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Business & Tech

Bites Nearby: Vingenzo's

Vingenzo's gives you the feeling of being in a bistro in Italy, not Downtown Woodstock.

It’s pretty hard to find an Italian restaurant that makes its own pasta, breads and mozzarella cheeses. But does all that and more.

The restaurant has a philosophy that originates from its Southern Italian heritage: Good food takes a lot of time with basic ingredients. Those ingredients must be authentic and fresh.

Overview: With chefs making pasta and pizza dough tossed in the air, Vingenzo’s gives you the feeling you’re in a bistro in Italy, not Downtown Woodstock. I would say it’s a hidden jewel in our little town.

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Décor: Rustic Italian décor on the walls is reminiscent of an old Italian farmhouse. An open kitchen shows off Vingenzo’s wood-burning oven and chefs creating pastas from scratch. You see the magnificent dishes that are coming from the kitchen, and you know you’re in the right place.

Entrees: It’s hard to go wrong with anything on the menu. So if you’re like me and can never choose, just pick something. Most of the dishes include tomatoes, olive oil, flour, dried meats and herbs.

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You could start off with the antipasto rustico per due, which is an assortment of artichoke hearts, cured meats, olives, cheeses and pizza bread for two. You could indulge in the mozzarella bar with pairings that include cured meats, roasted red peppers, olives and roasted tomatoes.

The pizzas are made in the wood-burning oven and taste wonderful. The "Sofia" is covered with Italian prosciutto, arugula and aged parmigiano reggiano.

And if you still have room after all that, you must order one of the homemade pasta dishes. The frutti di mare–homemade pasta with shrimp, mussels and clams in a white wine and garlic sauce topped with roasted tomatoes–is great for your first visit. Paired with a great bottle of wine, it doesn't get any better.

Entrees range from $12 to $20.

Dessert: I just had to say something about Vingenzo’s desserts, though you might not get to that part of the menu. Seasonal flavors of gelato are a great ending to a meal. If you want something a little richer, there’s the ricotta cheesecake served with marsala-soaked raisins and chocolate chips. Save some room.

Service: The service is friendly, and the staff is attentive. On weekends the food may take some time, but it's worth the wait.

Hours: Vingenzo’s is open Monday through Thursday from 5 to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Location: Vingenzo’s is at 105 E. Main St., No. 105. It is approximately 10 miles from Canton and five miles from Holly Springs.

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