Scotti's Italian Restaurant ~ Cincinnati, Ohio

919 Vine St, Cincinnati, OH 45202

A true throw-back joint - lost in the vast array of trendy and/or chain restaurants in downtown Cincy. Huge menu - advise seeking guidance from neighboring tables and/or waitresses.  Generally large portions, and they are not averse to mix-and-matching sauces and/or pastas to suit your palate. But first, the decor.

Imagine, if you will, a collision between a truck carrying miscellaneous tile fragments with another containing the darkest, most color-absorbing grout on the palate. The resulting flotsam and jetsam falls into a smallish cave and covers the walls. Then add a bunch of chianti bottles with melted wax (either from candles or crayola, hard to tell) topped with candles for ambiance. You are now firmly ensconced in Scotti's!

This is a place that appears to have changed *not at all* since I lived in the area and worked 4 blocks away in the 80s and 90s. In truth, I bet it has not changed much since they opened 110+ years ago! Have found 1-2 places in the NYC metro area that rival Scotti's for longevity and loyalty of customers, but damn near nothing elsewhere.

Not fancy, no home-made pastas or highbrow Northern Italian "cuisine" - but they do make some other interesting & unique creations (my last meal was the Veal Guido - pretty damn good, and not like anything I have had elsewhere).

- Rude Dante review

Their logo alone is hall of fame! I went to their website and the first dish advertised was Spaghetti with Hot Italian Sausage. C'mon that's not fair!