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Fess up or else -- where are the real deal Italian restaurants hiding out here??
DH is Italian and a very accommodating one, rarely ever has a complaint. But whoa, it's been a major miss trying to find authentic, fresh Italian cuisine here in Charlotte. So bad so, that a franchise takes the culinary cake -- Magiannos, all props to them but shame to anyone working in an Italian restaurant here for not bringing anything to the competition.
Last week we happened upon Mama Ricotta's. Sorry to say entrees were extremely flavorless and would never have come out of DH's mom's kitchen.
Yesterday, had an itch for pizza. Unfortunately, Riccio To Go didn't meet that need. It was "NY" style but not by a long shot. Ragu sauce, cheese sparingly applied on top of the thinnest of crusts possible. Even our birds who lust for crust turned up their beaks. It honestly could have barely passed for a Barron's frozen type pizza.
So, what's the word? MIL's coming to town and it's going to seriously be a NASTY scene unless we find somewhere acceptable. TIA!
Ciao luvscoming! I'll throw my recomendation out there being an Italian transplant from Jersey for what it's worth.
I'm leary on calling them the best as people have different taste, But what I will call them is OUR favorite. Angela's Italian Restaurant. I've been a fan since they opened and have turned alot of people on to them.(and you're right they are a "hidden" gem IMO)
Honestly we've tried just about all things on menu from pizza to the daily specials, (things like veal merlot, seafood fra diavolo with lobster tail and pork parmigiana)
never have we been dissapionted.
Real friendly, casual dinning .
I don't know your MILs heritage but the owner is from Naples Italy.
BTW I can't compare to Mama Ricotta's, I've never been But I have "tried" Maggianno's And this lil' place blows em away IMO. It's Authentic.
Only thing is ,reservations accepted for 6 or more otherwise first come first serve. And If your MIL is elder that might be a problem on the weekends as they get busy! And I know when your "up in age " you can get antsy.
BUONA FORTUNA!
Great! Sounds like Angela's is a very promising lead! That is really good to hear they always delivered during your dining experiences. You gave some good entree suggestions too! Hmm, I think it best to check this out prior to MIL's visit. Too stuffed this weekend, maybe next!
MIL is as young as can be... she's actually immersed in planning her "sexy at 60" b-day party. No luxuries are being spared. Thank God DH fell far far from that part of the tree .
Good thinking, anifani, I'll just happen to have an abundance of some of her favorite ingredients out on the island. I'll let you know if we run out of freezer space!!
I totally agree...MIL comming...have her cook, doesn't matter where you go, it will likely never be better than hers My mom is 100% Italian and she hasn't found a place she has liked yet...in 65 years!
For Italian, I liked Fontanellas in Mathews Festival Shopping Center. Also, for Pizza I really like Marino's in Waxhaw and Palone's in the Fountains off of Ardrey Kell. I have also heard very flattering things about Villa Antonio and also Vesuvios(?) Pizza in Ballantyne near the theatre there.
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My mom is 100% Italian and she hasn't found a place she has liked yet...in 65 years!
