The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday September 3, 2008 - 25 For those of us who don't have our own nonna, thank god for Ritorno! Thrilled to be invited to dine at Julia Hanna's new restaurant, Ritorno, my friend and I walk through the door knowing we are in for a delicious meal. Greeted by the aromas of fine cheese, crushed basil and scents that only home-cooked Italian cuisine offers, we are warmly welcomed and shown to our table. Dedicated to Julia's nonna, the restaurant feels more like a trip into a cozy, inviting kitchen in Italy with soft, Italian music playing in the background. The restaurant is filled with happy customers and gracious staff and we instantly feel at home. You can feel the heart here. The focal point of the restaurant, if not the incredible food, is the `Nonna Wall'. A growing tribute to grandmothers everywhere, guests are invited to bring in a photo of their grandmother to be hung on the wall. A symbol of the years of loving sacrifice these women made for their families and the decades of family cooking they offered. It's a bustling afternoon at Ritorno as Julia greets each guest with a smile and a visit to their table. As she happily strolls the room making each patron feel at home, while checking in with the kitchen from time to time, you can easily see the key to Julia's success. It's not just about business at Ritorno. It's about family, food and love and taking the time in our busy lives to enjoy these things. And there seems to be something about dining at Ritorno that helps us do this. "Following your heart is the most honest route to take," Julia tells us. "Food and hospitality should come from the heart!" As our food arrives the aromas hit us and we dig in. We are treated to the freshest and finest ingredients. This home-cooked cuisine is different than other Italian food we've eaten in restaurants. "Everything is made 100 per cent from scratch," Julia explains. You truly can taste the difference. We feast on Traditional Antipasti, Baked Rigatoni Quattro Formaggio, Veal Marcella, Mushroom Risotto and Meatballs (Julia's nonna's recipe). Each dish just as delicious as the next, my friend and I are amazed with the perfectly flavoured meals. As dessert arrives we watch as Julia serves food to a guest's table, and laughs with the patron. Her son has come for the day and he sits and watches his mom at work. This really is a loving, family establishment. With food cooked and created from the heart, Julia and Chef Carl have done it again. They have brought another memorable restaurant to our community. After our dessert and cappuccino is gone, and we can't eat another bite, we leave thanking the staff for a truly delicious meal. Back to our busy lives of deadlines in the media industry, we are thankful to Julia and to Ritorno for reminding us of the importance of taking the time to enjoy a little food with friends throughout our hectic day. As I think about this on my trip home I am filled with joy, because I know this is Julia's goal, and she has cer- The management team at Ritorno. (FROM LEFT) Courtney Baker, General Manager; Julia Hanna; Matt Roots, Sous Chef; Carl Dahl, Executive Chef. tainly succeeded in bringing back good hospitality in a warm, loving Italian way. In Italian, the word `Ritorno' means to `return', and after my lunch at Ritrono, that is just what I will be doing! Ritorno is located at 261 Oak Walk Drive Oakville. For more information call (905) 257-5881. Family Meal Deals You Deser ve a Break 10% Off · Falafel · Shawarma · Souvlaki · Taboule · Seafood Mixed Grill Take-Out SPICY MONDAYS Penne Arrabiata for 4 & 1 Litre of House Wine $ We Now Deliver! 54.95 SCALLOPINE TUESDAYS Veal Scallopine, Potatoes & Vegi's for 4 & 1 Litre of House Wine $ Specializing in Thai Cuisine · Choose from a wide selection of Salads, Curry, Pad Thai, Seafood, Duck, Chicken and Beef · Private parties available for any corporate or private functions · Custom menu designed to your request, for any group of 12 or more Dorval Kerr 74.95 ALFREDO WEDNESDAYS Fettucine Alfredo for 4 & 1 Litre of House Wine $ 59.95 SEAFOOD THURSDAYS Assorted Seafood Platter for 4 & 1 Litre of House Wine $ 84.95 Visit www.spacco.ca for more information T: 905-844-1958 F: 905-844-3261 Iroquois Shore Rd. 2273 Royal Windsor Dr. (Just west of Ford Drive) 134 Lakeshore Road West, Oakville 372 Iroquois Shore Road, Oakville OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK Mon.-Fri. 12-12pm, Sat. 5pm-1am, Sun. 5pm-12pm OPEN: Mon.-Thurs. 11-11 Fri.-Sat. 11-11:30 Lakeshore Rd. www.orchidthaifusion.ca Trafalgar 905.338.1888 905-815-9888 Oakville Place Oakville Place Dr. QEW