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| - Oh man, you guys. Come prepared with an empty stomach and wearing fat-pants. But first, you should probably make a reservation. We came here early (like, 5:40) on a Friday and I think we snagged the very last non-reservation table. I had read the reviews so we knew we had to haul it down here quickly after getting home from work. This place has a serious following.
As other people have said, parking is kind of a nightmare. We parked in the strip mall to the west (in front of Dose Moving), after we circled the block, but I'm not sure this is allowed during business hours. Just a pro-tip! If Uber is convenient, I'd say go that route.
The inside decor is not at all what you'd expect from looking at the austere outside. There's an upstairs loft area of tables, a gigantic and decorated bar, and lots of mod tchotchkes and pictures. I loved it. The dining room tables are kind of crammed together, but the food more than made up for it. Our server was attentive and she went over the night's specials in detail.
I had a $5 happy hour glass of pinot noir (a plus for arriving so early), and we started with the fried zucchini. They were perfect little deep-fried strips served with marinara. For my entree I continued the carb load and went with the manicotti, while my husband opted for the penne bolognese. Both were outstanding. The pasta was cooked perfectly, and the manicotti filling had a delightful hint of nutmeg that really amped it up.
I wanted to end this review by saying Tommy's Place is a total hidden gem, but if the place is packed with what seemed like 95% regulars, is it really hidden? I'm glad we're now in on the secret!
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