LoBello's Spaghetti House/Coraopolis, Pa.

RE: LoBello's Spaghetti House/Coraopolis, Pa. (buffetbuster)

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 11:06:31 GMT

A few months ago, Rose LoBello mentioned that March 10 was her birthday. Since I knew this would be her 80th, Mariton and I stopped in for dinner last night. We did bring her a birthday card and we weren't the only ones there for the occasion, since I saw she had cake and flowers, also.

During dinner, this was the first time I had their wedding soup.

Excellent! As usual, I had the spaghetti and Mariton had the lasagna. Rose also delivered to us a couple of pieces of the birthday cake for dessert. Before we left, we had a photo snapped of the three of us.

Man, I know I am a big guy, but she is tiny! Happy birthday Rose!

RE: LoBello's Spaghetti House/Coraopolis, Pa. (Ahi Mpls.)

Sat, 06 Feb 2010 19:20:22 GMT

Well it's about time! Looks like a great night and I love the curls on the girls!!

RE: LoBello's Spaghetti House/Coraopolis, Pa. (buffetbuster)

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 15:41:33 GMT

Thanks Joe. You saw that, huh? Funny how pie photos just follow me around.

RE: LoBello's Spaghetti House/Coraopolis, Pa. (joerogo)

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 15:39:54 GMT

Nice report BB. I see you got yourself out of "Pie Mode"

Did I ever mention how much I miss Pittsburgh?

RE: LoBello's Spaghetti House/Coraopolis, Pa. (buffetbuster)

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 15:35:16 GMT

Sorry this has taken so long to post, but I have a new laptop and it took me a while to figure out how to download photos.

Anyway, about three weeks ago, we had a Roadfood get together at LoBello's Spaghetti House. A few photos: Here is the sampler platter,

which on this day had gnocchi, ravioli, sausage, meatballs and spaghetti. It may not look like it, but this was a lot of food!

Roadfooders Ralph Melton and his wife Lori (icecreamchick) were able to carve their names

into one of the booths, which is a time honored tradition here.

And we all posed for a group photo before we left.

From left to right: The Travelin Man, Emilou, Mariton, me, Ashley (Rose's granddaughter, who waited on us), Rose LoBello, GeoNit, ralphmelton and icecreamchick.

The crowd was small, but that didn't stop us from enjoying the food and each other's company. Thanks again to everyone who attended.

RE: LoBello's Spaghetti House/Coraopolis, Pa. (buffetbuster)

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 08:40:03 GMT

Ate at LoBello's with the girls again last night. Talked to Rose's daughter more than anyone last night and she told me that Roadfooder Fred Sauceman had been in for a visit. If Fred writes an article on the place, I hope we get a chance to see it.

As always, the food was superb!

RE: LoBello's Spaghetti House/Coraopolis, Pa. (stricken_detective)

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 02:08:40 GMT

Curiouser & curiouser! That would save not only time but a dirty dish to wash.

RE: LoBello's Spaghetti House/Coraopolis, Pa. (ken8038)

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 21:12:20 GMT

Thanks for posting your recipe. It's a little different from what they're doing at LoBello's (and actually, after watching the segment a 3rd time I realized it's Rose's daughter, not Rose who demonstrated it on DD&D). For one thing, she uses sauce rather than diced tomatoes.

<<Now, here is a question for you, Ken. Do you think we could get away with cooking the pasta right in the juices from the tomatoes?>>

Probably. In fact, it looks like Rose's daughter is doing it that way. It definately looks like she's dumping uncooked ditalini into the pan (I can sort of hear the noise it's making when she dumps it).

RE: LoBello's Spaghetti House/Coraopolis, Pa. (stricken_detective)

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:21:56 GMT

I know you wanted exact measurements, but I will try my best!

in a big skillet heat:

1-2 Tablespoons oil (we use canola for cooking, olive is for salads)

When it's warm but not smoking, put 2-3 peeled smashed cloves of garlic in the oil. You want to infuse the oil with it. Cook until it's just starting to brown up, then fish it out. If you leave it in the whole time, it will get bitter. At this point add 1 can diced tomatoes & your beans, let them cook down a little, about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add al dente ditalini at this point & cook for another 10 minutes.

Now, here is a question for you, Ken. Do you think we could get away with cooking the pasta right in the juices from the tomatoes? I bet it would infuse the pasta with tomatoey flavor. Hmmmm.

RE: LoBello's Spaghetti House/Coraopolis, Pa. (ken8038)

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 08:24:35 GMT

<< Pasta e fagioli is subjective>>.

Thanks for the reply. Yes, I know it's totally subjective, almost like Chili in that repsect. My Mom used Canellini beans, it looks like Rose uses Red Kidney beans. However, both recipes use Ditalini as the pasta. No tuna (ugh) or broccoli in either recipe. As a matter of fact, I think a few years ago I actually posted my Mom's version on one of the forums.

I've now taped the episode so I can go slowly and write down as best I can what Rose's steps and quantities are. I'm going to diddle with the quantities to try to get the balance right.

<<Whichever version you create should be topped off with cracked pepper & real parmesan cheese>>

But of course!

Thanks again.

RE: LoBello's Spaghetti House/Coraopolis, Pa. (stricken_detective)

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:39:45 GMT

ken8038

Has anyone tried to duplicate their pasta fagioli recipe? It looks terrific, and Rose gave a quick demonstation of how she makes it. But, like most old school Italian cooks (including my late Mom, who also made a great version which looks nothing like Rose's) she was none too specific about the quantities she was dumping into the pan. "Some of this, some of that etc."

Do you mean the soup or the pasta dish? (guess I should try & watch the segment) Pasta e fagioli is subjective. There are a few constants, pasta & beans (hence the name). Pasta is either ditalini or small shells. Beans are cannellini in our famiglia. You can do the rest a few different ways. Tomatoes are the traditional way, but I've seen broccoli in place of the tomatoes, and sometimes tuna alongside the broccoli, but never tuna alongside the tomatoes. I think broccoli & tuna is pushing it since this was originally created as a day before payday meal, when there was nothing else in the house except pasta, beans & tomatoes.

Whichever version you create should be topped off with cracked pepper & real parmesan cheese. I'm turning into my Nonna in the kitchen & do not have amounts for you at this time. Please stand by as I may have posted the recipe elsewhere online.

RE: LoBello's Spaghetti House/Coraopolis, Pa. (stricken_detective)

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:28:59 GMT

NYPIzzaNut

...my favorite Italian restaurant in Kettering, Ohio - Troni's Pizzeria and Restaurant - have two areas - for cooking regular Italian food, and for baking pizzas - the pizza prep and baking area is exposed to customers - so they can watch them making pizzas - and the regular kitchen is all the way in back and not viewable to the public..

One of my favorite places in Kenosha, Villa d'Carlo, is the same way.

RE: LoBello's Spaghetti House/Coraopolis, Pa. (ken8038)

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:25:34 GMT

Hi: I'm bumping this thread becuase I just re-watched the Lobello's episode on my local cable OnDemand feature.

Has anyone tried to duplicate their pasta fagioli recipe? It looks terrific, and Rose gave a quick demonstation of how she makes it. But, like most old school Italian cooks (including my late Mom, who also made a great version which looks nothing like Rose's) she was none too specific about the quantities she was dumping into the pan. "Some of this, some of that etc."

I did a search online for the recipe, and this thread was the closest I got.

I'll probably watch the segment again and try to get more of the details, but if anyone happens to have the tried the recipe or can find a link to it that would be great.

Thanks for any help.

RE: LoBello's Spaghetti House/Coraopolis, Pa. (EatingTheRoad)

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 08:18:15 GMT

What a great family story.

RE: LoBello's Spaghetti House/Coraopolis, Pa. (buffetbuster)

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 08:02:15 GMT

Still more love for LoBello's in the Trib yesterday.

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/lifestyles/fooddrink/s_650339.html

RE: LoBello's Spaghetti House/Coraopolis, Pa. (blinky193)

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 08:16:07 GMT

Last night my friend and I went to have a fine dinner at LoBello's in Coraopolis, PA for her birthday. She absolutely loved it. My friend had the lasagna and I had the fettuccini with meatballs. Delish! These can be ordered from the menu under the "homemade pasta" section. Not only is the food delicious, Rose the owner, came out and greeted us. She gave us her guest books to read and sign, she is so proud of them. Rose greets each and every one of her patrons. As we were sitting there, 3 fellows came in and sat down at a table next to us. As Rose greeted them, I overheard them tell her they were all from Texas! I have to say, they sat there in great anticipation waiting for what was about to come, their dinners. By the time they left, they were all baring grins on their faces. For Rose, that was mission accomplished, once again. If you are in the Pittsburgh area, please pay Rose a visit. She'll greet you with open arms and make you feel right at home.

RE: LoBello's Spaghetti House/Coraopolis, Pa. (PAUL4FOOD)

Fri, 07 Aug 2009 15:55:58 GMT

Anyone that wants to see episode.
youtube- DD&D Lobello
;) It was nice to hear her voice after reading all the comments.

RE: LoBello's Spaghetti House/Coraopolis, Pa. (NYPIzzaNut)

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 13:20:53 GMT

...my favorite Italian restaurant in Kettering, Ohio - Troni's Pizzeria and Restaurant - have two areas - for cooking regular Italian food, and for baking pizzas - the pizza prep and baking area is exposed to customers - so they can watch them making pizzas - and the regular kitchen is all the way in back and not viewable to the public..

RE: LoBello's Spaghetti House/Coraopolis, Pa. (NYPIzzaNut)

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 13:17:55 GMT

Many great Italian restaurants forego pizza - it keeps the kitchen cooler too.

RE: LoBello's Spaghetti House/Coraopolis, Pa. (stricken_detective)

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 13:13:17 GMT

This thread inspired me to have gnocchi for lunch the other day. AMAZING!!!!!!

RE: LoBello's Spaghetti House/Coraopolis, Pa. (buffetbuster)

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 07:56:52 GMT

Sorry NYPIzzaNut, I ate there last night and no pizza is mentioned on the menu.

RE: LoBello's Spaghetti House/Coraopolis, Pa. (NYPIzzaNut)

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 13:35:09 GMT

No pizza?

RE: LoBello's Spaghetti House/Coraopolis, Pa. (stricken_detective)

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 13:30:41 GMT

I love that they called you. <3

RE: LoBello's Spaghetti House/Coraopolis, Pa. (The Travelin Man)

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 10:16:32 GMT

You never take me any place good.

RE: LoBello's Spaghetti House/Coraopolis, Pa. (buffetbuster)

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 09:57:23 GMT

I saw this on the local news a few nights ago.
http://kdka.com/kdcountry/LoBellos.Italian.Restaurant.2.1067124.html
Amazing how much attention this great little place has received lately!

RE: LoBello's Spaghetti House/Coraopolis, Pa. (buffetbuster)

Thu, 07 May 2009 15:13:52 GMT

More media attention for Lo Bello's Spaghetti House. Apparently, Marty Griffin from KDKA radio ate there recently and has been raving about it on his radio show. And WTAE, the local ABC affiliate, will feature them on the 11:00PM news tonight.

Despite all the attention, it hasn't gone to their heads. Rose is still just as charming and wondering what all the fuss is about. And the food last night was just as good as always.

RE: LoBello's Spaghetti House/Coraopolis, Pa. (kozel)

Thu, 09 Apr 2009 14:28:00 GMT

Just as long as they don't produce milk cartons with his picture on it!

RE: LoBello's Spaghetti House/Coraopolis, Pa. (joerogo)

Thu, 09 Apr 2009 12:21:51 GMT

buffetbuster, You know you are a good customer when the restaurant calls because they miss you

RE: LoBello's Spaghetti House/Coraopolis, Pa. (buffetbuster)

Thu, 09 Apr 2009 10:41:28 GMT

I hadn't been to LoBello's for months, so Rose's son Ben called to make sure I was still alive and kicking. There has been a couple of times where we had planned to stop in, but something always came up. Anyway, we stopped in last night and had another wonderful meal. I had the chicken parm, Mariton the lasagna and Emilou the fettucini alfredo.

We got to chat with Rose, her son and her daughter. The place seems to be doing great business and more celebrities have stopped in. Sarah Palin ate there during a campaign stop last Fall. Nothing against Ms. Palin, but I'm still most impressed that Colonel Sanders once ate there.

RE: LoBello's Spaghetti House/Coraopolis, Pa. (buffetbuster)

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 07:39:22 GMT

smarchit-
That is really cool that your friend likes the place so much, they have been back so many times. You are going on Thursday and I am thinking about stopping in tonight.