Meatballs and fettuccini have been served up at Petrucelli&8217;s Italian Eatery off of highway 280 for more than 15 years now. Judy and Charlie Vatella opened the restaurant in 1992 had have been successful thanks to long-term employees, consistent service, value pricing and guest satisfaction.

General Manager John Hendrix said the local feel of the restaurant keeps people coming back.

&8220;You can come and spend your money at a place where you know the dollars are going right back into the community,&8221; Hendrix said. &8220;We are very proud to have been around this long.&8221;

ATMOSPHERE

Servers tend to know customer&8217;s names in this privately owned business, which allows for a true family atmosphere. The restaurant is large, offering plenty of room for track teams or family birthday parties as well as booths for intimate conversations. Petrucelli&8217;s also offers a full-service bar and a patio area perfect for a summer night.

MENU

Choices abound and it might take you an appetizer to decide what suits your taste for the evening. The menu includes some favorite Italian dishes such as chicken parmesan or lasagna, or you can dive into the seafood primavera, which offers a combination of shrimp, scallops and vegetables saut/ed in butter, Italian herbs and spices. For a dinner that is more light-hearted and fun-loving, try making your own calzone, strombolli roll-up or pizza. You choose your own sauce and add toppings like sweet red peppers and feta cheese for a one of a kind meal.

SERVICE

Servers and the owners pride themselves on knowing their menu as well as they know their customers. Most servers have their favorite dishes to recommend or at least know the ins and outs of every dish. Want seafood but want to try it on fettucini with a pesto sauce … it can be done.

FIND IT

10 Meadow View Drive

Birmingham, AL 35243

Highway 280 Inverness

991-7455

Monday-Thursday: 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 to 10 p.m.; Friday: 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 to 11 p.m.; Saturday: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; closed Sunday