Rate-A-Restaurant, #75 in a series
Restaurant: Monte Carlo Deli & Pinocchio Restaurant
Location: 3103 Magnolia Blvd. (Burbank)
Type of restaurant: Italian
We stipulated: Needed a quick lunch in Burbank... and we were craving spaghetti and meat balls, for some reason.
They stipulated: Order at the counter and carry your food to your table.
What we ordered: Eggplant parmigiana and sauce ($5.95); meatball sandwich (small, $4.95); Eggplant dish came with two sides, we picked pasta salad and spinach salad
High point: Actually, it came after lunch: the adjoining deli has a gelato stand that's straight out of Italy. For $2.95, you can get one big scoop, or five little ones ("piccolo"). Maria and I both opted for the five-scoop sampler.
Low point: For food that's just average, place gets crowded at lunch. And the decor is cheesy Italian restaurant circa 1970. (Of course, chains like Buca di Beppo spend gobs of money trying to recreate this shabby look.)
Overall impression: Food's unremarkable, but decent -- plus, the portions are generous and the two side salads a extra touch.
Chance we will go back: Only to sample more gelato, or shop at the Monte Carlo deli/market.
posted by Mike @ 12:13 AM
7 comments
7 Comments:
Agreed. Pinocchio isn't the best place to eat, but the gelato is GREAT! I've only been back the the restaurant for the gelato myself.
This is a great site. I have a blogsite about buffet restaurants all over the country. Would you link my site to yours? -- give it a look!
buffets.blogspot.com
Never eat Italian out. Personal rule of mine. :P
Completely Disagree. This place is gem and you must go back and try it again. Perhaps something not so obscure (eggplant parmigiana?!? Honestly!) They're sandwiches are some of the best out there, I think a more thourough review is necessary instead of an amatuerish "decent" to sum it all up. Nice try.
This place is INCREDIBLE! O.K., the food isn't going to win any awards but it's good and the atmosphere is great. Great as in cheesy, but great nonetheless. I'm a transplanted East Coaster and, after 10 years, didn't even realize that I missed NYC till I found this place. It's like a million italian places in New York, right down to the cannoli. Granted, that sounds more like a slam than a rave review but it all depends on what you're after. The deli is fabulous and the staff have the attitude down cold. For me it was a piece of home - with the exception of the gelato - I never tasted anything like that anywhere in my life - OH MY GOD!!!
I LOVE PINOCCHIO'S EGGPLANT PARMESAN. AND I LOST 70 POUNDS EATING IT! (5'2, 115 POUNDS)
THE PORTIONS ARE HUGE AND IT'S DELICIOUS. ASK FOR THE SAUCE ON THE SIDE (try both) AND GET A GREEK SALAD WITH IT. mmmmmmmm. SKIP THE GARLIC BREAD.
Pinocchio's is the best bang for the buck in Los Angeles. Huge portions and, if you order one of their enormous pizzas, you really get your money's worth. Beats the chain restaurants hands down. You do have to allow time for the oven hot pizza to congeal prior to taking the first bite, however.
Post a Comment
<< Home