Maggiano's Little Italy

Maggiano's Little Italy Restaurant Review:

Load the kids into the minivan and pick up the grandparents. Maggiano’s specializes in family-style dining, with portions that are huge. Parties of four or more can customize their own six-course meal: Two appetizers, two salads, two pastas, two main courses, two vegetables, and two desserts are served on huge platters, ready to be passed along. Most of the choices are basic Italian red-sauce, like the excellent multilayered lasagne and mozzarella marinara, but there’s also a tender rosemary roast chicken with a nice, crispy skin and garlic mashed potatoes that pack a punch. Huge food isn’t the only option here. You can get half orders of pasta or appetizers, small salads, and wine by the glass, as well as by the bottle or magnum. As you’d expect, the wine list includes lots of Chianti, but it also offers some surprises, like Dom Perignon, in case you’ve really got something to celebrate. Another surprise is in fine print on the menu: Maggiano’s steaks are U.S. prime grade. No surprise, though: You’ll be leaving with doggy bags.