Michael R.
Yelp
This is a big update...sorry if it is long-winded...
We love Salvino as you can see in my prior review in 2018. It is the closest to a "red sauce New York Italian" restaurant as we can get. That has not changed...
What has changed I noticed when I first entered. I saw "Tom and Mary Speaker 2019" and their photo on 2 plaques.
In late 2019, right before the pandemic began, Tom and Mary Speaker, long-time customers of Salvino, bought the restaurant from Sal and Debbie Bruno. Tom brought 36 years in the foodservice industry including chef at Cafe Pasta, Chop House, and Undercurrent. Mary comes from marketing. So Tom takes over for Sal and Mary takes over for Debbie. (Source Greensboro News & Record, October 18, 2019)
Then the pandemic hits. We did take out a few times and noticed no differences - in fact, we were unaware it had been sold - or I should say we knew and forgot.
Well, we finally went for a sit-down dinner this past Saturday night...
First things first, other than a new air system, the place looks and feels the same - which is VERY welcome. The service is impeccable.
But the menu, it shrunk a bit. Part of this I am sure was due to the pandemic, part of it is what dishes work best and sell best.
The amazing part, Salvino was 5 stars before this. Now, I would give it 6 stars - Tom Speaker has managed to improve upon perfection.
We started with Calamari, Gnocchi, Mussels. I ate just the gnocchi, my wife and son split the other dishes. Outstanding and even better than we remembered.
I had the salad along with my main of Eggplant Parmagiana - served with spaghetti. The pasta was al dente, all mains came out together and were hot and amazing. The eggplant was a rollatini with a cheese finish and the sauce was beyond reproach.
My son had the pasta e Fagioli soup to start and the Spaghetti Bolognese with 2 meatballs added. Both were superb according to him.
My wife had a seafood pasta loaded with everything - save for the sundried tomatoes. Her Ceasar was excellent.
For dessert, Marscapone Limoncello cake, Cannoli, and Tiarmisu.
I was in heaven - brought back to my youth and adult years in and around Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, The Bronx (Arthur Avenue), Staten Island, Long Island, Connecticut, and New Jersey. Salvino could stand with ANY restaurant there.
Everything is better - again improved on what was as close to perfection as it comes!
Go and have a wonderful dinner - you will not be disappointed - and if you're a Damn Yankee like me, you are going for a trip back to New York!