Emilia's Italian Restaurant, Arthur Ave.

So for my brother's college graduation (I know, crazy), my brother decided he wanted to go to his favorite Arthur Ave. haunt, Emilia's. So, with family in tow, we trudged in and we greeted with "Chris!" and a host of waiters high-fiving him and slapping him on the back.

The meal was good. Not exceptional, cloud-nine, don't talk to me good, but still good. Thick, crusty bread with Chris' antipasto was well received. The peppers did not taste jarred or canned, the cheese was pungent, and the prosciutto was only slightly fatty. Unfortunately, the Roma tomatoes were a bit tasteless. For an entree, the wild boar pappardelle was tasty, though the pasta did not taste homemade, which made me yearn for Lavagna. The wild boar was delectable, though the few fatty pieces tossed in were a turn off. The sauce was a tad bit salty, but not to the point where I pushed the dish aside. I managed to eat the entire thing in one sitting, so I must have liked it enough for that! Most people ordered the swordfish on Chris and Beebe's suggestion, and they were not disappointed. Perfectly cooked with beautiful grill marks, it melted in your mouth and was served with a cool salad. If I ever find myself at Emilia's in the future, that would be the meal I ordered. I'm a sucker for ordering pasta and an Italian restaurant though, so I'd have to remind myself to go when I'm in the mood for fish. The Sicilian wine that Uncle Joe ordered was a nice complement. Overall, a lovely meal, attentive service, and a made-for-tv family made it a wonderful experience.

Then, we headed to "Howl at the Moon" known to the locals as "Howl." If you drop Chris' name at Emilia's, be sure to drop "Dave" at howl. But seriously, who makes a soco shot without the lime? At least Joe learned how to Catdaddy!