Located about two miles north of campus on South University Boulevard lies the celebrated district of Bonnie Brae with its cluster of restaurants and shops. One of these is The Saucy Noodle Ristorante. A pinstripe awning and chrome tables and chairs create a patio atmosphere in front of the red door entry.
Inside, soft jazz music and candlelit tables create a welcoming atmosphere. A friendly wait staff welcomes diners with a warm smile.
The Saucy Noodle serves up an Italian menu built on family recipes. The restaurant is nearly 40 years old. It was founded by Sam Badis and is now run by his granddaughter, Erin Markham.
Scarlet walls with black trim carry out the red-and-black theme that is repeated in the black floor. Seating is available both in booths and at tables. Old portraits hang on the walls and there are niches for old wine bottles.
Dinner starts off with a side salad of romaine and an order of fresh garlic bread that are brought to the table. The thin, long garlic bread is warm and chewy. With a perfect bite-size width and soft center, this appetizing loaf will leave your mouth watering. The salad is topped with garbanzo beans, carrots and cheese. You have a choice of four house-made dressings to spoon over the mixed salad.
For an appetizer, try the baked artichoke hearts for $7.95. They are served in a steaming pool of lemon and garlic flavored broth, swathed with a layer of cheese. The garlic gives a kick, but the cheese balances the zest of this moist treat.
The menu’s items are available in large-dish portions or in half portions, and even from Badis’ family recipes. The chicken Alfredo, $16.95 for a half-size, $18.95 for a full-size and the pizza, starting at $10.00 for a small cheese pizza, are popular entrees.
If you are having difficulty deciding on what to order, choose one of the combination plates, such as Maestro’s Combination Plate, a half-size order being $14.95, or a full-size order for $16.95. Rigatoni, ravioli and a choice of spaghetti or homemade linguine and meatball or hot Italian sausage are included on this platter of pasta. Home-rolled thick spaghetti noodles swim in simple red sauce, brought out to the table warm and ready to devour.
If you decide on the meatball, be ready for one big meatball that will not disappoint. It is the size of a baseball! It is moist and delicious with every bite.
Save room for the decadent desserts, including spumoni, $1.95, chocolate chip cannoli, $5.95, tiramisu, $6.95 or the chocolate ganache cake, $6.95. Four thick layers of cake are divided by bittersweet chocolate ganche and drizzled with chocolate sauce. You are sure to experience a rich mouthful with every bite.
The Saucy Noodle offers good and plentiful food and prompt, friendly service that make a dinner there a pleasant and fulfilling evening.
