**Disclaimer: I received a $25 gift card courtesy of Maggiano’s to use towards my meal, however all opinions are 100% my own**

Maggiano’s Little Italy may be known for its delicious pasta dishes but did you know they had some amazing seafood offerings ?! Well they do…that’s why for October also known as National Seafood Month , I made plans to celebrate my favorite cuisine “Seafood” at a restaurant known for making celebrations special, Maggiano’s Little Italy !

For lunch, I headed to the restaurant’s Durham,NC location at The Streets of Southpoint. If you have never been to one of the 51 locations in 22 states , here is what you can expect:

• A warm and friendly atmosphere. Semi-upscale, yet relaxed.
• Homemade,  Italian-American cuisine both classic & contemporary
• Generous portions..can you say leftovers?!
• Delicious dishes for the whole family…so yes bring the kids! 
• A full bar and large selection of wine..Cheers! 

Our waiter was friendly and eager to share what his favorites were on the menu. Since I had seafood in mind, I was pleased to see the many options available!  To start, we shared the Steamed Mussels served Tuscan Style.It was a generous portion of Prince Edward Island Mussels served with white beans, parsley and sundried tomatoes. Be sure to save some of the table bread to dip in the broth, it’s that good.

Next was Spiced Shrimp, Bacon, Roasted Peppers & Corn Fondue from the Bruschetta Bar. Maggiano’s allows customers to customize their own bruschetta tasting..how unique! You know what they say, good things come in small packages and this little bite left a big impression. So delicious!

For my entree it was recommended to try the Lighter Take Shrimp Fra Diavolo. What makes it “Lighter Take” you ask? For 370 calories, you get a plate full of flavor with just half the portion of the normal Shrimp Fra Diavolo. It is hand cut fettuccine, pan-seared shrimp, garlic, tomatoes and Diavolo Sauce. My plate was cleaned..so no complaints. After talking with the Chef who came out to see how we liked everything, I wished I had got the Salmon Oscar after hearing his mouth-watering desciption! He also advised the food is made from scratch everyday and dishes can be modified to meet guest’s special diet needs. Maggiano’s offer gluten-free pasta and all sauces are handcrafted without gluten-containing ingredients. 

All in all, our dining experience was a memorable in a good way. Flavorful and Fresh are two words that come to mind. Whether you are celebrating an anniversary, graduation, birthday, or National Seafood month like me, consider Maggiano’s Little Italy ! Your tastebuds will not be disappointed!

Savvy Tip:  Join the E-club and get a coupon to use and save on your next meal ! Follow Maggiano’s Little Italy on Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest, and watch on YouTube for more chef tips, recipes and ideas.