Maria Ditoppa – Contributing Writer
mnd5300@psu.edu

Photo Credit: Colao’s Ristorante / Facebook

Are you sick of campus dining hall food yet? I recommend you try the local restaurant Calao’s in Erie, Pa. This homey, family-owned spot for traditional Italian cuisine is known for their pastas, seafood, and steaks. 

As an Italian, I can say this is the best place in Erie to dine for authentic Italian food. In 1969, Saverio “Cee” Colao immigrated to America from Calabria, Italy. Growing up, he frequently spent time in the kitchen with family cultivating his passion and dedication for cooking, being taught that only the freshest and highest quality ingredients make the best dishes. 

Most recipes found in Colao’s kitchen today are those of many culinary traditions he shares with his family and friends from ‘the Old Country.’ Thirty years later, embarking on the American dream, Cee established Colao’s Ristorante in 1999 to share his Italian heritage and little corner of Italy to Erie, PA. 

Today, the restaurant is still owned and operated by Cee, his wife Ellen, and their children Nicholas and Julia. Most nights you will find Nicholas greeting guests out front, while Cee is supervising the busy kitchen, making sure the family recipes are exactly as they have been for generations. 

They have the most amazing appetizers featuring charcuterie boards, bruschetta, and fried calamari. They also have the freshest salads I have ever had, and the fresh mozzarella and tomato is my favorite. 

Now on to the best part, the pasta! They have so many options you can choose from including; four cheese ravioli, lasagna, chicken parmigiana, and several more. My favorite is the vodka sauce pasta, I get this every time I go. 

You definitely do not want to skip dessert! They have many options for a sweet treat such as; lemon Italian cream cake, homemade tiramisu, chocolate utopia cake, and homemade cannoli. If you are over 21 you should try out their huge wine selection featuring imports from Sicily, Abruzzo, and Tuscany Italy. They also import from Napa Valley California, Argentina, New Zealand, and France. They truly have the best of the best, but do not just take my word for it.

Mark Tremel’s review states “Beautiful and elegant Italian restaurant in a very old-school way. It feels like a vintage NYC Italian restaurant like the place in the movie Moonstruck. We had professional and courteous service, food that was expertly prepared and a charming ambiance. I would love to come back and just belly up to the bar, which also looked extremely cool. I would recommend Colao’s for a special night out.” 

The place is very elegant, clean and has a very relaxing atmosphere. They are open Monday – Saturday : 5:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. for dine in and takeout. I truly recommend this place to anyone in Erie looking to enjoy a nice evening of delicious food.