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| - I spent many decades living in and around Los Angeles and there were no really good Italian restaurants there.
As a native New Yorker and former New York cop, I worked all 5 boroughs and visited many Italian restaurants throughout NYC and neighboring Westchester County. Good as they were, Aiello's Salumeria could stand toe-to-toe with the best in and around New York. I came across it a week ago and was awed by the terrific salad that comes with lunch. No iceberg lettuce with a bit of onion and, if you are having a lucky day, a cherry tomato like you get in a salad that most restaurants throw in with your sandwich or other luncheon choice, The salad are a delightful mix of terrific greens and covered with the perfectly right amount of homemade dressing. I would expect to pay $5.00 or $6.00 dollar for the sensational house salad alone.
I've since returned for other lunches consisting of their different salads, all topped with their homemade dressings and delicious fresh baked bread served with oil and vinegar with a spicy red pepper dipping sauce has me ever ready for the main course to come, I've had lunches there and dinners as well. Everything was scrumptious, especially the meatballs (made with special meats that make them particularly distinct and an absolute delight). They even make their own Mozzarella cheese which is to die for. I've been to places in New York where they make Mozzarella cheese for restaurants and also package it for distribution and retail in markets. Never have I tasted such a cheese as pleasing to the palate with a smoother texture as that made at Aiello's.
I find the quality and quantity of the dishes to be inexpensive for the awesome flavor and subtly significant portions. The portions might not look that large, but it is enough to fill you and then some... it must be some kind of optical illusion!
I've dined in people's homes as well as fine restaurants when traveling in Italy and this was reminiscent of those memories and experiences. Quality and freshness of the food, the ambiance (especially at dinnertime), the freshness and homemade essentials, along with the quantity to go with the quality makes Aiello's special place to be experience.
For a real true taste of Italy and the best of its gastronomical pleasures, it's Aiello's any day for me!
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