What’s Cookin’

DeMeo’s Pasta & Grill
111 Main Street Milford
831-6484

Soprano’s fans usually imagine a New Jersey Italian restaurant with awesome authentic dishes, charismatic goodfella patrons and pasta with great homemade “gravy”. New York and New Jersey have always been the hub of quintessential authentic Italian restaurants. Patronized by more friends than fiends I’m sure.
Nevertheless the image of that corner stone front with a family heritage of Italian recipes passed down from generation to generation simmering in giant stockpots, served over steaming pasta brings visions of marinara and “manigot” to the taste buds of your mind.
Historic Milford is about 633 miles from New Jersey, there hasn’t been a “hit” here in history (has there?) and the closest thing to a gangster we have ever seen is Jeff Ruby. In fact, it’s the last place you would expect to see a steaming stockpot of Italian family recipes chockfull of Jersey pride. Nevertheless it’s there, it has been since July of 2005.
The restaurant is a mirror reflection of its owners. Dominique DeMeo grew up in an Italian neighborhood in Maplewood New Jersey, the sights, sounds and smells of the Italian kitchens took over Dominique and he soon found himself a dedicated Italian restaurateur. He fed the families in Jersey his delicious delights until he and his wife Linda made the move to her native Milford Ohio. Now he feeds us, and feeds us he does!
I’ll never forget the very first bite I had at DeMeos, a simple breadstick dipped in a marvelous marinara. The marinara is the best I have ever had...ever...and still is. With a single dip into the savory sauce my entire idea of Italian cuisine had been changed.
I challenge any restaurant in Cincy to even try to compete with the sauce Dominique creates (daily). I challenge any reader to find me an Italian restaurant in Cincy with the quality, flavor and intensity of DeMeos. In Fact, if you can (and I agree) I’ll by your next meal there. My money is safe because I believe whole heartedly there simply is not anyone that can compare. DeMeos has brought us a new level of Italian cuisine, all our lives we have been getting fleeced! Thank god Dominique married a Milford native! Otherwise, the only Italian we would have would be “Ohio” Italian. I have had it, I liked it, now I have had “Jersey” Italian and I love it and can never go back.
I will go back to DeMeos ...many ...many times. It’s my favorite place to take family and friends for a special occasion or any meal for that matter. Everyone I sent there came back with rave reviews (and leftovers). The wonderful menu is too comprehensive for this article but I will give you a strong recommendation...try the Dom and Linda’s Platter for two ($27.95). It is an Italian combination sure to please anyone. It comes complete with chicken parmesan, eggplant parmesan, meatball parmesan, sausage parmesan, ravioli parmesan, shrimp parmesan and fettuccini alfredo, salad and breadsticks. It’s Divine! Dominique hand makes it all from scratch right down to the croutons on the salad. You have never had better in this town...I guarantee it.