I am a self-proclaimed foodie - I've eaten at hundreds of Italian restaurants all over the U.S. (lived in Manhattan for nine years) and traveled up and down Italy for weeks tasting all the epicurean delights that my homeland had to offer. I am pleasantly shocked to report that Pane e Vino cracks the top 20 Italian restaurants that I've been to. If Pane e Vino was a stock I'd issue a ""strong buy "" recommendation and say it's definitely undervalued. \r
\r
First, most of the pasta is made fresh. The spaghetti and gnocchi are melt in your mouth delicious and the penne (one of the few pastas not homemade) which we ordered for our daughters comes out perfectly al dente. The sauce screams ""Grandma's Sunday Gravy"" which if you grew up in an Italian household is the ultimate compliment. They give you a basket of freshly made piping hot rolls which you should use to soak up the flavors of any soups or sauces on any dish ordered. The Veal Saltimbocca had thin slices of prosciutto on it and had great flavor although it was probably one of the smaller entrees on the menu in terms of size. The Chicken Parmigiana was a very large portion and was right on point. We went in a large group and got to taste a lot of different food and the Fettucini Alfredo was made with home made noodles and it was very flavorful yet it didn't have the same heavy feel that most cream sauces have. The Stracciatella soup (of course home made) was among the best I've ever had and even the home made salad dressing was one of the best Italian salad dressings I've enjoyed in a restaurant. \r
\r
Although I was glad at the level of personal attention we got (there were only about 4 tables being served while we were there) and the servers were amazing - I want restaurants like this to succeed and want to see the restaurant more full so they stay in business for a long long time. \r
\r
We ended the meal with a cannoli and could tell that the cannoli cream was home made which I surprised myself that I had room for one more bite. \r
\r
Needless to say we'll come back again real soon although I'll need to wear roomier pants next time. Buen Appetito (as my friend Mario Batali would say). \r
more