Provino's Italian Restaurant

On a recommendation we checked out Provino's Italian Restaurant in Chattanooga. Reviews on Urbanspoon were a mixed bag, with a 77% rating.

First off, the restaurant is in a strip mall off of East Brainerd. The outside was nothing special, but we forged on. The inside was quaint, in a cozy bistro kind of way. We were early on a Friday evening and got right in. The place was really hopping by the time we left.

They sat us in a back section close to other families. This was actually nice since we didn't feel like Jack would interrupt anyone's meal {which he rarely does} and Jack and the toddler at the next table spent some time "talking" to each other. Our waiter was friendly and did a good job of taking care of us.

We decided to stay simple and try the Lasagna and Chicken Parmesan. Meals are served with a family-style Italian salad and garlic rolls – very à la Olive Garden. The salad was good, but included chick peas and beats... which was a bit different. The rolls were great. Jack ate bits and pieces of salad, rolls and some of my spaghetti.

Finally our main courses showed up. Here is where things went a bit south. I don't know why this happens but it seems as though some restaurants that use ground beef end up with dishes that taste like they are straight from a school cafeteria. Italian and Tex Mex being the worst offenders. Does anyone else run into this problem?

In the future if we are in the mood for Italian I think we will stick with Tony's Pasta Shop & Trattoria.