Bizzarro Italian Cafe

"This Wallingford pasta place is a different kind of wacky, and yet, still covered head to toe in bizarre props like spooky framed art and the occasional bicycle hanging from the ceiling. There's always a decent flow of crowds that makes the energy palpable, and it's hard not to have fun when your tagliatelle with mushroom cream comes with a free salad and focaccia. Just remember that there's a surcharge added if you whip out your phone, so live in the moment. Ignoring social media can be fun, we promise." - aimee rizzo, kayla sager riley, gabe guarente

"Bizzarro in Wallingford is the quintessential Monday night Italian restaurant. They don't take reservations, which makes it a low-pressure choice. Each pasta—be it pappardelle with mushroom cream or a toasty block of lasagna—comes with a salad and (very good) homemade focaccia, which is a good deal to start the week. And the busy dining room full of odd paintings and bicycles dangling from the ceiling keeps things exciting." - aimee rizzo, gabe guarente

"Some of the best pasta at this Wallingford Italian spot is vegetarian—the Forest Floor Frenzy, complete with homemade pappardelle, a fistful of mushrooms, sherry-laced cream, and walnuts for crunch is a perfect example. Tube-shaped noodles in marinara topped with broiled mozzarella and fresh basil is another. And, you can always expect rotating specials sans meat, like gnocchi in roasted cauliflower parmesan sauce. Be sure to add on some fontina-stuffed saffron arancini to start, and don't be afraid of the actual bicycle suspended above you and your side salad." - aimee rizzo, kayla sager riley

"Bizzarro Italian Cafe is a mysterious place with carnival props hanging from the ceiling and more chandeliers than a Home Depot showroom. Their homemade pastas, like lasagna, baked ziti, and snap pea carbonara, work perfectly within this setting. It’s ideal for weeknight dinners with a big group of friends who won’t mind the bicycle dangling above them or the creepy radio static that plays in the bathroom. Get a glass of red and some pappardelle with mushrooms and sherry cream (a.k.a. The Forest Floor Frenzy) and have yourself a very pleasant evening." - aimee rizzo

"Bizzarro Italian Cafe is part circus horror movie set, part classic Italian spot. You may be skeptical of the fact that there are more chandeliers in here than a Home Depot lighting showroom and that the menu has an entree called, “choose your own chicken adventure.” But it all works, from the abundance of props hanging from the ceiling to the solid housemade pasta, like pappardelle with a creamy mushroom sauce, or lasagna that has the physical proportions of a brick. Bizzarro is perfect for a big group of friends who won’t mind the bicycle dangling above them or the creepy radio static that echoes in the restroom." - aimee rizzo, kayla sager riley