The adage that you pay for quality can be proven at Paradiso Ristorante on Lucerne Avenue in Lake Worth.

You'll get quality - quality food and quality service. But if you're expecting a feed-the-family-of-four meal for a pittance, you're in the wrong place.

My wife and I dropped by on a recent Friday night. After being asked by the hostess if we had a reservation, and telling her "no," we were ushered into a dining room with only one other couple and young child seated. It was only a little after 6 p.m., so we thought there might be others with reservations coming later.

We were given ample time by our server to make our food decisions while he took our drink orders.

Everything on the menu sounded wonderful. By the time our waiter brought our iced teas ($4), my wife had decided upon the vitello (veal) scaloppini ($28), while I went with the calamaretti lobster ($36).

I also asked the waiter if we could have an appetizer of pomodori e mozzarella di buffalo ($18). He caught the "we" and asked if we would like to share the appetizer. Ample portions were served to us on separate plates, keeping us from having to do the awkward separating at our table.

We thoroughly enjoyed the ripe heirloom tomatoes and buffalo mozzarella, with some soft rolls on the side.

When our entrees arrived, with the appropriate brushing of the crumbs from the table, we were thrilled.

My calamari-shaped pasta was covered in a wonderful red sauce, with about a half dozen large pieces of Florida lobster.

My wife's veal might have been the best veal I have ever eaten, although as rich as it was, I'm not sure I could have finished it.

I finished my meal with a piece of pistachio cake to take home, and although very tasty, seemed a bit overpriced at $14 for a serving.

If you want a special night out, with special food and service, Paradiso is the place to go in Lake Worth.