“Make new friends but keep the old. One is silver, the other gold.”
I saw this in my granny’s kitchen every time I visited. Just a little cross-stitched saying that hung there for years.
That is how I felt last week when the Dining Duo decided to go to the Gondolier Restaurant in Halls.
We were both craving Italian, and this was the closest restaurant.
Walking in, you are stunned to see the most beautiful desserts ever. Mile-high coconut cake, along with carrot cake and a delectable chocolate concoction, guaranteed to make your mouth water. Cheesecake and cookies finished out the sweet choices.
After being shown to our table and given a menu, the fun started. So many choices that we thought we’d have to resort to flipping a coin to decide.
Duo One chose a supreme pizza. The pizza was delicious, covered in ham, pepperoni, beef, green peppers, onions, and other toppings; it was what a meat lovers pizza should be.
Duo Two chose spaghetti with meatballs and a house salad. The spaghetti was loaded with meatballs and covered with meat sauce. After adding her favorite parmesan cheese, Duo One never said a word, but her face did the talking.
Absolutely delicious!
We saw other incredible-looking items come from the kitchen, and every patron seemed to leave with a smile on their faces and a “people-bag” in their hands. (Forget Fido; no doggie is going to get these leftovers).
Like I said in the beginning, old friends should be considered gold, and older restaurants like the Gondolier should be, too. New may be good, but old may be better.
The Gondolier opens at 11:00. It is very family-friendly, handicap-accessible, and reasonably priced. Plenty of free parking just waiting for you to drive in and have the Italian meal you remember.
Dining Duo is always searching for hidden-gem eateries where locals gather for breakfast and lunch—favorite neighborhood spots tucked off the beaten path or hiding in plain sight. Know a place we should visit? Email your recommendation to knoxtndiningduo@gmail.com.
Enjoyed this article? Read more Dining Duo recommendations.
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