At Home in Anna's Kitchen

I love this simple little restaurant on 39th Street!  I felt like I'd stepped back a generation when ordinary Moms knew how to cook an outstanding meal and were happy to take the time to do it.
Thursday night we were the recipients of nearly all the kitchen's attention.  When our group arrived at 6:30--the place was empty!  We eschewed the parking lot in the back for street parking about 3 blocks away.  A gorgeous stroll on a pleasant evening revealed a well kept neighborhood and  a charming apartment building with a sign out front giving Harry Truman credit as a previous owner!  I love getting to know my city better as we visit these restaurants every month!
Anna's is the real charmer, though.  I've never felt more comfortable in a restaurant.  Mismatched tables, art-work for sale on the walls, good wine in my price range, perfectly paced service with the right note of friendliness, along with the ability to hear the conversation at the other end of our dining table gave Anna's an edge I haven't found at any other restaurant.
While my spicy lasagna was just a notch above ordinary in flavor, the vegetable lasagna was extraordinary!  Such a deep, delicious flavor unmatched anywhere!  The artistry of the lasagna--all of them--with the melt in your mouth paper-thin noodles and scrumptious ricotta with layer after layer after layer of yummy goodness seemed unreal.  So unreal, in fact, that Mr. Ref and I must return ASAP to check it out again!  This time, we'll try the beef stroganoff.  We have it on good authority (Grandpa) that it is the best dish at the restaurant.  Final Score 4.0