We had occasion to catch an early dinner at Mike's Italian Kitchen in Knightdale recently. I am not totally crazy about restaurants in shopping centers, especially when it follows a failed pizza place. But we were pleasantly surprised by the meal and we felt we actually got to dine in Eastern Wake County, a rarity.

Brothers Mike and Gino Pascarella, formerly of Italy, put together what looks like a great menu, serving authentic old world cuisine tempered with a few Anglo favorites like pizza.

We started with a really fresh salad drenched in homemade ranch and the brothers are also noted for homemade Italian dressing; good stuff! We opted for our favorite, veal parmigiana, which was tasty and tender and well complimented by an original tasting sauce. I don't really care for the penne pasta but I could have had it replaced with linguini or spaghetti noodles and next time I will.

The bread is homemade and very good, but you may have to ask for it hot. There was no consideration for dessert but they sounded sinful.

The Pascarella Brothers seem to be serious in their intent to provide authentic, reasonably price Italian dishes and they have paid close attention to service as the wait staff is very attentive. If there's an area lacking, there's not much décor or the decoration stage of the restaurant is still in its infancy.

But the food is the first consideration. I miss the days of eating in the kitchen with the boys in Raleigh's Casa Nicola. But hey, forgetaboutit, the Pascarella Brothers are now in Eastern Wake and for now, I'm a gonna giva dem de bizness.