Over the past week I have had the pleasure to experience not one but two unique eating establishments with excellent food offerings. They both share the Italian theme, if Pizza can be considered Italian.
This adventure begins with dinner last Wednesday night at Yarusso’s. This is St. Paul’s oldest family-owned Italian Restaurant, and a mighty cool place none-the-less. There are pictures on the wall, the God Father playing 24×7, and one hell of a family feeling. I just happened to know the bartender working so that made it even more like home. Who cares about the bartender, what you really want to know is how the food was. It was delicious. I had a HUGH plate of pasta, smothered in their “unique” sauce (more on that in a moment), covered with cheese and two hand-made meatballs. Delicious. Now about the sauce… the most unique red-sauce I have ever had. Nothing like you have ever had. I can’t really put my finger on it maybe cinnamon, maybe nutmeg - there is this flavor to it that one must truly taste to appreciate. The next time you are down in the St Paul area looking for a bite, definitely check out Yarusso’s. If Tony is working, tell him Kevin sent you. (I have no clout there but my friend does so I give him the credit) - Thanks Keco for the experience.
Now, if you are in Madison looking for a late night snack or just some good pizza, Ian’s Pizza is the place. I walked in to this place at 1am, everyone in there was drunk and the pizza selection was limitless. I had the Chicken Cordon Bleu (Virgina Ham, Breaded Chicken and Bleu Cheese) and it ROCKED!!! I want to go back to have their signature Macaroni and Cheese pizza. It’s no Frankie’s, but definitely top in its class. Thank you kigis for the experience, and for telling me the name of this place 8 times. I want some of this RIGHT NOW!!, almost worth the 6.5 hour drive - but they would be closed when I arrived.
September 27, 2006 at 10:47
Hey man, Thanks again for making it down. (Sorry we didn’t make it down to Ian’s for the Mac n’ Cheese pizza.) I was honored to be involved in the 10 day bagaki tour leading up to 10/10/06. I had a great time and I hope everyone involved did as well. See you at Mr. W’s big day here in less than a month.