Day 20: Nino’s Italian Restaurant – Signal Mountain

The place you go to meet friends and get good Italian fare!

Located on the front of Signal Mountain, just a 2 mile climb…Nino’s Italian Restaurant, formerly The Pastaria, is a very casual family restaurant. Many times you will see someone you know or make new friends.

The ambiance is checkered table clothes and noisy when busy. While some say the service and food is “hit or miss”, I have always been pleased.

With each dish cooked to order using authentic Italian meats, cheeses and herbs you can’t go wrong.

A few of my favorites are the Tonno al Pomodoro (Red Tuna), I always ask for peas, Asparagi (eggs and asparagus in pasta), and roasted red peppers served with crackers. Today the ice cream freezer was down and the dessert choice was either Tiramisu or Chocolate Mousse.

Whenever the weather and temperature is comfortable we choose to sit outside and this early evening was perfect.

Nino’s offers a good selection of wines and bottled beers but today we carried in our own wine. Don’t ask me to explain the TN law of how or why but we love the option of bringing our own!

Amanda our server was very good and tolerant of us taking our time.  Jake ordered the Penne Gratatina which is a flavorful dish with fresh tomatoes, onions, roasted peppers and parmesan cheese. Priscilla ordered Arrabiata (3 out of 5 on the chili scale), Danielle the Asparagi, Patrice the large salad with grilled salmon and I had the Asparagi with grilled salmon.

All meals are served with a romaine lettuce salad, house dressing on the side and fresh baked bread with whipped butter.

Good Italian food Sicilian style, nice salads, decent wine list, good pizza, attentive service, convenient to Old Town. The only downside is the noise level (tile floors, busy place) and there is often a wait due to the small dining room.

Bon Appetit
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