DINING OUT: Penne and pins at bowl and grill

Under the vibrantly painted art-deco facade of the Jewel City Bowl and Grill, glass double doors bear a sign — “You are now entering a Trans-Fat free zone.”

I would expect no less from a bowling alley, but I was very surprised to hear it about their grill.

As our guest said, “Most places have the list up like a McDonald’s, but this place has menus!” Menus and no trans fat.

This is not your father’s bowling alley grill.

I barely got the kids past the arcade, and we gazed at the bowlers on our way to a little sign that said “Java Hut.”

There we found a waitress, a posting for the espresso bar and the real menus we were so impressed with. Menus with real food!

The specials board carried items like Penne Amatriciana ($8.95) tossed with tomato and basil and served with a sauce with caramelized onions, bacon and chicken. The Welsh sandwich ($8.25) was thick with turkey.

Now we had a difficult decision — we came in for greasy spoon but were faced with cooks in a short-order kitchen wearing cordon bleu-style jackets and offering shrimp scampi ($8.50) and classic Caesar salad ($6.50)!

So we split the difference and tried penne marinara ($7.25), Parmesan garlic fries ($3.25), chicken fingers ($6.25) and chili-cheese fries ($4.95).

The Parmesan garlic fries were heavy on the cheese and light on the garlic, just right for my 12-year-old daughter.

The chili is made there and has no beans but big chunks of beef.

The burgers, chicken and sandwiches came with good fries — sturdy with a crunch.

My 8-year-old son wanted me to be sure to say that the teriyaki burger ($6.95) was good but could get sticky.

There are appetizers — $2.95 for chips and salsa, up to $6.75 for lumpia, a sort of Filipino spring roll.

Steak sandwiches ($9.50), hot dogs ($3.50) and soup of the day ($4.25) are among the ample selection on the six-page menu.

Breakfast is served Saturdays and Sundays with a choice of a breakfast burrito ($5.75) or two eggs ($2.95). Sausage or bacon can be added for 2 bucks.

Orders are brought to the customers whether they are sitting at the counter in groups of three to watch the bowlers or at a table near the bar to watch the two pool tables or four flat-screen TVs.

It can even be brought right to the lane, for those who are bowling, but watch out for greasy fingers and 15-pound bowling balls!

The whole place was redone a year ago in fresh bright colors, with new seats and tables and bright and shiny restrooms.

It’s a clean and fun place to go with surprisingly good food.

Parking can be a challenge during a weekday with the Glendale court system legally taking up the parking lot and much of the street as well.

I’m not saying the grill is a destination for a date, but if you’re going bowling, go out to eat as well!

Come for the bowling, stay for the pasta.