It was time to take a break from eating my way through Frederick, and that found us just north of Emmitsburg on North Seton Avenue.
When you’re up that way, look for a sign showcasing a map of Italy and the name Alesandro’s Italian Bar and Grill and expect an excellent meal.
The building is unpretentious on the outside, but inside awaits authentic Italian fare.
At Alesandro’s there is no skimping on quality or portions and there is no faux food served there.
Everything is made in-house. Nothing is prepared ahead. When you order, meals are made fresh.
Owners Salvatore and Linda Barone have enjoyed years in the restaurant business. Salvatore is from Naples, Italy. You cannot get any more authentic than that.
He has brought many excellent recipes and years of expertise with him. The Barones have presided over establishments in Frederick and Walkersville, but opened Alesandro’s — named after their grandson Ty Alexander — in May 2007. An anniversary celebration is slated for June 20-21, featuring wonderful cuisine, with Karaoke one night and a band the next.
The Barone’s son is also part of the business, and their daughter was our friendly server.
The restaurant is comfortable and spacious, with outside patio seating for the warmer seasons.
Entering, you cannot help but notice a full-service, u-shaped bar with a blue granite-style surface. Beyond a half wall, the dining room awaits.
Two-tone golden walls, tables with maroon and red granite-style tops, and small yellow lamps provide a cheerful setting.
From the dining room and the bar, a large screen television and two smaller units can be viewed. Most were tuned to sports channels.
Our server, Monique, was most pleasant. Actually, in talking with her, we found her grandfather lives very close to our home and works at a nearby store. I made sure to speak with him during my next shopping trip.
Our beverages were quickly served in bright blue glasses, and shortly after that, our fresh, crisp salads arrived.
We jumped right into the basket of hot bread, asking for seconds very quickly.
We all commented on the rich flavor of the salad dressings.
I have never eaten more tender chicken Marsala ($12.95). I could cut the two large pieces with my fork, and it was loaded with mushrooms and an excellent wine sauce.
‘‘This did not come out of a box,” my husband initially commented about his generous portion of lasagna ($9.45). And, indeed, it did not. He enjoyed every bite.
Our friends ordered cheese ravioli and manicotti ($9.49 each). They, too, were pleased with the serving sizes, noting that they received twice the pasta compared to other Italian eateries.
Monique returned to ask if everything was satisfactory. Finding our four clean plates, she smiled and said it seemed as though we were happy. We were.
The reasonable prices at Alesandro’s are as important as the food. There are daily lunch and dinner specials, enhancing the menu throughout the week.
Among the menu highlights are a half rack of spare ribs fried over hot coals, coated with barbecue sauce and served with potato wedges; veal Franchese flambéed with lemon, butter and white wine sauce; and eggplant Parmigiana fried to a golden brown, topped with melted cheese and marinara sauce, and served with a side of pasta. All are $12.95.
In the seafood department, you can choose from shrimp scampi, fried shrimp Parmigiana, or spaghetti with red or white clam sauce.
Also sounding delicious were shrimp, clam or calamari Fradiavolo. The latter is seafood sautéed in olive oil and garlic and served in a spicy marinara sauce.
Alesandro’s serves its ‘‘famous New York-style pizza” in two sizes, along with specialty and Sicilian (thick crust) pizzas. Add to that a selection of hot or cold subs in many varieties, and burgers or chicken sandwiches.
For a lighter meal, a long list of salads is available, including tuna, grilled chicken, antipasti, chef, Caesar, shrimp, garden or tuna. Alesandro’s salad is grilled shrimp and chicken over a bed of lettuce, tomato, olives and your choice of dressing. The Mediterranean offers greens served with shrimp, crab meat and roasted peppers.
In the dessert department, cheesecake, Tiramisu, and cannoli are the order of the day.
The Barones are succeeding in making a restaurant that first-timers will want to return to and become part of the already large group of regulars.
I know the four of us plan a return trip.
Molte Grazie! Thank you, Alesandro’s!
Alesandro Italian Bar and Grill
17380 Seton Avenue
Emmitsburg
301-447-2271
Closed Monday
10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday
10:30 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday
10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday
Major credit cards
Handicapped accessible
