An Authentic Italian Restaurant - Galo's Italian Grill

As I write this, I am sitting in catch-your-breath-beautiful Western North Carolina.

You might ask why I am thinking about Richmond, Indiana while surrounded by the blue mountains, lush forests and rushing rivers of this gorgeous place.

Well, I am hungry.

Really I am.

And I am thinking about Galo's Italian Grill.

I'm thinking about how welcoming the staff is the minute I walk in the door ... I'm remembering the fragrance of fresh tomatoes and zesty oregano and melting mozzarella … I'm imagining the taste of finely prepared and lovingly presented dishes.

Galo's Italian Grill knows the importance of developing exquisite meals from the basics. Hot foods are served hot and cold foods cold; the use of quality ingredients results in delicious flavors and just a pinch of this herb and a dash of that seasoning can release the hidden characteristics of succulent olive oil, invigorating garlic and imported Italian pasta. Galo's even understands that a traditional wood fired oven is vital when baking an authentic Italian pizza.

The Bruschetta that comes to the table is always fresh, warm and fragrant. That's because every loaf of bread, each bun and every roll had been baked that very morning. Baked by the Galo's family and their dedicated staff just minutes away at

5^th Street

Coffee and Bagels, across from the Olde Richmond Inn.

It is that dedication and professionalism, blended with Galo's real joy in nurturing each guest, that makes the Galo's dining experience so special. In this day of tasteless food generated from a mediocre kitchen and delivered by a stranger, what a delight it is to find a locally owned, family (in every sense of the word) restaurant that deeply appreciates their customers.

Did you know that Galo is the name of the owner, and that he and his marvelous wife, Linda, met while working in a restaurant together? Over 20 years ago they chose to raise their family and pursue their dreams in Richmond. During that time they have become an integral part of the community and have graciously welcomed generations of families into the comfortable dining room of Galo's Italian Grill at

107 Garwood Road

.

Whether I'm meeting girlfriends for Pasta Mediterranean and a refreshing glass of wine on the patio, or if this is “date night” for just the two of us, making Gorgonzola New York Strip an absolute necessity; Galo's is the perfect place to relax and reconnect with the people we treasure. Perfectly crafted food and very reasonably priced meals combine to make Galo's an affordable option for everyone who enjoys real food and caring service.

Galo's Italian Grill has shared the seasons of life with generations of diners. Romantic meals with champagne and engagement rings have lead to wedding rehearsal dinners. Before Galo's knows it, couples are bringing their children in for birthday celebrations and soon parents have become grandparents; then suddenly it's time for a jovial, loving family reunion – right where it all started!

When I tell family and friends throughout the country about Galo's, it's impossible to describe the beautiful dining room, the freshness of the ingredients, and the aroma and  flavor of the food without including the attentiveness of the servers and the obvious involvement of the owners themselves. No matter if you are a visitor or a long time resident, I hope to see you at Galo's Italian Grill soon - and often. You'll recognize me by my blissful smile and empty plate!

                       Galo's Italian Grill              Richmond/Wayne County Visitor's Bureau

Susan Ray is a freelance writer and co-founder of a local writers’ group. She loves her life in Indiana and is passionate about discovering and sharing the little known treasures and the unexpected beauty of the Hoosier state with newcomers and natives alike. “When I first visited Indiana, I expected the stereotypical corn and beans and flat landscape. What I found instead were acres of history, culture and adventure!” Susan often shares these forays into the wonderland of Indiana with her companionable husband and sends far too many postcards to her Tar Heel son and daughter-in-law. Visit her blog at http://discoveringhome.com/ and take a look at the latest news from the writers’ group at http://wordwritesguild.org/. Photos by Gabe Sauerland http://gabesland.blogspot.com/

Scott Shafer - A Wayne County Treasure

By Amy Lynch

Tucked into a small off-the-road studio on Morton Avenue just north of U.S. 40, you might drive right on by Scott Shafer’s pottery-making facility and store without even realizing you’d passed it. But you’d be doing yourself a huge disservice. With beautiful handmade stoneware and pottery for sale, this shop is definitely worth a stop and a look around.

With more than 30 years of experience, Scott Shafer knows his stuff when it comes to stoneware. A Knightstown native, Scott’s passion for pottery began back in high school. After an apprenticeship

in Colorado with Earlham College graduate David Blakeslee, he eventually settled into Wayne County, where he’s been pursuing his passion full-time since 1979. 

Scott’s enthusiasm for his work is obvious, and he’s happy to show interested visitors around his studio and kilns, telling stories with a twinkle in his eye. Items for sale in the small shop range from large decorative wood-fired pots, bowls and vases to everyday-appropriate plates, coffee mugs and soup bowls. The colors of each item are vibrant and distinctive, and each hand-thrown piece is unique in its own way. Scott personally constructed the on-site gas and wood-fired kilns he uses to create his wares.

Functional as well as attractive, each piece Scott offers is safe to go in the microwave, oven and dishwasher, and all the glazes he uses are lead-free. Can’t find exactly what you want? No worries – Scott can create custom-designed pieces, such as the pretty green polka dotted-pattern he devised for Marcia Hoyt’s table service at the historic Lantz House Inn just around the corner in Centerville.

If you’re in the market for locally made, one-of-a-kind pottery and stoneware pieces, you owe it to yourself to pay Scott Shafer a visit.

Scott Shafer’s Stoneware Pottery Studio is located at

610 N. Morton Ave.

in Centerville. For more information, call (765) 855-2409 or visit http://www.shaferstonewarepottery.com/.

Born and raised in Richmond, freelance writer Amy Lynch now makes her home in Indianapolis with her husband and three-year-old son. Read more about her food and travel adventures at http://www.amysfoodflights.wordpress.com/.