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La Trattoria Restaurant
21 Albany Tpke.
Canton
Located on Route 44
860-673-5000

By KORKY VANN

The Hartford Courant

Published: 2/6/2003

When it comes to takeout, sometimes you feel like a pizza, sometimes you don't. When you're craving a great dinner but want to eat it on the couch, check out the La Trat To-Go menu offered by La Trattoria in Canton.

The restaurant, which has been serving Italian food to loyal customers for over 30 years, has developed a small menu of well-made dishes that can be ready to go in 15 minutes flat. Items include just two appetizers - a soup and a salad - along with a selection of chicken, fish, veal, lamb and pasta.

Breast of chicken Marsala contains two large and tender pieces of boneless white meat topped with a rich wine gravy studded with mushrooms. Roasted potatoes and chunks of sweet baked squash surround the chicken. Salmon filet, basted with a balsamic honey glaze, is mild, moist and accompanied by the same sides.

Shrimp scampi impresses everyone. A mound of al dente linguine is surrounded by fresh spinach wilted in garlic and olive oil and topped with five large shrimp. Fettuccine Bolognese combines turns out to be large tubes of rigatoni with a thick, slow simmered tomato sauce that tastes homemade. Veal and chicken dishes are available a number of ways - scaloppine, Francaise, Marsala, pizzaiola, piccata and parmigiana. The menu also includes rack of lamb, fettuccine Alfredo, zuppa de pesce and more. Slices of fresh, chewy bread and breadsticks are packaged with each order.

Portions here are generous and prices are reasonable. You can also order containers of sauces or Tuscan bread dip to have on hand in case unexpected company stops by. Meals are available Monday through Wednesday, 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Friday, 11:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday, 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.; and Sunday, noon to 8 p.m.

Hours: Lunch Mon.-Fri., 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Dinner Sun.-Thu., 5 p.m.-9 p.m. Fri.-Sat., 5 p.m.-10 p.m.

Extras:

Calendar Cuisine American/New, Family/Kids, Homestyle, Italian Meals Served Lunch, Dinner Parking Available in lot. Payment Method American Express, Visa, MasterCard Price Range Moderate Reservations Recommended Services Private Parties, Carry Out Spirits Full Bar Website http://www.latrattoriact.com/ Wheelchair Access Yes