Mandola’s Italian Kitchen

We went here on the 4th of July, when we discovered the restaurant we were planning to go to was closed. We were immediately greeted by Paula at the door who was super friendly and welcoming. The place was very clean and cute, the food was delicious, and we were thrilled to find a new restaurant that we could add to our list of options. Also, I have Celiac disease and they had lots of gluten free options. Loved it!

Casual enough to stop in before catching a movie at the nearby AMC, pleasant enough for date night. I sat at the bar, tended by the lovely Carina. She was attentive to everyone, whether sitting at the bar or just coming up for a drink. I started with a glass of draft pinot grigio and complimentary focaccia and herbs in olive oil for dipping. The wine was a nice temp and came in a 6 or a 9 ounce glass. The bread had a nice bite, I could've used a little more herbs in the oil.... but that's just me, it really was tasty! You can have an entree at the bar, so I did :) I had the Pollo alla Griglia, which is gluten sensitive. They are not a gluten-free free restaurant, but they have several GS options. I am not GS, I just picked that dish. The meal had a butterflied chicken breast, sliced in half or pounded thin. It had a very nice taste but was a little dry. Chicken breasts get dry, and that's why they are served with items to enhance the bite. This was served with grilled, seasoned vegetables, and the pairing was.... chef's kiss! The veggies were slices of zucchini, a few mushrooms, red bell peppers, baby asparagus, and a red potato cut into quarters. Before you say, "A red potato", just one? It's all you need with everything else - half the plate was chicken, half was veggies. The portioning was spot on. A few pieces of veg, add a bite of chicken... freaking yum. I did not need salt or pepper. The seasoning was delightful! Fortunately, I had a little room for dessert ;) I had a delicious gelati that was light enough to be a perfect end to my meal. You can tell it's a place that has regulars and is just a welcoming to newcomers. There's adult contemporary music playing at a nice level, you can have a conversation - everyone is very chill. I went on a Saturday night around 6:30p, they're open until 9p. Since I sat at the bar, I didn't have to wait. BUT, people who walked in were seated quickly. I had a delightful experience, and I look forward to going back!

Review from my daughter: Great variety of menu items. Gluten free and dairy free options, including gluten-free pasta and pizza. Bonus: Kids get free gelato if they finish all of their food.