight (EIGHT!) sauces. Plus add-ons like chicken, meatballs, sausage, and veggies.
Lunchtime? They have a great selection of sandwiches (Fried Fish, Italian Hoagie, Chicken or Eggplant Parmesan, even a Vegetable Panini for vegeterians). All sandwiches come with fries or pasta. The pizza and stromboli are also great, with a huge variety of toppings.
The portion sizes are generous; I always end up with leftovers from here. With bread, salad, and an entree, I always leave satisfied. STUFFED if I add on an appetizer or soup. (Might I recommend their Roasted Red Pepper Cream Soup and ultra-crispy Fried Zucchini, piled staggeringly high and served with a zippy, creamy horseradish sauce).
They run a tight ship here. The atmosphere is friendly and relaxed, perfect for people-watching without feeling too exposed. You can also peer into the kitchen, which is neat. Servers provide the perfect balance of warmth and efficiency. The place is buzzing, and it's clear to see why: the food is good, prices are affordable, and they make you feel at home. It's refreshing to dine at a down-to-earth restaurant where the emphasis is not on what's trendy, but what's timeless: that good-for-your-soul feeling after a delicious meal served well.
As a monthly patron during my college years, this place is near and dear to my heart. In the culinary desert that is Johnstown, PA, this restaurant is a godsend, and I truly hope that it experiences the utmost longevity.
P.S.: Their desserts are fantastic, too! I just wish they'd bring back their seven-layer chocolate cake. Scrum-diddly!