Aiello’s

Met a girlfriend for dinner at Aiello’s last night and had a great time.
It was a bit slow, being later on a Sunday night and all, but it was perfect, not to loud so we could talk and lots of attention from the wait staff. The service was great, it probably helped that my friend was somewhat of a regular there once upon a time. They made sure to take very good care of us.
We started with a couple glasses of wine (duh!) and a house salad for her and a Caesar for me. Both very yummy and good portions as well. The bread they bring to the table is amazing as well, and it comes with butter and this awesome pepper infused oil for dipping, so good! Then I ordered the special, portabello stuffed ravioli and she had some angel hair pasta thing with zucchini and red sauce. Both awesome!
The prices aren’t too bad, average looked to be about $ 16 per entrée and salads around $ 7.
After dinner we moved to the patio, they sent out some lemonchello and a strawberries and crème dessert, very nice, and very yummy!
I have seen Aiello’s from the Postino patio many times and I am very glad I got to finally try it!

I’m in Phoenix for the week on business, and of course, I took to Unilocal to find great restaurants near me. I’m always jonesing for some good Italian food, so I finally settled on Aiello’s. I took some higher-​ups to dinner there tonight, so I wanted to be sure I picked the perfect place for us. And I did exactly that.
We were first struck by the restaurant’s exterior. Very quaint, and the lights in the tree in the front just created the nicest ambiance. We were immediately greeted by a very friendly hostess who sat us immediately. We showed up around 6:30pm on a Tuesday, and we were a little taken aback by the fact that there was only one other party eating inside at that time. But a half hour later, the place was nearly packed.
Our waitress was immensely friendly. We had water and bread in front of us before we had even ordered our drinks. My two fellow diners went with the ravioli of the day (prosciutto with caramelized onions), and I selected the carbonara.
I have to say the food was simply outstanding. The carbonara was flavorful and rich while not overpowering. The pasta was fresh (if it’s not homemade, it’s definitely imported — you can just tell the difference) and done perfectly. The portion was just enough. I wasn’t stuffed, but I certainly didn’t leave hungry. While I didn’t taste the ravioli, they looked excellent, and my party loved it.
Having enjoyed the delicious dinner so much, I decided to throw caution to the wind and order dessert. Why not?! I went with my favorite dessert item: cannoli. I will say that I have had better cannoli. I prefer the filling to be a bit colder and a tad grittier. But it was certainly still delicious. It just didn’t floor me. I also ordered a cup of coffee, and the waitress brought out a cup and a French press pitcher. Way cool.
To top off the evening, the owner came out and greeted us and then offered us a chance to play a game. We had to pick a number from 1 – 90 (I went with 35 since I just had my birthday on March 5^th), and if he drew our number out of this cup, we would have gotten our dinner for free. Well, we didn’t win (the winner was 24), but it was still a neat little bit of fun at the end of the meal. He asked us repeatedly how our dinner was. I really appreciate when owners/​chefs do that.
Aside from the cannoli not holding up to some of the best cannoli I’ve had in the world, the food itself and the entire experience as a whole were just wonderful. If I’m ever lucky enough to come back to Phoenix on business again, I’ll recommend Aiello’s.

I had dinner at Aiello’s with eleven others last Saturday. Upon entering, I was hit with the wonderful aroma of Italian food and quickly took note of the cozy ambiance (always important to me). This seemed to be a good date spot as there were several tables with couples. Also, the restaurant was full of patrons but did not seem crowded, which was nice.
They did not have my white of choice, Riesling, so I opted for a glass of the Salvalai Pinot Grigio ($ 8). We skipped appetizers and instead noshed on the fresh bread and dipping sides (loved the spicy peppers).
I wanted to try the pesto gnocchi but when I saw spaghetti alla puttanesca ($ 15) on the menu, I had to order it. Puttanesca is one of my specialties, so I was interested in finding out how their version would compare to mine. When the waitress set the plate in front of me, I was excited; the smell and look of the dish was right. However, when I took the first bite, I noticed right away it was too salty. The olives were served whole (there were quite a few of them) and the chef was a little too heavy-​handed with the olive oil and anchovies. Since the puttanesca sauce require ingredients that are already salty (capers, olives, anchovy fillets), it’s especially important to balance the salty items with the rest of the ingredients. When I make the sauce, I slice the Kalamata olives, which helps to temper the briny saltiness. I also add a bit of dry, red wine for added flavor.
For dessert we ordered the tiramisu and cannoli. I took a bite of each and thought the tiramisu was too light (barely any coffee flavor), but the cannoli was delicious!
I was too distracted by the conversations at our table and only managed to get a few pictures of the dishes from that night. The others gave the food two thumbs up, so this gives me hope for my next visit.
Our waitress was friendly and attentive. Kudos to her for being willing to split the check multiple ways.

Again, Aiello’s was an amazing experience! I took my bf here for his birthday and it was another great meal. The service is really what makes the experience a 5-​star, along with the amazing food. I love walking into a restaurant and smelling the great food instantly.
We ordered the caprese salad, which was comp’t because the server was embarrassed to bring it out with no basil, which they were out of! I had the ziti and the bf had tortilini. The meal was amazing and the service was top-​notch! We had a chance to chat with the owner a couple of times.
I love this place and will keep coming back when I need a great Italian food fix!

My first experience with Aiello’s was with the back of their restaurant ordering pizza. It was pretty memorable because I had a chance to chat with Joe Aiello. He was warm and friendly, and he was very proud of his food. That put me in a great mood, and allowed me to feel great about my purchase. With giant pizza en tow, I went home to commence the nomming. The pie was topped off with veggies and Joe’s meatballs, and tasted delicious. Again, their pizza is huge, NY style to it’s core. It’s definitely the kind of pizza that you fold when you eat it… it’s really the only way to avoid a mess. Keep that in mind.
The second experience I had was during lunch. This time I got to meet Myrah Aiello. She was warm and sweet, and she was very hospitable. Because I had the meatballs on the pie before, I had to try their meatball parmigiana sandwich (which they only serve at lunch). While I waited, I got to nibble on some great bread and chili oil; it’s a must if you go there. Shortly after I finished most of the chilis, the server came out with two fist-​size meatball in a delicious looking roll. I’m talking «Over the Top» trucker fist-​size meatballs, just huge! Huge and mighty tasty! They were cooked perfectly, and the marinara paired perfectly with it. I was only able to eat half.
With a couple of great owners and good food, this place should be a no-​brainer to anyone looking for a moderately-​priced Italian meal. The next thing I want to try is their Salumeria on 7^th!

I’d never had the pleasure of visiting Aiello’s until last night. As a dining destination for New Year’s Eve with a very dear friend I hadn’t seen for years, it was superb. I agree with all the positive reviews which already reside here. The food (calamari…lobster ravioli… linguini fradiavolo…) was all terrific, and the Cabernet was just right. Kudos to the hostess — we had reservations and were seated immediately. Our waiter was attentive but not intrusive. It was a little noisy in the dining room (NYE, after all), but not obnoxiously so. And Joe? He’s a card and a genuinely nice guy.
Two snaps up and I can’t wait to go back!

Love this place! Amazing food — the pizzas out the back door are fantastic!

Being an Italian from NY whose great-​grandfather owned a pasta company in Italy, I take a lot of pride in my appreciation of good Italian food. I don’t often go to Italian restaurants in my price range because I am often disappointed at the frozen, bulk ingredients and cheap sauces. Also, I eat out frequently so I rarely splurge and treat myself to «authentic» Italian cuisine. Now, I think I will need a 4^th job to fund my more-​frequent visits to Aiello’s.
The atmosphere is classy, but cozy and warm. My favorite style of restaurant is one where you feel like it was a home at some point and it doesn’t feel sterile or manufactured. This is exactly what you’ll find. The Aiello’s have done a great job making you feel like you’re walking into a restaurant run out of the back of their house.
I was immediately greeted by the bartender/​front of house manager and took a seat at the bar. Within a few minutes, I was given warm bread with spread & oil. I wasn’t a big fan of the oil (there were red peppers soaking in it — not my thing) but the spread was tasty and the bread was fresh. I was tempted to order a glass of wine, but the selection for glasses was pretty limited (bottles were plentiful) so I decided I would wait and indulge in an after-​dinner drink instead.
The menu is just about perfect. Aiello’s knows what it is and doesn’t try to veer outside it — a mistake made by so many places trying to please everyone. Many of the Italian standbys are here along with some nice sounding dishes that have probably been tried throughout the years and stuck. I was between the Veal Paillard & the Linguine Fradiavolo and the bartender gladly suggested the latter and seemed proud to recommend it.
While I was waiting for my food, Joe Aiello came from the back and said hello. He interacted with a few tables before stopping and chatting with me. We discussed New York and family among other things. This wouldn’t be included in the review, except it was such a genuine, enjoyable conversation that it makes you want to go back sooner rather than later. Maybe it’s a NY thing, but the owner who can work a room and leave his patrons hoping for a return visit is hard to find anymore.
The food came out in reasonable time, was presented wonderfully and would have been photographed if my phone had flash. The two shrimp were so big, they needed to be cut in half to eat — and possibly could have been quartered. The rest of the seafood was plentiful and fresh. The way the dish blended together was impressive. The pomodoro was indeed lite (as described in the menu) and really allowed for the pasta and fish to shine. The portion size was large enough that I was able to take lunch home for the next day but was not obnoxiously large.
After dinner, I asked for a coffee drink of Kahlua, amaretto & Bailey’s. They were out of Bailey’s so I asked the bartender to create something. I’m pretty picky so this was risky but I had faith. Sure enough, he came up with an ideal drink to end the night with — though I wish I remembered what it was so I can order it again.
If there’s better Italian in Phoenix, I’ve yet to find it. The prices aren’t cheap — nor should they be — you are getting your money’s worth. Most dishes fall into the $ 15 – 25 range which is a good value for the quality and portion size. I cannot wait to go back — and you should not wait to go there.

Found it by accident while on vacation with the family. Gave it a shot based on location close to our hotel and that the menu seemed to have several things on it that my family would be interested in. We were not diappointed.
SETTING: Old school supper club feel. Private parking lot with a secret pizza takeout in the back. Don’t let the dim lighting dissuade you. There are rewards for those that pass through the front door. The dining room is wide open, noisy when busy, semivisible kitchen and a full bar with a TV going. Reminds me of a family friendly joint with a casual feel but the lighting is dim enough to cast it in a date-​night aura if need be. Several of the staff have NY Italian accents that only creates authenticity ad interest. To be honest, it is not going to be awarded stars for ambience or an ultra-​romantic setting. It does get stars from me for giving off a vintage homey feel in a clean setting. The dining room was full with multiple turnovers during my Saturday night visit.. .the clientele clearly local and with several blue-​haired couples and familes celebrating birthdays.
SERVICE: Friendly, prompt, knowledgable. Willing to work with special orders and requests. Water glass never empty. No complaints. Chef Aiello was in the house and dropped by several times to see that we were being taken care of. The end of the meal guessing game that others have described is also great fun. We certainly felt wecome and had an enjoyable time.
THE FOOD: I give them a nod for going above and beyond easy to find Italian food. There are many places that can serve standard red sauce on pasta. This place certainly does that and authentically recognizes it as «Sunday Gravy» but it also puts some effort into items that are not always as easy to find in run of the mill Italian chains. Scungilli is a standard offering here and Osso Buco was a special during my visit. While the food was a little heavy on the EVOO, it was also heavy on the whole roasted garlic and the flavors.. .just my family’s style. Also a nod to the reasonable variety on the wine list, heaviest on Italian imports and with price ranges to fit most budgets. Wine snobs will criticize the lack of classic, high end offerings and generic stemware but I found it to be right in the sweet spot of what this place was offering.. .Good food and a welcoming atmosphere at reasonable pricing that can appeal to a wide range of palates.
SUMMARY: It hits my list of places worthy of return visits and that is probably the highest compliment I can give a restaurant. It will not be in the 5-​star zone of fine dining but it hits all the important aspects of a meal out and then some.

Great atmosphere, small place though so during peak times I am sure you will want to have a reservation. The stuffed artichoke appetizer was amazing. They even let me order it at lunch when it isn’t on the menu. Great service. The meatball hero was very good. the salad that comes with it is just ok, the balsamic house dressing is a little strong and may not be for everyone. My guest had the spaghetti and meatballs and thought it needed some garlic or oregano, something to give it some more flavor. My meatballs were covered in cheese.

I want to start off by writing that the service was very good, and everyone was extremely attentive even with a packed restaurant.
With that being said, it was the food that fell short. They claim the food is east coast Italian, but I’m from NY, and practically lived on Italian food, and it didn’t taste anything like back home. I played it safe and tried the spaghetti and meatballs. I agree with another reviewer when she wrote the meatballs were very bland, the pasta its self was almost al dente (under cooked), and the whole dish lacked any kind of taste or creativity. And theItalian bread tasted a day old.
I just want a decent chicken parm :(
But if you enjoy places like Olive Garden, Macaroni Grill, etc… Then you’ll probably like this place. More so for their very friendly staff and owner/​chef.

This review is based on two visits. One was hands down a 5 star experience. The second was a 3 star. Let me just say before I get into the review that I LOVE this restaurant. And will go back. Many times. Every visit to any restaurant isn’t going to knock the ball out of the park.
THE FOOD:
On the 5 star night, I was out with my boyfriend and his friend and we all thought our dishes were great. I had the lasagna, which had just the right amount of spice in the sausage. Nice sized portion, perfectly cooked. Others had a spinach ravioli dish and the pesto gnocchi dish. All of our plates were as clean as we could get them. If there would have been any of the bread left, I might have used it to sop up the small amount of sauce remaining.
On the 3 star night, I was with a large group. I had the Chicken Fiorentina. I had to fight myself to not order the lasagna again and to try something different. I wish I had stayed with the lasagna. There was nothing wrong with the chicken at all. Cooked great, nice creamy panna sauce, perfectly cooked green beans on the side, just not as big of a fan of it as I was of the lasagna. Next time… Several people had the chicken cacciatore and professed it delicious.
THE SERVICE:
On the 5 star night, we had the service you would expect for a 5 star review. She was attentive, charming, gave valuable opinions/​information on what to order. Wonderful.
On the 3 star night, I didn’t have a problem with the service at all. This is based on what others in our group have said. Some said he was inattentive, seemed bored, insincere, etc. Again, just like the chicken vs. lasagna argument above, I would have preferred to have the waitress from the first night, but the waiter from our second visit was fine. One person in our group manages a Scottsdale restaurant and I asked him if he was finding the service lacking. He had a good point when he said, «If I was waiting on 10 gay men of a certain age, I would be falling all over that table.» It’s true. Gay men as a group tip handsomely.
I’ll say it again though. I LOVE this restaurant. I love that Joe comes out and chats with you. I love the ambiance. Maybe someday I’ll try something else on the menu, but next time is definitely the lasagna again.

Went to Aiello’s for my b-​day and really enjoyed the food and service. Everyone was extremely nice and we even got to play their «bingo» game for a free dinner (we didn’t win).
I had the breaded chicken with marinara sauce which was HUGE! Portions at this place are insane, I don’t think that I even ate half. The fillet Mignon is heaven in your mouth, it was butterflied and topped with mushrooms (a little too much mushrooms though).
Overall, this is a great place to dine at, small little romantic place with good music also. A little pricey, but I believe it’s worth it for the atmosphere, food, and friendly service. :)

Excellent bread and the meatballs are to.die.for. Veal and pork with little-​to-​no binder. The meat is ground fine and the huge portions are super-​tender. This is the real deal, no doubt about that! Service at the tables was excellent, I had a nice wine pairing with my dinner, and the bread is delicious with the spicy oil and herbed butter! I liked how the owner worked the room like Artie Bucco — that was a nice touch. This is a real family establishment.
Service at the bar disappointed me the most, though. Although I had a seat and the bar was not full, no one seemed to give a shit that we were sitting there for 10 minutes until Artie came out to see what’s doin’ and that was when we were able to tell him we wanted to order drinks. And then he told the bartender to get us something, which she did, silently.
I had to ask to be served, then ask for a refill, then ask for my tab, then stand there awkwardly waiting for the bartender to return with it while she attended to other business in the meantime while holding my card???

Wow! So good!
We’ve been here three times now and have left super satisfied each time.
We love that it’s an independent restaurant and we are supporting a local business.
The service is great. The owner/​his wife are always there. Joe (the owner) makes a point of coming around to each and every table to make sure his customers are satisfied. Last night, we were talking to him and mentioned that we are getting married next month and he gave us each a free glass of champagne. How thoughtful! All the staff wants you to leave satisfied.
The food is by far the best Italian food in Phoenix, possibly anywhere. It has tons of flavor, tastes fresh, and homemade. Get the minestrone soup to start– best anywhere. The pastas never disappoint.
Cute setting and great atmosphere! Go tonight!

Joe the owner rocks!
Sara from Spain is a gem!
The bread and condiments to die for (watch the oil though, it is spicy)
gravy a little bland but I like spices
Tiramasu is one of the best I have had.
Meatballs are unique. Half pork and half veal.
i can’t wait to go back for a NY Back Door pizza.
I don’t think it is as good as Gaspers though but I will go back and try something else. And I loved Joe at first sight. Ahhhhhh good olé NewYorkers! I miss it!

Wednesday, 730 pm, no reservation, seating took 5 minutes. I highly recommend a reservation for Fri/​Sat as I could see how this place gets packed fast. I was told reservations are simple and held if there are delays so why not do it anyway.
An extremely pleasant birthday evening at a new place we had never tried. Aiello’s is a side facing Italian restaurant on Central just north of Camelback. Easy to pass since the parking lot is in the back.
Do not go in the back as that is for pick up pizza’s only which they run out of quickly. The Owner told us you can reserve a pizza early and then call to have it made for pick up at any time but they only make so many dough balls an evening so if you wait they may run out. So reserve your pizza as it is worth it. They do not serve pizza in the dining room.
Upon entrance you will find a very cozy warm environment with a full bar and about 15 – 20 tables. The 4 of us happen to be seated almost dead center which was slightly loud but not too bad. The wine list is extensive though surprisingly they did not have a Riesling by the glass. not huge a negative. The waitress was extremely knowledgeable about the wine list which you would tend to find at that size of Italian restaurant. We ordered Calamari & a Caesar Salad for appetizers which came out within 10 minutes. Fresh bread was quickly served as was the Pinot Grigio my friend had. Service was quality at that point.
For some reason the waitress delayed taking our main course until we were nearly done with the appetizer. I rarely second guess the wait staff as I do not know how many are serving tables etc but this delay made my gf remark to me and it was something we did discuss on the ride home. When it becomes a point of reference I usually mark it in a review.
Main course was served promptly and I must say the food was heaven. My Veal Parmigiana was exquisite and certainly much better than Carabbas or a similar place. My guests loved the Tortilini which had a wonderful buttery/​smooth velvet taste. Combined with the bread it was a succulent experience. Definitely something to look forward to again or maybe try something slightly different. The pomadoro sauce was also outstanding on my side spaghetti which I wound up taking home.
I really appreciate the Owner/​Chef checking on us 3 different times. asking how the food was and if we needed anything else. A superior host is always the sign of an attentive local unique eatery. As a fellow New Yorker I loved that he came from Brooklyn which just made the experience that much more authentic. As the guests wore down the sound expectantly dissipated which made for easy dessert conversation. I was rewarded with a Tirimisu cake for my birthday. While I usually do not like coffee based cake this was very delicious and splitting it with my table was a nice touch.
So 4 stars for the first time out. would have been 5 but for these small but salvageable itelms
1. Service could have been a little better but still 4 people 1.5 hours was not bad at all
2. The Calamari was mostly the extra fried part. I would say maybe 60% we ate, the rest went back on the plate.
3. A nice wine list is great; I consider a Riesling to be a staple of many menu’s and it would have been nice to have a glass with dinner.
Call me picky but that is why I write these kind of reviews. When I go back if this changes I will be sure to edit it appropriately as I do for all my reviews.

Made a return trip to Aiello’s last Friday night.
Having loved the food so much over the years, and enjoying the dining experience so much on my first real visit, I decided it was the perfect spot to introduce my parents to my girlfriend. (If you’re wondering, they were very impressed with both the food and the girl.)
I’m surprised to say that it was even better being there on a busy night! Joe Aiello spent most of the time walking around and saying hello to all the customers. In the minute or two he stops by your table to see how everything is going, he’s as entertaining as any east coast Italian you’ll ever meet.
I’m even more impressed with the food on this visit. Now that I was with a bigger group, It was more entertaining watching everyone struggle through the menu. It’s so hard to pick something when everything sounds so good (and not a single meal disappointed).

I have to say I had probably one of the best dining experiences of my life the other day when we went for lunch at Aiello’s and for a reasonable price as well. I was quite surprised to say the least.
The location would not lead you to think you’d be in a setting surrounded by greenery but it is once you go inside. To be greeted as nicely as we were is another thing. The regular waitress had an emergency so we learned later that our server was the owners wife. I don’t know when I’ve be taken through a room set as nicely as there. The white table clothes, the colored napkins, all gave a sense of being in harmony. Another thing that rarely happens in Phoenix, she placed our napkins for us! This happens on the coast, maybe, San Francisco or in Dallas, but in Phoenix? My feeling of Aiello’s is of one of those restaurants that happens when culture has reached a point it is right for the moment. Our city has grown to the point that places like this should start happening. They are long overdue!
We had two pasta dishes-​angel hair pasta with meatballs, and I can’t remember the type of pasta with wild mushrooms and shallots. Each was served uniquely, not like what you expect and are served at one of the chain restaurants. The sauces are delectable-​just the right consistency and flavors to be savored! The presentation is one that you expect from a chef. When the dishes are served properly, to my way of thinking, they draw your eye to the of colors and textures. What a delight for this to occur here with each course of our meals! I am looking forward to going back to see what else he can do with other selections on the menu.
(I just really like to write a review like this! Let me continue!)
This is also a restaurant where you must plan on having desserts), I rarely do as am on a perpetual «stay the weight I want to be diet.» Here they are so good, I helped to eat one and finished another. At the time we were there, they were photographing a table set with desserts. Imagine my surprise when we were asked if we’d like to have the desserts that had just been photographed courtesy of Aiello’s. They were wonderful! I felt like the fatted calf when we left and it was worth every calorie to enjoy them! If one is going to indulge, you might as well do it at Aiello’s.
Probably the greatest compliment this restaurant could receive was when my dining companion said «let’s sit for while» when we were finished. She has traveled the world over and has dined extensively. I felt the same, it was a great experience and while let it end!
I had this established recommended to me while having keys cut at the hardware store, hardly the best place to get a recommendation. Also, the same individual roared off on a motorcycle, not another reason for me to think that much about said recommendation. However, this fellow seemed so truly taken with Aiello’s that we went there in spite of misgivings. Speaking of misgivings, I didn’t say when we got there, we were the only people in the establishment. For me, this means the red flags go up immediately. Why is it empty? I knew two and maybe three places had failed in this location before, another not good sign. I truly had to resist the urge to suggest leaving. I am so pleased that we didn’t. We’d have missed this diamond hidden on Central above Camelback road,
One comment concerning casual dressing at Aiello’s. I would be perfectly comfortable wearing slacks or a tuxedo dining here. At lunch I might wear jeans. I don’t see Aiello’s for being a cut offs and t shirt type of place. There are enough places you can do that. Appreciate Aiello’s for what it is worth and dress the part is my suggestion.

Holy canolli this place is fantastic! How have I never been here before?
The set up of the restaurant is very open and they piped in old school tunes, Frank Sinatra, Harry James and Tommy Dorsey. It really reminded me of Artie Bucco’s sister restaurant.
The service was excellent and the staff was friendly and hospitable. We even heard the owner/​chef yelling at the staff from the kitchen «wize this fettuccine sitting owt heaar!» it was classic. He really showed a passion for both the guests and the food.
I had read a few Unilocal reviews before I chose this place and I can only mirror what everyone else said. The Italian bread and focaccia with red pepper olive oil and garlic butter are amazing. The spaghetti and meatballs were to die for. The meatballs LITERALLY melt in your mouth. I want to go back and try everything on the menu.
Spoiler Alert — After the meal the owner came to our table and asked us to guess a number between 1 and 99, you get the number and dinner is free. We didn’t win but it was a fun game and a nice way to end the meal. I will be back — I am anxious to try lunch and the pizzas they are selling out the back!