How far from campus do you have to go to find a decent sit-down Italian restaurant?
Diehard Troy bashers will insist there’s no such thing within the city limits. Less critical folks might point to several such establishments in Lansingburgh, or to Moscatiello’s in South Troy (one of my personal favorites). Still others might think the closest place is downtown.
Very few, I think, would come up with the correct answer: three short blocks.
Minissale’s is a cozy little restaurant on 14th Street just south of campus. The interior is warm, dimly lit, and tiny—there are only 10 tables in the whole place, with a total seating capacity of maybe 40.
The restaurant is also decidedly Italian: Not only are the walls painted red with green trim, but Frank Sinatra was playing in the background as my wife and I walked in.
The menu has pretty much all of the necessities with no surprises: pizza, lots of pasta, some veal and chicken dishes, and steak. Prices are reasonable—the veal parmigiana that I ordered was one of the priciest things on the menu at $12. (Worth noting, though, is that soft drinks are (a) small and (b) not refillable. Drink slowly.)
Our entrees were of course preceded by bread and salad—quite a lot of salad, for that matter. (And they have peppercorn dressing, a strong plus in my book.) We also ordered an appetizer of fried mushrooms, but these were a bit greasy for our tastes.
Someone who favors simple fare would have loved our entrees. As people who are more partial to well-seasoned dishes, though, we found both the lasagna and the veal parm to be plain to the point of blandness. Some garlic and basil in the marinara would do wonders. On the other hand, I just had my leftovers for dinner, so it certainly wasn’t bad, just ... plain.
Even so, I can definitely see myself becoming something of a regular customer. The service is great, the setting is comfortable, the prices are good, and the building is walking distance from our home. That’s a tough combination to beat.
The next time you want Italian food, check the calendar: If it’s a Thursday, Friday, or Saturday evening (the only nights they’re open), consider leaving the keys in your pocket and taking a stroll over to Minissale’s.
Minissale’s is on 14th St. near Congress. To get there, go to Old School 14. (That’s Academy Hall for all you young whippersnappers.) Walk one block down College Ave. and turn left onto 14th St. Go about three blocks, and Minissale’s will be on your right.
