. "2"^^ . . "2009-01-12T00:00:00"^^ . "2 words - Not impressed!\n\nIt has been three years on my quest to find great Italian food here in the valley. Being Italian and from North New Jersey it has been quite a challenge. So you could imagine the excitement when 2 of my very dear friends have been raving about the Amarone....stating the best Italian restaurant they have found in AZ. I was extremely disappointed. \n\nAs I walked in i quickly noticed how beautifully decorated the restaurant was. We sat at the bar. The place was packed, so I quickly thought my friends must be right. This place must be a gem. Bartender was nice...didn't go out of his way. The menu was a bit expensive. \n\n$3.50 for a coke!!! That is a bit much!\n\nMy friend got pizza ($18) and I penne alla vodka ($15). I had to ask for extra sauce as the pasta was VERY dry. And to be honest....possibly one of the worst dishes of penne vodka I have had. No flavor! And the pizza was ok, BUT for $18 I was expecting fantastic. \n\n2 of the waiters came over to talk with us and I felt them to be a bit creepy. I think they just came back from a cigarette break, but I thin they were smoking something other then a cigarette. \n\nNot one of my favorite. What I have learned is that if I want great Italian food....I am just going to have to continue making myself!"^^ . "2"^^ . "6"^^ . . "2"^^ .