Anyone for Italian?

Published 4/17/2011

Anyone for Italian?

The Retired Cooks Diary

By Suzette Pennington Munson

Easter Sunday is next week and I want to wish everyone a Happy Easter. Easter is a time of renewal; spring is really here when Easter comes so I am so glad that we can celebrate the renewal of spring.

Speaking of Renewal and revival, but changing the subject to the reason I am writing. Who doesn’t like change and new things? Whether it is in clothing, cars or places to eat we all like change; well, do I have a change for you!

Sunday after church service Doug and I went to a little restaurant that I had discovered on Friday while out running errands.

My Cousin Debbie and I went to Bridgeport to check out the new Brookshires Super Market and of course it was great, but like usual we needed sustenance, the first restaurant we saw was the “Italian Café” on Hwy 380 in the same shopping center with Wise Liquors. It had a sign up “under new management” well we had not been there before so we couldn’t compare it to anything else but we fell in love with the food.

Our first meal was Greek Salads. Usually you order an Italian Salad or Greek Salad and get the same thing just listed under two different menu items. Well, this Greek Salad was fantastic! Big juicy calamata olives and Feta cheese joining tomatoes, cucumbers, roasted peppers, onion and excellent olive oil to create a scrumptious salad topped with grilled chicken breast strips.

We had Fried Calamari which was in a light batter with a wonderful marinara sauce to dip it into as an appetizer and decided this was an excellent place for a “do over”.

Sunday lunch was the day that I decided this place has to become a regular “do over” for us.

We ordered and split an Italian Salad, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, calamata olives in a light vinaigrette with mozzarella on top. Excellent, no other description needed. Then, Doug loves artichokes, so he ordered the Veal Jerusalem. Veal with sautéed artichoke hearts, garlic and mushrooms in a sherry cream sauce, the veal melted in your mouth it was so tender.

I chose the Sea Food Combo which had FRESH mussels, shrimp, clams and calamari sautéed with fresh garlic, tomato and basil sauce served over linguini. Again few words needed to describe the beautiful dish, Delicious!

A gentleman seated behind us was raving about the minestrone soup and said it was the best he has ever tasted!

We brought home a takeout menu so we can drool for a few days before we MUST go back.

I asked to speak with the manager or owner whoever was there and was delighted to meet Sal and Abby Bazi. Sal is a longtime resturanture who grew up in his father’s bakery in Italy. He took over ownership of the Italian Café only three weeks ago and he has made the menu one with lots of choices but one that is easy to control. His goal is consistency. Sal comes from a heritage of upscale restaurants and is bringing his recipes from that setting to a more down home atmosphere. You don’t have to worry about which fork to use at the Italian Café, you just need to bring a big appetite.

So I hope when we go for our next “Do Over” that we have to wait in line to get in to the restaurant. Sal is planning a Grand Opening and will have lots of wonderful choices on a buffet so that anyone coming in will see what items he has available. He said he would call with the date so I will update the column as soon as I know that date. If you drive 380 to Bridgeport to work you should stop in and try out Sal’s wonderful little Italian Café. He has something different every day for specials and can also do catering. Maybe we will see you all there this spring.