Vito Corleone

3242 Lincoln Way E, Massillon, OH
Restaurant w/bar

Every once in awhile, a restaurant comes along that you're rooting for like the black guy in a horror film.  You want to see it survive against all odds, even though history dictates that a new eatery in this county stands a slim chance of surviving.  We wanted Vito Coreleone's to be that restaurant.
Unfortunately, it failed (on multiple occasions) to meet our expectations.
Upon first entering, we tried to look past the slogan 'We're gonna make you a dish you can't refuse', the Scarface posters and kitchy uniforms (FEDORA'S, for Godfather's sake) towards the food, which sounded delightful!
Let's begin with the menu, shall we? Seven pages (7!!!) of dishes sprinkled with computer-generated photos from the Godfather movies splashed onto every spare square of space. While I would like to commend the culinary poet who wrote the descriptions of the dishes, I would like to simultaneously bitch slap the person who named them. Provy sticks, Wang'z, Short Bone'z and Frie'z... Seriously?   The choices are simply staggering.  I would like to think that there would be a handful of amazing dishes thrown in with the slop, but how are we as patrons to distinguish one from another in this bible of menus?

Moses ordered the Veal Marsala (pounded veal cutlets, pan made Marsala sauce, roasted potatoes and vegetable $21). The potatoes were inedible due to the abusive about of rosemary and giant dried parsley flakes.  Biting into the veal proved a challenge. Veal should be tender and juicy. It should not meet the certifiable qualifications of a NHL hockey puck. I ordered the Swordfish rustico (grilled swordfish filet, topped with chopped tomatoes, kalamata olives, capers in a lemon butter sauce $18) which I'm sure we can agree sounds delectable. The swordfish was gritty and watery in the middle and remained uneaten by the end of our dinner. I did manage to finish off the olives and capers mixed with my vegetables.
On the plus side, the marinara sauce is tasty and the crabbie pattie'z (crab cake sliders) are yummy and touch that special soft spot in my heart for mini foods.

If you're looking for a Rat Pack vibe, without it being shoved down your throat go to Danny Boy's in Belden Village. The food is phenominal and the atmosphere manages the combination of being both upbeat and low-key, like the music that you will feel when you walk in the door.