The quiet neighborhood of Eastlake is peppered with great restaurants. Down the road from Serafina and Babirusa, is Pomodoro, offering Italian and Spanish cuisine in one of the most romantic restaurants in the city.                                                               

We were seated under warm lights among couples and larger groups dining together.

This family establishment is known for their tapas, entrees and reasonably priced wine. Chef Antolin Blanco has been in the food industry for more than 30 years, preparing food in Barcelona and serving the Spanish Army, King of Spain and President Clinton.

Everything is made in-house, from the oils, to the sauces and the broths. The meat and seafood is all fresh. The service is great and the chef takes the time to speak to his patrons.

The dishes are original and complex. It is hard to name any favorites because every item is exceptional. If I had to pick, I would lean toward the Caesar salad, manicotti and gambas. The pasta with crab was delicious. You really can’t go wrong.

The chef will offer you some of his homemade habanero sauce. It is so good that we keep a bottle of it at home. 

Pomodoro has and always will be a local favorite.