I first learned about Matteo’s from a feature on New Day Cleveland. It sounded and looked delicious, and the fact that it was located in my hometown (Olmsted Falls) made me want to check it out. I’ve been there several times and have always really enjoyed my meals there. It is located on Columbia Road/Route 252 near the intersection with Bagley Road in Grand Pacific Junction (in the strip of business just south of the railroad tracks).
Grand Pacific Junction was developed after my family moved away. It was a bunch of ramshackle buildings and a strip mall that housed my first bank (National City) and Kucklick’s Furniture back in my day. It is a very popular, fully restored Victorian shopping village with more than 30 shops, restaurants and services. Restaurants in Matteo’s location have struggled over the years, but Matteo’s has been here since 2015 and does a booming business because the food is so good. Reservations are highly recommended if you want a table.
Matteo’s main entrance is in a storefront facing the parking lot and several of the standalone buildings such as Clementine’s, although they also built a storefront facing Columbia Road. But that door is locked and you need to use the side entrance (door on the right as you look at it – the first door you come to from the street). There is ample parking behind the buildings and on the side street.
The quality of the food is good, and everything is apparently housemade. There is a good selection of vegetarian, meat and seafood dishes. The menus is fairly extensive but not too extensive or overly ambitious. The food is tasty, and the prices are reasonable. In fact, the prices about the same or a little less than places like Carrabba’s and Macaroni Grille, but it’s always nice to support an independent. Many of the entrees are available in half portions (and still come with a side AND a dinner salad)l It isn’t advertised, but if you ask they can accommodate you. You can easily eat a half portion and STILL have leftovers.
The service was friendly and very attentive. The servers and runners are well-trained and efficient, and it is obvious that management cares. The chef is definitely underrated. He is dishing out great food in generous portions – all beautifully presented and perfectly cooked.
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On my first visit I met friends from high school for lunch. It was pre-pandemic. They are only open for dinner during the week (except Mondays) from 4 to 9 (and 8 on Sunday and 10 on Friday and Saturday), but are advertising that lunch is “coming soon.”
They have no trouble serving large parties. Every time I’ve been here with a group we have received prompt and attentive service. Each time we were blown away by the food – especially the pizza. It is a simple flatbread-like pizza and absolutely delicious. I really liked the pillowy yet crunchy crust that you can sink your teeth into.
As for dinner service, the bread is warm and has a nice crust. It is served with both butter and a dipping oil of vinegar and lots of herbs and roasted heirloom tomatoes. The butter was not rock hard, which I really liked. I like being able to choose between dipping oil or butter and totally appreciate being able to spread the butter I am given.
The Italian wedding soup contains generously sized meatballs, shredded chicken, escarole and napa cabbage, pastina and chunks of carrots and celery. It was tasty. I think it is one of the better Italian wedding soups in town.
The Zucchini Frites are a great starter – crispy, seasoned, and delicious – and the basil aoli is divine. Our dining group polished it off by sharing it up and down the table, and everyone really enjoyed it.
A friend and I recently arrived at 4:30 on a Friday night without a reservation (I figured 4:30 would be early and more accommodating) and were given a table in the bar. It quickly filled up, and there was a small line at the door for a table when we left at around 6. We were given beverages and then ordered from the bartender/server.
The runners who brought out our food were efficient, but we did have to ask someone for the coffee my friend ordered after she had had her tiramisu for a while. Also, when I asked about the Monte Cristo after-dinner drink the bartender admitted she had been working there since March (it was November) and had never made one. Obviously I didn’t order it, but it is really nice to be able to order a drink because the town was dry when I was growing up and residents had to cross the town line to drink alcohol in an establishment. My friend enjoyed her cocktail, which she said had lots of bourbon, and a glass of Chianti with dinner. I had a pumpkin martini, which was perfectly prepared.
The cavatelli and gnocchi and other pastas appear to be housemade. Two of my friends ordered the gnocchi and thoroughly enjoyed it. I ordered the lasagna, since they are well-known for their “5-layer lasagna.” It is made with sheets of fresh pasta and mini meatballs and smothered in their house red sauce and provolone cheese and baked. It was definitely one of the better lasagnas out there.
The eggplant parm is absolutely amazing. Three big, thick slices of tender breaded eggplant topped with a tomato slice and cheese and served with a side of pasta. My friend ordered it and gave me her extra slice to take home with my leftovers, and it reheated well and was absolutely delicious.
I asked our waitress which entree she recommended – the Chicken Matteo or the Shrimp Matteo – and she quickly answered “Chicken Matteo.” The Chicken Matteo is their signature dish and is billed as breaded chicken with “romano cheese, tomatoes, asparagus, lobster sherry sauce, served with mashed potatoes.” The mashed potatoes were smooth and creamy, and the two chicken cutlets were perfectly cooked. The lobster sherry sauce didn’t seem very “lobstery” or sherry-heavy. It just seemed like a cream sauce. It was very good and reheated well.
The dessert options were tempting, and included limoncello mascarpone cake, cannolis, and cassata cake. My friend ordered the tiramisu, and it was creamy and absolutely delicious – and large enough to share.
If you enjoy delicious Italian food and are on the west side, be sure to check Matteo’s out!
Contact info:
Matteo’s Casual Italian
8072 Columbia Road
Olmsted Falls, OH 44138
(440) 427-5400
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