Lido's Italian Restaurant

Here's my review of Lido's Italian Restaurant from the October 2010 edition of The West Bank Beacon.

LIDO’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT

In 1970, Pete and Josie Callagaro opened Lido’s Italian Restaurant in Marrero. In 1987 Tom and Emily Lingoni bought it from them. For 21 years, the Lingonis operated Lido’s and built up a loyal clientele. In April 2008, the Lingonis sold Lido’s and their recipes to Jeff and Dennette Young. Jeff made a smart move by keeping the Lido’s staff, including 15-year waitress Gail Lingoni and longtime cooks Lydia Martinez and Mindy Guitterez.

Originally from Florida, Young went to Nicholls State University on a soccer scholarship where he met his wife and has been here ever since. Young has an extensive restaurant background in the New Orleans area, including serving as maitre d' at Palace Café and front house manager at Redfish Grille. After working for others his entire career, Young decided to take the leap into owning a place of his own. That dream came true for him when he bought the established, family-owned Lido’s in April 2008.

Lido’s menus offer a variety of traditional Italian fare at both lunch and dinner. I recently enjoyed lunch there with my sister. We shared the Combination Appetizer of fried eggplant and artichoke hearts ($6.75) served with a warm marinara sauce for dipping. The batter was light and the vegetables were fried to perfection. For my entrée, I had the Veal Parmesan ($8.50) served with a generous side of pasta (wheat pasta is available). The veal was tender and delicious. My sister enjoyed the Chicken Impanante ($7.95), a boneless chicken breast, breaded, fried and sprinkled with lemon and parsley. The delicate flavors of the lemon and parsley nicely compliment the dish.

The lunch menu includes an assortment of appetizers including Antipasto ($9.50), Stuffed Artichoke ($9.00), and fried vegetables served with warm marinara sauce ($6.00). There are 8 salads offered at lunch including the Lido Salad of salami, cheese, asparagus, artichoke hearts, olives and tomatoes ($8.00). Sandwiches include meatball, Italian sausage, chicken breast, veal cutlet, catfish, shrimp and oysters. ($7.50 - $8.00).

The dinner menu offers a variety of traditional dishes and includes several specialties not on the lunch menu. Shrimptini is a new appetizer for 2: shrimp in butter, worstershire and Crystal hot sauce served in a 50-ounce Martini glass with 4 toast points. Eggplant Lydia with spaghetti is fried eggplant medallions topped with rich, slightly spicy crawfish and cheese sauce ($15.75). Shrimp and Oyster Bordelaise is shrimp and oysters served in olive oil, butter and garlic sauce served over fettuccini noodles ($17.50). Chicken Modenese is boneless chicken breast, breaded, fried and topped with mozzarella cheese, prosciutto ham and tomato sauce ($15.75). Veal Scallopini Marsala with new potatoes is medallions of white veal, sautéed with mushrooms in butter and Marsala wine ($16.50). And Tom’s Special is shrimp, onions and bell peppers sautéed with butter, white wine and lemon juice served over wheat angel hair pasta ($16.50). So many terrific dishes to choose from!!

Young prides himself on using only the finest and freshest local vendors from whom he procures top cut veal, seafood and produce. That commitment to quality is evident in the final product at Lido’s.

Lido’s main dining room is quaint and comfortable. The tables, adorned with red & white checkered table cloths, seat up to 75 comfortably. The restaurant offers a full bar and wine list. There’s a back dining room that seats up to 20 people for private parties or meetings. Young also has a catering menu that can be provided upon request. Lido’s participates in restaurant.com gift certificates and through May Lido’s Clipper Cash in Clipper Magazine can be redeemed with meals. Lido’s is located at 1019 Avenue C, Marrero (next to West Jefferson Medical Center). Their hours are Tuesday - Friday 11:00 am to 2:00 pm and Tuesday - Saturday 5:00 to 8:30 pm. The phone number is 504-347-8203.

Jeff Young and his staff welcome everyone to Lido’s. It’s a wonderful place to bring your family, friends and colleagues. On your second visit everyone will know your name and how you like your drink. Lido’s is a welcome respite from our busy and impersonal schedules. Make sure to stop by soon to savor all it has to offer.

Reprinted with permission of The West Bank Beacon.