Gino’s Fine Italian Food
1410 S. Main St., Salinas
(831) 422-1814, www.ginospasta.com
The food here is flat-out crave worthy. From a blackened-chicken fettuccine in a thick, creamy Alfredo sauce to a manicotti featuring homemade crepes and deliciously, deeply crimson sauce, Gino’s really does have something for everyone. The tender calamari strips are some of the best in the county, the meatballs are juicy and ingredients are handled with a deft touch that belie Gino’s reputation as a red-sauce joint. If the line at the reservation desk or the jam-packed parking lot seem overwhelming, pick up the phone and order a family meal to go. (Or if you have a crowd to feed, order a few party trays.) The choices are almost overwhelming, but just almost.