Evan W.
Yelp
If you've never eaten at Scarantino's, pull out your calendar right now and make a plan, because this is a fantastic find -- and boy, am I glad I finally found this place. I've lived in Los Angeles (San Fernando Valley) for 37 years and hadn't heard of it until today, so now I'm mourning the many years of meals I haven't had.
A family operation that's been open since 1967 (with related family restaurant roots going even further back to 1949), Scarantino's is a gem of an old-school Italian restaurant full of warmth, charm and friendly service that immediately makes you feel like you're eating at home instead of out. The dining room is a complete throwback to mid-century America, which is tremendous fun. As spotlessly clean as if my own, finicky mother was in charge, the decades-old decor (wood paneled walls, red & white checkered table cloths) transports you to a time when you could dine out on plentiful servings of good quality food for a reasonable price. And that's not just a feeling you get from the retro ambiance, because Scarantino's proves this is still possible today. Each entree is served with a salad topped with a tasty dressing they've bolstered with a dash of Parmesan, and a cup of homemade minestrone soup built from a hearty broth packed with fresh vegetables, potatoes and macaroni. This is elemental stuff that'll get you properly prepared for the main attraction.
On to the entrees. My wife ordered the Chicken Voldostano, a breast that's stuffed with Italian ham and Provolone then sauteed with butter, lemon and fresh mushrooms. The chicken was light and flavorful in its simple sauce, the ham and cheese adding a luxurious depth without being salty (a frequent, unfortunate trait of ham & cheese stuffings, but not here). I ordered the Veal Parmigiana -- a simply breaded and fried cutlet topped with fresh mozzarella, resting on a light, slightly acidic tomato sauce. The veal was tender and tasty, with the melted fresh mozzarella being a welcome departure from the heavier servings of cheese offered at most places. Both dishes were accompanied by spaghetti, which we asked to have tossed in olive oil & garlic rather than marinara; the light, herbaceous bite was a nice contrast to the heartier preparations of our meats.
Remember what I said about reasonable prices? Well, each of our entrees was $22 including the soup, salad and spaghetti, which is quite a bargain in today's economy. Especially considering this is very high quality, great tasting food. Couple all this with a friendly, gregarious waitress and a laid-back crowd of couples and families, and you've got the perfect spot to enjoy the kind of meal you used to when you were a kid. And now that I finally know about Scarantino's, I'll be back frequently to try most everything else on the menu. Like I said, grab your date book and book a date for dinner. You'll be very happy you did.