Verona Italian Restaurant worth the drive
As a resident of Benton, I often hear rave reviews of Verona Italian Restaurant located on Interstate 30. After my sister reminded me of it by telling me about the great pasta she got for takeout, I decided I would drop in for lunch.
I had to look twice when driving up to the restaurant at 16925 I-30, just to make sure it was open. The outside walls are cordoned off, except for the entryway, and the wood siding has been removed, revealing insulation board. When I saw several cars in the parking lot, always a good sign for a restaurant, I then noticed the “open” sign and pulled in. According to the restaurant’s Facebook page, they are expanding the building, and although it is a construction zone outside, my dining partner and I found it was business as usual inside.
It was noon and even though it was busy, we didn’t have to wait long for a seat. The host sat us in a cozy, diner-style booth and before we could get far in perusing the menu, our waitress came by with a basket of freshly baked bread and promptly took our drink orders. I got the sweet tea, and, even though it is an Italian restaurant, it earned its Southern cred with just-right syrupy sweetness.
We started out with an appetizer of focaccia, an oven-baked bread with tomatoes, garlic and mozzarella cheese that was straight out of the oven ($5.99). I am a spaghetti and meatballs fan, and so I chose the lunch special version ($10.99), which also included a house salad. I ordered a side of sauteed mushrooms ($5.99) to add to my dish and shared the rest with my friend. The tomato-based spaghetti sauce was blended beautifully with just the right amount of oregano. The meatballs were large and tender, with the consistency of meatloaf, and almost seemed as if they could melt in your mouth. With the salad, buttery bread and pasta, it didn’t take long for me to get full. Still, I wasn’t going to miss
out on the dessert, so I chose a cannoli ($5.99) to go.
My friend chose the Baked Combo ($12.99) from the Homemade Baked Pasta menu listing. She received a hearty portion containing a third each of lasagna, manicotti and cannelloni. She couldn’t decide which one she liked best but noted that the manicotti was especially cheesy as she happily pulled her fork up to reveal the long strands. She got a to-go box too. She added a piece of strawberry cheesecake ($4.99) for later.
By the time we ate, boxed up our leftovers (there was enough for dinner) paid the bill and headed out the door, not quite an hour had passed — perfect for a weekday lunch. Beyond the lunch specials, the menu is extensive. Appetizers range from garlic cheese bread at $4.99 to mussels marinara at $10.99. Salads start at $3.99 for a small size and go $12.99 for a chef salad. They also have subs, including a meatball parmigiana at $10.99 to a Philly cheese steak version at $12.99. Dinner choices range from chicken picatta at $15 to the Seafood Combo No. 2 containing shrimp, mussels, chopped clams, scallops and calamari in a white wine sauce over fettuccine — the priciest offering at $21.99.
Speciality pastas include chicken parmesan at $15.99, served with a side salad and bread, and fettuccine alfredo at $12.99, also served with a salad and bread. There is also a kids’ menu with items such a spaghetti in butter sauce ($4.99) and lasagna ($6.99). This menu is for children ages 12 and under, and senior citizens 65 or over. In addition to soft drinks, Verona has wine and beer. They also serve vegetarian dishes.
After this dining experience, it won’t be long before I go back to Verona Italian Restaurant for its reasonably priced, delicious, no-frills Italian dishes, relaxing atmosphere (jazz music and muted lighting) and friendly, attentive service.
Verona Italian Restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. It is closed on Monday. (501) 794-6588. www. veronaar.com