One of the frequent complaints on pgh.food is a lack of excellent Italian food in the area. This is no longer true, depending on how far you are willing to travel for your food. This weekend, I visited some friends in Somerset, PA. While there, we ate at a new restaurant that just opened up, "Cafe Fratelli". It's in the Georgian Place outlet mall. It's run by the same family that used to run Ratsy's several years ago. The atmosphere was comfortable and clean. The service was friendly. There is a dining area, and also a small cafe with a real (Cimbali) espresso machine. The people behind the bar know how to use the machine to make good coffee. We started off with the Eggplant Caponata, which is a sort of relish made from eggplant, tomatoes, capers, raisins, and olives, serves with a good crusty bread. It was superb. My companion had "Chicken Fratelli", which by itself guarantees that I'm going back there. Essentially, this was breaded eggplant topped with grilled chicken breast. What makes this incredibly, however, is the sauce -- it's a marinara sauce (tastes like sun-dried tomatoes) laced with prisciutto. I don't know enough superlatives to be able to describe this adequately. I had the spaghetti and meatballs in red sauce, which is what I always have the first time I eat at an Italian restaurant; my feeling is that if they can't get a simple red sauce right there's no use trying the more complex dishes. They got it right. Other pasta dishes that looked good (but we didn't try) included linguine with artichokes and sun-dried tomatoes, their puttannesca, and the Penne alla Vodka (which some of our friends who went there raved about). Fontinella cheese and roasted red peppers figure prominently in the appetizers and sandwiches. The espresso bar is stocked with the standard variety of coffeehouse desserts, very nice. I spoke with one of the owners, and she says that they'll be selling homemade tiramisu in place of what is there now when things settle down a bit. When we visited, they were extremely busy, but we were seated quickly and attended to very well; the waitstaff should be commended. I'll be going back. Anyone want me to scan in a menu and put it on the web?
Pennsylvania
Cafe Fratelli -- Great Italian food
Speaking of traveling for good Italian, I think one of my favorite places used to be Naples on Banksville Road. Some time ago the owner and the chef had a parting of the ways. Naples moved to Route 51 and while It was just newly opened at the time, I had a good meal but not the great meals I was used to from Naples. Later I found the chef that used to work there. He opened his own Italian place and it's wonderful food. Now I know I'm not going to spell this right Ciccantes (che con tees). If you're in a mood to drive, it's on Route 51 three red lights past Century III Mall. Hope I'm right about the directions - anyone? Italian is a matter of taste I guess and IMHO the food is great. Bobbie