Editor Pick
Fantastic Meal, Best of the Whole Trip
- September 9, 2008
- Rated 5 of 5 by
pbpd81 from Poplar Bluff, Missouri
I was not familiar with this chain of restaurants but almost everything I found about it on the internet was positive, and since we both enjoy Italian cuisine decided to give it a tray. The parking lot looked pretty busy but upon entering we were seated immediately. It was quite obvious on the way to our table that the atmosphere was a little more formal than the shorts and t-shirts we were wearing, but I figured it was a little late to try to duck out unnoticed, so we took our seats and made the best of it. It wasn’t suit & tie formal but nice clothes would have been more appropriate. As we began to check out the menu the waiter stopped by for our drink orders. I stuck with the sweet tea while my daughter choose an Italian cherry and vanilla soda. I thought $2.50 was a bit steep on the soda but the waiter informed us the refills were free so I guess not too bad for a specialty soda with the refills. It had a great flavor and made me wish I had chosen one of the other several flavors they offered. Our drinks were accompanied by a small loaf of bread and a warm, seasoned olive oil to dip it in. I’m sure the olive oil concoction has a name and I’m just not sophisticated enough to know what it is but I do know that it was delicious. By this time we had decided on entrees and so placed our orders. Katie thought the Baked Cheese Tortellini for $11.99 sounded good. I had read a review about how wonderful the Bowtie Festival was so I ordered it for $12.99. Each entrée was served with a salad. Being common country girls we never gave a thought to the fact that we were in an Italian restaurant so we ask for guess what…. French dressing, they didn’t have that. They also didn’t have Thousand Island and we learned the dressings offered were very limited so finally just settled for Italian, should have thought of that to began with. Anyhow our food arrived in a short time and smelled delicious. The Tortellini looked very appetizing but for taste was just ok, nothing spectacular. The Bowtie Festival, on the other hand, was even better than the review stated, it was absolutely wonderful. The bowtie pasta and grilled chicken were coated in a creamy asiago cheese sauce that melted in your mouth. This dish was so impressive I searched for the recipe and prepared it myself as soon as we got home. Together this was our favorite meal of the whole trip. While Katie didn’t care much for the Tortellini she loved the Bowtie as much as I did and the serving size was plenty for us to share it. I’m not sure what area of the country Johnny Carino’s are found but I will defiantly stop next time we see one.
From journal Our Tennesse Adventure