Italian near Crabtree Mall, Raleigh

[Westy]

Hello -

Any suggestions for a totally non-Chowish dinner companion? She is looking for an italian place near her hotel.

Thanks.

Matt

[dubedo]

I recommend Bella Monica, in a strip mall on Edwards Mill. Nice atmosphere, not as expensive as Tavola Rossa.

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Bella Monica Restaurant
3121 Edwards Mill Rd, Raleigh, NC 27612

[VaNC]

I agree with the Casa Carbone recommendation. It is old school, old Raleigh, been there forever Italian. She shouldn't expect anything fancy or high cuisine, just solid red sauce Italian. Beware, it may be packed.

[limona]

I think Tavola Rossa is probably closest (location-wise). http://www.tavolarossa.com/

And Vincent's is not that far either... The people are nice. The atmosphere is cozy. The food is on the cheap side. BUT every time I go there something goes wrong. Once my calzone came out very cold in the middle. One busy night the the kitchen forgot to put my order together, and my order consisted of already cooked food stored in the counter. And something happened another time, and after that I stopped going there.

Gianni and Gaitano's is open now at Creedmoor just south of Strickland. I would consider that a pretty safe bet, and a straight line drive from the mall.

[chazzer]

Very disappointed with Gianni and Gaitano's on Creedmoor. We'd been looking forward to it since we like the Wakefield location, but the experience was not good. Dirty dishes, dirty silverware, sloooooow service, pizza served with no plates on the table, by the time the plates came (after 2 requests) the pizza was cold. Calamari had to be sent back to finish cooking since it was quite underdone. The menu was boring and badly overpriced. We'll still go back to other Cinelli family restaurants in Cary, North Hills, and Wakefield, but not this one.

[jphite]

Casa Carbone in Oak Park

[chazzer]

vincents on creedmoor

Vincent's of Raleigh
6300-108 Creedmoor Road
Lynwood Collection Shopping Center
Raleigh, NC 27612