Yep, my heart always says Jon & Vinny’s, especially with the youngers. We live close to the original Pasta Sisters and have been wanting to checkout the sit down in CC. But J&V would probably be more fun and we won’t have to bring wine… Hmmm.
That is crazy amounts of sauce and cheese. The first plate looks like the sauce broke and the agnolotti are swimming in pure butter. I’ve only ever had pizza and salad there. I am not feeling motivated to try that pasta, lol.
Osteria Mozza is by far my favorite. You can’t go wrong there.
Bestia is nice but unreasonably popular. The same probably can be said for Felix, though I’ve only once been able to make a reservation there. Rossoblu seems on par without the reservation difficulties. Factory Kitchen is also in the same tier.
Usually, I’d highly recommend Brera. Their risottos and gnocchi are the best I’ve ever had. But my last visit wasn’t very good. The roasted chicken was dry and dreadful. This restaurant never seems to have caught on with mainstream diners.
The thing about over saucing. I.Like.Sauce.And.Bread. I do like pasta, so don’t kick me off the board. But if I had my druthers I would have everything as a Crostini. It’s actually my fantasy restaurant. My girlfriend once noted that everytime I see crostini on a menu I unconsciously squeal “Oooh Crostini”. Hubby ate most pasta. I dipped & sopped.
Jon & Vinny’s is not a Bestia, Republique or Osteria Mozza. It’s the upscale version of an Italian-American Pizzeria. Note: it’s in Damiano’s old spot.
For a casually nice, delicious pizza/pasta dinner with friends & family it doesn’t get much better. Note to parents, if you don’t mind a couple of barely noticeable cuss words in music they are quite child-friendly, even providing nifty clip-on highchairs (specify beforehand). Beware of the 18%+tip.
We went to Pasta Sisters last night. Oh lawd. I have a carbohydrate hangover. Will post soon…
Good thoughts @Alkiegourmand. I was looking at Felix’s menu and had a double take at the prices. But the menu is interesting and I still want to try it at some point. Nice Factory Kitchen reminder. The Porchetta is sooo delectable and the famous Handkerchief Pasta w/the light silky Pesto. Yep, delish. You need earplugs though.
Jon & Vinny said the inspiration for Jon & Vinny’s was the simple mom and pop Italian joints they’d go to as children after little league, to celebrate birthdays, etc. They each had distinct memories of restaurants like that from childhood and when they touched upon the shared connection knew they wanted to give that to other families.