Grub Scout: Lescotti's serves Italian faves in Farragut

I’ve got a bunch of new restaurants on my list these days, but I have to admit that what ultimately steered me in the direction of Lescotti’s was my first social-couponing experience (think Half Off Depot or Groupon). The site I visited was offering $20 of Lescotti’s for $10, so since the new Farragut eatery was on my short list, I felt compelled to take advantage.

The Grub Spouse and I rolled into Farragut and recognized the address as the site of a recent Grub visit to the now-defunct Muddoggs Cajun Grill. Inside, the decor has been noticeably Italianized, thanks to an overall brighter, more colorful decor scheme, black-and-white checkered tablecloths and Italian-themed prints on the walls.

Lescotti’s is partially a self-service affair. You spend however much time you need looking over then menu before ordering at the service window near the front entrance. Then you take your glasses to the drink station at the rear of the main dining room, and finally, you take the booth or table of your choice until your food is delivered to your table by a server.

The fare revolves mainly around pizza, pasta, salads and sandwiches, which the menu refers to as “sammiches.” (Is that how they pronounce “sandwiches” in Italy, I wonder?)

The prices are reasonable, with pizzas ranging from $6.50 for a 10-inch cheese pie to $19.70 for a five-topping 16-incher. Small and large pasta dishes are $3.99 and $7.39, respectively, salads range from $6.50 to $7.50, and sammiches come in at $4.50 for a six-inch and $8 for a footlong.

We added a small order of garlic bread to get us started. We were asked specifically if we wanted the bread as an appetizer, but although we said yes, the bread still wasn’t delivered until our main dishes were brought out.

Speaking of which, The Spouse ordered a Fat Tony sandwich, consisting of meatballs, caramelized onions, spaghetti sauce and mozzarella. The sandwich names were a source of mild amusement. Besides The Fat Tony, there’s The Knee Capper, The Headless Joe and The Don. At least there’s no Italian stereotyping going on here.

Meanwhile, I ordered a pizza. There’s a handful of gourmet specialty pizzas — including a chicken and barbecue pie as well as a “white” pizza — all sporting a similar organized-crime motif. But I went freelance by custom ordering a 12-inch pizza with Italian sausage, mushrooms and onions. I got Sicilian crust instead of thin.

The garlic bread tasted more like Texas toast to me, and at $2.49 for a small order, I was disappointed in the two thin strips of bread we were served. The sandwich did better, however. As a basic, nuts-and-bolts meatball sandwich, I wouldn’t say it ranks among my favorites, but this creation held its own and didn’t leave us causing a fuss.

I had mixed feelings about the pizza. The veggie toppings were sliced/chopped thick and chunky, which I don’t mind, but I would have preferred my onions and mushrooms to have spent a little more time in the oven. These seemed more raw than cooked. However, some pizza lovers may not have a problem with that.

Otherwise, the sauce was good, and the cheese was plentiful as well — both plusses. The Sicilian crust was much thinner than I expected, leaving me to wonder how thin the thin crust must have been.

The desserts at Lescotti’s are homemade, although the night we visited, none were available. Of course, the highlight of the night was getting a hearty Italian meal for two for only $10.

© 2011, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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