We intended to have our old skool Italian dinner at Alfredo’s, but their 45 min wait was too much. Luckily for us, Nino’s is next door, so we decided to check it out.
Nino’s is also an old restaurant, like Alfredo’s, that’s been on Cheshire Bridge since the 60s and is family run. It’s small and unassuming, yet still feels pricey when you walk through the door. Just like any good Italian restaurant should. But after checking out the menu, the prices were actually really good. In we go.
The place was hopping with lots of families, but we got sat immediately. I’m thinking that Nino’s and Alfredo’s has a symbiotic relationship: 45 min wait at the famous Alfredo’s? Go next door to Nino’s! I’m also thinking that Nino’s gets overlooked by reviewers who are enamoured with Alfredo’s.
Anyway, we got sat and ordered a carafe of chianti. Do you have any idea how happy a carafe makes me?? VERY. Nick had the Lasagna Al Forno (flat pasta layered with fresh ground meats and Italian cheeses with Nino’s savory Bolognese sauce and sprinkled with grated Parmesan $17.00) and I had the Fettucine Nino’s (Accompanied with special scotch-smoked salmon in a delightful pink cream sauce $17.00).
The lasagne was exactly right: meaty and cheesy with plenty of ricotta and sauce. My fettucine was cooked perfectly and the salmon was delectable. I typically don’t like fettucine because it’s too heavy, but this stuff was amazingly light. The service was OK; a little slow and no check back until we were more than halfway through, however, it was busy, so I can let that slide. I did notice that ordering apps slowed your meal down significantly and was glad we didn’t. A lady at the table next to us ordered the Veal Marsala and damn it smelled awesome! I want to go back for that dish!
Nino’s was a great experience. We licked our plates clean and left very happy. I’d highly recommend this lovely old Italian restaurant! It beats the shit out of the chains – like most family owned joints do. Alfredo’s is good, too, I’m sure, but I think I’ll just pull on into Nino’s for my old skool Italian.
I give Nino’s 4 out of 5 stars!
Very nice!!!