It had been almost two months since my friend, Susan, and I had a luncheon adventure, so we got together and drove over to Rinaldi’s Cucina at 2114 Chapman Road. Rinaldi’s is located on the end spot of a small center formerly occupied by a Cuban sandwich shop, across from Nissan.
The front of their menu describes the restaurant as “A Little Taste of Italy”. When you walk in the door you get the wonderful aroma of garlic in the air. This is an “order at the counter and take a seat” restaurant. Drinks are serve yourself.
The menu features a soup of the day ($3.95) and a house salad ($4.95). One of the customers at the table next to us ordered the salad and it looked wonderful – grape tomatoes, red onion, black olives, green pimento olives, cheese garlic croutons with house dressing and served with bread. It was certainly a good size.
They have hot and cold Hero’s, all served on a six inch New York Italian style roll and priced at $6.95. Cold Hero’s include Italian (Capicollo, Salami and Provolone), Turkey, Italian Roast Beef, and Fresh Mozzarella and Tomato (this is perfect for vegetarians). Hot Hero’s include Sausage Peppers & Onions, Sausage Parmesan, Meatball Parmesan, Chicken Parmesan and Eggplant Parmesan.
If you want more than a sandwich, you have a choice of either Spaghetti or Penne pasta, with homemade marinara, alfredo or garlic butter sauce, served with garlic bread ($4.95). For $2 you can add a choice of meat. There is also Clam Rinaldi and Shrimp Pasta, both $7.95.
With the inviting smells at Rinaldi’s, it was difficult to decide, but both Susan and I decided on the special of the day, which on Friday is The Godfather ($7.95). The Godfather is the pasta and sauce of choice, but also includes shrimp, mussels and clams!
We thought the food was really worth our trip and definitely would go back to Rinaldi’s. Susan had the marinara sauce and said it was very good and I loved the garlic butter sauce (of course, I’m not so sure about anyone who came near me the rest of the day, they may have a different reaction!). I can almost smell that garlic right now! This was one time neither of us needed a to-go box as there was nothing left in our bowls except empty clam and mussel shells.
Other daily specials (all are $7.95, except on Thursday when it is $6.95) you might be interested in are: Monday, Lasagna; Tuesday, Stuffed Eggplant; Wednesday, Ravioli; and Thursday, Shrimp Parmesan Hero with chips and pickle.
Rinaldi’s offers several desserts including Shelly’s Homemade Cheesecake ($2.95). We saw someone else being served this and it looked tempting. In retrospect, I wish I had tried it, because the only disappointment of the visit for me was my dessert. Italian Ice was on the menu for $.95 so I thought, why not get one and have on the way back. I was expecting one of the freshly made Italian Ices like you get at carnivals, or on the beach, etc. I was not thinking one of those little frozen cups like I have two boxes of in my freezer at home!
When we got out, Susan said, “I could tell by the look on your face, that wasn’t what you were expecting”. We both laughed. She said she too, had the same visual in mind of the boardwalk and shaved ice, like that place near Harrison Bay used to sell. Oh, well, now I know.
But – we will definitely go back for the other food.
Hours for the locally owned (John and Michele Rinaldi) Rinaldi’s Cucina are Monday through Friday from 11:00 AM until 3:00 PM. If they were open for dinner, I’ll bet that little place wouldn’t be able to accommodate everyone.
Check them out. I’m sure you’ll be glad you did.
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