Zio's Italian Kitchen in Albuquerque, New Mexico: Review

Whenever I visit my in-laws in Albuquerque, New Mexico; I always leave time in my schedule to visit Zio's Italian Kitchen. This is partly due to the fact that I love Italian food and have never met a piece of pasta that I didn't like. It also has to do with the small fact that we don't have a Zio's in Arkansas and we really don't have another Italian place that can quite measure up to the cuisine of this restaurant chain, who makes it's home base in San Antonio, Texas.

Recently, Zio's added to it's already delightful menu. From appetizers to dessert, the new selections will have you as stuffed as their famous Chicken and Spinich Cannelloni. In keeping with my 2007 New Years Resolution to get out of my rut and try new things, I felt obligated to turn from my usual Romano and Ricotta filled Manicotti with it's creamy alfredo sauce (Just $8.29 by the way) to walk on the wild side.

It all started with an order of Toasted Ravioli. A beautiful blend of cheeses in Zio's signature ravioli, then battered and fried to a golden brown. They serve them piping hot with their homemade meat sauce for just $5.29.

Since we couldn't make up our minds about all of the great appetizers, we ordered a second one. This time, the Italian Stuffed Mushrooms. $4.49 will get you a mix of cream cheese, Parmesan, ricotta, Pepperoni's and Italian sausage, piled high on fresh mushroom caps and then melted in their brick oven.