Really fine meal at Melillo's

My wife and I had a really fine meal at Melillo's last evening. Hearing that they originally hailed from New Jersey I just had to go. I was not disappointed at all. It's really a very small, very intimate place. The service was very friendly and the food was wonderful. My wife had the Shrimp Aglio e Olio which she really enjoyed. I'm not sure that I've ever seen Aglio e Olio in a restaurant before. I love veal and I really enjoy veal parmigiana and their's was very fine. What was a nice change of pace from so many places is that the food was hot, right off the stove and out of the oven. Nice. I enjoyed their marinara sauce a great deal----a nice tomato and garlic zing to it. If I had any criticism at all it would have been that I would have liked the pasta to have cooked a little less. The spaghetti was not over done in the least but it wasn't al dente either. Of course, I strongly suspect had I asked for al dente specifically I would have gotten it. Really good place if you want really authentic Italian food in a pleasant setting.

[Robin Garr]

Really good place if you want really authentic Italian food in a pleasant setting.

I think just about everybody on the forum loves Melillo's. Good review!

I would quibble slightly with "authentic Italian," but would agree with "authentic New York/New Jersey Italian-American immigrant cooking."

Absolutely one of my favorite places! We send a lot of our guests (from our B&B) there. Every one has come back happy.

Hey Robin, New Jersey/New York Italian IS authentic Italian.. At least those of from there would say so!

[Robin Garr]

Hey Robin, New Jersey/New York Italian IS authentic Italian.. At least those of from there would say so!

I think we're just quibbling about semantics here, but all I'm saying is that Italian cooking in America and Italian cooking in Italy have diverged a little bit since Ellis Island days. Don't get me wrong, though, I love NY/NJ Italian.

Thanks to all of you for your kind words. It's so nice to read praises about the restaurant and the efforts of my staff and family. I appreciate you taking the time to share your experiences. Next time you're in, let me know. I love to put names with faces!

Thanks Michelle.

Oh Robin, of course this is all semantics. Actually, to be quite honest, I was teasing a bit. Sadly I have never been to Italy and would love to go there and eat. I suspect that I would find some distinct differences. The NY/NJ stuff to me, however, is what good home cooking is all about.

I eat there at least twice a month. One of my favorite restaurants in Louisville. Great people and food.