nate-dining out/in

so...on the demerits of a much better, but bum ankle, and the weariness of the past 4 months of work, conference prep, family matters, holidays, and the actual conference, i decided to stay in on New Year's Eve. there were multiple great parties to choose from, and friends in from out of town that i missed seeing, but after another long night of sleep last night, my body, mind, and soul are grateful for the rest and relaxation.

i had a kitchen full of macaroni and cheese, soup, and other tidbits, but i thought i might treat myself to a nice dinner ordered in. i went to delivery.com, which is where i usually go for chinese food when i do order out. while perusing who might actually be delivering on NYE, i found La Gondola restaurant. i ride the bus past this place all the time...it's pretty unassuming. i mean, it looks like a place i'd like, but i didn't expect a culinary delight to come out of it.

here's what i ordered.

Calamari Ripieni Alla Griglia

whole calamari stuffed with our own italian breading, olive oil, chopped garlic ,butter mixture and baked to perfection, served with sautéed broccoli.

this was one of the more delicious seafood dinners i've ever had. the calamari was tender, with no rubbery feeling when cutting or chewing. the breading was almost like a stuffing or dressing you might find with turkey, but light and fluffy. and there was so much calamari in the dinner it could easily have been dinner for two. i ate half for my dinner, and the rest for lunch the next day.

i did a little research on this restaurant and found it to be the best rated italian restaurant in the city...better than Italian Village, Rosebud, and the rest of the Little Italy authentic places. i have no experience with their pasta, but this meal was excellent...one of those meals where one pauses after the first bite, and then slowly savors each following bite.

the meal was $15 but it was easily as much calamari as 2-3 calamari appetizers in any other restaurant, so the value was quite good.
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i can't speak to the ambiance of the actual restaurant, although it looks nice from the outside. however, if the food is any indication, i'd have to recommend La Gondola as an wonderful option for a date night, or celebration dinner, or even a night out with friends.

La Gondola is at 2914 N Ashland, between Diversey and Belmont, on the west side of the street in the Jewel shopping center strip mall. give it a shot...see what you think.