(avantipizzapasta.com) – Lynnwood
How I heard of this place: Through the Entertainment book. We were looking for a place to grab either pizza or a burger after the 4-hour Jet City Roller Girls Bout extravaganza at the Edmonds Community College. We wanted something close to where we were and in the Entertainment book.
Type of cuisine: Italian at first look. Then we began to notice other options on the menu, including Greek food, hot wings, a cobb salad, and a “Mexican dish”, among other things.
Ambiance: Small space, cozy seating either at one of three booths or one of about six tables. Dine in or take-away options available, though with no one else there, it seemed most would opt for the delivery or take-away.
What I ordered: When we first sat down, I was thinking of getting an individual-sized pizza, but then saw the calzone and was more interested in that. I ordered a calzone ($9.50) with mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses (I substituted Parmesan for ricotta), and my choice of two toppings was pepperoni and mushroom. My dining companion was in a pasta mood and took the recommendation of the waitress between the fettuccini di mare ($12.95) with jumbo shrimp, mushrooms, diced tomatoes, and basil in garlic lemon sauce and the tortelini special ($11.25) which included cheese-filled tortellini served with smoked ham and garden peas in a garlic lemon cream sauce. He chose the first of the two, which also came with two slices of garlic bread.
What I loved: I actually really enjoyed the calzone. The crust was stuffed, shaped and baked to order, beautifully cut for presentation and baking purposes. It was served alongside some iceberg lettuce and two peperoncini. The gooey, melted cheese, the crisp outer crust with soft, warm bread inside, the spicy pepperoni and the soft, chopped mushrooms were the perfect combination of flavors, textures and overall taste! The small bite of pasta I sampled was also delicious. The sauce having a very obvious garlic flavor, creamy, yet not overwhelmingly so. In fact, the sauce was more watery than dense, with noodles and fresh basil and tomato swimming in it rather than being completely coated by it.
Why I loved it: I love that I was completely surprised by the place! Initially, driving up to an empty restaurant and seeing someone get into their car, leaving empty-handed, I was skeptical. Seeing a menu with a variety of flavor options and cuisines from around the world. The food took time to be delivered to our table which gave the impression of it having been prepared specifically for us – to order, to taste. (I know mine was, since I asked for very specific ingredients.) I came to find that the one who left empty-handed upon our entry was the delivery guy, who had just left with directions to the home that placed the order. The food, despite an empty restaurant, was satisfying, delicious and exactly what I had in mind.
Cost: Average ($10-$13 per entree, including small, personal pizzas)