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| - In my mind, small as it is (I mean my mind, although 'Stino is small as well), there are few places better than 'Stino Da Napoli. The atmosphere is charming and welcoming. The place is small and neighborly. It's your local place. I can't even tell you how many "regulars" go to 'Stino. The number is "very many". They play opera or other appropriate music at a low key level....it's Italian through and through, but sophisticated without being "fancy" or uppity. As soon as you walk in, there is a sincere and friendly greeting. It could be Nate, Sean, or Helen. Professional, on the ball, friendly, sincere. They've all been there for years. It could even be 'Stino himself! Yes, he is real. And he is a great chef. 'Stino's food is legendary. His smile is sparkling and welcoming. Such a happy guy! But back to the food. There are thirteen pastas on the menu. Except for the cloud-like gnocchi, it's dry Italian pasta. Something for everyone. Penne, linguine, spaghetti, fettucine; every sauce is paired with the pasta shape that is just right to hold that sauce properly. Pasta Bolognese. Pasta Pomodoro....plain tomato sauce; how good could that be, you may ask yourself? Unbelievable. Pasta Vesuvio (an incredibly delicious sauce made with pancetta, cream, and tomato sauce...heavenly!) Pasta with tomato/ prosciutto sauce. Pasta Puttanesca. Linguini with clams, red or white. Spaghetti Carbonara, the ideal: creamy yet still light, somehow. I can't even name all the pasta dishes, there are so many. They all sound like something you may have had before, but if you haven't had 'Stino's version, you haven't had the ultimate version of that pasta dish. Pure. Natural. Simple. Perfect. Pasta is cooked al dente and is consistent every time. There is an Insalata Di Mare with sparkling fresh shrimp, mussels, calamari, romaine, olives, carrots, peperoncini and a fresh lemon/olive oil dressing. The sea on a plate. The lasagna is yummy. The eggplant parmesan is a revelation. It's a Friday special. If you are lucky, they may have some left over for Saturday lunch (but don't take mine!). It's more like an eggplant Napoleon, since the paper-thin slices of eggplant are slowly cooked in high quality olive oil, then layered with that simply beautiful plain tomato sauce and sprinklings of quality Parmagiano-Reggiano. No heavy layers of ricotta or gooey mozzarella. No impenetrable breading, no deep frying. Just melting lusciousness. You must try this dish. Even if you don't care for eggplant, you'll go wild. You will never be able to go back to any other version of this dish without yearning for this. With each pasta dish you get a very reasonably-sized mixed salad (which means it's not too big to ruin your appetite); romaine, peperoncini, dark olive, green olive, cherry tomato (high quality all the way--no brown lettuce, no extraneous romaine ribs) and your choice of raspberry vinaigrette or lemon/olive oil. All house-made. A basket of crunchy, hot Ciabatta bread and unsalted butter is served alongside, and there is freshly grated real Parmagiano-Reggiano cheese. Some appetizers are: mussels in wine sauce. Sublime. Mozzarella (fresh) with tomato and fresh basil. Good even in winter. Calamari; sauteed, not fried in the usual way. Delightfully refreshing. We must discuss some of the entrees. My favorites are the Petto di Pollo Milanese ( #21?), a thinly pounded chicken breast (double) with the lightest, crispest, most delicate breading on earth. And lemon. SUCCULENT. Trouble is, once you try that, you won't be able to order anything else. Try the veal dishes. Veal Marsala. YUMMY. Simple and pure. Meaty, chewy mushrooms, veal that is paper-thin, tender, delicately breaded and sauteed to a golden cloud. High quality Marsala wine and butter sauce. When you order a chicken or veal dish, about two minutes later you'll hear pounding from the kitchen. That's your order. 'Stino doesn't pound that veal or chicken until he sees an order come in. The fish dishes are good; you are required to enjoy Tilapia. The roasted peppers and fresh house-made Italian sausage are incredible. Savory, moist, crumbly handmade sausage, slowly roasted red and green peppers and onion, tomato sauce. This is the ONLY place on earth I have ever tasted a green pepper that I like. This place is not trendy, it's not a "scene", it's just the best restaurant on the West side of Cleveland, PERIOD. Good, short, well edited wine list. No hard liquor. They are expanding capacity soon. Go, but don't tell anybody else because we still want to get a seat! We absolutely adore Stino Da Napoli, and we cherish every meal we have there. CASH or checks ONLY. Reservations are recommended for dinner. Remember, it's a small, popular place. There is no place to wit for a table. Closed Sunday and Monday; open for lunch AND dinner only on Saturday.
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