Expect stellar sauces, service at Luigi’s

Luigi’s Italian Gourmet Restaurant on Brambleton Avenue in Roanoke has been in business for 42 years. Maristane Rocha, who has owned Luigi’s for 22 years, said she is very proud of her establishment’s long standing in the community, which she attributes to loyal customers .

The vibe

The decor at Luigi’s is warm and inviting. The taupe walls are a perfect backdrop for the long, flowing window dressings. The linen-covered tables are adorned with fresh flowers and lit candles . A separate bar offers beer, mixed drinks and wines from the restaurant’s extensive wine list.

The food

On our first dinner visit, my dining partner and I decided to try the crab-stuffed mushrooms ($9.95) as our appetizer. Each of the six mushroom caps was stuffed with crab meat and nestled in a buttery sauce. The sweet and delicate crab meat contained no filler and proved to be a wonderful start to dinner.

For my entree, I ordered chicken saltimbocca ($18.95), two tender chicken breasts stuffed with prosciutto and mozzarella cheese and simmered in a brown sauce of Marsala wine and onions. My dining partner opted for the eggplant Parmigiana ($14.95), which consists of lightly fried eggplant layered with cheese, covered in a rich marinara sauce and topped with mozzarella cheese .

Entrees are accompanied by a house salad and freshly baked bread with butter. For an additional fee, the house-made garlic bread ($2.75) is a must-try. Our salads arrived a few minutes after we ordered, with a side of creamy avocado dressing also made by the kitchen staff. The green salad was crisp and refreshing and the dressing was a culinary treat.

When our entrees arrived, we were both surprised by the generous portion sizes. It was so much food that we each ended up taking half home. The Marsala sauce was a perfect pairing for the chicken saltimbocca, and the accompanying pasta, coated with sauce and sauteed onions, was properly cooked . My guest raved about her high-stacked eggplant Parmigiana. After tasting it, I told her it was the best I’d ever tried.

For dessert, we shared the torta tiramisu ($6.95) with Kahlua, mascarpone cheese, Marsala and layers of Italian cake. It was good, but I have had better tiramisu. I later learned it is not made at the restaurant.

After seeing another patron order the spaghetti with meat sauce ($14.95) on my first visit, I couldn’t resist it on our second trip. I ordered mine with Italian sausage ($2.75) and garlic bread. My stern request that my dining partner try something different fell on deaf ears; she could not resist ordering the eggplant Parmigiana again.

The spaghetti, expertly prepared, was covered with ladles of a rich, tomato-based meat sauce, and slices of sweet Italian sausage provided layers of flavor. The hot garlic bread was the perfect complement to both entrees.

This time for dessert we shared the chocolate raspberry truffle ($6.95), which consisted of rich layers of chocolate cake with dark chocolate icing and raspberry sauce. One order was more than enough for two. Not only was the presentation beautiful, but the cake also was sinfully delicious — moist and not overly sweet.

The bottom line

Superbly prepared Italian entrees at Luigi’s are a true testament to the skill of chefs Elcio Silva, Juninho Rocah and Roque Albuquerque , who take pride in each dish that leaves the kitchen. I also tip my hat to the waitstaff, who are friendly and eager to ensure that guests enjoy their evening out.

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