Diving into Domenics

Floral carpeting, towering chandeliers, leather swivel chairs, statues of women holding large jars filled with green leaves—the interior of Domenic’s Restaurant & Cocktail Lounge strongly reminds me of my Italian grandmother’s home.

For a little bit of authentic Italian cooking, try Domenics.

On a rainy Tuesday night, my roommate Katie and I were craving a good meal, so we decided to brave the nasty weather to try and find one. After a recommendation, we decided on Domenic’s. Upon arrival, a young host took us to the dining room, where the only other occupants were three older people casually chatting. My eyes wandered across the crackling fireplace, and my ears listened to the light instrumental music playing in the background.

While scanning the menu, Katie and I were pleasantly surprised by the prices. They were reasonable and the entrees varied from pasta and seafood dishes to beef and chicken. It also boasted an enticing selection of appetizers. My stomach began to grumble in anticipation as I ordered one. When the waiter came back to take our orders, we decided on fried mozzarella to begin with, and each of us selected simple and recognizable entrees: an Italian combo with sausage, meatballs, and peppers covered with melted mozzarella over spaghetti for me, and baked meat ravioli for Katie.

Waiting for our orders, we glanced around the dining room, noticing that the corner tables had overhead floral-patterned lantern covers. Hanging from a white ceiling, the chandelier gave off faint wisps of light, which added to the elegant setting. The plain white tablecloths were brightened with alternating red and green napkins, serving a noticeable contrast. We both felt relaxed, despite the restaurant's relative emptiness.

When our appetizer arrived, we dug in eagerly. Baked to perfection, the mozzarella cheese packed between the breaded exterior melted in our mouths. After wiping the plate clean, the waiter had our salads ready and placed them before us. The house salad, with lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumbers lightly covered in Italian dressing, made our mouths water. The lettuce was crunchy and the tomatoes were juicy.

After finishing our salads, the waiter quickly cleared the empty plates and replaced them with our entrees. Like a little house with a cheese roof and spaghetti for grass, I sliced into the top to find two large Italian sausages, meatballs, and red peppers hidden inside. They had cooked the pasta to just the precise softness. Lightly spiced with the red peppers, the crunchy sausage slid down my throat quite easily and tasted delicious. The meatballs were soft and the marinara sauce added spice. Compared to my grandmother’s home-cooked meatballs, they didn't quite measure up; however, they did serve as a savory second.

After Katie and I finished our dinners, we received the check. The total for both meals came to approximately $32, plus a tip for the waiter. We paid our bill and left with our stomachs stuffed. Overall, the service and food were excellent, even if it didn't match my grandmother’s home cooking.

Ever eaten at Domenic's? Let us know!

Domenic’s Restaurant and Cocktail Lounge 7081 Route 9
Plattsburgh, New York 12901
(518) 563-6980