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    Ricky & Mela

    3.9 (284 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

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    Pork chop special
    Greg E.

    Atmosphere - Needs Improvement. First, it is important to note that Rick Meta Italia is located in the building that was home to a very popular Italian restaurant called Cafe Italia. There are many reviews listed on this page that that relate to the former restaurant. The renovations that were made to the interior included walling off the kitchen. The now has a much needed cleaning and has a feeling of newness. However, it is quite stark and bright. There is virtually no decoration on the walls. Service - Excellent. The chef and the server are the husband and wife team that are the owners of the restaurant. They go out of their way to make their customers feel welcomed and appreciated. In all regards to service, they hit top marks. Food - Good. I would consider this restaurant to be one that the entree selection will greatly determine your dining experience. For example, I ordered the Chicken Piccata and a side of pasta. The chicken tenderize and pounded and lightly breaded. The lemon sauce was ample and flavorful. All pasta is freshly made and if excellent. The protein portion was reasonable. The pasta sauce good, but could use a bit more seasoning for my taste. I will note that I was dining with 3 other people and they all agreed that the sauce would benefit from attention. Overall - This is a restaurant that has many things going for it (location, great service and freshly made pasta, clean feel). Some challenges faced are the things like limited space, a stark atmosphere and limited parking. In my humble opinion, the restaurant could become very successful if it were to position itself as an authentic, trattoria. The owners moved to the United States and they are learning English through assimilation, lending authenticity to a trattoria. Simple, inexpensive decorations and changes to the menu that mirror the experience of dining in a Tuscan hill top town would make the restaurant experience more authentic.

    Spaghetti and meatballs
    Gary R.

    Always like to see a new business succeed which is especially hard for restaurants. Husband and wife team with authentic fresh Italian pasta. The food was good, there could be some improvement as far as making sure there is enough of an ingredient in the dish ordered. Service was good and the place pays a nice collection of Italian songs.

    Spaghetti and meatballs
    Lyn P.

    Ok. So I've been here three times since the new owners took over. I just had not been impressed the first few times but was trying to be forgiving since they were new. I have tried their Chicken Milano, Ravioli, Spaghetti and meatballs, Caesar Salad, and the Pasta Fagioli Soup. The Soup and Caesar Salad with chicken were the best on the menu. The portions were small on the entrees for their price. I was completely disappointed with the spaghetti. It was hard. It didn't seem cooked and the sauce was bitter. They offered a complimentary side dish of a vegetable medley with carrots and cauliflower but it tasted bland, like from a can. They offer plain slices of bread, cold, no butter. I have tried the pizza I did not like it at all. The crust was doughy and the sauce bitter. I asked for an unsweet tea and I received a soda and green tea concoction. Not sure what that was all about but when I told Mela I ordered unsweetened tea she brought me out a fresh glass of the same thing. It's not ok. I opted for plain water instead. Yet Sweet and Unsweet tea is listed on the menu. One plus is the place is freshly cleaned and painted for a much better atmosphere! Ricky and Mela are the sweetest, nicest couple. I was hoping for better. Unfortunately I will have to pass on this restaurant. I wish them all the best.

    Gnocchi Tris
    Kim K.

    We were excited to visit New Caffe Italia this afternoon for lunch, so, I will share our thoughts (note: all is meant to be positive, but of course everyone has different tastes). The new owners are from Italy, and the cuisine is authentic Italian. The space is small, very clean and sparsely decorated, the cleanliness is a great improvement from prior establishment. The menu is simple, yet offers a good variety, providing ample choices. Our meal; we started with the Bruschette, this dish does not necessarily mirror what other local establishments offer by this name. Here, you are presented a board with 3 varieties: fresh sliced tomato, artichoke spread & sundried tomato. The base/bread is a very light, flat, bread, lightly warmed and what I'd describe as almost tortilla-like (it is not the typical 'bread' slices we are often served). The tomatoes were fresh, lightly seasoned, delish, the artichoke spread mild, vibrant and tasty and the sundried tomatoes had a lovely earthy flavor. Our mains: the first, Gnocchi Tris; 3 plates of homemade pasta with 3 different sauces. The gnocchi were delightful, light with a not too chewy bite, yum! The sauces were each fresh and flavorful, light and delicate in comparison to many other local offerings - I'd describe them as more 'brothy' than creamy, not at all heavy, and they were definitely freshly prepared. The tomato was vibrant and lightly seasoned allowing the tartness of the fruit to shine, the pesto provided a simple herbaceous oil based topping, and the alfredo was more of a light, fresh, milk/cream forward offering with just a touch of cheese (unlike some of the heavier, very rich, 'thicker' creamy sauces found locally). The second main, Chicken Parmigiana arrived looking as one would expect, the breast itself ample, cooked perfectly a bit scantilly clad with tomato sauce and a sprinkle of melted cheeses (mozzerella & parmesan), this entree included a small side of fresh cavatelli (who doesnt love a dish of homemade pasta!?) topped with a light tomato sauce (note: the option to have Alfredo sauce was offered for this dish also). Both entrees had fresh grated, delicious, cheese over top as well. Overall, we felt this was a satisfying meal, not quite what we might have expected, but by all means a welcome new addition to the areas' Italian choices. One addition we'd have enjoyed: if a bread basket, and a small salad had been included with the entree/meal we'd have welcomed it and the dining experience overall would have felt more complete (this is just our opinion). Note: the liquor license is currently in the works, so, alcolhol is not yet available. There is however a line item printed on the menu that gives a BYOB option (with a $25 corkage fee). Bon Apetit and we are wishing Ricky & Mela much success! Welcome to the neighborhood! Also of note: a paper check was not presented, so good to know a 4% up charge was added for credit. This is not unusual, but if cash is used it appears to offer a savings from credit; I did not realize this however until after paying and presented the printed receipt (that is on me) and just sharing.

    Pollo Scarpariello

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    3 months ago

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    Riccardo M.

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    4 days ago

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    1 month ago

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    Riccardo M.

    Thank you for your advise

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    4 months ago

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    Riccardo M.

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    8 months ago

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    5 months ago

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    Riccardo M.

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    4 months ago

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    Riccardo M.

    Thank for your feedback! Happy new year

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    5 months ago

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    3 months ago

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    4 months ago

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    9 months ago

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    11 months ago

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    2 years ago

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    3 months ago

    Awesome! You cannot miss here. From the bread, to the meatballs, and all the entrees. And do not forget the Gelato!

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    Riccardo M.

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    9 months ago

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    6 months ago

    Food is excellent prepared well owners are great from Italy bring a neat experience to our community.

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    7 months ago

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    8 months ago

    The food was so fresh and authentic! Absolutely the best Italian in the area. I will definitely be back.

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    Riccardo M.

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    10 months ago

    Food was excellent. Service was very good. Staff were very friendly. Have been here 2 times. Definitely will go back again.

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    Page 1 of 8

    Ask the Community - Ricky & Mela

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    Massimo’s Artisan Pasta - Logo on the door features a likeness of the owner as the Roman.

    Logo on the door features a likeness of the owner as the Roman.

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    Ricky & Mela - italian - Updated May 2026

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