Salvatore's Restaurant

Great place, quiet and comfortable. I always go to get my favorite dish... Chicken francaise!

The food is only OK. The prices could be cheaper as well. The decor feels like I stepped into a time machine going back to the 80's every time I walk in the place. Avoid if possible.

We took my sister here not too long ago to celebrate her birthday.  Growing up in the western part of the state (really, I grew up an hour west of Boston, but people out here think that's practically New York, so I'll call it western) we would frequently go to Springfield when we needed something only "the big city" could offer.  I remember sitting in the back of Mom's minivan driving down Boston Rd and seeing this place thinking it was the most fancy restaurant ever and how it'd be so cool to go there.  Well, I finally got the chance at age 28 and while I've been to better Italian places, I thought this place was pretty good.  If you're looking for a romantic setting, look elsewhere--the inside is a more banquet style dining room than intimate.  It's brightly lit and the decor is pretty minimal.  It really reminded me more of a hotel function room than a restaurant.  Certainly a family-friendly setting if that's what you're looking for, the kind of place you could bring the kids and grandma.  

Atmosphere aside, everything else about the place was nice.  Our server was attentive and was able to answer any questions we had about the menu.  Cocktails were my two favorite things--generous and affordable--and the food wasn't overly expensive either.  My dad and I put down a plate of fried calamari which was quite good, having both rings and the little bodies.  Fried but not greasy and a pretty generous portion.  For dinner, I had the beef braciole, pinwheels of beef wrapped around spinach and cheese with red sauce.  It sounded really tasty and I was excited for it, but honestly, it was not something I raved over.  Which isn't to say it was bad, just not a meal I'll remember for the rest of my life, you know?    

The thing that irks me is that this place is just down the street from an Olive Garden and they always seem to have a 2 hour wait when Salvatore's was pretty slow on a Saturday night.  I would certainly say the quality of the food at Sal's is better than Olive Garden so please please please, if you are going out for family-friendly Italian dining in this area, skip the wait at OG and come here.