Los Banos Newest eatery, Pallavicino's Pizzeria E Ristorante, soft-opened last Saturday.  We were their second set of customers, and we certainly will not be their last.

A true 'mom and pop' restaurant, Pallavicino's has taken over the space at 2160 East Pacheco Blvd in suite 'A' where the second Me-N-Eds used to be.

Antonino LoPresti ladels pizza sauce onto a round of pizza dough

For the last several weeks, Antonino LoPresti, his wife Jessica, and a handful of family members and contractors have been busily revamping the place. Jessica has been busy with her paint brushes, creating a mural on the west wall, while Antonino has wielded a hammer, wrestled with pipes, and directed contractors to ready the restaurant for this week's opening.

Dining area, mural done by Jessica LoPresti

The last of the permits and inspections were finally signed off last week and on Saturday the LoPresti's turned the ‘CLOSED’ sign in the window around and Pallavicino's was officially ‘OPEN’ for business!

Pallavicino's full menu is expected to include a number of pastas including gnocchi, spaghetti, a variety of raviolis, and tri-color tortellini. There will also be chicken entrées including chicken Milanese and chicken Parmigiana. Chicken Marsala and chicken Picata may also be offered on the menu or as specials. In addition, diners will be tempted with a number of deserts including tiramisu and cheesecake.

Pallavicino's Pizzeria E Ristorante will also, of course, serve pizza. Antonino, who appears quite passionate about his cooking, describes his pizzas as "truly authentic". He noted that he is going to have at least two styles of pizza, authentic New York Pizza and Sicilian. He notes the Sicilian pizza is going to be a ‘true’ Sicilian Pizza. As he describes it, the Sicilian Pizza is going to be a deep dish pizza measuring one and one half to two inches deep that will be cooked using a special square ventilated baking pan.

Antonino LoPresti tosses fresh pizza dough.

In addition to regular menu items, Pallavicino's is going to give diners the opportunity to try a number of special entrées and desserts that will not be on the regular menu.  I have been asked not to disclose all of their plans, but suffice it to say there will be some interesting dishes offered as time, supplies, and seasons permit.

During our visit on Saturday, the staff was friendly and the eight inch New York style pizza that I was served was very good. The hand thrown pizza dough made for a wonderful crust. My wife had the meat-stuffed ravioli with pesto sauce and she really enjoyed that as well.

The official Ribbon cutting for Pallavicino's Pizzeria E Ristorante is scheduled for Friday at 11:30 A.M. and the Grand Opening of Pallavicino's is planned for Saturday May 15th.

Here are a few more photos of Pallavicino's

Cooks at Pallavicino's preparing eggplant parmigiana

Chopping Fresh Herbs

Antonino LoPresti prepares to cook an 8 inch pizza

More fresh herbs!

Prep time in the kitchen

And yet a little more prep!

Dining area, note the Italian artifacts displayed

The opening day Crew of Pallavicino's Pizzaria E Ristorante on 5-6-2010

If everyone in Los Banos would just take 1 or 2 hours a month to do something to help their neighborhood or their community we could truly make Los Banos the gem of the valley.

The above is only my personal opinion and I strongly encourage readers to seek out more information from expert sources. Copyright 2010