Vinny's is living proof that an arsenal of family recipes can often outdo the fanciest of culinary school training.

Maybe I've become too finicky, but it seems like the only way to eat Italian food is from an Italian family recipe book. It's hard to top a grandmother's marinara or an uncle's secret meatball recipe, and generic attempts at that old-world Italian fare seem to fall flat every time. Vinny's is living proof that an arsenal of family recipes can often outdo the fanciest of culinary school training, thanks to owner Giovanni's decades whipping up (and eating) real-deal spaghetti and meatballs, sausage and peppers, and fried calamari that has absolutely nothing in common with the rubbery, greasy rings at many a faux-Italian restaurant.

Vinny's New York Pizza & Italian Grill, the older brother to Midtown's new pizza joint, has a menu full of these family favorites, the kind where (ahem) even if you're full, you just can't pass up a few spoonfuls of the stew-like sausage and peppers, and a few bites of that calamari. Okay, fine, the whole plate. But you can't blame me—this Italian grill has real chops, and after nearly a decade serving their cookin' to their Duluth neighbors (and Gwinnett Arena-goers), it's safe to say they've honed their skills to a tee. But don't take my word for it. Once you bite into those parmesan-dusted meatballs, you'll know exactly what I'm talking about.

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Menu Highlights:
Calamari Fritti, $8.95
Fettuccini Alfredo, $8.95 (Lunch) - $10.95 (Dinner)
Oven-Baked Pasta, $8.95 (Lunch) - $11.95 (Dinner)
Sausage & Pepper Plate, $9.95 (Lunch) - $12.95

Hours:
Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday, 5 p.m. - 10 p.m.