Bites Nearby: Bringing Together American and Italian Cuisine

Having difficulties deciding where to grab a bite to eat in Wauwatosa? Don't know where to turn for a good sandwich, a scrumptious Italian dish or a fantastic fish fry? That's where Patch comes in? Each week, the Wauwatosa Patch finds a great restaurant nearby that's worth checking out. Here is this week's pick:

No matter whether you are eating a meal in the classic-style 250-seat dining room or in the spacious 180-seat banquet facilities made for large group gatherings, Maggiano;s Little Italy at Mayfair Mall specializes in creating lavish portions of authentic southern Italian cuisine served family-style. They also have a large bar area for relaxing and enjoying a beverage.

The family-style menu is large and varied, offering a large selection of homemade pastas, signature salads, prime steaks, fresh fish and memorable desserts. They also have menus for kids, lunch, and carryout and delivery.

For lunch, the restaurant creates from scratch Crab and Shrimp Tropheo (a combination of hand twisted pasta, grape tomatoes, zucchini and lemon garlic sauce). If that doesn't make your mouth water, then try Chef KBs Lobster Carbonara, which is spaghetti, lobster, smoked bacon, snap peas and garlic cream sauce. Besides creating specialty lunch dishes, the chef can make delicious hot sandwiches such as a chicken pesto or an Italian sausage sandwich.

If you can't make it to the restaurant until the dinner hour...don't despair...Maggiano's chefs will make their popular Rigatoni D, Chicken Parmesan, Pepperoni and Arugula Flatbread, Taylor Street Baked Zita or Mom's Lasagna.

For large family gatherings, the restaurant will serve menu selections family-style, or you have the option to buy one classic dinner item and receive another classic dinner item for free before you leave the building.

Don't forget to register on Maggiano;s Web site, www.maggianos.com, and have the ability to make reservations and place orders. They also offer gift cards for purchase.

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Address: 2500 N. Mayfair Rd., Wauwatosa

Phone: 414-978-1000 or 414-978-1010 (Place carryout/delivery orders)

Web site: www.maggianos.com

Hours of Operation: Mon – Thu, 11:15am - 10pm, Fri – Sat, 11:15am – 11pm, Sun, 12 - 9pm