Cariera's, Dearborn Heights

- 95% 

For staters the mussels are the best, no sand, tender with just a bit of wine and shallots and each plump in it's own shell. more»

I was surprised to find no review, so I am writing this for the visitors to Dearborn who want a great Italian meal. more»

The prices are reasonable , with a veal dish you get pasta and another side , with soup or salad , this would cost twice as much in NY , and the service is good. more»

Great food and Great service. more»

Best food , atmosphere , and service , and reasonably priced. more»

The atmosphere is very quaint and romantic. more»

From the east side of Detroit to parts of Ohio and Ontario customers have been raving about owner Jim Cariera's restaurant for more than 10 years.Many come from miles around claiming the Italian food and ambience served here is the next best thing to Italy itself. It would be difficult to debate that fact considering the Old World care and consideration that goes into the cuisine.

"The menu is a mixture of southern and northern Italian dishes," Cariera said. "My family is from Sicily and I've got a lot of recipes I've brought from home. My mother is 92 and a lot of her input is in the menu, too." All the food is fresh and everything is homemade. Head chef Mo Ambrosio carefully implements those family treasures to the letter, adding his own spin on tradition.

Diners have a choice of several homemade pastas, including rotini, fettucine, penne, capellini, spaghetti and linguine, along with a number of sauces such as sugo, marinara, meat sauce, olive oil, garlic and alfredo.From pizza to chicken, fish, beef and veal, the bill of fare is more than satisfying, and each dish is prepared in a variety of authentic and delectable ways.

All entrees come with an oven fresh bread basket and a choice of hearty soups or primo salads. The menu also has a full array of sandwiches for lunch, such as meatball, breaded sole, grilled chicken rosemary, Italian sausage, pollo parmesan and steak.

Prices can range from a pasta dish like Gnocchi Bolognese at $12.95 to various cooked-to-order beef filets for $19.95. Luncheon items are less and all entrees can be customized to individual tastes and dietary requirements. "We put in a bar about three years ago and that has been really good for us," Manager Kelly Wasmund said. "A lot of single people come in and hang out before they meet their friends and stuff."