Incorvaia’s Bene Italiano opened in June, but its place in the Toledo food scene goes back decades.

The restaurant, in a small plaza on Monroe not far from the Franklin Park Mall, was opened by Keith and Chris Incorvaia, whose name should be familiar to Toledo diners. Their father, John, was a co-founder of Toledo staple Inky’s, and the menu at Bene Italiano is directly descended from that much-loved restaurant.

That culinary lineage and decades of experience are evident in the confident, delicious dishes on offer here.

First things first, the pizza is really, really good. We ordered a large pepperoni, sausage, and mushroom ($14.96). The thin crust was crisp, flaky, and held up a generous piling of toppings and thick layer of cheese, all cut into strips instead of slices. It’s a spectacular pie, and the pizza alone would make Bene Italiano worth a recommendation.

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But with a full bar, a bright spacious dining room, and a strong lineup of Italian meals, this is more than just a pizza place. We really enjoyed our recent visits and discovered some standout dishes we’d happily return to try again.

The Portabella Ravioli ($13) was wonderfully flavorful, with homemade pasta, savory mushroom filling, and a sweet, tangy red sauce. With a pleasing texture and complex flavors, it got better with each bite.

The Chicken Alfredo ($14.50) had a great, homemade feel to it, with a rich, full sauce like something grandma might have whipped up in a cast-iron pan. This is not a subtle, delicate alfredo but a creamy, cheesy, and filling feast of a dish.

Similarly, the Veal Parmesan ($13.70) was juicy and tender, served with spaghetti in a delicious meat sauce.

Incorvaia’s meatballs are big, round, and delicious, so the Meatballs with Cheese ($5.25) appetizer is an easy recommend. Some of the other appetizers we tried – Calamari ($7.95) and Cheese Sticks ($7.95) – were pretty standard and unremarkable.

One of the surprises for us was the spectacular Antipasto ($7.65), which was really made special by the house vinaigrette dressing. Our server told us customers often inquire about purchasing the dressing by the bottle. It’s really that good.

For dessert, the Cannoli ($4.50) – thick, crunchy, and filled with sweet cream — is well worth the price. The German Chocolate Cake ($4.50) was tasty, but we found our slice a little dry and spongy.

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Incorvaia’s is not exactly new, but its opening is a welcome addition for West Toledo diners. We found the atmosphere inviting, the service patient and friendly, and food to be really something special.

First Published January 15, 2020, 10:59 p.m.