Amalfi — Restaurant in Roswell

I was introduced to Amalfi a few years ago after a friend wrote this, and I think it bears repeating. Im Italian and usually dont like anything as much as my grandmothers. They came prettty darn close.

"We had such an overall wonderful experience at Amalfi that it prompted me to write what is more of a story than a review. I want to share the experience because you’ll want to go too!

Named after the stunningly beautiful and rugged coastline just south of Naples, the Amalfi restaurant is just as much of a jewel, but located in Roswell. Like so many restaurants with strip plaza fronts, it is deceiving from the outside. Inside is a warm, inviting space with white linen covered tables.

It felt like a quintessential northeast Italian-American family spot.The food was served in classic Italian-American style .

As we walked in, we were welcomed by the hostess. We ordered drinks at the bar while waiting for our table. My prosecco came from a freshly opened bottle and was a generous pour . My friend then expressed her regret at not having also ordered prosecco, and the barkeep immediately replaced her first choice with a glass of it. Whether she wanted it or not.

We were shown to a table in the back room, which we had to ourselves, listening to Frank crooning in the background. The table was a perfect size for our party – plenty of elbow room, yet close enough for easy conversation. Our server brought out a plate of complimentary bruschetta, generously topped with fresh diced tomatoes.

Starters included a fresh-made, very delicate burrata and heirloom cherry tomatoes over arugula with aged balsamic; a Caesar salad presented in classic style (whole romaine hearts with shaved parmesan curls and whole anchovies with house-made dressing – yes, I know it’s not Italian, but it was so good!), and fried calamari prepared two ways. One of them was Anna’s Famous Calamari Luciana - delicately fried squid rings sautéed with bell peppers, onions, tossed in “Anna’s special sauce” I was not expecting it to be so delicious. Their single meatball contorni is truly the size of a baseball, perfectly coated with a smooth as silk marinara sauce.

Entrées were very quickly dispatched, perfectly timed to follow our starters: eggplant parmesan made with thick slices and the same marinara; fettuccine alla Boscaiola, tossed with ham and mushrooms in a fresh tomato cream sauce; salmone alla Sorrentina, broiled with jumbo shrimp, capers and a garlic lemon sauce; and a nightly special of veal scallopine sautéed with fresh artichoke hearts, capers, and olives with a bit of melted fontina True to this cuisine, all dishes were served with a side of capellini with a light touch of sauce. Everything was delicious, just as one would expect in a good Italian kitchen in the Northeast (US).

We ordered a single dessert to share, an almost cloud-light panna cotta covered with mixed berries that had been lightly cooked to bring out their bold flavors. Along with a couple of house-made limoncellos (mostly shared), it was a perfect ending to a deliciously comforting and entirely convivial meal.

At the end of the evening, Chef Anna Avino "Mamma", came out to talk to us. She is actually a first generation transplant from Napoli – not the surrounding environs, a real city girl. She was proud and confident of her food, for very good reasons. She enthusiastically described many of her other specialties, clearly passionate about her craft.

Happily sated, we walked out the door, only to be followed by one of the waiters. As he gave each one of us women a hug, the men a firm handshake, he said, “no one leaves before we shake the men and squeeze the ladies”. Charmingly classic Italian bravata – we loved it.

Frankly, we did not expect to enjoy it as much as we did. While there are thousands of Italian-American restaurants up and down northeast corridor, many are not very good, so one approaches places like this with a bit of cynicism, especially being far from “home”. But the entire evening was so enjoyable that we have all promised to...

After arriving at 7PM on a Monday night in a group of 3, we spoke with a young woman at the host stand about sitting at the bar while we waited for the rest of our party to get a table. We knew of their policy requiring all members of a party to be present before seating and were fine with getting drinks until then. While speaking with the host, a man hurried up to us (based on a picture from the restaurant website, his name is Salvatore Mattiello-wine specialist) and we reiterated to him that we were fine with getting drinks at the bar for the time being. I immediately noticed his demeanor to be slightly standoffish but I thought little of it at the time.

After getting situated at the bar, I left for the restroom. When I returned Salvatore was tending bar and there was an ongoing dispute. Salvatore had apparently asked for ID from both of my companions (sisters) and when the older sister (28 y/o) produced hers, he claimed that the person in the photo was not her. She proceeded to show him another ID (one with her maiden name and the other with her assumed name after marriage) and a gun license issued in Georgia. She also showed debit/credit cards with corresponding names. Salvatore continued to refuse service based on the belief that none of the IDs presented belong to/look like her.

I admit, she did not react well to his refusal but at no point did she show him disrespect by raising her voice or making a scene. Salvatore on the other hand eventually became hostile and refused to let my companion speak uninterrupted. I watched as the patrons seated near us grew visibly alarmed at his quarrelsomeness despite the ambient music and surrounding chatter.

After requesting a reason for refusal, he indicated that his suspicions were based on her HAIR and GLASSES. He specifically stated that he did not recognize her in any of the three IDs presented because they showed a woman with straight hair and no glasses. In person, her hair was the same color but curly and she was wearing glasses. At this, she gathered her belongings and left to contact the rest of our party and let them know we would need to make other arrangements.

I would typically refrain from questioning a bartender’s right to refuse service when harboring reservations about an ID and I was more than willing to accept his refusal at face value if not for the bewildering rational offered. I had been silent up until this point as I was struggling to process his words and the spectacle he was making of himself in his own place of business. I proceeded to try and calm him down so we could have a civil conversation but he repeatedly cut me off mid-sentence to rant about how he could lose his liquor license. This continued until he eventually ranted himself out of breath and I took the opportunity to ask again that he calm down and hear me out.

After getting him to agree to not interrupt, I asked him if he thought that her face or any other features seemed off compared to her ID. He confirmed that his suspicions were solely based on her hair and glasses. I followed up by asking if he planned on refusing service to every patron looking to give them business if the person in question has a new hairstyle or was newly prescribed glasses since their license was last issued. He ignored the question and resumed his rantings about liquor licensing rules. Seeing no point in pressing the issue further, my remaining companion and I left.

This was an unpleasant experience to say the least. It was my second time visiting the establishment and my first visit was enjoyable. Salvatore claimed to be a co-owner of the restaurant. If this is true I hope that his Co-owner(s) are made aware of the lack of professionalism and courtesy shown to us. To the best of my knowledge we were the only people of color in the restaurant (I am African American and my companions were Latin American). I typically give people the benefit of the doubt before assuming discriminatory practices but I can’t help but wonder why we were singled out in such a manner and...

It was one of the most disappointing experience. When my husband, son and I arrived early and waited at the bar. First we sat and waited about 10 minutes for the bartender to even acknowledge us because he was chatting with other customers. When he finally acknowledged us I asked if there were any specialty drinks he could recommend. He just look at me and said this is what we have an just pointed to all the liquor bottles. I had an apple martini at my first visit. So I asked for one of those. He made and as he was shaking it he dumped by accident. When he made me a new one it was not right it had no “green” to it. I didn’t say anything. Then my friend showed up and she asked for an apple martini as well. She is request for a little less sours. My sister and husband arrived and we were taken to our table.

We ordered three appetizers and given bread. The waiter was not over friendly and you thought it was a bother for us to be there.

We ordered our meals and my sister and son both wanted the eggplant parmigiana. The waiter stated there was only one order left. So my sister ordered it and my son ordered something else.

While waiting my friend ordered another apple martini and when she got her drink which again had no “green” to it. It was very cloudy and she tried it and it didn’t taste right. I also ordered another martini as well and it looked some what green. My friend did say something to the waiter about her drink. He took it and then the bartender came directly to our table and confronted my friend. He said what is wrong with your drink. She said it doesn’t taste like an apple martini. He said well you asked for extra sours and she says no I asked for less and he continued to argue. He did make another drink but I will tell you that I don’t know what he out in it but it was not right. I even tried it.

Then our food came. It was okay. My sister is not to complain or send things back and that is why she didn’t. But the eggplant was mushy and very watery and was awful. I will be honest the entire meal was just subpar. My husband had brought a cake for my birthday and did ask the waiter if he could bring it in. And again it was a bother for them yo bring us plates. Our bill without tip was over $300. I have no problem paying any amount of money as long as the drinks, food and service are good.

I was very disappointed and it did dampen the mood of my birthday. The way everything was handled was just unprofessional!! I did not want to leave a negative review on google because I feel going directly to the source is much better. I will say I will think twice before I choose your restaurant for a celebration.

Very...