While trying to figure out which place to review next, I decided I wanted to have some Italian food. Later, on the way to the super Wal-Mart, I passed Moscatiello’s. After noticing the place, I decided to go back for a review.
Moscatiello’s is an Italian restaurant on North Greenbush road in Troy. From the looks of the building, it seems like a good place to get some old fashioned Italian cuisine. My friends and I got to Moscatiello’s just over half an hour before closing and were seated promptly. There was never any sense of hurry in the staff, and they were very accommodating. Since we arrived so close to closing, there was no wait, but I would not be surprised if they have a packed house during peak hours, so plan accordingly.
When I walked into Moscatiello’s, I felt the décor was extremely warm and welcoming. The walls are painted in earth tones, and the atmosphere is calm and casual. If you look around you will see it’s hard to find a wall in the place that isn’t adorned by a framed picture of a still from The Godfather. As you sit and listen, you will hear soft Italian music playing in the background, which subtly adds to the experience. What else can I say? It’s very Italian, and it works really well.
For starters, I had the Mozzarella sticks. The order comes as six sticks and a rather healthy portion of marinara sauce for dipping. When I ordered them, I figured it would be a nice small appetizer to start things off, but I was pleasantly surprised. They were much larger than I had anticipated. In all honesty, each one was probably about the size of a jumbo Ballpark hot dog. My friends and I enjoyed the mozzarella sticks, and they lasted just long enough to tide us over until our salads were brought out.
As with most Italian restaurants, Moscatiello’s has the typical variety you’d expect when it comes to entrées. After perusing the menu for a bit, I decided to go with the baked ziti, which came with choice of soup or salad. For those who may not know, baked ziti is a pasta-based casserole. Boiled ziti is mixed with sauce and ricotta cheese, and then poured into a casserole dish, topped with mozzarella and parmesan cheese. It is then baked until ready. I thought the baked ziti was rather well prepared, though I felt it needed some extra kick to it. Nothing a little crushed red pepper couldn’t fix, though.
My friend decided to have the baked sausage and peppers casserole. This also came with soup or salad, as well as a side of spaghetti. He enjoyed the sausage and peppers though he lamented that it was rather greasy. He also remarked that the side of pasta was rather lackluster and seemed like it should be served in an elementary school cafeteria. I think he might have been a bit over-critical here, but everyone is entitled to their opinion.
Overall, I’d say Moscatiello’s was pretty good. It has very appropriate atmosphere, good wait staff, and pretty good food. To give you an idea of the price range, the appetizers tend to range from $5 to $10, and the entrées can be anywhere from about $10 to $20.
To get to there, head down 15th Street to Congress Street/Route 2. Take a right on Congress towards downtown Troy, and then a left onto Route 4. Moscatiello’s is a few miles down on the left.
