Maggiano's: Big Italian chain preserves small restaurant feel

"Get your stomachs ready." This proved to be a valuable warning from a server at Maggiano's Little Italy restaurant.

Maggiano's, located at 12th and Filbert streets, features traditional Southern Italian cuisine, in quantities that would satisfy the whole of Southern Italy.

Maggiano's is a big restaurant, seating around 220 according to one server, but still preserves the comfortable feel of a small establishment.

The crimson color scheme of the main dining room creates a sense of warmth, the chandeliers an aura of elegance. Judging from the noise level, however, it is clear that Maggiano's tends to attract a lighthearted crowd.

The food strategy at Maggiano's caters to those looking for family-style dining, with entrees feeding parties of four to five people.

The dining room setup is also conducive for large parties, with one long rectangular table in the center of the room.

Despite catering to large groups, it was evident that Maggiano's also keeps small parties in mind, as waiters and waitresses were eager to box up leftovers in Maggiano's insignia doggie bags.

My guest and I began our meal with Barb's spinach and artichoke al forno ($7.95). Made from artichoke hearts, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes and asiago cheese baked with alfredo sauce, the dip was served warm with crispy foccacia bread.

A special of the evening, the Italian dumpling soup ($1.95 for a cup, $3.95 for a bowl) tasted of ricotta-stuffed gnocchi and boiled vegetables that floated in a salty broth.

Maggiano's has mastered the Caesar salad dressing to lettuce ratio. Appropriately sardine-flavored, the dressing neither overpowered the dish nor left the hearts of romaine lettuce uncoated. The Caesar salad ($5.95 for a half order, $9.95 for a whole), topped with garlic croutons and shaved parmesan cheese, was refreshing.

For main courses, my guest and I ordered the seafood Newburg special ($13.95) and the mostaccioli, eggplant marinara ($10.95 for a half order, $13.95 for a regular order).

Mussels, shrimp, calamari and salmon -- which my guest described as "fresh, juicy and flavorful" -- covered a bed of al dente linguine.

The mostaccioli pasta and pieces of eggplant were complemented by the marinara sauce. The sauce itself was neither unique nor bland, but strong enough to undercut the subtle flavors of the eggplant.

The dish is considered one of Maggiano's most renowned offerings, in addition to their linguine with chicken, pesto and pine nuts; lasagna; chicken parmesan and medallions of beef with Portobella mushrooms and garlic mashed potatoes.

Feeling obligated, we requested an order of the parmesan garlic bread ($2.95). Our order arrived late, just as we were taking the last few bites of the entrees, but the warm, garlicky bread compensated for the ordering delay. Particularly interesting was the crispy parmesan garlic top and soft underbelly.

Dessert options all sounded deliciously enticing, and included chocolate zuccotto cake, warm apple crostada, tiramisu and Maggiano's signature spumoni.

Stomachs already stretching from the meal, we chose toasted Nonna's pound cake ($5.95) to share. A piece of crusty pound cake, topped with vanilla ice cream and shavings of chocolate, with caramelized halved bananas on the side, all in a puddle of warm chocolate sauce, the dish was the only we were able to finish completely, even after consuming the previous courses.

In addition to the regular menu, Maggiano's also offers a pared-down family-style selection where patrons can choose two appetizers, two salads, two pasta dishes, two main courses, two vegetables and two desserts for $22.95 a person.

Menu items are available for take-out and delivery is available in a certain radius.

The facility is equipped with three banquet rooms that can collectively seat up to 160 people.

The restaurant also features a take-out bakery offering a variety of breakfast options, soups, salads, sandwiches and paninis not available on the regular restaurant menu.

The Philadelphia Maggiano's is part of a national franchise founded in 1991, with the flagship restaurant located in Chicago. The enterprise has now spread to 14 states.

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