It’s only natural, considering the restaurant’s reputation as a down-to-earth eatery complete with Italian hospitality. With friendly service, an elegant setting, and scrumptious, Old-World classics on the menu, it’s easy to see why patrons keep coming back for more.
Take a seat in the circular dining area, surrounded by a Roman-style balustrade, where soft lighting and candlelight add to the warm atmosphere. Settling in at your table with a glass of red wine, you realize how much the restaurant feels like a charming, Tuscan-style villa, complete with terracotta-colored walls and a wrought-iron chandelier in the middle of the room.
Take your time perusing the menu, which includes everything from appetizers to pasta and pizza. Can’t decide what to choose first? The sampler plate is a good start, with bruschetta, mozzarella sticks, caprese salad and prosciutto-wrapped melon slices. The fried calamari with Sicilian spices will really kick your tastebuds into high gear too.
For the main course, try the Pollo alla Marsala, chicken breast glazed in a marsala wine-mushroom sauce with rice pilaf and vegetables. The Vitello Milanese, a breaded and deep-fried veal scaloppini in lemon sauce served with meat and spinach ravioli Bolognese, is another great choice. The veal is brought in three times a week to ensure freshness and then tenderized to perfection. Whatever your menu choice, come with a big appetite—you’ll need it to accommodate Vito’s generous portions.
What’s a hearty Italian meal without dessert? End your experience on a sweet note with the to-die-for tiramisu or crème brulée, topped with berries. Afterward, cozy up to the full bar for post-dinner drinks.
The next time you’re in the neighborhood, stop in at the Trattoria or head to the adjoining Vito’s Sports Cafe, with its red-and-white checked tablecloths, an impressive collection of autographed rock n’ roll memorabilia and three 42-inch plasma screens, to grab a slice of New York-style pizza. No matter which Vito’s you visit, you can bet you’ll feel right at home. —Stephanie Soong
Lunch: Mon-Fri, 11-2:30
Dinner: Mon-Fri, 4:30-9:30; Sat, 5-9:3
Cafe: Mon-Fri, 11-2; also available for private dining.
Location:
90 Skyport Dr., San Jose
Info/Reservations:
408/453-1000
www.myvitos.com
When you walk into Vito’s New York Trattoria, don’t be surprised if George, the affable owner and manager, greets you with open arms—and later stops by your table to chat you up.