Maria's Restaurant Lakewood: real Italian, real comfortable
Maria's Italian Restaurant in Lakewood is the perfect combination of good old fashioned Italian cuisine and a family-style atmosphere that is cozy and feels like home. The can't-miss sign on the front of the building, which features the neon glow of a fork with dangling spaghetti “noodles” being retrieved from a giant bowl of pasta, has been a Lakewood icon for many decades.
The dining area at Maria's isn't stuffy or demanding of attention, but rather mimics what you might find in grandma's old-world style kitchen. Small with comfy seats and rich colors, the dining room is simple and relaxed-- the perfect place for enjoying a big bowl of Maria's famous spaghetti, without worrying about getting a dab of sauce on your chin or shirt. Maria's is the kind of place where you'll find yourself sopping up the extra marinara on your plate with warm bread sticks until there's no trace of it left.
To start off your Maria's experience, try the famous breaded ravioli-- crunchy-fried pasta filled with rich ricotta or beef and served with marinara dipping sauce, or the pan-fried goat cheese with roasted red pepper sauce-- both are delightful.
Dinner entrees include items such as spaghetti a la pirate-- a flavorful dish featuring sauteed scallops, shrimp, mussels and clams in a tomato, basil and olive oil sauce; Veal Saltimbocca -- milk fed veal sautéed with sage and madeira wine, baked with prosciutto and mozzarella cheese; grilled strip steak with a wild mushroom cream sauce; chicken piccata in a creamy lemon-butter sauce; and eggplant parmigiana with melted provolone and basil tomato sauce.
A kids menu, featuring child-friendly favorites like spaghetti, chicken fingers, buttered pasta and pizza is available for the little ones.
For dessert, try the chocolate salami-- slices of dark and white chocolate with crushed pistachios that resemble slices of salami; bananas foster with real butter, brown sugar and banana liquor; and creamy homemade cheesecake-- the variety varies daily.
Dress is casual and reservations aren't required, but are helpful on busy weekends of for large parties.
- by LeeAnn Mullen, Akron Reporter for HelloMetro
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LeeAnn MullenLeeAnn Mullen is a freelance journalist from Cleveland, Ohio. She holds a bachelor's degree in journalism is currently furthering her education by studying for an additional degree in information systems management. Mullen has written for several Cleveland-area newspapers, online publications and dozens of private clients. Her topics of specialty include health, technology and travel.
