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| - Ah, back in Pittsburgh after seven years. Actually, I've been back for a few months, but hey, I had to hit all my fave spots again before I could start cranking out the reviews. You understand.
Anyway, what I really want you to know is that Sarafino's is my favorite Italian restaurant, period. They're just as excellent now as they were before I moved. Not that I was worried they'd change, but it's good to know that this place has stuck to its menu and terrific daily specials.
Sarafino's is small and cozy, and as cliched as it might sound, it feels like family. The staff are always friendly and inviting, the owner a great guy who cares about his establishment. It's always seemed like a hidden gem tucked away in Crafton, and maybe that's the best thing about it. There are a ton of Italian restaurants around Pittsburgh, and Sarafino's is in a league of its own, off the beaten path.
So what's great here? Everything I've tried. The bread that is brought to the table has the best dipping oil I've ever had. It's sweeter than other places, and one could be forgiven for filling himself up on the bread alone. But that's just for starters. The famous greens and beans are just the thing if you're looking for something on the spicier side, and the wedding soup and pasta fagioli are fantastic.
My favorite thing on the menu, though, is the gnocchi. I've never had better. It literally melts in your mouth, which is what a great gnocchi should do. It's never chewy, never tough. I always get mine in the roasted red pepper sauce (there are plenty of other sauces to choose from; they're all tasty) with meatballs. And man, I love Sarafino's meatballs. They're one of a kind, milder than others, but perfectly complement the dish, while also soaking up the flavor of the main entree.
The seared steak panini and grilled steak salad are also must-haves. And the pizza? My fave in the 'burgh! A nice, thin crispy crust with a sweet sauce base and delicious toppings of your choice. Then there are the daily specials. The crab cakes with portobella mushroom on the side are amazing. Nothing but crab meat, no filler! And if they have the lasagna, you cannot miss out on that. It will split your mind open in a revelatory fashion, I kid you not. Then there's the veal parm, the ravioli...you get the idea.
So for those of you who actually favor joints like The Olive Garden or Bucca di Beppo, knock it off. This is the real deal. Of course, those of us in the know don't mind keeping Sarafino's all to ourselves. But you'd be missing out on one of the best if you didn't stop by.
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