The Old Spaghetti Factory

 Tom and I have been wanting to try The Old Spaghetti Factory in Fairfield but our schedules never agreed with their open times. Turns out they're open for lunch on Saturday and Sunday at noon, not just the dinner hours as posted on their sign at the door. Yesterday we made plans and showed up about 11:40 am.

 There was a cold misty rain falling but we sat on a concrete bench by the door. Soon the manager opened it and invited us to wait inside where it was warm and dry. Good customer service already!

 This is the view when you enter.

 Above the entrance is this magnificent light. I'm told many of the fixtures in this location were moved here from the downtown Cincinnati location which was closed.

 "Pasta Classics" indeed. I chose that first item ... spaghetti with marinara sauce. You get three items for one price: the main dish, a salad (or soup) and dessert. A small loaf of bread and soft butter is also served.

 There's a trolley inside The Old Spaghetti Factory and seating within it. Tom and I were seated near a window.

 Good light! Tom is in his usual contemplative mood while we wait for our meals. He's always laid-back and easy-going, never needs to be calmed down (unlike me in the Cincinnati traffic).

 The miniature loaf of bread and soft butter arrive first. Delicious ... and yeasty. Warm through and through.

 I chose a salad (rather than soup) and their house dressing. It's something of a ranch dressing with pesto. A fresh taste and quite different than anything I've had before. Tom looked up as I was finishing. "You've eaten your salad already?" he laughed. "You must have been hungry". And yet it was he who had skipped breakfast. Me, skip a meal? No way!

 Tom's spaghetti topping was rich in mushrooms.

 Tom ordered a side of broccoli. Perfectly cooked (not at all mushy) and with a nice hard cheese grated liberally atop. This is another unique taste.

My own spaghetti was topped with marinara. Plenty of small diced tomatoes, too.

 Another plate finished. I'd have licked it clean but for a number of other patrons arriving.

 Dessert? Spumoni in the traditional three flavors: strawberry, chocolate and pistachio.

 Total cost: $12.24 for myself. With tip $15. Wonderful food in a striking atmosphere with terrific people, too.