Zappatelli's Restaurant in the Plaza at Old Johnnycake and Mentor Avenue in Mentor, Ohio.
Wow, is about all I can say. This place is such a small unobtrusive space that one would never expect the quality of food coming from the kitchen. Actually, "hole-in-the-wall," is a more apt description. The restaurant is nothing more than two small store fronts in a strip plaza. It is very small with no more than maybe twenty tables total and room for no more than 100 on the very far outside.
I have to be honest. I do not, at all, like this place, ambiance wise. It is much too small and there are WAY too many people, workers I believe, milling about. Given that, the entire place feels like breathing too hard may bother those dining near you, too many workers gives and air of even more confinement.
We arrived around 5PM on Sunday, Veteran's Day, November 11, 2007. The place was full but not packed as we were seated quite quickly. In fact, we were told to sit where ever we wanted. We choose the four-top with the extensions on each side in the entrance portion of the restaurant. Our server was right there as she should have been and got our drink order quickly. She gave us the extra time we needed, then proceeded to take our order. We asked for garlic bread, which she said she did not think they had, BUT that she would ask. (This is an Italian restaurant after all.) It was not on the menu but was definitely available. She apologized and told us she was new and had never before been asked that question. We requested two orders. The bread was nothing more than a hoagie roll split in two and glazed with a garlic/butter sauce, probably that which is put on the white pizza.
Our other companions ordered a pizza, telling us they were looking for one that was, "sloppy." They ordered extra cheese on the entire pie with pepperoni and onions on one half, then Italian sausage and mushrooms on the other. It came out on a raised pie-plate which was brilliant as it allowed for more space than would have occurred with a typical pan on the table. My perennial companion and I ordered the Fettuccine Alfredo. I shit you not, this place has the best Alfredo I have ever eaten, and I have been searching since the early nineties with a friend of mine name Michelle Asberry.
These plate were the size of freaking Texas. In fact, we brought so much home that we made a shrimp Alfredo on Monday with only Jo's leftovers and mine are still in the freezer.
The food was only part of the experience, though. One of us was having a bit of trouble keeping food on the plate or in the mouth. Spillage upon clothing was the order of this person's meal. We asked for extra napkins, more than once and were obliged. The guy in the baseball cap even brought a wet towel to our, "let us make it into your mouth," challenged friend. (I must say, though, I had a part in the food on her shirt as I tried to eat my Alfredo and it kind of splashed on her chest, but that was not my fault, you understand.)
Anyway, for the price you cannot beat this place. Four to five meals for less than $30.00 is incredible. And the two with the pizza and salad cost less than $20.00.
If you can handle feeling cramped. go NOW to Zappatell's. The food is so good you will forget the feeling of claustrophobia.
I have to be honest. I do not, at all, like this place, ambiance wise. It is much too small and there are WAY too many people, workers I believe, milling about. Given that, the entire place feels like breathing too hard may bother those dining near you, too many workers gives and air of even more confinement.
We arrived around 5PM on Sunday, Veteran's Day, November 11, 2007. The place was full but not packed as we were seated quite quickly. In fact, we were told to sit where ever we wanted. We choose the four-top with the extensions on each side in the entrance portion of the restaurant. Our server was right there as she should have been and got our drink order quickly. She gave us the extra time we needed, then proceeded to take our order. We asked for garlic bread, which she said she did not think they had, BUT that she would ask. (This is an Italian restaurant after all.) It was not on the menu but was definitely available. She apologized and told us she was new and had never before been asked that question. We requested two orders. The bread was nothing more than a hoagie roll split in two and glazed with a garlic/butter sauce, probably that which is put on the white pizza.
Our other companions ordered a pizza, telling us they were looking for one that was, "sloppy." They ordered extra cheese on the entire pie with pepperoni and onions on one half, then Italian sausage and mushrooms on the other. It came out on a raised pie-plate which was brilliant as it allowed for more space than would have occurred with a typical pan on the table. My perennial companion and I ordered the Fettuccine Alfredo. I shit you not, this place has the best Alfredo I have ever eaten, and I have been searching since the early nineties with a friend of mine name Michelle Asberry.
These plate were the size of freaking Texas. In fact, we brought so much home that we made a shrimp Alfredo on Monday with only Jo's leftovers and mine are still in the freezer.
The food was only part of the experience, though. One of us was having a bit of trouble keeping food on the plate or in the mouth. Spillage upon clothing was the order of this person's meal. We asked for extra napkins, more than once and were obliged. The guy in the baseball cap even brought a wet towel to our, "let us make it into your mouth," challenged friend. (I must say, though, I had a part in the food on her shirt as I tried to eat my Alfredo and it kind of splashed on her chest, but that was not my fault, you understand.)
Anyway, for the price you cannot beat this place. Four to five meals for less than $30.00 is incredible. And the two with the pizza and salad cost less than $20.00.
If you can handle feeling cramped. go NOW to Zappatell's. The food is so good you will forget the feeling of claustrophobia.
posted by johnathan e at 5:24 AM
2 Comments:
Nice review. I can't wait to go again. I'll try and be less messy.
I can hardly wait till the new zappatelli's opens real soon in painesville twp on rt 20 near bacon rd. It is going to be a very nice place to go for great Italian food and the best pizza around.
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