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Foods from Leonardo's Ristorante
Reviews
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2007 Aug 17
Our Supper Club group went to Leonardo's Ristorante on Preston Wednesday night for our 6th gathering. It should be our 8th but we missed June and July because everyone was so busy!
It was a slow night at the restaurant as we were the only table inside and there were only a couple of tables filled on the patio. But as we walked down Preston, it seemed that this was true of all the restaurants except Pub Italia and I would suspect that has more to do with beer than Italian food :)
Because we were the only table, we had attentive service. Along with the menu, there were 6 specials for the evening.
I chose the Chicken Picatta special (lemon sauce), the others chose the veal special with a spicy mushroom sauce, chicken parmesan, veal parmesan, penne con asparagi (with asparagus) and penne with sausage. The specials came with either a salad or a soup to start and were plated with steamed vegetables and potatoes.
The food was tasty and everyone seemed happy with their meals. I am not a huge fan of Italian food so it did not wow me, but it was good.
Atmosphere is cozy like you are in an Italian family's dining room. It was a little dark but comfortable.
An interesting point is that we called 3 other restaurants on Preston for which we had coupons and none of the three would allow us to use four coupons (one per couple). The Entertainment book does state that you can only use 3 per table, but the restaurants do not need to follow this rule, it’s completely to their discretion.
Leonardo’s was nice enough to allow it and that was much appreciated!
If the occasion arises, I would go back.
It was a slow night at the restaurant as we were the only table inside and there were only a couple of tables filled on the patio. But as we walked down Preston, it seemed that this was true of all the restaurants except Pub Italia and I would suspect that has more to do with beer than Italian food :)
Because we were the only table, we had attentive service. Along with the menu, there were 6 specials for the evening.
I chose the Chicken Picatta special (lemon sauce), the others chose the veal special with a spicy mushroom sauce, chicken parmesan, veal parmesan, penne con asparagi (with asparagus) and penne with sausage. The specials came with either a salad or a soup to start and were plated with steamed vegetables and potatoes.
The food was tasty and everyone seemed happy with their meals. I am not a huge fan of Italian food so it did not wow me, but it was good.
Atmosphere is cozy like you are in an Italian family's dining room. It was a little dark but comfortable.
An interesting point is that we called 3 other restaurants on Preston for which we had coupons and none of the three would allow us to use four coupons (one per couple). The Entertainment book does state that you can only use 3 per table, but the restaurants do not need to follow this rule, it’s completely to their discretion.
Leonardo’s was nice enough to allow it and that was much appreciated!
If the occasion arises, I would go back.
Pasta [1]
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This entry is here thanks to ksw
Sourberry
gold
No parking right by the building (as far as I'm concerned) but if you go down Pamilla Street you'll find a few spaces. Decor is somewhat dated but very charming. You feel like you're in a little family restaurant in Italy. Lighting is very dim. Service is excellent - server is always knowledgeable and offers excellent recommendations. Service prompt and courteous. Prices very reasonable - lunch usually runs me $15 and dinner $25-$30 (including appetizer).
Now for the food... DELICIOUS! A meal always starts off with bread - warm, crusty, served with olive oil - perfect! Next comes either a soup or salad. Soups have always been delicious, I especially enjoy their chicken broth with some sort of tiny pasta (don't remember term used by server). House salad is also very good with radishes, cucumbers, boiled eggs and balsamic vinegar dressing. Lunch is often a special of lasagna or chicken piccata with a side of pasta (and oddly enough - meat sauce) or veal marsala (also served with pasta and meat sauce). The meats are incredibly tender, the sauces perfectly flavoured and the pasta cooked just so (very authentic, just like the pasta I had in Italy). Truly delightful! I've also had the Spaghetti Carbonara which was also wonderful (though very rich!).
Leonardo's is one of my favourite restaurants - I give it a very enthusiastic two thumbs up!