Here is something for those living closer to where I am, or visiting the area. Few things are more enjoyable than a nice meal. One of the better meals I’ve had out in the Binghamton area is an Italian restaurant called Michelangelo’s. This restaurant recently re-opened after having to renovate due to the flooding that swept the area earlier this year.
While there are many Italian restaurants in every city, this is the one that stands out to me for this area. The interior of the restaurant is completely new and quite stylish. There is nothing that would indicate that over 5 feet of water had filled the place. The walls are a pleasant rust color with several paintings in the main dining area. The tables and chairs are a nice dark wood and as attractive as they are comfortable. There is plenty of space to accommodate large groups and couples or individuals, even when the restaurant fills up. The lighting is quite nice as well. Large windows capture the sun during the day and after the sun sets the soft indoor lighting is set at a level that compliments the décor. There is also a small but well stocked bar that can seat about 6 – 8 people while they wait for a table to open.
While the interior is attractive, the draw is the food of course. The menu has a decent selection of favorites and staple dishes. And there are daily specials that are equally appealing. Whether it’s chicken, veal, pasta or a combination of these choices, the portions are more than enough to fill a person. In particular I found the veal to be an excellent choice.
My most recent outing gave me a chance to enjoy a personal favorite. One of the specials was chicken francese, and I requested if veal francese (it’s not on the menu) could be made instead. The chef indulged me and made a fantastic meal. The presentation was topped off with seared lemons. I mention this meal in particular because it’s a hard dish to make and sadly is not very common these days. The lemon sauce is difficult to get right, with many places putting in too much lemon, or using store-bought lemon juice instead of fresh lemons. When it’s done wrong you can tell in the first bite, but when it’s done right as it was in this case it’s a delight.
The wine selection is quite nice and the house reds are a wonderful accent to the meal or just as a drink by itself. If you lean to stronger drinks the top shelf selection is quite large for a small bar. The scotch selections include my favorite; Glenlivet (just the 12 year old) which makes Michelangelo’s only the 3 place in the area to carry it (to my knowledge).
Overall I found the entire experience to be pleasant and enjoyable. I wasn’t the only one to think so, as the restaurant quickly filled between 5 and 6:30. I would strongly suggest reservations if you expect to be going here Wednesday to Sunday in the evening. Don’t plan on late night dining here though as the hours are about 11-9 during the weekday. And at about $25 per person (including 2 glasses of wine) the cost is quite reasonable. So for an enjoyable meal that is perfect for a date, an evening away from the kids, or a family outing I would suggest Michelangelo’s.
No comments:
Post a Comment