text: 2 words - Not impressed!\n\nIt has been three years on my quest to find great Italian food here in the valley.  Being Italian and from North New Jersey it has been quite a challenge.  So you could imagine the excitement when 2 of my very dear friends have been raving about the Amarone....stating the best Italian restaurant they have found in AZ.  I was extremely disappointed. \n\nAs I walked in i quickly noticed how beautifully decorated the restaurant was.  We sat at the bar.  The place was packed, so I quickly thought my friends must be right.  This place must be a gem.  Bartender was nice...didn't go out of his way.  The menu was a bit expensive. \n\n$3.50 for a coke!!!  That is a bit much!\n\nMy friend got pizza ($18) and I penne alla vodka ($15).  I had to ask for extra sauce as the pasta was VERY dry.  And to be honest....possibly one of the worst dishes of penne vodka I have had.  No flavor!  And the pizza was ok, BUT for $18 I was expecting fantastic.  \n\n2 of the waiters came over to talk with us and I felt them to be a bit creepy.  I think they just came back from a cigarette break, but I thin they were smoking something other then a cigarette.  \n\nNot one of my favorite.  What I have learned is that if I want great Italian food....I am just going to have to continue making myself!