"Our meal started off on a high note with complimentary warm bread served with olive oil infused with balsamic vinegar and grated cheese—simply perfect. For our appetizer, we ordered calamari, which was a delightful twist on the usual. The tender fried rings and tentacles were enhanced by the addition of sliced banana peppers, garlic, and baby spinach. The accompanying red sauce was delicious, and I’m confident it was homemade.
While sipping her glass of Montepulciano, my sister devoured her hearty plate of ravioli, topped with the same flavorful red sauce, along with a meatball and sausage. The ravioli was very good, and the meatball had a great texture and tasted great, but the sausage was the star—it was fresh and delicious. Both of us appreciate the “basics” of Italian-American cuisine and often evaluate restaurants based on these staples.
For my entrée, I ordered the Veal Neapolitan, and it was everything I hoped it would be. I savored the tender sautéed veal cutlets, which were topped with a rich mix of Portobello mushrooms, eggplant, and red peppers, all covered with gooey melted mozzarella and served in a velvety but light sauce—a perfect combination of flavors. After deciding to take half of my dish home for a lavish lunch later, my sister and I shared a heavenly slice of “Mochamisu,” which was essentially a traditional tiramisu. My sister also treated herself to a cup of espresso.
Our server for the evening was Nicole, the owners’ daughter, and she was personable and happy to answer all our questions. The pacing of our dining experience was just right—not too fast but not slow either. Well done, Chioda’s! We will definitely be back, as we have found our new Italian home."
