Leonardo's Italian Restaurant Review

I have been without my day planer for a week now. If you recall I had left it at the consignment store I visited last week. The store owner was kind enough to telephone me and let me know that she had it. With gas the price it is, I waited for an opportunity to make my trip back worthwhile. Yesterday was the day. My mother and I (with Smooth and Sledge, who was feeling puny) in tow, made the trip back. When we arrived, I was shocked at the numerous new items that the store had received in just a week. It seems that there is a pretty quick turnover rate there. Mom needed to pay for the mirror that the lady had allowed her to take to my sister in law to decide if she wanted to use it. I had paid for my rug last week, but the lady said she would hold my check until I was sure that I wanted to keep it. I was and duly told her so. I saw some pretties that I would have loved to given a good home to but I fought the temptation and left the store empty handed.
Afterwards, the kids were complaining of being hungry. We crossed the street to eat at Leonardo's Italian Restaurant.

I had never eaten there, but my mother had and had told me that it was good and I had also heard the same from others. We were seated immediately. Shortley after our orderes were taken.

While we waited for our lunch to be served the kids became quite intested in two large groups of women dining. One was a purple hat group and the other was of the same nature. My children had never seen "purple hat ladies" and found it to be quite interesting. Though they couldn't quite grasp the point of it all. It was entertaining to watch the kids taking it all in as if they were a circus sideshow.

Before long our meals arrived. J Smooth only ordered a side salad ($4.99).

I also got a side salad but I added Gorgonzola cheese to mine (same price). There are two house dressings available, a red wine vinegar dressing and the other a peppercorn house. I opted for a both to be served on the side so that I could sample each. I was so glad that I did. I loved both. My mom and Smooth also sampled both and they preferred the peppercorn ranch. I however, leaned towards the red wine vinegar dressing. We all agreed the salads were delicious and big in size. The side salad consisted of lettuce, tomatoes (fresh from the vine-very red), black olives, Greek Peppers and red onions.

Sledge ordered fettucini Alfredo. It was not listed on the menu, as were any kids meals. I asked the waitress if they had a kids menu. She said that they did but asked if Sledge wanted the kids fettucini. Sledge answered yes. She was happy, after not seeing it listed. Sledge said that her fettucini was good, but she didn't eat much, for feeling under the weather.

Mom ordered a 6 inch veggie pizza (8.99). To her surprise the pizza also came with a side salad. My mother's 6 inch pizza looked more on the said of a 10 inch than a six. The vegetables on top were generous.

I tried a bite of hers and found it to be very good. But the lunch time show stealer was the homemade yeast garlic rolls, served in a garlic butter dipping sauce that puddled under them.

I know, so bad for you but yet so good. I was naughty and had one. I enjoyed every single bite of it too. Smooth had three! When the check arrived I was a bit surprised at the total-$39.15 . Upon investigation of the bill, I realized that Sledge's meal-the kids size (and it stated it on the menu) was $8.99! For a kids meal! At lunch! I should have asked to see the kids meal. My bad. Next time I will remember. Our soft drinks alone were $1.99 times for a total of $7.96. Yes!!!!!Which is exactly why I rarely drink soft drinks anymore, especially when we go out to eat. I do not know why I did. Again, next time I will not.
All in all, I enjoyed my meal at Leonardo's.

Though it wasn't as nice in it's interior as I expected it to be, the meal made up for it. I love a mom and pop restaurant, and this "Mom and Pop" certainly know how to cook Italiano. The food, Deliciouso!

Leonardo's Italian Restaurant
2520 Rocky Ridge Road
Birmingham, Alabama 35243
979-6996