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40 - The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday October 15, 2008 www.oakvillebeaver.com 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 doors knowing we are in for a delicious meal. Greeted by the aromas of fine cheese, crushed basil and the 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 certainly 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 Oakville 579 K St O k ill ON L6K 3E1 Downtown Lunch Special from $ 5 $7.95 Included Entrée Rice Crispy Roll and Soup/Salad BOOK YOUR PRIVATE OR CORPORATE FUNCTION TODAY... TODAY ... AND RECEIVE A GIFT CERTIFICATE ON US C4-1011 Upper Middle Rd. E Oakville L6H 4L1 905.845.3777 WWW.THAI-SIAM.COM Dine-In & Carry Out OPEN UNTIL 3:00 AM 7 DAYS A WEEK FRIDAYS & SATURDAYS DJ Sports Bar & Entertainment SPICY MONDAYS Penne Arrabiata for 4 & 1 Litre of House Wine $ & Tuesday N e w MondayPOOL LEAGUE ARNOLD'S Begins in October ­ Cash Prizes ­ Sign up now! First Prize up to $3000 ­ Register NOW! 54.95 SCALLOPINE TUESDAYS Veal Scallopine, Potatoes & Vegi's for 4 & 1 Litre of House Wine $ · Falafe · Souvla · Shawarma · Taboule · Seafood Mixed Grill Wednesday's $3.00 OFF PITCHERS $1.25 OFF PINTS KARAOKE Sheridan's own DJ Jim will be jamming every week from 9:30 pm to 1am 74.95 ALFREDO WEDNESDAYS Fettucine Alfredo for 4 & 1 Litre of House Wine $ Thirsty Thursday's 6 btls. Domestic Beer $22.50 ­ 6 btls. Import Beer $30.00 Mixed Drinks ­ $3.75 59.95 SEAFOOD THURSDAYS Assorted Seafood Platter for 4 & 1 Litre of House Wine $ Sunday's Wing Night 50¢ Wings ­ Dine-in only 84.95 Visit 485 MORDEN RD. exit Dorval Drive South T: 905-844-1958 F: 905-844-3261 905.338.1888 (905)844-2613 www.arnoldssportsbar.ca 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. Kerr 7 pm Every Sunday with Elite Poker · Prizes & Draws 2273 Royal Windsor Dr. (Just west of Ford Drive) Dorval Elite Poker Sunday's www.spacco.ca for more information 134 Lakeshore Road West, Oakville