Piatto Grill: "A Home Away From Home"

Tucked into an odd corner of the Triangle Shopping Center, Piatto Grill has its own environment that suddenly crops up when you turn your back to the parking lot and street. A garden with stone tables and chairs lines the walkway to a building with many windows. Lounge music plays at a comfortable volume as you make your way to the door.

The interior of Piatto Grill is comfortable and warm, with high ceilings and rich hardwood floors. There are no decorations, pictures or knickknacks on the walls; the visual focus is on large windows trimmed with thick dark wood.

The kitchen is open, bringing Executive Chef Jeff Abate and his team into the experience. Occasionally, bursts of flame rise up from the stoves and build on the earthy, old-world air.

From the very beginning, though, it's the people, even more than the leather chairs at the bar, the music or the decor, that really creates a homey atmosphere.

Vincent, the host who is there every night, makes his way smiling from one table to the next stopping here and there to check that the meal is going well or just to make conversation.

"We go out of our way to make our customers feel at home here. This is their home away from home," said Vincent.

Our waiter, Sau'l, continued that theme throughout the meal. He was extremely attentive, knowledgeable and friendly.

Every meal begins with a selection of Italian bread and focaccia, served with hummus and rosemary-infused olive oil.

The menu is extremely large and varied, including gourmet pizza, paella and a number of pastas.

The extensive wine list also offers an excellent selection of both new and old world wines.

The white wine sauce that accompanied the mussel appetizer was smooth and excellently prepared. Slices of potato and sprinklings of pepper gave an interesting little twist.

The vegetables used in the beet salad, and in every dish, were fresh and clean.

The main courses were generously sized and well plated.

The homemade gnocchi was served with hot sausage, mushrooms, asparagus, garlic and oil, and finally topped with smoked mozzarella. The combination of created a flavorful, albeit slightly heavy, dish.

The creamy risotto was topped with thick slices of smoked bacon, corn, peas and arugula. As with all of the other dishes, the impressive quality of the individual ingredients contributed to the overall meal while remaining distinguishable.

The desserts, which are all made in-house, are plated beautifully.

The tiramisu was light and airy, with just a hint of rum. The flavors were well balanced and not overwhelming.

The fruit tart was a fresh, clean combination of raspberries, blackberries, strawberries and mango on a soft, flaky piecrust.

The Piatto Grill offers something for every taste and everyone is sure to enjoy something on the menu. Each dish is prepared with the same care, using the same quality ingredients and heaped onto the large white plates with the same generosity.

Most of the selections are available in individual and family sizes, which can feed two or three people.

Also available is a seasonal "Prix Fix" menu which makes the delicious food very affordable. The price ranges from $18 to $22 for a three-course meal, depending on the selections. There is a $5 plate charge for sharing off the "Prix Fix" menu.

The dining room is available for small events of 15 to 20 people.

In addition to the standard dining room, Piatto Grill also has a private Banquet Room that can host up to 180 people for a catered private event.

Piatto Grill is open Tuesday through Sunday, 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.