Penne Pomodoro
11661 Preston
214.368.3100
$$
HOURS:
Mon-Sun 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Fresh pesto and rigatoni with a good glass of Chardonnay is probably not the first thing that comes to mind when parents think about dinner with the kids. But those parents have probably never considered Penne Pomodoro. The Italian eatery proves that kid-friendly dining doesn’t have to mean chicken nuggets and a plastic ball pit. Instead, parents can choose from authentic Italian favorites done right, such as eggplant parmigiana and cacciatore — not to mention a stellar wine list, beer and a full bar. Kids can pick from always-popular dishes such as macaroni and cheese or pizza. And although they can’t take advantage of that wine list, they can order up the house specialty frozen Shirley Temple. Plus, you can ask your waiter for raw pizza dough, so your kids can have a little playtime before mealtime. If you and family dine there on Wednesday, your kids eat for free when you order an entrée. But just a head’s up: That offer is only valid at the Preston Forest location. On most nights, the dining room is packed with families, proving that Penne Pomodoro has rightly earned itself a reputation as a neighborhood hangout where kids can act like kids, and adults can eat like adults.
