What a spread. Giant-sized oval platters of antipasto cover an 8-foot long table just inside the door of Trattoria Sergino`s in Wheaton. For just $4.50 for two people, waiters will bring plates filled with such delicacies as red peppers with potatoes, mushrooms and artichokes; eggplant caponata;
slivers of carrots in an Italian style salad; or spinach with pieces of chicken breast sauteed in olive oil.
At lunchtime, this same table boasts a buffet spread Monday through Friday. The price is $6.50 a head this time, but diners can choose from such selections as chicken vesuvio, veal scallopini, ribs, pasta, soup, vegetables, focacia and an assortment of cheeses.
Gino Leo and Sergio Abate opened the cozy courtyard style restaurant July 5 on College Avenue, just a stone`s throw from Wheaton College, tucked into a curve in the road just north of the railroad tracks that cut through town. Inside, the shimmering light from the corner fireplace casts a warm glow on the flagstone-colored tile floor while country-style Italian music plays softly in the background. French doors lead to a patio where meals are served in summer.
Friendly Italian waiters eagerly explain the items on the menu: linguini alla Sergio, made with fresh vongole (baby clams), $12.95; vegetable lasagna, layers of asparagus, artichokes and mozzarella cheese on spinach pasta, $9.95; rotolo primavera, tricolored pasta rolled and stuffed with spinach, ricotta and prosciutto in a cream sauce, $9.95.
Weekend special dinners, usually priced from $10 to $14, might be gnocci mamarosa, homemade dumpling pasta stuffed with fontinella cheese, or Gino special, a combination of veal, chicken and jumbo shrimp with fresh fettucini. For dessert, diners can choose from Italian lemon ice or homemade tiramisu and cannoli. Imported Italian wines and beers, as well as regular cocktails, are served with the meals.
Sergino`s also offers a separate carryout menu featuring thin, stuffed and pan pizza, as well as pasta dinners and sandwiches.
———-
Trattoria Sergino`s, 1060 College Ave., Wheaton, is open 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 to 11 p.m. Friday, 4 to 11 p.m. Saturday and 4 to 10 p.m. Sunday. Phone
708-752-1000.
