Wednesday, April 16, 2003

Country Italian food finds a home in Fayette

By F.C. FOODIE
Food Critic

For months, as residents drove to the Fayette Pavilion for their shopping needs, they watched a new restaurant take shape on Ga. Highway 85.

The sign said Johnny Carino's Country Italian, and speculation ran rampant as to what this addition would mean to Fayette's foodies.

The restaurant has been open for about two months, and I can report the food is fairly good. Although I normally eschew chain restaurant food, Johnny Carino's is good enough to make this son of an Italian mother head back for seconds.

I like the look of the restaurant. The stone walls add warmth and mismatched chairs offer an element of funkiness.

I also like open kitchens and enjoy the experience of seeing chefs at work.

On two visits, I sampled different items off the menu. The chicken Caesar salad sandwich is a great lunchtime choice, and really is enough food for two people.

Dinner entrees range from traditional items, such as lasagna, but also feature a Tuscan ribeye.

By all means, save room for dessert. My personal fave is the Italian chocolate cake.

Johnny Carino's is a good choice for families, and residents seeking a nice evening out on the town.

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