Ragazzi Italian Grill

"The trouble with eating Italian food is that 5 or 6 days later you're hungry again."

~ George Miller, British writer

Finally, the pasta monster that lives in me is subdued...for 5 or 6 days anyway.
Debita & I treated ourselves to an Italian lunch today at one of our favorite little Longmont nooks, Ragazzi Italian Grill on Francis St.

It may very well be the best "all purpose" place in town. I've been there with friends & family; it's ideal for anything from first date to business lunch or birthday party. It's quiet but festive, not too big and not too small, the food is excellent, the staff is nice, prices are great, how can you go wrong?
We went for a slightly late lunch, and it wasn't too hopping by then. A few couples, and a few lone lunchers were still there sipping wine and reading.
The bread was waaaarm...it's the kind of bread that makes you wish you were a mouse and could just chew your way through a piece and then curl up in there and have a nice warm nap. And then...THEN you smother it with fresh basil butter. There's almost nothing better. I think the bread and butter are both made there, but I could be mistaken. It's good either way. 

We both got salads with the house Italian dressing. I dump that little cup o' dressing on there. It's so flavorful. It's got that nose tingling vinegar and a hint of sweetness from Italian peppers. I think someone once told me they make their own croutons as well. They are perfectly seasoned to go with the dressing. 
I ordered off the more economically friendly and adequately filling lunch menu-- linguine with pesto, and an Italian cream soda which our waiter was anxious to perfect. Debita got the linguine with tomato basil and meatballs. Her's looked awesome, mine was awesome. I had a nice puddle of pesto in the bottom of my bowl so that I was FORCED to soak it up with the last lonely piece of bread.
All this for us for less than $18! (Excluding tip.) Between the tasty food and pleasant atmosphere it's a hard to beat deal.  

Here's Debita's take on our trip:
Tomato basil sauce & meatballs were lovely, linguine pasta wasn't homemade--was hoping it would be. Italian bread was very good, nice and dense like Italian bread should be.
Tried a sip of Kath's Italian soda- DIVINE! I will be trying that next time.
Blondy waiter was cute and very attentive. This is one of my favorite small restaurants to go to.

(*They SAY their pasta is homemade...Deb didn't think so and I don't claim to be able to tell the difference, so for now it's a Blogmont mystery.)

Usually they play all of my favorite music while I'm there but that day was a bit more modern, maybe it's more lunch appropriate? But the friendly waiter ("Tall Guy") made up for my lack of Sinatra that day.

They offer delivery, catering, and take out. They are also now serving brunch! I can't wait to try it! They also have gluten-free pasta available; hopefully mom can give up a review of that when she gets a chance to try it out.
Check out their menus at:
www.ragazzigrill.com

PS- I promise I'll try to remember my REAL camera one of these days instead of using my phone. I know the pictures are terrible.