Yes :-) Remi's review (Aug 14th 2006)

I’m not sure I can quite put into words the utter strangeness of Amalfi. Judging by the forums this is not an entirely unique assertion, and… Well, let’s start from the beginning…

Amalfi is a “Greek/Italian” restaurant located in the old Valley Hula Hut. That would in itself not have been all that strange, hadn’t it been for the place being run by a Turk. Wouldn’t “Turkish/Greek” or “Turkish/Italian” or even “Turkish/Italian/Greek” have made more sense? Anyway. The proprietor was obviously fairly happy with the old interiors as very little has changed since the Hula Hut days. The Hawaiian mural? Still there. Dreyer’s ice cream? Check. Hula Hut’s old menu? Definitely. I mean, OK, the items that no longer was served had been taped over, with new dishes hand written in. Why not? Signs are expensive after all.

The tables and chairs are all of the plastic patio variety, covered with white plastic table cloths. I choose to believe that this is all in an effort to make the place look shabby chic.

Yet all of this was eclipsed by the piles of books stacked in every open space. That’s right, books. Amalfi is, in fact, a restaurant/bookstore! And the books are great! First editions, rarities, Jim Kershner… You name it, Amalfi has it.

As for the food: When we were there I decided to go with the cheeseburger. This was apparently an insult to the owner’s Greek Italian Turkish heritage, as he laughed out loud while almost yelling “cheeseburger” while walking back to start cooking. Now granted, ordering a burger in an authentic Italian restaurant might not be completely Kosher, but thirty seconds earlier we had been told that Amalfi’s special was, in fact, spaghetti and meatballs. And seeing that the menu had items from all over the world on it (including teriyaki) then, well… I just don’t think the hamburger was that strange of a choice.

It wasn’t really that bad of a burger either, being served on a whole wheat roll with spinach and tomatoes. I’m not so sure about the Jennifer’s gyro which seemed to have been drowned in tomato sauce. Walking back to the restrooms revealed cases of the sauce (Albertsons brand,) and I am going to assume that the famous spaghetti must be served in this too.

But who cares, Amalfi is a place that has to be visited even if the food was horrible. A restaurant/bookstore run by what we later found out was a philosophy professor? How many times will you be able to experience anything like that? This is my new favorite spot in the Valley.

PS! A geography lesson: Amalfi is a town in Italy. Just so you know.

Yes :-) Sara's review (Aug 21st 2006)

I had a rather lengthy review on the forums when I first ate at this place, under the heading “Bizarre Dining Experience of the Year.” I will summarize:

What we noticed immediately was how much it still looked like Hula Hut—the bamboo, the beach scene mural along one wall. Half the menu boards were still the same as Hula Hut’s, only there were stickers over the “Hula” in Hula Burger to make it read “Cheese Burger” (yes, two words). Teriyaki chicken and chicken katsu were still on the menu. Very…um… Greek? Whatever. Clearly, the place had been sold for cheap and then the new owner couldn’t afford to redecorate.

We, too, were met with laughs when ordering a cheeseburger. I have no idea why it was funny to the guy, but ok. My husband liked his cheeseburger—liked the wheat bun, the mustard, the fact that it wasn’t over or undercooked.

I have a feeling that when it comes to other things, quality may just depend on the day. Whereas Jennifer’s gyro was drowning in sauce, mine seemed to be just right. I was stuffed afterward at least, and for only $4.50.

We didn’t ask about the books when were there, though I now know they are for sale. I just spent the whole time wondering why a bio on Margaret Thatcher was so prominently displayed.

Honestly, the food is average, not horrible. It doesn’t cost much and the strange experience of eating there is worth it. You have to keep this guy in business—He needs to repaint that mural and maybe buy a real menu board, after all.

Yes :-) Jolene Wehmeyer's review (Jan 21st 2008)

I think the food at Almalfi’s is great. His chicken Fettucine is the best in town and the salad on the side is always an unusual combination of flavors with his special homemade dressing. The hamburgers are only on the menu for the less adventurous. His books display add a unique element to your dining experience. Yes, the decor is horrible, but he runs the business completely by himself and works 7 days a week. The food completely makes up for the decor as it’s homemade with an interesting twist on the flavors.

Yes :-) jane dough's review (Apr 15th 2008)

Amalfi’s is my favorite little restaurant. The decor has been upgraded some, and it’s a nice little place. The spaghetti is killer, the pork chop divine, the salads are fresh and varied.

The prices are right and I love the books. Oh, the lasagne is so fine…lots of vegetables in it.

Yes :-) Joe Italiano's review (May 7th 2008)

I eat at Amalfi’s twice a week.
If you call first (924-1376)he will have it ready.
I usually have Gyros or calzone for lunch, and spaghetti is my favorite dinner. Each dish is made to order- no steam table! Good, cheap eats- better than junk fast food.

I even had him cater a party. It’s way better than the usual boring catered food.

No :-( Brijoe08's review (Jun 14th 2008)

We tried this place out tonight after reading all your reviews and I gotta say, you guys are way off. I will not go back there again. The food was disgusting. I had a calzone which came with red sauce and tasted like it was Ragu with a couple spices thrown in to “make it his own”, the salad dressing tasted like watered down ranch with absolutely no flavor.

My wife had the chicken fettuccine, which I read was supposed to be the best. It tasted like burned butter and cream. Bland at best. The chicken comes in a stewed tomato sauce. Different, Nice change. It looked good. Turns out the chicken was tough and she couldn’t get past the inch long stalks of parsley through out.

Tried the Baklava… mistake. Once again, a heavy taste of rancid oil. Not light and crisp, but oiled down and greasy.

I’ll give this restaurant credit, the presentation was nice. All the food ‘looked’ good, it just wasn’t.

The one good portion of the meal were the 3 little pickled green beans that were mixed in the salad. I liked those, although I am sure they came out of a jar from costco. I’ll have to pick me up a jar next time I’m there.

Bon-appetit Amalfi!!!

Yes :-) Kalimaya's review (Jul 24th 2008)

I have been going to Amalfi’s for quite some time and I gotta saw I love it. It’s bold and unique style and lack of commercialism is highly commendable. As for bland.. I must beg to differ. He truly does make each plate on demand and personalized. He has an eye for design and a palate for taste. I actually think he really could and should charge more for his dishes. He may buy at Albertsons or Costco… but I have actually seen him cook and he contributes his own spices and seasonings to everything. I would recommend this place to any and everyone. I’ve seen no where else here that is so welcoming, personalized, and palatable.