Hear me out… we weren’t starving. Yet. My daughter and I had been at a volleyball tournament all morning — left the house at 6:30am — so I knew hunger was coming. The only restaurant on the way home was Mandola’s. We had tried it once before, but I wasn’t thrilled about the walk-up ordering and we left without giving it a chance. Tonight, I did. I went in for takeout and immediately the smell of Italian food hit me — absolutely luscious. Neyetta took my order and I was torn between my #1 favorite dish of all time (chicken piccata) and my very close #2 (eggplant parmesan). I wasn't too hungry so she suggested to go with the eggplant. It was a tough decision — I almost changed my mind — but I trusted her. They said the wait might be a little longer than usual, but honestly? I didn’t mind. I enjoyed a little peace and quiet with a glass of wine (also Neyetta’s recommendation — and it was delicious). The staff was so kind they even let me choose a dessert from the case for the wait. I picked the Italian cream cake. When we got home, I still wasn’t “starving”… but those smells! I had to dig in. I tried a little of everything and WOW. The flavors absolutely matched the aroma. And oh my focaccia… so good. Final verdict: I will not be skipping this restaurant again. It was delightful, the food was delicious, and the service was wonderful. Pro tip — if you love things saucy like we do, ask for extra sauce! Definitely check this place out. You won’t be disappointed.
Mandola's Italian Kitchen
Excerpts
Hear me out… we weren’t starving. Yet. My daughter and I had been at a volleyball tournament all morning — left the house at 6:30am — so I knew hunger was coming. The only restaurant on the way home was Mandola’s. We had tried it once before, but I wasn’t thrilled about the walk-up ordering and we left without giving it a chance. Tonight, I did. I went in for takeout and immediately the smell of Italian food hit me — absolutely luscious. Neyetta took my order and I was torn between my #1 favorite dish of all time (chicken piccata) and my very close #2 (eggplant parmesan). I wasn't too hungry so she suggested to go with the eggplant. It was a tough decision — I almost changed my mind — but I trusted her. They said the wait might be a little longer than usual, but honestly? I didn’t mind. I enjoyed a little peace and quiet with a glass of wine (also Neyetta’s recommendation — and it was delicious). The staff was so kind they even let me choose a dessert from the case for the wait. I picked the Italian cream cake. When we got home, I still wasn’t “starving”… but those smells! I had to dig in. I tried a little of everything and WOW. The flavors absolutely matched the aroma. And oh my focaccia… so good. Final verdict: I will not be skipping this restaurant again. It was delightful, the food was delicious, and the service was wonderful. Pro tip — if you love things saucy like we do, ask for extra sauce! Definitely check this place out. You won’t be disappointed.
I ordered the chicken parmesan with fettuccine Alfredo, and it was perfection from the first bite to the last. The chicken was tender, crispy on the outside, and topped with a perfectly melted layer of cheese and flavorful marinara sauce. The fettuccine Alfredo on the side was rich, creamy, and silky, just the right balance of texture and flavor without being too heavy. Even the bread and herb oil dip that came before the meal were amazing, fresh and full of flavor. Everything tasted homemade and comforting.
I ordered the chicken parmesan with fettuccine Alfredo, and it was perfection from the first bite to the last. The chicken was tender, crispy on the outside, and topped with a perfectly melted layer of cheese and flavorful marinara sauce. The fettuccine Alfredo on the side was rich, creamy, and silky, just the right balance of texture and flavor without being too heavy. Even the bread and herb oil dip that came before the meal were amazing, fresh and full of flavor. Everything tasted homemade and comforting.
Went with my hubby. 2 stars for me. 4 for him. Didn't love having to read a menu before ordering at the register. To each is own there i guess. Focaccia bread comes with the meal, along with spices and oil. People say it reminds them of Carrabbas. Go figure -- it's ownded by one of the brothers. Unlike carrabbas, they have pizza here. Major score, right? No!! Maybe they took Carrabbas' pizza ovens, but they sure didn't take the recipe! The pepperoni was incredibly thin, and not my favorite flavor profile. I don't even know how to describe it... smokey? The sauce, same thing -- not great flavor! Too tomatoe-y. Not a ton of flavor otherwise. The dough was really good though! We went with the garlic bread -- no cheese -- but with all the grated cheese, I thought they made a mistake at first. That was actually good. But for me, way too much butter. It literally squirted out of the bread and onto my husband's shirt when he took a bite. But according to him, there can't be enough butter. Before this meal, I probably would have agreed. Hubs got the ravioli. He said it was quite good. (Sauce looked very orange to me. But who am I to judge!) The drinks -- sweet tea and lemonade. Pretty sure they forgot the sugar in both. The sweat tea leaked flavor. The lemonade was incredibly sour (and I usually drink water with extra, extra lemon! We got the chocolate Gelatto for dessert -- seperate purchase. Again, for me, lacked chocolate flavor. Hubs was satisfied -- but I'm not sure he's met a dessert he didn't like. Staff was friendly enough and the ambience was cute and clean!