October 15th, 2007 By Jenna Walker
Downtown Review: Angelo’s Italian Restaurant
Realizing we hadn’t yet brought you a review of an Italian restaurant, and that we were craving Italian food, we decided to visit Angelo’s Italian Restaurant in downtown Evansville.
Angelo’s isn’t like your average chain; it is more of a little neighborhood Italian eatery. It’s not large, but there’s enough room. Out front is a small patio just off the sidewalk that holds a handful of tables, inside are two rooms that stretch back in a long rectangle in addition to a very small bar room (which is actually almost more like a closet). The wall in the first room is decorated in an fresco of Italian scenery, while the back room has many pictures of Italian architecture and courtyards. The lights are dim to give a sense of intimacy.
Starving, we decided to start out with the Crab Cake appetizer. We expected them to arrive plain on a plate, but they came out on a bed of angel hair pasta, everything covered in a creamy pesto sauce. The first cut into the cakes proved a very crispy crust with a soft interior, and we soon decided this appetizer course was just delicious. Wanting something traditional, I ordered the lasagna, which came out very hot in a baking dish in a sweet marinara sauce covered in mozzarella. Just delicious. He ordered the Tortillini Alla Pesto, which came with the pasta, peas, and sun-dried tomatoes in the same pesto as our appetizer (possibly a blend of pesto and alfredo?) It was thoroughly enjoyed. To finish the meal ordered Tiramisu, only to find out there wasn’t any left, so we settled on the red velvet cake. It was very good, but seemed slightly dry. Either way, our server gave us the dessert on the house!
When we arrived and seated, it took about 5-10 minutes before we were poured water, and probably another 5 or so before our server came to take our drink order. At first this bothered me, but I learned he was the only server able to work that night, but moreover, the service we received after was great. He made sure we always had everything we needed, without being overbearing by any means. The server and hostess were very friendly. When the tiramisu problem arose, he was quite apologetic, but offered other ideas, even bringing two out to display to aid in our decision making, and didn’t charge us for the dessert.
Angelo’s is slightly out of the way for the majority of the Evansville and surrounding area’s population, but it is worth the trouble. The food is absolutely outstanding, the service ranges from good to great, and the prices are reasonable ($35 for 2 drinks, appetizer, & 2 entrees). I really would recommend taking the trip downtown to try this restaurant, but I recommend it for adults, not families with young children. This is the type of restaurant Evansville needs more of: not a chain, but a small local place serving fantastic food.
Angelo’s Italian Restaurant is located at 305 Main St. (812) 428-6666. Mon-Thurs 11:30am-10pm, Fri 11:30am-11pm, Sat 12pm-11pm.
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Infinion0
October 15, 2007 @ 12:43PM
I’m glad you’ve reviewed this place. I’ve been planning to go there for a while now, but just never have. How is the attire? Dressy or casual? Judging from the price range and atmosphere, I’d assume it could really go either way.
Justin Williams
October 15, 2007 @ 02:19PM
I wish they had a dress code. Unfortunately anything goes. You’ll see a table of people dressed in jeans and polo shirts and a table next to them in a tank top.
SUPERBANANABOMB
October 15, 2007 @ 02:41PM
Dress codes are for pompous, superficial assholes. No offense intended. It shouldn’t make one bit of difference what someone else is wearing when you’re dining out… unless they were covered in mud or something. Exclusion just isn’t the way to go.
Anyway, another thing that should be noted is the a la carte lunch they serve at Angelo’s. You can choose from a variety of pizzas, calzones, lasagna, etc. There’s also a small salad bar and rolls. It’s good if you’re downtown during the day and feel like pizza, although honestly I would recommend Milano’s instead.
All-in-all it’s a nice place to dine, although I feel that it’s a bit overpriced. Must but all that “atmosphere.”
jim
October 15, 2007 @ 02:59PM
Great, quick lunch!
Who cares what the other customers are wearing!
Ryan
October 15, 2007 @ 03:59PM
That’s one of the problems with Amercian Society nowadays. No one takes anything seriously. “Come on Ma..Come on Pa…let’s git some grub.” Used to be a time where it was unheard of to go out for dinner without dressing up, your grandfather wouldn’t dare go out without at least attempting to clean up. It’s the same at Church. No one feels the importance of dressing for the occasion. When you dress up it shows that you have respect for the establishment you are dining at, the persons who are taking care of you, and the people you are dining with when you dress properly. I am sure the server was dressed smartly in a nice clean uniform, pressed and ready to serve. If they hadn’t been you better believe someone sooner or later would complain to management. Have some respect is all I am saying. For yourself.
Justin Williams
October 15, 2007 @ 04:10PM
I’m certainly not advocating wearing a suit and tie to dinner. I go everywhere in jeans, tshirt and a jacket.
I do think Angelos is a step above Olive Garden though, and they should at least require people to have sleeves on their shirt.
That said, the Tortillini Alla Pesto I had was delicious.
barky
October 15, 2007 @ 04:38PM
that photo - the color of the sauce hurt my eyes.
the whole point of dressing for dinner is to show respect for the people you are dining with, as well as to not offend other guests. would you go to a sit down dinner at a friend’s house in a tank top? as a child, barky was not allowed to sit at the dinner table without washing up and putting on a clean shirt. when barky had friends over for dinner they needed to do the same, and occasionally, barky would have to lend them something clean to wear.
wearing what you wore all day to dinner is as uncivilized as not having any conversations over dinner, or skipping cocktails and just sitting down to eat.
Justin Williams
October 15, 2007 @ 06:04PM
…and remember kids, dessert is always part of the meal.
Jenna
October 16, 2007 @ 04:19AM
the sauce on the crab cakes initially surprised me too, I wasn’t expecting a sauce, let alone green…but once I tasted it, I knew it was meant to be! Definitely suggested.
Infinion0
October 16, 2007 @ 06:55AM
Well, I didn’t mean to throw us off topic. I don’t particularly care what people wear to go out to eat, but I do think it’s a respect thing. I’d never accuse anyone here of being like this, but I’ve found that those people that really don’t care about something like that, are exactly the people I don’t want sitting at the table next to me. However, some people, like myself for example, dress very casually to work, and sometimes to go out, or even to church (sometimes). I always said I’d never take a ‘real’ job from someone that cared what I wear to work, so I wear tshirts, shorts and sandals or flipflops to work. I’m lucky enough to be at a place were I can walk around the office without shoes if I want to. But I’m clean, and I avoid things without sleeves, or anything with a large number printed on it. The same should be said for eating out. I don’t particularly want to go to a place that required a certain dress code, but I’d respect their decision to do that, just not dine there unless it was a special occasion. My opinion is based on the same idea I have with work. If I can do the job dressed the way I want to, that should be good enough. If I can pay the bill, leave a tip, and be reasonably respectful to the establishment, then serve me however I’m dressed.
I look forward to trying out their food. Thanks again for ALL the great reviews. How about the cross-eyed cricket? Also, there’s some kind of TINY Mexican or taco stand somewhere around N. Garvin street, downtown. Might be a block east or west though, not sure really. Looks a little questionable, and it appears to be drive through only with a few covered tables. And how about Penny Lane downtown. It’s a pretty cool place. It’s a coffee shop, but they have food, and it would make a worthy review I think. Maybe a place that is primarily a coffee shop is out of your area though.
Justin Williams
October 16, 2007 @ 09:29AM
Whenever our esteemed food editor returns from China, we’ll be ramping up more food reviews. I’ve got a small queue of reviews to publish over the next 6 weeks though.
Jerry
October 16, 2007 @ 10:44AM
Why no mention of the salad? That’s the best part of the Angelo’s experience. Are we saying that “anything” goes at most restaurants, unless its posted?
Christina
October 16, 2007 @ 10:40PM
I read this review today and it made me hungry for Italian, so we decided to check it out. My husband and I went and were seated quickly and served promptly. The service was excellent all night. I got the Rigatoni Carbonara and my husband got the Mediterranean Seafood. We both liked mine better, but both were very good. I’m looking forward to finishing mine at lunch tomorrow. We were lucky and they had tiramisu, it was yummy. If you are going there on a date, beware of the garlic rolls. They use LOTS of fresh garlic on them, they’ve got a bit of a kick. We will definitely go back again.
Infinion0
October 17, 2007 @ 06:28AM
Are you kidding? Never be afraid to eat something just because you’re on a date. Garlic and onions are the best natural flavors around. Besides, you’ll be pretty lucky if you leave an Italian place without encountering something a little strong. If they don’t like it, you shouldn’t be with them. Take a piece of gum with you or something. Of course, maybe I only say that because I’m married, and dates are a little different.
Kris
October 18, 2007 @ 01:13PM
Best restaurant in town.
If I were due one final meal, I’d get it from Angelo’s…and it would be the chicken parm.
Cindy
October 22, 2007 @ 01:16PM
We haven’t been to Angelo’s but WILL make that our destination the next time we get a “date night” without kids. You ALL made it sound great. Justin - on thoughts of other “local” places for our lovely restaurant “reviewer” to visit….you might also suggest she try Lic’s. They are more than an ice cream shop with a number of nice sandwiches to try and they ARE owned by a local family. Love the idea of sending her to Cross Eyed Cricket. Should she go at lunch for one of their home cooked meals or do a great breakfast?? Either is good. Thanks for the reviews. It helps my husband and I make our decisions now.
Matt
October 23, 2007 @ 01:28PM
this looks so discusting and gross. i wouldn’t eat this for anything.!
Woody
April 19, 2008 @ 05:09PM
My wife and I LOVE Angelos. We actually got engaged there, in the third booth. We have never been dissapointed by the food, or the service. Very friendly, very quaint, VERY good food.
Sherrie
May 05, 2008 @ 11:47AM
Drove 5 hours to the Victory Theater for the Bob and Tom Comedy All Star Tour. Not knowing Evansville, my boyfriend and I were looking for a downtown resturant to have dinner. We asked a local resident we ran into on the street, for a suggestion, and he said he was on his way to Angelo’s, the best Italian in Evansville. Turns out Richard was a regular there. Even though we were asked if we had a reservation (Being from out of town and not knowing we needed one), we were kindly seated by Angelo himself. The meal was outstanding. The service was johnny on the spot with smiles and a sweet italian accent. Did I mention, the meal was outstanding! The salad was made with fresh tomatoes and red onions and sliced black olives with a house italian dressing and served with hot rolls brushed with garlic butter. I ordered the mediterranean seafood. The sauce served over pasta with the huge shrimp, clams, mussels and scallops was to die for. My boyfriend had the shrimp parmigiana. Again the sauce makes the meal. There is nothing better than an authentic homemade sauce. We dined with our new friend Richard (locals truly know the best food in town) and he let us taste the sauce on his selection, chicken cordon blue. I realized I was going on and on about the food until I had to make myself think of other conversation. The atmosphere was wonderful and again the service was fabulous. My boyfriend and I are planning a reason to go to Evansville again, just so we can eat at Angelo’s!!! Hats off!!
Kyle S.
October 11, 2008 @ 11:00PM
Angelo’s is superb and for the quality of food, service and ambiance the pricing is more than just a good value. Not to mention the great wine list, Angelo and Mohammed the owner and manager have a few wines that you won’t find on the menu if you just inquire politely.
The Tortellini Al La Pesto is most likely the best vegetarian dish served in Evansville. The Veal and Chicken Parmigiana are both fantastic, and the Chicken Cacciatori is great. Although I’ve never been steered wrong by the staff.
Honestly this is a fantastic restaurant that Evansville simply doesn’t know about. During the Kenny Kent Jazz and Wine Festival there was a two hour wait, even for a table for two. Barring that, you’ll almost never wait for a table without a reservation. But if you do wait, have Angelo make you a drink, he makes great cocktails and has a more than adequate bar.
I have a sister that will be flying home from D.C. on Tuesday, and we will be down there for her first meal. In her own words, its worth the flight.