Calavino's

Despite our picky natures, J and I really enjoy trying new places. I would say that we find a new place to add to our list probably once every five or ten visits. I fear to say it's closer to ten, but usually we will find someplace that is at least acceptable.

We get a few local magazines (newsletters really) and coupon books. I always like to go through and look on interest with any of those that seem decent. We recently got a coupon for Calavino's, a small Italian place where Roman Lily Cafe used to be (same owners actually) which in general folks seemed to like a lot. There were a lot of posts about picky old Brooklyn fathers coming and liking the place also which you can't really trust.

And so last night, we decided to go to Calavino's even though our coupon expired just to try it out.

I had to admit I was a little fearful of what to order. Even though I make it at home, I love to order linguine with clams and then I'm always disappointed. J decreed the, strictly off limits. Instead of staring at the menu indefinitely, we tried to discuss a starter. Bruschetta and caprese we make at home. Calamari we also make and it's amazing. The charcuterie plate is appealing but again, we often buy our Paul Bertolli stuff at Star Provisions.

So when our server came by, I asked her for her recommendation. To my surprise, she mentioned the fried green tomatoes -- definitely. She said they were topped with pesto and mozzerella and presented on marinara. I'm usually disappointed with server recommendations, and I totally put Josh on the spot. "That sounds good; how about that?" J agreed, despite his hesitation and the fact that we make good fried green tomatoes at home.

When they arrived, they were thickly cut -- about a 1/2 inch at least -- and fried to a golden crisp. The pesto and marinara actually matched very well. I was very happy with it. The "bread" option, some rather weak breadsticks, did not do it for me.

For an entree, I ordered the eggplant parmesan, which you'll probably chide me for doing since the fried green tomato presentation is almost exactly the same. The eggplants were even thicker -- 3/4 to 1 inch thick -- and again fried to a crisp golden brown. The crust was perfect. It was topped with a thin melted layer of mozzerella cheese (no browning, yay). Two of these thick eggplant "steaks" were sitting on a pile of linguine. I'm still trying to figure out if the linguine was fresh. It had the taste like it was but was slightly firmer to the bite than just flour.

J got the vegetable ratatouille which came sitting on creamy cheesy risotto and covered with marinara. They must go through so much marinara there. It's a good sauce -- good flavor, solid base, and an underlying spiciness that actually really creeps up on you if you have enough of it, like I did. J says he liked the ratatouille and the sauce really made it, but he thought that the parmigiano closely resembled that stuff in the green can.

All in all, a pretty inexpensive dinner for us and a good time. Service was a little spotty, but our server, who reminded me of someone I know, was friendly and did apologize a couple times for her seemingly slow service after our food had arrived. I'm only incredibly picky about slow service to order and get food. Once I have it, I'm less picky so I was fine with it. I'm unsure if we will go back simply because so much of that menu falls within my repertoire. We will have to see. Inexpensive may win over difficult to make at the end of a long day.