Co-owner Michael Mancuso has been running the day-to-day operations for the past seven years, giving his mother Cathy a well-deserved break. Michael began dishwashing and cooking at the restaurant as a boy. He was actually running the kitchen by the age of 12, so he knows every aspect of the business and most of his repeat customers by name.
Mancuso was in the middle of finalizing the catering details for a wedding party on the night we stopped in. Amazingly, the family-friendly restaurant only accounts for 15 percent of their sales. The other 85 percent is attributed to catering. Mancuso's caters the lunch program at Lake Country Christian School in addition to off-site parties and weddings. A private dining room in the restaurant accommodates up to 75 people.
We began with an order of Bruchetta ($9.95). A crusty Italian baguette was topped with a seasoned combination of sliced Roma tomatoes, garlic, fresh basil and melting provolone. While the flavor profile was average, the bread was not toasted enough to stand up to the thick slices of Roma tomato. I would have preferred the tomato diced. The dish also had a dash of red wine vinegar, which made the bread a little soggy. We also ordered the olive oil garlic bread, and it was quite good.
Complimentary dinner salads were simple and fresh. A generous mound of large leafy greens was garnished with sliced red onion, tomato and a dusting of Parmesan. The red wine vinegar dressing was nice and acidic.
An order of Manicotti ($12.95) was a manageable portion, served on a medium-sized plate. Fresh pasta was cooked al dente, then filled with creamy ricotta cheese and parsley. The real star of the dish was the homemade meat sauce served over the top. The slightly spicy sauce included generous amounts of ground beef.
The Anchovy Lover's Delight ($14.95) boasted pronounced flavors, perfect for anyone who craves salt over sweets. They do not add a pinch of additional salt to the dish, because the briny anchovies and green olives pack plenty of punch on their own. While it was not the most attractive presentation, simply tossed with olive oil and linguine, it was enjoyable.
The absolute highlight of the meal was a slice of Cappuccino Pie ($5). With strong coffee-flavored ice cream filling and moist chocolate graham cracker crust, every bite was a pleasure. The pie was topped with a layer of chocolate fudge and whipped cream for good measure.
The interior decor is in the process of an update; however, the walls are still plastered with a profusion of The Godfather and Goodfellas posters and memorabilia -- right down to the prominent mug shot of Frank Sinatra. Based upon the recently revamped foyer, Mancuso plans to update the place in warm neutrals. We can't wait to check out their new look.
