Excellent catering service.    [24 May 2005 21:49:55]

Food: -   Service: -   Ambiance: -   Overall: 

     ­jimmy   

Italian chain with some unique dishes
Johnny Carino's Italian Grill may be just another chain restaurant competing for our dining dollars, but they are certainly trying to distance themselves from their major competition. On offer are Italian classics along with new and unique dishes.

The unique starts with the appetizers. Sicilian Fire Sticks, Nachos, Pepper Jack Fondue? Maybe not traditional, but well executed and interesting. The Fire Sticks are sausage, chicken, bacon, roma tomatoes and various cheeses rolled in a tomato-basil tortilla, served with ranch and marinara dipping sauces. The nachos - a personal favorite - are pasta chips (not tortilla!) covered in Italian sausage, chicken or both. Pepperocini peppers, black olives, tomatoes and jalapenos round out the toppings. Holding it all together are melted mozzarella and parmesean cheeses along with a wonderfully creamy alfredo sauce.

The entrees continue to highlight Carino's desire to be different from the traditional (like Olive Garden) or overtly contemporary (Carraba's) with dishes like the Timballo. Spaghetti, with pepperoni, mushrooms, olives, tomatoes and marinated onions served with sausage or chicken. If seafood is your craving, the Jalapeno Garlic Tilapia is a great choice. It's served with tomatoes, jalapenos and garlic over thin pasta. The Chicken Diavolo is good as well, served with green beans, spaghetti and a spicy marinara.

Lest we forget, they offer traditional dishes, too. I'm partial to the lasagna and baked six-cheese tortelloni.

Carino's (They've begun dropping the "Johnny" at most new locations) has been striving to differentiate themselves from the traditional Italian restaurants and so far have done a good job. Many of the dishes are adventurous without being scary. And they're all pretty tasty. It may not be a substitute for that home-owned authentic Italian bistro tucked away in some hidden corner of town, but how many of those does Birmingham have, anyway?

Perhaps the only qualm I have with Carino's is the floor. They're always slippery. It's kind of disconcerting, but the rest of the restaurant is very clean. It's not just this location, either. Every Carino's I've had the pleasure of dining at has this issue.    [06 May 2007 16:19:23]

Food:    Service:    Ambiance:    Overall: 
Recommended Dishes: Nachos, Baked Cheese Tortelloni, Grilled Chicken Timballo

     ­Tom Servo