George D.
Yelp
We went with a large party, and all just ordered what we wanted from the menu. Our waitress was Austyn, and I was amazed at the skill she displayed handling our large group efficiently and accurately. While several people ordered pizza, my wife and I opted for individual meals. So, I will not be reviewing the pizza.
A word about the menu at Laurel Pizzeria. They have ample seating, so have tried to expand from a pizza carry out shop to a "real" Italian restaurant. They have a varied menu. So varied that my wife suggested that they were more of a diner than just a pizzeria. Lots of appetizers, salads, the usual pizza selections, hot and cold subs, cheesesteaks, Stromboli, pasta dishes, and a short list each of entrees and seafood. But, in my humble opinion, they have succeeded in being a really large pizzeria and sub shop, but failed at becoming a first class Italian restaurant or a diner.
I do have to give credit for the chef, who obviously got creative in many of the pasta and oven melt dishes, with a broad selection of ingredient combinations. Interesting indeed. I was impressed at the variety. However, when you have such a broad selection on the menu, something has to give. And what gave was the selection of classical dishes. Having recently relocated from NJ, we are used to seeing a selection of pasta shapes on the menu. More than just fettuccine, spaghetti, ravioli and ziti. They do not serve veal, a staple in any self-respecting Italian cucina. No Marsala, saltimbocca, piccata, Francaise or Bolognese. The creative dishes pushed the classic dishes off the menu. Oh, and not EVERY Italian dish requires mushrooms, although that's what the chef seems to think. There's a joke that to make a dish French, just add wine. Apparently the corollary is to make a dish Italian, just add mushrooms. IMHO, to make this an Italian restaurant, put the classic dishes back on the menu, and feature the "creative" dishes as rotating nightly specials.
Now as to the quality of the food. My side salad, which accompanied my order, was laughable. A small plate of iceberg lettuce topped with one cherry tomato, one slice of cucumber, a thin part slice of green pepper and a few croutons. Pathetic. The Sicilian Chicken was tasty, but the food presentation left much to be desired. There was this big pile of food, covered in melted mozzarella, on one side of the plate and a pile of spaghetti with red sauce on the other. As I dug into the mozzarella covered pile, I did find the promised chicken and egg plant. But as I cut each bite, I was never sure what I was going to put into my mouth. The spaghetti with red sauce was nondescript. The portion size was ample, and we took home enough for another meal the next night.
My wife ordered a quesadilla appetizer. She should have known better than to order this in a pizzeria. She asked for chicken, but we could find none when we checked at home the next night. She described the item as "flat as a pancake." Like I said, she should have known better. It was a major disappointment.
I think that the person who told us that Laurel Pizzeria was a great restaurant must have never been to a nice Italian restaurant. I won't say "don't go there." I will say that it's a fine option as a pizzeria or a super-sized sub shop. We may go back to try the pizza. I will also say that my wife and I need to adjust our expectations for "great dining" in LSD.
