$10 Lunch at Mike's Rigatoni Bistro

It's hard to find authentic Italian and Greek cuisine that also has an original flair, but Mike's Rigatoni Bistro in Peoria delivers both - and with delicious results. Reminiscent of a cozy Venetian café, the spot serves hearty but unique Mediterranean fare, from flaming Saganaki (lightly battered Greek kefalograviera (salty...

By Hannah Hayes

August 2, 2011

[
        {
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
          "component": "18478561",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "16759093",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "17980324",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "16759092",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "17980324",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 24
        },{
          "name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "16759094",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 24
        }
      ]

It's hard to find authentic Italian and Greek cuisine that also has an original flair, but Mike's Rigatoni Bistro in Peoria delivers both - and with delicious results. Reminiscent of a cozy Venetian café, the spot serves hearty but unique Mediterranean fare, from flaming Saganaki (lightly battered Greek kefalograviera (salty sheep's milk cheese) baked in butter and lit (literally -- with Orzo liqueur) to an array of fresh pastas and generous Italian sandwiches.

Most everything on the menu is around $10, but the lunch menu, served from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, offers tasty choices for the diner on a budget: for $7.99, order panini like the Club Italiano, a pita like the Chicken Portobello, or of course, the generous Rigatoni Carbonara. The price also includes a choice of light pasta salad, Greek salad or shoestring fries, and though a drink isn't included, the portions are liberal and the dishes are made to order.

Follow the jump to see what we chose...

We ordered the Marco Polo panini, a plentiful pile of grilled pancetta, turkey breast, asparagus, basil and mozzarella on thick focaccia, with the pasta salad. The pancetta was incredibly fresh, with very little fat; the basil was strong and zesty, and under all that melted mozzarella, the asparagus added a refreshing crunch. The bread was a little greasy, but not soggy, and the pasta salad was packed with lightly oiled artichoke hearts, kalamata olives, capers, feta, cucumbers, green peppers, and pungent pepperoncinis.

What we liked best: Lunch would've been under $10 had we not tried a helping of the eatery's delectable mini cannoli (2 for $1.99). Packed with rich rum-hinted cinnamon ricotta and tiny chocolate shavings, the petite portion was perfect. Next time, we're coming back for their famous tiramisu - a luscious slice of vanilla or chocolate flavored sponge cake soaked with espresso and rum and layered with lady fingers and mascarpone cheese.

Follow Chow Bella on Facebook and Twitter.

Become A Member

BEFORE YOU GO...
Can you help us continue to share our stories? Since the beginning, Phoenix New Times has been defined as the free, independent voice of Phoenix — and we'd like to keep it that way. Our members allow us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls.