Assante Ristorante Italiano — Restaurant in Northampton

Okay, I have lived in this area just about my whole life and never gave this restaurant a second look. Mostly because the exterior is bland and it looks like a pain to access due to the parking lot being right behind the building at an intersection. Well, the other restaurant that I wanted to go to in this town was closed on Tuesdays. I needed an alternate. I didn't want the same old food that I always had from all the other local places. So I said to my beautiful lady, how about this place? She said sure, we can try it. Upon our arrival to the parking lot I was completely unimpressed. I passed this place maybe 5,000 or more times in my life. We walked to the front and I opened the restaurant door. We were immediately greeted by the smell of urinal cakes due to the bathrooms being located between the doors of the entrance and the restaurant. I thought to myself this is not the way to have a restaurant floor plan. It was a turn off. As we waited for seating, I noticed the way the interior was decorated. Definitely not my flavor of what an Italian restaurant should look like. The hostess sat us at a clean table and as we looked over the menus, I couldn't figure out what to get. The descriptions and names of the items were not what you would normally see at a place like this. We ordered appetizers due to me believing the portions were going to be tiny. After we ordered the food we got bread and dipping sauce as part of our meals first. The bread was hot, steamy and succulent with an amazing flavor. And that combined with the dipping sauce made me literally salivate for more. The appetizers were almost just as good. We were almost full when we stopped eating it. We didn't even finish it though it was so fulfilling to the taste buds. I ordered the soup as part of my meal and the waitress assured me that it was made from scratch. It was incredible... From the first sip off the spoon my taste buds were tantalized with with the perfect combination of flavors it was like a seduction to my soul as the soup caressed the inside of my mouth and went into the deepest part of my belly. I let my love taste the soup and she was delighted. She said that's really good. My response was with a uncontrollable giggle of happiness like a kid that got a favorite Christmas present that he was asking for all year. I said it is good, it's really good. I saw the waitress walking with our main dishes and I thought, OMG that better not be our food. The plates were heaping with food. My lovely lady and I ordered the same meals but hers was customized to her liking as per her request. As the waitress placed the plates in front of us, I knew at that time we shouldn't have ordered the appetizers. This was a lot of food. We picked up our forks and started to plan how we were going to attack this mounding pile of food we each had in front of us. From the first bite to the last was like complete pleasure to the mouth body and soul. I couldn't believe that I cheated myself with never trying this place sooner in my life due to my predetermined bias against the outside appearance of the building. My beautiful understanding love of my life said, "never judge a book by its cover". Well, I know she lives by those words, because she is with me even...

You need a reservation. The locals love this place but I fear they don't really get out much. This place does have potential so I recommend you give it a try and come to your own decision. Maybe you'll love it. Are you local? While Handicap accessible it might be hard for someone in a wheel chair. Parking is limited, tight and out back with a hill. It sits on a busy intersection across from a gas station and auto repair shop. Might be better to board up the windows, stop the distraction of beat up cars and broken TT going by and continue the romantic interior. It's like sports bar TV, then again if you dont want to pay attention to your date. Turn away from the windows and you find a romantic, tasteful, cozy low lit restaurant. Service was 5 stars. Tables are nice size. They put paper on top of the linin tablecloth. OK, I get Covid but then why are the menus not disposable? Could we not change the linins The font on the menu will be hard to read in the low light for older people. They also dont bring bread plates. OK we are still at 4 stars. Ordered the seafood crepes to start. Flavorful but half was luke warm. Why? Now I was stuck with a dirty knife and fork and no where to set them as they promptly took away the serving dish and plates they brought to eat. I felt uncivilized sitting there with a knife in one hand and fork in the other pointing up to the ceiling. Next was a salad. Excellent. I ordered Chicken with shrimp. Again, while the food was steaming my first bite was luke warm. Pasta was not drained so you end up with a runny diluted mess of sauce. They did include the shrimp, all two of them. Maybe the kitchen was not having a good night. I will try them again, as I said they have the potential to be a gem but even with covid there are still many choices to spend $60 on a...

Owner totally brushed my pregnant gf and I off while stand near the bar for almost 10 min. Couldn't even be aware of whats happening around her. I had to get her attention and was meet with we're very busy. You could try greeting your new guest but I said no problem. Also I saw there was a party in the other room so I was understanding. We sat down and 2 other family's sat down 10 mins after us placing our appetizers. Those other people got bread and apps before us. And while waiting for a salad and soup we saw the older couple got their main course which was lobster. So they prioritized other people based on if they know them or are regulars. When my main course came out it was switch with the other younger family behind me. At this point we did a lot of waiting and decided to cancel my order and share my gf course with me. Trying to roll with the punches still. I kindly told the chef in "private" to please cancel it because it's getting late. Also have been waiting and watching other get better attention. Didnt say that thou. Instead of her calmly coming over to fix the situation. She thought it was appropriate to shout out who order the ribs!? Bringing unwanted attention and working up a pregnant women. She didn't make us pay which is werid. I wasnt asking for that Can't even listen to what a customer is asking and very inconsiderate. Food was pretty good but absolutely embarrassing service. My favorite part is when my gf ask for a mocktail cause she can't drink. Got huffed at. Didn't think taking an existing drink on the menu and not putting alcohol in it would be such a damper...