Tucked away in the heart of downtown Grand Forks is one of the city’s hidden gems when it comes to dining.

Giuseppe’s Italian Ristorante is a quaint destination for a night out, with a little something for everybody.

For those unfamiliar with the Italian eatery, Giuseppe’s is nestled in a cozy location on DeMers Avenue. Sitting across from the Empire Arts Center, the restaurant is the perfect place to have a meal after a show or before a night on the town.

The warm atmosphere of Giuseppe’s is decorated with images of Italy, and a soundtrack featuring jazz tunes and the crooning of Frank Sinatra give the restaurant an old-fashioned charm in its intimate setting.

The Giuseppe’s menu boasts a variety of hearty Italian foods. A selection of appetizers and small plates can kick off a meal in delicious style, with unique items like their freshly-made zucchini fries. Their antipasto platter is also a great way to begin a night’s tour of Italy with a variety of cheeses, meats, and marinated vegetables.

For the main course, Giuseppe’s serves up a wide variety of dishes. From the classics such as chicken Parmesan or fettuccine alfredo, to bolder choices like their “Spicy Fra Diavolo;” linguini in a spicy marinara sauce with jumbo shrimp and toasted pine nuts.

At a medium but affordable price level, each Giuseppe’s dish is served in generous portions. There is even a menu for the kids, offering smaller versions of a few of their dishes. To finish off the meal, a fine selection of desserts is available.

In addition to the food menu, Giuseppe’s has an extensive wine list, and offers half-price bottles Monday nights.

To escape to a cozy cultural oasis, if only for an hour, Giuseppe’s is place to go for a great Italian meal.

Giuseppe’s Italian Ristorante is open Monday through Saturday after 5 p.m. Reservations can be made by phone at 701-757-1020.

Serianna Henkel is a staff writer for The Dakota Student. She can be reached at [email protected].