Parisi

I can remember when this building was just a bric-a-brac store and they started remodeling it into a restaurant. It looked interesting and I wanted to try it, but I was not really expecting anything new or different. Well, I finally made it in there and I have to admit that I was wrong. Parisi is something new and different, and not quite like any other Italian restaurant I have ever visited. Parisi is unique, special and very popular with locals.

When I saw the name “Parisi”, I automatically associated it with “Paris” and half-expected french bread, crepes and berets. Even though I could read the Italian on the wall, I kept getting visions of La Tour Eiffel and L’Arc de Triomphe. Once inside, however, there was no mistaking this was Italian.

It is a very cute restaurant with an Italian Deli on one side and sit-down restaurant on the other, sort of. In an unusual twist, patrons go to the counter to order and then are assigned tables by number. Once your order is placed, you find your numbered table and wait for your food to arrive. This seems to help keep the dining area clear, but it causes some confusion when considering the “tip” because no single person seems to be in charge of any one table. That, and the fact that no one actually “waits” on your table made it difficult for me to gauge my tip and to know exactly where to leave it. Someone from the restaurant needs to contact me about the way tips are handled. I emailed the restaurant for their assistance.

Do not be alarmed if the place is hopping when you arrive. There is generally ample parking nearby and the dining area is larger than it appears. They also work hard to keep plates off tables and to have all areas cleared as soon as possible. I doubt anyone will have too much trouble either finding parking or a place to sit no matter when they arrive. Just keep in mind that you are expected to order at the cash register before being seated.

The menu is very traditional and moderately priced. They claim to have their own recipes and I noticed that a real attempt was made to provide something for eating “style”. Whether you are an omnivore, carnivore, vegetarian, low-carb or a snacker, there is something on the menu for you. Basically, the menu has five parts: 1) Primi, which make up a first course, 2) Secondi, which make up a second course, 3) Insalate, which are, of course, salads, 4) Pizza and 5) Panini.

The Primi course offers a variety of twelve penne dishes for $7.99 each, lasagna for $7.49, four “Pasta Fatta in Casa” (homemade pasta) for $10.99 each, four risottos for $10.99 each and six “Bambini”, or kid’s menu choices, for $3.99. These can be purchased with a house salad for an additional $1.99. I had the Penne Marinara and found the penne to be too hard and the portion size rather small. Of course, I did not understand at the time that this was meant to be a first course and not the bulk of my meal.

The Secondi are a variety of eleven meat and fish oriented dishes ranging in price from $8.99 to $9.99 with a choice of four side dishes for $1.99 each. The Pizzas come in 18 varieties and they expect you to order one of their varieties instead of coming up with your own, but anyone, even vegetarians and low-carbers can find a suitable pizza. Pizzas come in two sizes, the 14’ traditional, medium crust which can be purchased “take and bake” or the 11’ thin-crust individual and are baked in wood ovens. For salads, there are ten varieties ranging from the $1.99 Small House Salad all the way up to the $12.49 Smoked Salmon Pizza Salad. Most salads are in the $7.49 to $9.49 range and only two are priced higher. Finally, there are eight varieties of Panini and all are $5.99 for six inch, or $7.49 for ten inch. The Panini are a good value.

As I said, this is a style of restaurant I am not used to. It is like a cross between a fancy, food court restaurant, a standard sit-down restaurant, and fast food. It can be confusing at first, but people seem to like it. It was crawling on a Thursday night! The staff are friendly, courteous and competent. The restaurant is clean, comfortable and attractive. It can get pricey if you let it, but you can go economical just as easily, but expect to eat less. I was kind of disappointed that the carafe of house wine for $15.00 barely held two glasses,(which translates to $7.50 a glass for house wine and is a bit steep), but it was a good wine.

If you understand the concept and are in a hurry, Parisi rates an “A”. If you want a slower, waited-on meal, go somewhere else. The atmosphere and the good are great here, but the place can make a person feel just a bit pressured and rushed. Check them out on-line for their specials and events. The Wednesday Community Table Night that begins at 7:00 p.m. is an interesting concept as are the Firenza a Tavola and the First Friday Get-Togethers. This restaurant really seeks to make itself an integral part of the community,and I think their plans are working.

The pressed paninis left little to be desired, but the butternut squash soup needed some “oomph.” The service was prompt and friendly, the restaurant was packed, and the attached gourmet shop was darling and full of great finds.