I really did have to travel on my birthday with several work compatriots. All are pretty rowdy and fun so no issues there. One gal in particular I'm good buds with and we decided off campus dinner was called for when we got in Tuesday evening, my choice. Did I mention it was my birthday?
She is a Researcher and a Planner. Even for a spontaneous dinner. She went so far as to call the front desk for suggestions. I'm more of a go with my gut girl so I just did a quick map search while she was busy contacting friends for recommendations and looking all over the Internet. My map showed a place called Juliano's somewhat nearby. Local joint not fancy with wine and basic Italian. My gut said go there. Buddy took some convincing but I did get her on board. We dialed up an Uber and took off.
Julianos didn't disappoint. I wouldn't call it a dive. More of a joint. Maybe an old fast food place converted to a restaurant. Waitress had a good solid burgh accent. Anything less would have been devastating. She suggested a carafe of house wine after we ordered two glasses then Buddy again hit the Planning and Reaearch wanting to know what the house wine was. What grapes where'd it come from etc. Burgh took it in stride simultaneously looking at her like she was insane. Finally she relented and accepted that it was just House Wine. This is by no means a criticism. Just what makes her kickass at her job and an endearing dinner partner.
We ordered way too much food combined with ridiculously large portions there was no way we could even hope to make a dent in it. Breadsticks, fried zucchini , eggplant parm with a side of spaghetti that could've fed 4 people , she had some pasta with homemade pink sauce that came in a bowl more like a trough. Ridiculous. All tasty
We topped it all off with Dum Dums from the register. I felt too bad to leave my leftovers so took them with. Uber driver didn't want them. He was concerned about a food coma. The box must've weighed like 4 pounds. Took it back to hotel anyway and offered it up as a snack to all my co workers. Biggest regret was no mini fridge in the room to take advantage of cold spag for breakfast. Can't have everything I guess. Even on your birthday.
Jiliano's family Italian on Steubenville Pike. Recommended. 5 microwaves.
YUM
