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Avicolli's
Sometimes the best kept secrets are right under our noses. How many times have I traveled down route 57 in Liverpool and looked over at Avicolli’s, never making that turn into their driveway to investigate what’s inside and experience their cuisine. HYPERLINK "http://www.melodymanor.com/default.htm" Avicollli’s is a beautiful restaurant, well manicured, with an oversized parking lot and attractive exterior. The façade walls are mustard colored with a bright red awning with brick pavers that create a nice outside patio for several outdoor tables where you can bring your meal outside to enjoy the warmer days. Inside you find an interesting layout. One half is a full service restaurant with a bar and table service, the other half is a casual counter-service pizzeria. In the pizzeria there are several pizzas on display, along with pinwheels and desserts to choose from. Some scrumptious-looking pizza selections include: Veggie, Tomato Pie, Garlic, Pasta, and of course Cheese, Pepperoni or Sausage. All of the pizza’s here are hand tossed and stone baked, made only with fresh ingredients. You can order any meal in the pizzeria to eat in or out on the patio, and a recent innovation includes frozen meals to go. This is a great feature for pleasing the entire family! Just stop in and purchase anything to go or select a frozen entree to take home and reheat when you’re ready for some great Italian eats! Avicolli’s also sells a variety of its home made sauces, salad dressings, vinegars, wing sauces and olive oil. How many times have you enjoyed something so much at a restaurant and wish you could enjoy it at home as well. Now you can. We were pleased to find the lateness of the hour when we visited created a little lull in the typically busy traffic – so we had plenty of time to spend with Anthony Fiacchi, the general manager, who told us with a smile that he’s been in the restaurant business “forever.” He explained that this Avicolli’s restaurant was established in 2003, and owned by Avicolli’s founder, Nick Avicolli. We relaxed and ordered a round of beverages. The formal dining room is spacious, tables well positioned under wonderful soft lighting. Nice touches, truly classic Italian, but not overdone. The pizzeria side is predictably brighter and more informal, though we did learn that diners can order anything on either menu, regardless of where they wish to sit – the only difference being that on the pizzeria side, customers will pick up their dinners at the counter. This is an ideal solution to the problem of taking the little ones out to eat – parents can order a drink and an elegant meal, but enjoy it in a more casual atmosphere while the kids eat pizza! The chefs decide what the Daily specials are for the day and Anthony adds them to the menu in Italian, and describes them in English. The bar has Happy Hour everyday from 4 to 7 pm that includes drink specials and hand-tossed fresh hot pizza. One of the many favorites ordered daily are the Française dishes, in your choice of Chicken or Veal. Tender veal or chicken are dipped in an egg batter and simmered in butter, lemon and white wine. ($13.95 for chicken; $15.95 for veal). Another very popular dish is the chicken Marsala. Tender boneless chicken breast sautéed in Marsala wine sauce with mushrooms ($13.95). Avicolli’s prides itself on using only the freshest, quality ingredients and serving comfortably large portions complete with fresh grated parmesan cheese. We were offered a selection of desserts, and we chose a slice of tiramisu. The waiters will offer you a selection of desserts at the end of your meal that include tiramisu, canollis or a New York cheesecake. If you want to take a peek at them they are beautifully displayed in the dessert case located on the pizzeria side of the restaurant. And if it’s a beautiful evening, you could take your dessert out to the outside patio and enjoy eating it under the stars! Thanks to our delightful visit, Avicolli’s is a secret no more! Stop in and visit and discover this Central New York treasure for yourself!
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