At Arpino Trattoria in Scott, great pastas and a friendly atmosphere
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Dining earlier this week at Arpino Trattoria are (from left) Ann and Dan Casiere and Jerry and Patty Brandy, all of Mt. Lebanon.
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Steve Goda has had a long, quiet presence on the Pittsburgh restaurant scene. He's been involved in a number of upscale Italian restaurants, including Cioppino in the Strip District and Bistecca Steakhouse in Washington, Pa. In June, he and his wife, Melissa, opened their own restaurant, Arpino Trattoria, in Scott. Arpino is smaller, simpler and more personal then the establishments where Mr. Goda previously worked. Its name refers to Melissa Goda's ancestral home in Italy, a small village in the province of Frosinone, where Mr. Goda also has relatives.
- Hours: Lunch, Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.; dinner, Tuesday-Thursday, 4-9 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 4-10 p.m.
- Basics: A cozy restaurant with a family history, serving well-cooked bowls of pasta and simple Italian fare; Wednesday is tripe night.
- Prices: Appetizers, $6.50-$9; pastas, $15-$19; entrees, $16-$20; desserts, $6.
- Summary: Wheelchair accessible; credit cards accepted; call for reservation policy; BYOB, corkage $5.
- Noise level: Low to loud.
The one-room trattoria is tucked away on a patio at the back of a parking lot in a strip mall. There are other restaurants (Max & Erma's and Duke's Rib's), but Arpino's immediate neighbors include a uniform store, a podiatrist and a pharmacy -- an unexpectedly suitable assortment reminiscent of a village square. Mustard-colored walls are adorned with framed photos of Arpino street scenes and other images of Italian culture. Pendant lamps in the window cast a warm glow out onto the patio, newly decorated for fall.
Soon after we sat down, servers brought large bottles of tap water and plates of bread from Mediterra, neatly sliced and wrapped in wax paper, served with a small dish of olive oil. Brisk but friendly, they took orders efficiently, opened our wine and left us to enjoy our food and friends with minimal interruptions.
First Published September 22, 2011 12:00 am
