A Touch Of Garlic
A Touch of Garlic in Springfield has more than just a clever name.
Atmosphere(7)
Small, quaint, and bright dining room. Tends to get crowded, and you'll have to wait outside for your table as there's no bar or lounge. Fresh flowers liven the place up a bit.
Menu(8)
You better like garlic! Simple, fun, and somewhat standard Italian menu with an emphasis of fresh pasta and fish. Excellent lunch menu. For kids: half orders of pasta for half the price.
Portions(8)
Appetizers and pasta portions are over the top. Entrees are generally larger than expected.
Appetizers(8)
Calamari fra diavlo was perhaps a bit too heavy, though tender and addictively spicy. Fabulous stuffed mozzarella filled with a roasted garlic pesto. Roasted eggplant didn't have a trace of bitterness. Melt-in-your-mouth bread served with rich olive oil.
Food and Drink(7)
Pistachio salmon didn't utilize the nutty flavor of the pistachios. Capellini pescatore was overwhelmed by the mound of pasta. High quality sea bass Francesca prepared in a delicate wine caper sauce. Chicken piccata was quite hearty and chock full of mushrooms. Solid garlic mashed potatoes with just enough butter.
Desserts(8)
Karamisu (Tiramisu with Kahlua) was light, airy, and terrific. Double chocolate cannoli was good good.
Service(8)
Need some work on the reservation system, but the hosts and servers are very personable and attentive. Everyone tries to make you feel at home.
Cleanliness(8)
Well-kept; bathrooms sufficiently clean.
Parking(7)
About 10 minutes from Route 91 in Springfield; on street parking and a small lot fills up quickly.
Value(8)
Appetizers between $5-7; pasta dishes average $8; dinner entrees from $12-19. Your breath might stink, but the prices don't.
