Alright so in general when it comes to Italian food I am indifferent - even Olive Garden makes me happy. However, on a trip back from up north I stumbled into Gerardo's in Payson. Ever since then the bar for Italian food has been set very, very high.\n\nSo about this place. It's new. As in new enough to not even have a sign that lights up or any decorations new. No fear, I don't need a circus to entertain me. I simply mention this because if atmosphere is something that matters to you... then you may want to wait.\n\nThe service. The staff is new. They either come by too often to ask how you're doing or they seem to be off doing something in the back. But I say this as someone who kind of dislikes people being at my table too often - I guess this is my German side of me where I just want to enjoy my meal in peace. Time may improve their service. It was nice to meet what I would guess is the owner and lead cook.\n\nThe food. I'm not an Italian and I couldn't tell you what is \"real\" Italian and what is not. I got my staple, chicken alfredo. What was my impression? Meh. I felt like I could have cooked something on-par with what I got... and I'm no cook by any means. There was nothing that really smacked me in the face and forced me to call my mom about. I like my alfredo as thick as you can get it and this was a little oily. Don't get me wrong, I woofed it all down.\n\nWith that in mind when I think of Italian food I think of gluttony (no offense). I think of ordering a meal and getting it and going \"oh shit, I have to eat all of that... and then have seconds... and then dessert?\" This was not the case here, I eat like a bird and I ate it all and was still hungry... then I ate my kid's pizza... and was still hungry. Maybe I was just extra hungry but again I compare this to Gerardos where every time I've been there I've made 3 meals out of my order.\n\nWe did order the bruschetta and according to my girlfriend (and bruschetta lover) it was pretty good. She gave it a 7. I gave it an 8 because I generally don't like bruchetta.\n\nWould I come back here? Maybe. I think it has some growing to do, but this is coming from a non-expert Italian food eater here so take it as you will.
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