I have to admit: I was a little worried. My wife, Susie, and I always liked going to Spennato’s Italian Ristorante at the old location on Northfield Road. The food was great, the atmosphere was pleasant and the address was convenient for grabbing a meal before a concert at MGM Northfield Park. But we hadn’t tried the new location at 9415 Olde Eight Road. Would it measure up?

Chef and co-owner Egidio DiPaola, a native of Italy, opened the original restaurant in 2005 as a tribute to his late mother, Maria, whose maiden name was Spennato. He runs the business with his wife, Mary Randall, son Anthony DiPaola and daughter-in-law Stephanie DiPaola.