It’s Christmastime, and time to party hardy. I highly recommend it to everyone! But it has a crimped our style a bit. Rather than try new places to overeat and drink and fa la la around a bit, my wife and I and our friends have opted for a Christmas comfort zone and visited some of our favorite eateries. So here is my Christmas list of visited establishments, and an update as to what’s happening now on the Christmas restaurant list.1) Alberini’s (Niles) - We haven’t been here for over a year, and I am happy to report that it has actually improved. Alberini’s has been a long time Youngstown/Warren favorite, and is one of two old line “strip” restaurants on the Route 422 corridor in Niles. For those of you under 40, back in the day, Boardman and Canfield were dry, and locals drove to the Niles strip to have a good time. I am writing a column on restaurant nostalgia which will pop up in the next few weeks. At any rate, Alberini’s and Café 422 are the only survivors of that fabulous era. The food here has always been good. Service has been another story. But I am thrilled to report that the food is still outstanding and still reasonably priced. I am also thrilled to report that the service was greatly improved. This restaurant is still one of the prettiest restaurants in the area…and a delight to visit. Veal Saltimboca is to die for! You really can’t tell where the veal ends and the eggplant begins. FABULOUS!!!!
2) Stonebridge Grille and Tavern (Boardman) – Bobby Stevens has a winner on his hands with this place. It is rapidly becoming one of my most favorite places to go. Prices are unbelievably reasonable, and you can’t beat the food. The sirloin steak is among the best steaks I have ever had anywhere. It almost cuts like a filet. I talked to one of the partners, and he told me Stonebridge is the one of the few restaurants in the area to serve certified black angus beef, and that the sirloin steaks are taken only from the center of the entire sirloin. Perfectly done every time. And for under 15 bucks, and with yummy Stonebridge potatoes…wow!! Burgers are terrific also. Place is busy, and it deserves to be. You really need to give it a try.
3) Springfield Grill (Boardman) – I really want to like this place, and for the most part I do. But when it gets busy, try some place else. When my 97 year old uncle comes to town with my late cousin’s husband, this is where he likes to go. We are usually there on a Wednesday or Thursday night, and the restaurant is a terrific in every way. Great food and great service! But at Christmas, when it gets really busy on the weekends, run for the hills! We took my aunt out for dinner last night, and the place was so packed it was almost frightening. The ta-da girls at the hostess station were overwhelmed and curt and non-welcoming to say the least. Leaving, we could barely walk through the foyer to get to the door. The service was painfully slow. We were seated for almost twenty minutes before a drink order was taken. Our server had tables at diverse ends of the dining room, which had to be a tad taxing. Maybe someone called in sick, but I had indigestion by the time I left. Unfortunately, this has been my experience here on more than one occasion during a busy season. So go for lunch, or go for dinner during the week, and you will have a great time. But I would avoid it during a seasonal or weekend rush. BTW, my wife and I both had the marinated flank steak which was on the specials list. It was okay. I prepare it better!!! But I can report that for the most part, the regular menu items are always outstanding.
I will be out of commission for the next two weeks, celebrating with my family and friends. Go patronize a locally owned restaurant. You will have a good time and a great meal. Have a Merry Christmas…and good eating!!!!!
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