Restaurant: Sal’s Caffe Italia
Location: 221 East Main Street
Cuisine: Italian
Located on the Downtown Mall right beside the Paramount Theater, Sal's is ideal for a low-key night out on the town. But only if you want a good Italian dish.
The restaurant itself was charming. More on the dimly-lit side of the spectrum, the environment was upscale while still maintaining a cozy feel. I chose to sit in the small outdoor area, as the restaurant's central location on the Downtown Mall offers a great opportunity for people-watching.
Choosing between the various options was tricky. The appetizers particularly looked delicious, from fried ravioli to a dish called "French Fry Misto" with melted mozzarella, Parmesan, ham and garlic aioli all atop fries. I could easily imagine coming here with a large group and sharing several of the appetizers. For main dishes, the paninis and subs particularly caught my attention, and I selected the classic "eggplant parmegiana."
When the dish came out, my eyes went straight to the mozzarella cheese overflowing from in between the bread. I love a high ratio of cheese to other ingredients, and this sandwich definitely fulfilled that criterion. I took the first bite much too eagerly and almost burnt the entire roof of my mouth, but within moments the sandwich was a perfect temperature and I could enjoy the mixture of tomato sauce, mozzarella and breaded eggplant all on a warm bun. I was a little disappointed that my side dish was just potato chips, but ultimately the sandwich was plenty filling and a larger size was not necessary.
The food was enjoyable, but I left feeling rather apathetic and not particularly eager to return for my next Italian food outing. My "eggplant parmegiana" sub was absolutely tasty, but I would not hold it on a pedestal compared to other eggplant parmigianas I’ve had elsewhere.
I still do recommend Sal's if you're looking for a calm night on the Downtown Mall, the ambiance of fine dining and dependable Italian dishes. And given the interesting appetizer choices, the best way to do Sal’s may be with a big group willing to share many appetizers, as many of the main dishes are similar to their counterparts at other restaurants.
Read More
Students practice art of persuasion at Karsh Institute of Democracy Oratory Competition
By Grace Roddy | 3 hours agoThe finalists — four undergraduate students and four graduate students — answered the prompt “Tell the story of a hero of our American democracy” for the chance to win $1,000.
A look into expanding Native American resources on Grounds
By Mia Tan | 20 hours agoStudent organizations, activist groups and academic programs have focused on highlighting individual differences among Indigenous students and bridging the gap between the University and Virginia tribes.
Pumpkin bread for chocoholics
By Malone Morchower | 5 days agoThe combination of fall spices creates a nutty and earthy taste, while the sweetness of the chocolate enhances the rich pumpkin flavor.
