Anna's — Restaurant in Vandergrift

If you book a private dinner at Anna's, be prepared to pay a high price for terrible food and even worse service. I am not one to carelessly rate places with a single star, but I'd give Anna's zero if possible.

My mother-in-law submitted a deposit to have our rehearsal dinner at Anna's about 6 months in advance of the occasion. Shortly before the event, Anna's informed her the prices increased and they'd be charging an extra fee per plate, leaving my mother-in-law to have to argue to keep the rate they had contractually agreed to.

When we arrived at Anna's after rehearsal, they were not prepared for us and absolutely no employees were available in the private dining area. All the guests settled into seats as my mother-in-law hunted down and dragged three high chairs for the babies, even though Anna's was aware they'd need the high chairs in advance. Once the solo server arrived, she promptly scolded guests who chose to sit in certain seats. An entire table of guests did not have silverware or appropriate dining materials.

Several of us wanted wine and were told to go downstairs to the bar. We were met with equally obnoxious service at the bar, where we shelled out $40 for a $6 bottle of wine, only to have it tossed at us uncorked. When my sister asked for two cans of soda (at $2 a piece), she was handed warm cans and glasses with 50% water and 50% ice. When I pointed out that the glasses were full of water, she finally went back and grabbed cold cans.

The food reminded me of elementary school cafeteria food. The bread was cold and unappealing. The salad was composed of iceberg lettuce, yellowing tomatoes and gooey dressing. The chicken was dry and inedible. The pasta was pasta (really, who can mess that up?) and the meatballs were okay.

Our experience at Anna's was so terrible that no one could actually relax and enjoy the company of the family and friends who gathered. I highly recommend not...

I stopped by here on a recommendation and left full, deeply satisfied, and planning what to try on my next visit.

I do not eat Italian food very often, so if you're looking for information on how Anna's stacks up against other Italian fare, this is not the review for you.

What I do know is that I LOVE Italian Wedding Soup and that the homemade bowl I ate at Anna's was everything I never knew I was missing - the broth was BROTH, like my mother makes with bones and meat and vegetables and someone with a spoon skimming the top. I didn't suffer from the salty film that coats my mouth after eating most Wedding Soup, and the little meatballs were bright little points of flavor.

The Braciola I had as an entree was an introduction to a whole new world of beef preparation for me. The thin, thin slices were tender, melty, and happily aromatic. I will definitely try to make this at home and know it will most likely be an over-cooked, crumbly effort. Good thing I know where to get a scrumptious one.

The restaurant feels personal without being awkward and my waitress was attentive and pleasant to speak with.

Will be taking the SO there...

This may be the best, authentic Italian food outside of Italy. Gnocchi is homemade and delightful. The sauce was something my grandmother would have made, not the least bit sour as in some restaurants. Clearly this sauce wasn't sitting around, re-heated several days until gone. Gnocchi came with a meatball that was actually meat- not just breadcrumbs.

My wife had lasagna and it too was wonderful. Rather than a layer of ground beef, it was filled with tiny meatballs. What a nice touch.

The house Chianti was very nice and very reasonably priced.

The waitress, Debbie, could not have been nicer. She was attentive but not smothering. She sure earned a tip for quality service.

The only thing that surprised me a bit was the wedding soup. Although very good, it contained no pasta noodles, like a nice pastina.

Not only will we go back (and it's an hour and a half drive from where we live), but we will bring friends who love great food.

VERY HIGHLY recommend you treat yourself to this...