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| - After an evening enduring a suburban ballet recital of children and adults, in support of my 52 year old neighbor who takes classes from them (and who actually was one of three or four who were VERY good), we all wanted to grab dinner after the 'show', and Silvioni's was along the way and nearby the venue.
All I can really say is that it's the standard neighborhood Italian restaurant, with the usual prices, the usual offerings, and healthy portions.
Although the usual offerings on the 'specials' board for the night included a chicken stir fry over rice. 'Cause y'know...when I think stir fry, I IMMEDIATELY think 'Italian'...doesn't everyone?
The service was very efficient and pleasant in that quaint suburbanite way, and the atmosphere was very casual. My neighbor was concerned about being 'underdressed' having just come from a performance, but I pointed out the rest of the clientele which was all typical Pittsburgh 'casual' (which apparently also doubles as formal), and her fears were laid to rest. When she spied some of the hangers in the bar, she felt over dressed.
There were six of us, all ordering different things. One ordered just a side of eggplant parm, one ordered ravioli, two just had wedding soup and split a dessert, the ballerina had a grilled chicken salad, and I (since it was getting late) opted for the 'small' fish platter, which was fried fish, fries and slaw.
Everyone was happy, no one said 'ewwww', and the ballerina had enough salad for three days. My 'small' platter was actually rather 'big'. One large slab of fried fish, a decent pile of fries (and ballerina and I agreed that the fries were very good - her salad was also topped with them - but of course), and a side bowl of slaw. The 'small' was $7.95 and the large was $9.95. I have to say, for $7.95, it was a big portion of food. And the fish was good. Nice batter, good flavor, and accompanied by decent tartar sauce.
I loved the old family photos they had hanging around the place, and overall, it was very pleasant. It really is a 'locational' thing, more than a destination however. Family Italian restaurants have just kind of become that in general. There's no need to drive out of the way to any particular one...there's always at least one in the neighborhood or nearby. And they really are all about the same. Entree's range from $10 for a basic pasta dish, to $20 for a meat, seafood, or other 'specialty' plate, but generally resting in the $15 range. The only real differences between them would be taste versus value. I actually tend to prefer 'middle of the road'. I find high priced Italian to be absurd. I mean, when you're home, lazy and hungry, what's one of the first things you reach for to slam dinner together? That 99 cent box of pasta and some sauce, sprinkled with cheese you had in the fridge. So why go OUT and order pasta for $15 to $30 a plate?
So, if you're in the Silvioni's neighborhood, I do recommend it. I am not a fan of Monte Cello's, experiencing the one downtown and finding it to be WAY overpriced for what they give you, especially for lunch. Monte Cellos may be nearby, but Silvioni's wins in my book.
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