Food, atmosphere make Paesano's a hit for Italian fare (Posted 11/4/2009 01:54 pm)
In Italian, the word ‘paesano’ means countryman, brother or pal. That sentiment is evident in a new Italian eatery in Crowley

During the day, you could easily miss Paesano’s Pasta and Pizza, almost hidden in a corner of a strip mall at 314 E. Main St. At night, the restaurant’s festive lighted sign beckons toward a fine dining experience.

Your hunt for Paesano’s during the day will be rewarded. The lunch specials alone are well worth the effort.

Beginning at less than $4, which includes soup or salad, an entree and rolls with herb-seasoned olive oil for dipping, you’d be hard pressed to walk out of the place hungry after your midday meal.

Prices on the lunch menu are $3.99, $4.99 and $5.99, served from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Substitutions are not allowed, so you have to take what’s offered. But, if there’s any fault to be found with what’s offered, it’s your fault and not theirs.

Admittedly, I’ve only eaten lunch at Paesano’s. But the selections on the specials menu are satisfying as well as fresh. At the lower price range, you can chose from spaghetti and meatball, a slice of pizza and soup or salad or a Greek salad, to name a few of the items.

Add a buck to the purchase and you can have stuffed pasta shells smothered in Paesano’s amazing red sauce, ravioli or manicotti. Go to the top end of the menu, at $5.99, and your options expand to include meat lasagna, chicken parmigiana and fettuccine alfredo.

My first foray into the world of Paesano’s lunch menu involved their stromboli, a delectable combination of four meats, four vegetables and mozzarella cheese in a baked dough shell. Now, I’m a big eater, but even I couldn’t finish one stromboli. At least, not without access to a soft sofa and a nap afterwards. So, for essentially $6 plus the cost of beverages, two could make a very decent lunch out of a single entree.

And one additional comment on the aforementioned red sauce. My first sampling was slathered over a generous serving of stuff pasta shells. I’ll only say, by the time I was done with the shells, I was looking for a straw so as not to miss any of the sauce.

This is not the questionable “sauce” from a can, added as an afterthought to keep fettuccine from sticking together in a clump. This sauce is a delight, perfectly seasoned, with chunks of tomato and vegetables. It brought visions of a huge, cast-iron pot, simmering on a wood-fired stove, while fresh ingredients are assembled with love in the family kitchen.

And another word on the herb rolls — if your server offers you more, say yes. A large bowl of their delicious soup and two or three — or a dozen — rolls dipped in olive oil and anyone should consider themselves well fed.

Paesano’s also offers a variety of sandwiches, from meatball and eggplant Parmigiana subs served hot to spinach rolls and Philly cheese steak. A selection of baked pasta dishes — manicotti, lasagna and ziti, to name just a few — is also available.

For a lighter fair, there’s a variety of salads, including Caesar, spinach and Greek salads. Chicken can be added to any of the salads for an additional $2. There are also soups — pasta fagioli, tortellini brodo and minestroni — which could make a meal in themselves.

I’ve only tried the pasta fagioli — it’s offered as one of the appetizer choices on the lunch menu. The combination of pasta and white beans in a seasoned broth, the soup is as satisfying as it is flavorful.

Paesano’s also offers a full menu of chicken, pasta and seafood dishes sure to please any pallet. And, of course, pizza. The restaurant offers several choices of “traditional” Italian pizzas, as well as cheese, meat or vegetable options. Additional ingredients can be added to the basic pizzas as well. Dessert options include tiramisu, cannoli and cheese cake, either New York style or chocolate.

The staff is friendly and attentive, without being intrusive, at Paesano’s. And the atmosphere is pleasant, with tables and booths arranged in the slightly small but sufficient dining room while a variety of Italian-themed music plays in the background.

Paesano’s is open from 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. Sunday – Thursday and 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. Friday – Saturday. Spirits are not served at the restaurant, but there is a liberal “bring-your-own-bottle” policy if you desire wine with your dinner. Take-out orders are available by calling 817-297-0836.

My recommendation is to give Paesano’s Pasta and Pizza a try. Like the man on the menu says with a smiling face: “Buon Appetito.”