Jimmy Paulino is the chef and Tony Paulino is the host. OK? Paulino's Italiano Classico is the citadel of Italian restaurants in Rochester. Located in a historic Landmark Mansion, it was the home of the first Mayor of Rochester, Jonathon Child. This place is really beautiful. They describe it as casual but you'd fell like a slob in everyday days here.

The service was more than attentive. We started with a nice bottle of Banfi Chianti and an order of Pancetta Scallops - pan seared jumbo sea scallops wrapped in pancetta served in a Mediterranean oyster sauce for 9.95. This was fantastic. The bread they served was from Martusciello's. You know that is the best Italian bread in the city. And the dipping oil was made with with sun dried tomato pesto. We tried to pace ourselves.

Our salad was called Pane Insalata with organic mixed greens tossed in balsamic vinaigrette with grape tomatoes,
mandarin orange segments, olives, almonds served over provolone crostini. Delicious! The space between the salad and entree course was punctuated with a palette cleanser of Italian Ice in Champagne.

For entrees we ordered Pagini and Chicken over fettuccini and Lobster Raviolis. Both very nice.

We heard that this place was the old Edwaards at the end of their run. We bought a couple of these gift cards and we still have $29 left on one. I hope they stay in business long enough for us to cash it in. Mark Danials, who sings opera as he waits tables at 2 Vine, sings here on his off nights. You will feel like you are in a movie.

2006: This will be a dead link now.

www.paulinosrestaurant.com

And I lost that $29.

"We Love To Cook And We Cook With Love"