If you love fine Italian food, there's only a few places in CLE worth visiting outside Little Italy. Aldo's makes that list of the few. Very tiny - seats maybe 25, and the decor may be a little dated - but it's all sentimental and family related, so we'll let that slide. Service is so personal and family like. Can't say enough about the whiteboard full of specials (take a pic with your phone - you'll never remember all of them!). Never had anything even close to sub par here. Just go - and enjoy. read more

Our high school hockey team (University of Detroit Jesuit High School) was in town to play Cleveland St. Ignatius this weekend . We researched a place to dine our team of 22 players and 3 coaches. I worked with Matteo for a week in advance of this date. Our team was greeted by a very friendly staff who worked hard to serve our boys. The food was exceptional and the Aldo's staff ensured we were able to get in and out in a very timely manner. We were extremely impressed. We highly recommend Aldo's. read more

Salmon with capers in a cream sauce was amazing. Great service as well! Would definitely come back.

My husband and I met a friend for dinner last Saturday and our evening was ruined when the owner ambushed our table with his political opinions. The last time we were there I noticed a MAGA hat on the shelf at the wait station which was the first red flag. I politely asked him to please not disrupt our dinner, but he would not stop. I got up to go to the restroom hoping he would be gone when I returned. No such luck! He then asked if women should serve in the military and I said "if they choose to," which is when he said that women shouldn't have the right to vote if they don't serve in the military, bible says women are weak, etc. At that point I got up and left and told my husband to pay the check. Food and service were great and we tipped (his wife) well but we will NEVER go back! read more

Tremendous experience at Aldo's. Italians are always harsh critics of other Italian food. This lives up to the bill and then some. The waitress and Matteo (the owner) were very personable and attentive, some of the finest service I have ever had at a restaurant. You can tell how fresh the Marinara sauce is, the bread and appetizers were tremendous. I would venture to say this is one of the top 3 Italian restaurants in Cleveland. Forget overpriced overhyped Murray Hill, this is real Italian food. Their desserts were also fantastic! They bring out this tray of magnificence and it all looks incredible. I had the pistachio gelato and I can't say enough about it! Aldo's is the real deal!! Go! read more

Aldo's Restaurant - Veal Sicilian - Italian Near Me - Brooklyn, Ohio

It's probably a stretch to call any restaurant that is routinely found on the Cleveland Top 100 list a dark horse that you never saw coming, but that's exactly how I'd describe Aldo's. A friend of mine lives in the Brooklyn neighborhood by Aldo's, and had been telling me about it for years. He never went into great detail about it, just said it was a good place to go to get Italian food, but because of the diminutive dining room, that it could be hard to get in. My wife and I decided to make the trek recently. When you pull in, it's not the most eye catching place, as it's located in a strip mall. Because the dining room is so small (roughly 30 seats), we decided to get there shortly after they opened, and were rewarded with no wait at all! When you get there, pay attention when you walk in, as there's a white board directly in front of the door that has all the daily specials. The staff was incredibly attentive. We were given a menu each, and a wine list. My wife asked the waiter (Mary) if they had other drinks, and she said just ask, and they would try to accommodate. My wife ordered an Espresso Martini, and I had a Peroni. For apps, we ordered the mussels, which are served in a red sauce made with wine and garlic, and the homemade meatballs. For entree, my wife ordered the Veal Parm, and I tried the lasagna. The apps arrived, and they were good! The mussels, never my favorite dish, were steamed well, the broth they were served in was nice and flavorful, and the house made bread that was served with it was crusty, almost charred on the outside, nice and soft in the middle, perfectly suited to mop up that delicious sauce! Our entrees came out and were otherworldly! I've eaten a lot of lasagna in my life, so much so that my wife jokingly called me Garfield when I ordered it again. This was, hands down, the best freaking lasagna I have ever had! And for the price point, it was an extremely generous portion! The noodles were so soft and delicate that my fork glided through it like soft butter. The sauce was rich, slightly sweet, acidic, and everything I'd even want a red sauce to be. Topped with melted mozzarella, truly perfection. My wife said it was the best veal she had ever had as well, so much so, that I only got one bite! Tender, breaded freshly before sauté, topped with that same heavenly red sauce, served with fresh spaghetti, really a superior example of what good Italian food should be. We both stopped eating about half way through the entree, partly to save some for later so we wouldn't have to let this experience end, partly to soak up the ambiance of the restaurant, with its dim lighting, family photos of trips to Italy on the walls, and partly so we could try dessert. The waiter brought out a dessert tray made for a king, and my wife chose a deconstructed eclair, which was a layer of chocolate ganache over pastry cream, with cooked pate a choux in the middle, and I chose the homemade espresso gelato. What a treat! I wish I could adequately describe the lush texture, the richness, the creaminess, the pure unctuous-ness of these desserts, but I wouldn't do them justice. What a remarkable meal. What a great little restaurant. read more

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Salmon was delicious, service was Great & conversation was the best. will definitely come back

I can't believe how long Aldo's has been here and I've never been here! My dad drives for Uber and has picked up there a few times, so he suggested we try it. WOW. First impression is honestly not great. It's in a lackluster plaza, with a narrow entry way leading into a tiny dining room. Maybe 12 tables? Very crowded. The menu wasn't huge, but when you offer authentic, delicious food, you don't need a lot of options. There was a LOT on the specials board. It's clear that Aldo's specialty is seafood, which I will have to come back and try. Our server was a doll. The staff was very attentive to our table and pleasant. A local, family owned place like this cant survive without top notch service and they obviously get that! I ordered the house salad, which, the server made sound plain. "It's just lettuce, cabbage and carrot". I added the cheese and went with the house dressing. This was a lovely salad. Crisp mixed greens with all the fixings and an amazing dressing. It was like a shallot balsamic vinaigrette maybe? With the fresh baked bread, I could have made a meal of that. I had a taste for chicken parmesan, which wasn't on the menu. Wait, what? I told my waitress and she explained they can make one- it's not breaded and it comes in a casserole dish. (I think that's what's pictured in the Aldo's profile). This chicken parmesan was so good. Cheesy, saucy and hugely flavorful. I loved the baked chicken and of course the side of pasta. This was not a cheap meal, but I felt it was worth the price. It was a really good experience and I will definitely be back. read more

I'm all for hole in the wall type places, but I felt like this place could use a facelift. Prices of around $20 for our entrees felt just a tad high, honestly. (Veal and chicken piccata) while they did come with bread and a salad, the entrees looked pretty small. Dessert is where it's at though!!! Get the spumoni roll. Amazing. read more

Aldo's Restaurant - Veal and chicken piccata - Italian Near Me - Brooklyn, Ohio

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Aldo's is truly a family restaurant where everyone knows everyone. It's not uncommon to be seated between tables of people who know the chef. The tiny restaurant offers a board of countless specials and if you don't see what you're looking for, just ask. They'll likely make it for you. The food is divine. My favorite is the veal parmesan. Don't skip out on dessert. The tiramisu is great too! Good, traditional Italian cuisine. The service is phenomenal. You can't go wrong on a visit to Aldo's! read more

Aldo's Restaurant - Italian Near Me - Brooklyn, Ohio

A little restaurant with BIG TASTE.. 1st trip to Ohio. Fabulous service Fantastic food. I had Chicken Parmesan with angel hair pasta, Red wine , Service was GREAT will absolutely come back next time I visit Ohio. read more

Good Italian food. A little expensive for a limited menu. Service was good. Ambients was questionable for such a small location. Salad was very good and entree was acceptable. Waitress Chicken Cacciatore was Excellant. Would give this restaurant a B. read more

Our first visit to Aldo's was 2017. Since we live quite a distance from Cleveland we thought this would be a delightful way to spend an evening. The restaurant was crowded with locals and atmosphere was fun and friendly. Move ahead to 2022 and we thought that Aldo's warranted another visit. We arrived at 5:30 and only see one other couple sitting in the restaurant. The atmosphere was strange, lonely, faded and tired. Perhaps the pandemic had taken the air out of the restaurant. Anyway, we made our orders. The bread came first, crusty with a warm soft inside. Delicious. We both wanted a glass of red wine with our meal but the selection was very small and the glasses were quite expensive. Most of the reds were available by the bottle only. My husband had a glass for $16 and we shared. The salads arrived on chilled plates. Average but not great. I ordered the veal masala and husband ordered the cheese ravioli with mushroom sauce. My veal is tasty but the portions were a bit small for the price. Husband said the ravioli was good not not spectacular. The waiter, who was the son of the owner. Very friendly. Towards the end of the meal he began to discuss Trump. Opps. Bad, bad. No politics at the table while we are eating a meal. As we paid and left the restaurant, the owner said "Go Trump." The food was decent but not great enough for us to return to listen to Trump glories. Please, owner and son.. if you read this reviews please do not discuss your politics. It put a sour taste in our minds. Appears that other customers had the same experience. read more

Perfection! We were looking for a new Italian spot and we have found it. Spaghetti & Meatballs and Lasagna were delicious! The salad dressing was so good and dessert was amazing! Great service too! Do yourself a favor and try Aldo's! read more

Great pastas. Their specialty is veal. I opted for the lightly breaded seafood with a side of pasta with alfredo sauce. My wife and I shared the pistachio gelato which was also very good. The service was first rate read more

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Food was good, service was great. Prices were a bit high. Portions were small. I found myself wanting more, but at least I got a free side of spaghetti with my meal. The sauce wasn't terrific. I'd eat the food again, but I wouldn't pay the price again. read more

Aldo's Restaurant - Lasagna - Italian Near Me - Brooklyn, Ohio

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We had the most amazing experience here tonight. So amazing I had to post immediately after we left. We came in to a busy restaurant with maybe 2 available tables. I was carrying our 3 year old because he was sleeping and we just wanted to stop somewhere to grab a bite before heading back to Columbus. There was no host stand and we walked right into the dining room. We were greeted immediately with servers apologizing that there were no both seats available to put our sleeping child. I said it was ok, I could hold him and they gave us a table in the middle of the small dining room. Our server was so kind and knowledgeable. She was helpful with the menu and asked us questions based on our dietary restrictions and hunger levels. Warm crusty bread was on our table and we had no idea when that happened. We ordered the appetizer eggplant parmesan. It was so rich and delicious. Perfectly seasoned and the marinara was so good. When a booth opened up they encouraged us to lay our son down and continue to enjoy our dinner. We did and the owner put a couple of chairs next to the both seat so our so wouldn't roll into the floor. He turned down the lights and jokingly said he would tell new patrons that "I paid the bill! I don't know what happened!" We had pizza and sauteed calamari. The server brought us more marinara for dipping because I had said how good it was. Both dishes were very good! The calamari was great with the right amount of chew, saltiness and a slight crispy outside. Our son woke of course in time for dessert! Everyone was so sweet to him and told him how happy they were he was finally awake. I'm so sorry this is so long but our experience was so unlike any other and it really made our day. We will make a special trip from Columbus just to eat there. They made us feel so special! read more

We had an excellent meal here tonight, never been here and found it thru Yelp. Lots of specials listed on the board in the entrance hallway, so check that before you take your table. Aldo's is very small, seating for maybe 25-30 max, and they don't take reservations, so I called before we left to make sure we wouldn't be waiting a long time for a table (arrived 7:15 on a Sunday evening) Very good service staff, not too noisy, and excellent food prepared without any major delays. My wife had baked halibut on a bed of spinach, and I had truffle pasta with truffle oil, both good sized portions and delicious. We now have a new authentic Italian restaurant on our short list for dining on the west side! read more

My wife's and I first time there. We loved the food , service and cozy atmosphere. My wife is a lasagna nut and doesn't like just any lasagna. She loved it here. I got the scallops with mushrooms in a tomato wine sauce with a side of spaghetti. The real hit was the homemade Italian dressing! Could sell that stuff definitely! The bread was amazing too. Will definitely go back. read more

Went on a Tuesday night, they lost our reservation, but apparently it wasn't a problem at 6pm. Later at 8pm they were packed. The place is tiny, and you can tell they've been there 25 yrs because the staff knows exactly how to make the tiny space work. My group tried several appetizers, ban peppers were truly spicy, stuffed mushrooms delicious and pesto pizza was just ok, the crust didn't seem homemade. However dinner was fabulous, salads and house dressing all fresh. Homemade lasagna takes them all- that marinara! Veal Piccata was delicious, one of the best I've had- only could have used a few more capers. Dessert was our favorite, pistachio gelato, and I had a gelato layered mix of banana, choc and vanilla with bits of dried fruit. WOW! Reasonably priced for homemade italian dishes...we found the place from an article in Smithsonian magazine. Good for any type of group, business, friends, family and kids. Enjoy! read more

This place is the best kept secret in town. There food is fantastic and the service is delightful. Sometimes you have to wait for a seat but the food is worth the wait. read more

The food here is great. Authentic Italian. Not generic chain restaurant meal but Fresh quality food you're excited to eat. Place is very small and no frills you go there for the food and you won't be disappointed. If you like heat order the stuffed hot peppers,!its perfectly spicy and delicious read more

My husband and I went to a clam bake with friends at this little gem last night. We were welcomed at the back door (they are redoing their parking lot in front) by Aldo himself and led through the kitchen to a great table. It felt like being welcomed into the family home. The place was packed! (Regular restaurant closed this night only for the special clam bake event). A lot of the crowd seemed like family or regulars so I felt privileged to be included in the event. (Our friends know the owner). The wait staff was so friendly and helpful. They worked as a team as it was a busy night with all the courses of the bake. Broth to start, savory, salty and very hot. Chowder next, hearty and tasty as all get out. Seafood crepe as appetizer in a Pomodoro type sauce. Fresh and tasty. Bring on the clams! We knocked out 10 dozen at our table alone. Delicious middle neck. Tender, slightly sweet and delicious in the drawn butter provided. Now, the entree...lobster tails and filet accompanied by candied, spiced sweet potatoes and corn served up family style. Thank goodness I had a light lunch! We finished it all off with Spumoni wrapped in pound cake, cannoli and fresh fruit. I have heard great things about this place for some time but have never managed to get there. So glad we went! We will definitely be back for more. Make a reservation. It's a small place. read more

I first heard about Aldo's from my former boss, a sophisticated, beautiful woman with a heart of gold and a flair for fashion, wine and food. She'd traveled America and Europe and had dined in many an upscale establishment. When she raved about this tiny trattoria in Brooklyn, I knew we just had to give it a try. Aldo's sits at the corner of a small strip plaza on Memphis Avenue, and you'd be forgiven for mistaking it for a take-out pizza joint. This place is remarkably small, yet absolutely adorable. It seats approximately twenty or so patrons, with an innovative bar/server station tucked into a nook adjacent to the kitchen entrance. Seating can be tight, especially along one of the banquettes that run along the periphery of the room. Several small two-top tables are also available, but were all occupied during our visit. The close quarters could be disconcerting to some diners, and is something to consider if you decide to visit. Fortunately, the food at Aldo's was everything my boss had gushed about, and then some. We're talking antipasto, pizzas, lasagna, piccatas, marsalas, fettuccine, ravioli, gnocchi, tiramasu, zabaione and everything in between, finished off with coffee and sambuca. We both chose one of the evening's specials, a mixed seafood scampi served with lightly seasoned white rice and mixed vegetables. Tender shrimp and scallops, cooked perfectly. We struck up a brief conversation with another couple-regulars enjoying a Saturday night out-who beamed when they bragged about how the kitchen makes a special wedge salad for them with Bleu cheese and house dressing "on the side." Aldo himself was ever-present during our visit, mingling amongst the tables; making sure his guests were enjoying their meals. His face lit up when we told him it was our first visit, seemingly flattered that we chose his restaurant based on a glowing recommendation. For authentic Italian cuisine, Aldo's delivers...although we will probably return on a weeknight for a more subdued dining experience. read more

I was visiting Cleveland for the weekend and wanted some Italian. I Yelped this place and was happy I did. I called in and asked for the typical fare that they probably don't like... I wanted Fettucini Alfredo and Chicken Parmesan which are not on the menu. I am assuming that Matteo is a family member or part owner just watching his interaction when I arrived but over the phone he basically told me not to worry about what the menu said, tell him what I wanted and that's what they'd make. When I arrived, the food was ready. I was the annoying customer that asked for extra sauce for both dishes so, he went into the kitchen which by the way had an open door and THEY MADE MORE FROM SCRATCH. Matteo's family, older members were in the hallway talking to family. I was treated so well and made to feel right at home. When I arrived to my hotel and ate my food, I literally almost revamped my schedule so I could go again the next day before I left. The food was just delicious. You have to understand that when they make it there from scratch, it tastes fresh and NOT like the Olive Garden. I won't forget the way the employees and the guests for that matter treated me. I am unashamed to say this but the next morning, before housekeeping could come, i took a little piece of bread and wiped this inside of my carryout. It was that good. They deserve a great rating and a thorough review. I will GLADLY come back. If you want to sit down and eat Stouffers, stay at home. If you want great food Go here. Nope, it's not fancy but who cares? It's clean ( you can look right into the kitchen) and delicious. read more

I was in town from out of state for work, and wanted real Italian food. I Yelped and Aldos was #1. They certainly delivered, very friendly people, delicious food, and I would highly recommend you not miss this place. I'll be stopping back when I'm in town again. read more

First time did not disappoint! It's small but if you have to wait for a table it is worth it. The was served quickly and piping hot. I had the lasagna which is some of the best restaurant lasagna I've ever had! Desserts are just as awesome and you have a variety of choices besides the traditional tiramisu and gelato. read more

Aldo's is my favorite Italian restaurant ever. It is family-owned and is the only real restaurant in Brooklyn area other than chain restaurants. I cannot say I've ever had a bad meal at Aldo's I have tried many of their dishes and their Chefs are all excellent and accommodating . You are greeted once you enter the restaurant in a very friendly manner I would highly recommend Aldos It is definitely a top Italian restaurant in the entire Cleveland area don't be fooled with the restaurant being in a small plaza on Memphis Avenue. read more

Best sauce Ever!!!! Love this place. Their hours are wrong on google and yelp. They are open Monday -Friday 11:30am to 9pm. Saturday's 4 yo 10 Sunday 4 to 9 read more

Pretty impressive. I had low expectations given the location, but we were pleasantly surprised. Tiny TINY place, with no place to wait if they're busy, so be prepared for that. Maybe 10 tables. Our waitress was excellent, one of those career waitresses that knows everything there is to know about the menu. Super efficient, our water never went dry and everything arrived in a timely manner. I ordered an angel hair seafood scampi-style dish, based on her recommendation. The seafood was done just about perfectly (although they don't tail their shrimp, which drives me a little nuts). Everything was seasoned well. My wife got the eggplant parm and was impressed. Entrees come with rather large side salads and excellent bread. The house salad dressing wasn't great...tasted like oil & vinegar with not enough vinegar. It's not all wine and roses at Aldo's, however. The dining area is very tiny and extremely loud, more like a busy corner bar on a Friday night. Don't plan on any intimate conversations there. The prices were a bit on the high side, with entrees averaging around $22. That seems like a lot, given the location and atmosphere, plus the portions were smaller as well. For that kind of dosh at an Italian restaurant, I generally expect to have leftovers. For comparison, my wife and I like Stella Mia Ristorante in Westlake. It's also in a strip mall, but the ambiance is MUCH nicer and the food's of a similar quality. And you get quite a bit more of it, for similar pricing. To sum up, they do a lot with what they have at Aldo's, and if you're in that area and want to stay local, it's a solid experience. But if you don't mind driving, there are better overall choices. read more

This is the real deal. I won't say it's as good as mamas because that's forbidden to Italians (but I might whisper it). Everything is excellent, the atmosphere is good and friendly. I'm a many time patron who regards Aldo with respect and fond memories. read more

Small Italian restaurant. It's like a time warp when you walk in (in a good way). I had the calamari (sautéed instead of fried) and rigatoni with sausage. Food and service were excellent! read more

This is a genuine old-school, family-owned and operated Italian restaurant. The location is unassuming and modest, being located in a small strip mall in Brooklyn. My husband is Italian and can be a pretty tough critic. He loved everything so much, he wants to come back regularly for more! The staff, Matteo and Pauline are so friendly and welcoming, you feel like part of their family from the moment you arrive. The fresh bread that comes out is out of this world! I had the veal parm and it was full of flavor and cooked to perfection. The mussels were amazing! I have not had one thing on their menu that I don't love. Be sure to try their decadent desserts, I'm a sucker for cannoli's :) This little gem is a must for any foodie in Cleveland! read more

I love Aldo's..I wish nothing but success to Aldo's family. He was a wonderful man to work for and learn Italian cuisine from. The angels and saints are eating well in heaven. RIP CHEF. read more

Got there early before 5PM. Wife had chicken cacciatore, son had chicken marsala, i had the pork tenderloin - all outstanding. Had a wonderful server and enjoyed conversations with the owner. Lemon desert was delicious. Really enjoyed the meal overall with a nice Belgian dark beer. We will make a point to return for great Italian cuisine. Enjoyed all the pics of the family in Italy. read more

Aldos has been recommended to me for years - finally had a chance to try it yesterday for a business lunch. Really very good. Small House salad with blue cheese and house dressing was excellent. Could have had a large one with some grilled chicken on it and been completely satisfied. The greens were fresh and it was dressed lightly. Fresh, warm bread came along for the ride. Enjoyed the hot stuffed peppers for my entree. Be warned - the sausage is homemade and VERY hot/spicy. Wasnt sure Id make it through, but was able to soldier on and ate every bit. Finally, shared a piece of the spumoni cake - probably least satisfying part of the meal. It was fine, but not worth the calories in my opinion. Aldo himself - along with his son - are a visible presence in the restaurant, checking in, chatting with diners and making sure the staff is on their toes. Excellent service all around. Highest compliment? I'll be back. read more

Owner here is a total asshole. I asked for chicken Parmesan with sauce on the side instead of on it. They brought it out with all sauce on it. I asked them to fix it, the owner came over and told me that if I asked for sauce on the side, that means I want extra sauce (which there wasnt additional sauce on the side regardless) I said I asked for no sauce, but on the side because I don't like red sauce. He asked why i would ask for sauce on the side if I didn't like it. My fiancée said I don't like red sauce but I like to try it to see if maybe I will like it. He said why wouldn't you order that then, why wouldn't you order something else? I ended up sending it back, telling him I didn't want anything & I walked out and passed him after the whole altercation & he said they could make it without sauce and I said I don't understand why you had to make that big of a deal out of it. He said he didn't understand my request. I told him that he made everyone at that table uncomfortable and I walked out. He then got in a fight with my fiancée, then he fought with my father in law. The owner here is a total asshole and I will make sure everyone I know hears about this. I have never had a worse time at a restaurant than I have had here. I will never come back. read more

Checked out the reviews before we made the decision to come, since the reviews looked good thought it would be a good choice...not so much. I ordered a coke and it came out in a warm can, of course served with a cup of ice. No free refills and the menu didn't even state that. The menu was pretty small and prices were between $12-$20. I expected the food to be top notch. All entrees come with warm bread and salad with their homemade italian vinaigrette dressing, the dressing was pretty good. I guess this place is known for their seafood but I'm not much of a seafood so I went for the fettuccine alfredo with chicken. Since I am in love with olive gardens I pretty much compare everyone's to theirs. I was really in the mood for pasta with white sauce but this was the only one they offered. My first bite tasted like the smell of gym locker feet..totally disgusting. I took a few bites and that was it. No more for me. My boyfriend ordered the lasagna and when it came out it looked like soup..lasagna is supposed to be layered not looking like straight soup. We barely touched out food and wasn't asked how it tasted. Needless to say we did not ask for boxes and will not be returning. The bread was good though! read more

Aldo's Restaurant - Salad with homemade italian vinaigrette dressing - Italian Near Me - Brooklyn, Ohio

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Great service, amazing food! We were traveling and took a chance based on the reviews here. So glad we stopped.

A well-connected member of our club raved over Aldo's and it took only seconds to see why! This is a smaller restaurant in a strange strip mall but it kind of feels like you sneak back into some VIP only true Italian kitchen. We loved talking to the Chef and servers and the atmosphere is cozy. Everyone ordered something different in our large group and I heard no complaints. I had a special, beef Romano, which was probably one of the most amazing beef dishes I've ever had. Seriously, I am expecting so I made him cook a tenderloin to medium and it was STILL delicious!! My husband had a delicious veal dish and then ordered what I originally wanted, the pistachio gelato and it was SO good! I had the cake dessert and it was okay but I wish I'd stuck to my instincts! Lol Truly impressed with Aldo's. Probably one of the best meals we've had since we moved here. It is not cheap and will be a treat but worth every penny!! read more