Johnny Carino's Italian

FOLLOW YOUR NOSE: Rich Italian sauces with fresh herbs and garlic, pull-apart fresh loaves of bread, and mouth-watering aromas waft through Johnny Carino's.

INSIDE STORY: Enter through a revolving door to find arched "windows" revealing painted rural European vistas. Terra cotta and hunter green tiles line several walls. The expansive open kitchen bustles with busy cooks wearing chef hats printed with vegetables. Tables have vinyl green-checked tablecloths while Italian music (and sometimes jazz) play on the stereo system.

QUICK TAKE: Drink orders arrived along with a loaf of Italian bread, wrapped in a paper sleeve & great for dipping into small plates pooled with olive oil, diced baked garlic and herbs.

Another starter, pepperoni bread (small $4.99; large $8.99) is similar to a calzone, with thick yeast dough encircling melted mozzarella and thin slices of pepperoni.

MAIN EVENTS: Cheese ravioli ($8.29) comes with a wine-and-cream sauce laced with portabello mushrooms and grated parmesan. Johnny's Skilletini ($8.79) is a sizzling skillet of spaghetti in a spicy marinara sauce served with peppers, tomatoes, onions and choice of chicken, sausage, shrimp or a combination. An order of chicken and shrimp includes about a half dozen large shrimp and numerous chunks of tender chicken. Tuscan rib eye ($13.79) is an inch-thick, seared and spiced with rosemary and garlic. The juicy steak comes with grilled al dente zucchini, squash and carrots. It partners well with roasted potato slices sprinkled with fresh rosemary.

LAST CHAPTER: The waiter brings a tray of six or seven desserts. Chocolate cake ($3.50) is a favorite. Two wedges, with a half-inch layer of chocolate icing, sandwiched a large scoop of vanilla ice cream. Lemon pound cake ($3.50) tastes lighter than a traditional pound cake. A raspberry purée cascaded from the top, down the sides and onto the plate.

ALCOHOL: They offer wine, sangria, margarita's, and other mixed drinks.

Click here for the full menu.

MONDAY is FAMILY NIGHT: Get any family platter for a single portion price! (Great for having leftovers for the next day!)

Hope you'll join us!

THE RULES:
1. If event is full, please note if you want on wait list.
2. Update your RSVP at least 48 hours in advance.
3. Multiple no-shows are grounds for removal from group.