We've all seen the Olive Garden commercials. You know the ones that make the OG seem like a family run place where the servers know you by name and spend their shift standing at your table making jokes. We all know it's not true, but then we occasionally convince ourselves we can eat enough salad and breadsticks to make it worthwhile, and there we are, with a suburban college student as a waiter trying in vain to explain the difference between red and white wine.

Well, Toscana isn't like that. Toscana is actually family owned, and while dad is in the kitchen cooking, the kids are out in the dining room waiting tables. Nothing is watered down here, and while the atmosphere may be somewhat indeterminate (is it Italian? Eastern European?) one definitely gets the sense that it's at least heartfelt.

With a rotating list of specials, there's always something new to try. Standouts here include a portabella mushroom ravioli ($12) and a variety of homemade soups. Each entree falls in the $8-15 range. Sadly, there's no unlimited salad on offer, but the piping hot basket of bread brought to your table makes you forget all about that.

Average cost: $10-$20

Centerstage Reviewer: Bill Burman