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Augustino's Italian Restaurant
Categories: Restaurants Pizza Restaurants Italian Pizza, Italian [Edit]
12554 Valley View StGarden Grove, CA 92845
(714) 891-2695
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 11 am - 9 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
Daniel S. said: "This place has been a staple Italian Restaurant in my life since Jr High! The BEST dinner salad I've ever come across, with avocado's and capers! The soup is consistently great, and the pasta dish taste homemade! Great date place…" read more »
51 reviews for Augustino's Italian Restaurant
Review Highlights
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"1) free garlic knots that always come fresh and warm." In 14 reviews -
"...is one of those mom and pop resturants that always have the..." In 4 reviews -
"Super cheesy & garlicky, plus large enough for two meals." In 3 reviews
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51 reviews in English
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Review from Nicole H.
Garden Grove, CA
4/15/2012
Augostino's is an adorable, cozy restaurant wedged in between a dentist office, Greek restaurant, and across the street from a Shakey's.
I love this place. Mom-and-pop type of restaurant at its best :)
Instead of the standard garlic bread, they give you complementary tiny and delicious garlic knots with marinera sauce.
Last time I went there, I ordered the caprese sandwich and my mom had the portabello mushroom ravioli. Both were great! Everything on the menu looked good, and the prices were pretty reasonable, given the intimate setting. We had a 2-for-1 discount, so the entire meal only cost about $10! Unbeatable!
We had wonderful service and very little wait time.
Many vegetarian options! Always a bonus! -
Review from suzi b.
Long Beach, CA
3/23/2012
i am from brooklyn ny and very picky when it comes to pasta and pizza.
but i was impressed with the pasta, i had the rigatoni and vodka sauce, yum.
my pal had the pesto, it was the creamy kind, it was also yum.
the garlic knots were super yummy.
the staff was very friendly.
i will go there again! -
Review from Tommy L.
Garden Grove, CA
12/23/2011 1 Check-in Here
Generally, these smaller Italian restaurants blend together for me, and this one joins that group. It's not bad at all. In fact it's pretty enjoyable on the whole, but the flavor isn't distinctly theirs. You've had everything on this menu before. You've had it better, but you've also had it worse. In short: it's fine.
I had the combo ravioli/spaghetti plate once and thought the raviolis were a little bland while the spaghetti was decent. I've since gotten the lasagna which wasn't bad at all.
Curious to try out their pizza... -
Review from Garry M.
Garden Grove, CA
5/8/2012 1 Check-in Here
Always get the antipasta salad and the Hawaiian pizza when we go there. Cheap prices and good food.
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Review from Daniel G.
Garden Grove, CA
5/3/2012
Found this place online and struck gold! Complimentary bread nots fresh out of the oven. Great food for a good price. My friends introduced me to this place. We come in a group and we are always greeted friendly. We used to go every other weekend but a little far from home so we go here every once in a while. We like to have Denise serve our food she is great and very friendly. The Calzones are delicious with a side of lemonade. My friend and i split the calzone because its big and we we end up paying very little. The parking is great always get parking easy very close to the resturaunt if not in front of it.
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Review from John M.
Anaheim, CA
4/15/2012
I had been going to Augustino's since Jr High until I moved up north a few months ago. Still I can not find anything to match their Penne Alla Auggies and garlic bread rolls. It's a West Garden Grove must do! Plus, you don't get a harder worker than their owner, Manuel, he is a "anything to please the customer" type.
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Review from Diane A.
Seal Beach, CA
4/6/2012 1 photo
I love really good Italian food and, it's hard to find anywhere around here. I had seen this restaurant many times, but never thought to stop at this strip mall location. So glad that I did though. The service is good, the food is very yummy, and the prices are reasonable. The garlic knots are addicting too.
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Review from Kristine M.
Westminster, CA
10/14/2011
This is a nice little restaurant with a friendly staff and good Italian food. I've had their fettuccine alfredo (decent), chicken marsala (savory and has a good balance of flavor), and grilled tilapia (delicious and highly recommended).
I would advice against coming here when already starving as wait times are always long. On my first visit with the boyfriend, it was more than 30 minutes before our order was taken and another 45 minutes before it was delivered. The second and third visits were not nearly quite as bad, but still patience-testing--and if our first visit were any indication, we are plenty patient people.
The first time around, the waitress assisting us said that they were very busy and short-handed. The latter, I could see. As for the former? We were situated in the hallway by the door and couldn't see the main part of the dining room, but judging from the noise level of the place, they must have had a number of open tables. We figured they could be swamped with to-go orders, but we also did not notice very many people come in.
For what it's worth, you are given plenty of garlic knots while you wait. And those things? The best. -
Review from Gigi M.
Aiea, HI
Updated - 10/25/2011 1 Check-in Here
Ok, GiGi, remember not to go back to this place! You walked outta there stuffed but not satisfied at all! Sure, it's a quiet, cozy spot but it wasn't good.
MiMi even said you shoulda went to OG instead!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/8/2011
Lunch was ok, service was ok - not extremely out of this world or terrible. There wasn't anything… Read more »
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Review from Stephanie T.
Westminster, CA
2/24/2012
Food is decent. Nothing spectacular. We've eaten here a few times now. Overall, the food is good; however, sometimes the service is slow.
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Review from valentin p.
Anaheim, CA
9/17/2011 1 Check-in Here
Great family owned Italian Restaurant. I went there last week when It was really hot and It was very nice to come in to air-conditioned restaurant with friendly service.
The best of Augustinos includes:
1) free garlic knots that always come fresh and warm
2) The Calzone, I swear it is like a medium pizza folded in half and its cheap
3) The pizza is hands down the best. Can't compare this pizza to the pizzas sold in chain restaurants. I recommend the think crust Marharita pizza
4) Their sandwiches are inexpensive and delicious
5) Their lunch deals. I can get a delicious lunch at a great price. -
Review from Courtney G.
Garden Grove, CA
9/7/2011
Yes!
-- Wonderful family owned and run Restaurant ,a Little crowed kind of small, However the staff and free garlic knots make up for it all. Cheap food and it taste good 2 thumbs up -
Review from Anne M.
Tustin, CA
9/19/2011
As Eazy-E would say... "Gimme that, that, that knot", garlic knot that is!!!
I was not expecting much given the run down appearance of this strip mall, don't let it fool you. This place is great. It's hard to rate the entrees because by the time it's arrived I have already eaten a whole basket of garlic knots. The food is good and affordable but I really appreciate the cute Italian American ambiance of the place. -
Review from Bee Y.
Garden Grove, CA
2/10/2012
My SO and I went here since it is so close to our home and we thought we would venture away from Olive Garden. The place was not busy but somehow we ended up coming on possibly the worse night. I guess the usual chef took the night off and so the only cook took forever with our meal and it was not worth the wait. We waited over 45 minutes for our meal only to have it come out and not taste good.The garlic bread is delicious but when we ran out we did not get more. I do not think we will be coming back unless we are really craving Italian and cannot find any other place to go to.
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Review from Chris C.
Garden Grove, CA
1/18/2012
Very good food and very cheap. Staff is very friendly.
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Review from Cindy J.
Glendora, CA
5/28/2011 1 Check-in Here
Came here for Mother's Day with the family for lunch. We were the only customers in the restaurant. Not a good sign.
Our server wasn't familiar with the menu. He was nice though. My dad tried ordering their minestrone soup but was told it wasn't ready. Really? It's Mother's Day.
We ordered their Mother's Day Special: spaghetti, pizza, house salad. The spaghetti with meat sauce was bland. The pepperoni-sausage pizza was decent. The house salad was generic.
I won't be going back. -
Review from Lightning T.
Garden Grove, CA
8/17/2011
I tried Augustino's a long time ago, but what they served was simply just mediocre food. The spaghetti and meatballs could have tasted better it didn't seem fresh and their could have been more flavor. I have a family member that's tried it 3 times and all 3 times were mediocre. Nothing special about this place might as well pay the extra couple $$ and get Olive Garden instead.
What was most disappointing was when I opened the lid for my spaghetti...what I saw on the outer cover was a.........MAGGOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
EWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW! Seriously, wow this place is DIRTY! How could you they not spot a MAGGOT!? I wouldve returned my food if it was in my food but still it ruined my appetite.
NOT RECCOMMENDED! Unless you want maggots in your food =) -
Review from Julissa T.
Anaheim, CA
1/3/2011
So this is my first time back in at least 5 years & I must say this place has changed DRAMATICALLY but for the better!
It's under new management & this place has a whole new look & menu. The food used to be too salty & oily but now its super tasty & the portions are generous
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Two pasta dinners that included an appetizer & side salads was under $40. I will definitely be coming back for the yummy food & even better service. -
Review from Julie H.
Huntington Beach, CA
9/23/2011
As everyone else says, the Garlic Knots are incredible! Not too greasy, lots of garlic, and soft and light on the inside. The marina dipping sauce was great, too!
What a deal the lunch special is: $6.99 for a drink, salad/soup and pasta/pizza/sandwich. I had the salad and it was alright; mostly iceberg lettuce. But the Spinach Fettuccine in Spinach Cream Sauce was great! I could tell these were hand made noodles - not the dried stuff. My husband had a pizza and the crust was fluffy and not greasy, the cheese was not stringy, and the sauce was robust! I can't wait to come back with some coworkers for lunch and try some other options.
I also liked how friendly the staff was. Lots of smiles and very polite. -
Review from Kip M.
Garden Grove, CA
11/13/2011
Great Calzones!!! They are delicious and pretty large for only $6.95 as of 11/13/11
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Review from Ash L.
Santa Ana, CA
7/21/2010 2 photos
Although I felt hesitant to step foot inside because it was fairly empty, I thought I'd be open to a non-expensive lunch at this Mom & Pop diner that was super close to Four Star Cinema. The server (who was probably the only server) was friendly and checked on us/cleaned our table every so often (but in a non-creepy way, whew).
The lunch special ($7 inc. salad, drink, meal) was well worth the price, even though the quality of the food wasn't outstanding. My meat ravioli was cooked well and was above par compared to ravioli in a can. But I have to say that I've had better ravioli dishes in the past.
The restaurant seems like a place where business employees have lunch, since my friend and I were the only youngsters and were being stared at when diners left. They're probably not used to non-middle-aged people like us. Or maybe it was because we were Asian and they weren't used to that either. Hmmm...I wonder... -
Review from Donna D.
11/1/2009
Thanks Augustinos for the fab pizza last night. We ordered on line and picked it up so that we could do our traditional fright night of constant tacky horror flicks while waiting for the kiddies to come a knocking. Last night the hubby's pics were Ghost Ship (which I rather like) and at one point, the explosion was so loud that it scared the cat who jumped clear across the room - knocking Chris' glasses off his face and frightened the little lone girl at our front door who was about to say "trick or treat". She froze with a shocked look on her face and couldn't seem to mutter the words "trick or treat" I think she almost pee'd her pants so I gave her a treat and shuffled her away with a "I like your costume" so I could get back to the movie. Then we watched Killer Klowns ...the hubby ALWAYS watches this one....it is killer funny!
Our pizza was rich with cheese and pepperoni and went perfect with the pina coladas that we mixed up for movie night. Augusto's has always done us good on our meals there and our favorite waiter is Mario who always remembers us and makes us feel welcome. He actually came to the front to greet Chris last night and say hello, even though we were just getting take out. This is a great place and serves up a special gnocchi with Alfredo sauce when I request it. They also serve up a great garlic knots before each meal that are absolutely yummy!!! Thanks Augusto's for topping off our Hallows evening right! -
Review from Chris D.
Updated - 10/31/2009 1 photo
Happy Halloween! Nothing like eating some pepperoni pizza and watching horror movies while waiting for trick or treaters to arrive! If you order online via their webpage for pick-up or delivery they give you 10% off your order. As I've mentioned in my previous reviews the service here is great. Even though I was picking up a togo order Mario still had to say hello and shake my hand. It's a gesture like that which keeps me coming back. Other places should take notes.
Just watched "In the Mouth of Madness", now on to "Ghost Ship" followed by my fav "Killer Klowns from Outer Space".2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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8/1/2009
After reading Rob R's rave review about the pizza here I figured I'd check it out for myself.
My… Read more »
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Review from Angel M.
Los Alamitos, CA
12/3/2009
This restaurant was referred to us by some of my husbands co-workers and we have since referred it on to others with good reason.
Our 4 year old daughter calls this the "good bread place" - since the moment you sit down, - they serve you these lovely, warm, garlicky bread knots with a warm marinara sauce for dipping on the side. Not a bad way to start off !!
One of our favorites is the calzone -- it's HUGE and definitely big enough for two or three people to share. I sometimes order it and have it for lunch the next two days!! Just warm it up in the microwave or toaster oven!! -
Review from Matthew M.
Orange County, CA
10/7/2010
I was hungry, and this place did the job. I had the chicken Parmesan sandwich. The bread was nearly flawless, the chicken parm was a bit sub par but to be expected based on the lack of traffic so the turnover of this item is probably very low. All in all though the waitress was very attentive, drink never got close to empty, the garlic bread and dipping sauce was a very welcoming gesture which kept coming.
Augustino's has all the qualities to be something really special, just need better advertising which will cause more turnover in the kitchen thus improving the quality of ingredients and how the food is prepared.
Great experience though...thanks Augustino's. -
Review from Maddie H.
Garden Grove, CA
5/1/2011
So, Boyfriend and I came here a couple of weeks ago for a just-because date. I'd been really anxious to come here, because my family used to frequent this restaurant when I was a kid.
We were seated immediately by a cute little girl (Boyfriend said something about child labor laws, ehh what are you gonna do? Love mom and pop places! :] ) So, pleasant experience so far, yes?
Our server comes. She did not introduce herself, so I have no idea what her name was (although from her interactions with customers around us, I deduce her name is Denise?) Ah, Denise, Denise...
We then spend the rest of the evening being treated like absolute garbage by aforementioned server. Barely says two words to us, took plates away while my fork was still in my hand, and was just plain rude. What made this experience even worse was she was interacting and laughing with all of the other (and by that, I mean 3. It was a very low, calm night) tables around us.
Seriously?
I knew what was going on though, as this happens quite frequently to me (and my twin sister has been a server for about 4 years, so she always gives me the inside scoop!) Anyways, I would just like to say that I am sick and tired of being discriminated against because of my age. (not just here, but many restaurants) I didn't discriminate against you because you're a small Asian girl serving me at an Italian restaurant, did I? Most servers think that because I unfortunately look the age of someone who will get carded for buying cigarettes, I am not going to tip them, so why bother? But this server was just so EXTREME with it. The funny thing is that Boyfriend and most of my friends make fun of me because I generally tip about 25% for just decent service. I just think they deserve it. Anyways, towards the end of the meal, you know...dessert and bill paying time?..she starts being super, overdramatic nice, and says "Sorry, I'm sick and wasn't feeling very well." First of all, if you're sick...why are you serving me food? Secondly, you seemed to be fine when you were talking to everyone else. I text my sister asking if it was appropriate to not tip in this situation, and she said yes, of course...if for some unholy reason she was this rude or saw someone being this rude, she would not expect a tip. I, however, did leave about 17%, only because I know that this rude server was not the only person getting some, but the hard-working cooks as well. But seriously, the little girl who seated us had better manners than this server.
Which reminds me, FOOD! Sorry, I went on a bit of a rant there.
I got Chicken Parm (natch!) and it was way better than I remembered. No box-to-go needed!
Boyfriend got some weird pasta with some weird sauce (he likes to feel fancy) and he loved it. The portion was too much for my lovely Disposal, so he took some to go for his work lunch the next day.
The garlic knots were tasty, a little tiny bit stale and not garlicy enough...I remember them being so much better! But I guess kids always exaggerate their memories...ehhh.
The food was the only saving grace here. -
Review from Kenny S.
La Palma, CA
12/21/2010
I am only giving a 5* because there old lunch menu is back! They have a great lunch special for $6.99
garlic knots (like bread balls)
soup or salad
Entree
Drink
All for 6.99, you really cannot beat that.
There are about 20 different entrées on the lunch menu. and ive had them all. they are all bomb.
if you go with a sandwich ask for extra italian dressing on the sub
my favorite is the baked spaghetti -
Review from Mindy S.
Seal Beach, CA
1/24/2012
Staff was friendly & our food was delicious - their bread knots were warm & tasty & plentiful. Ordered antipasto salad, angel hair pasta with fresh tomatoes, basil & olive oil and a pizza. Everything was presented well and our server was attentive. We are trying to visit more small restaurants in our area - we have seen so many close and don't want to be left with just the big chain restaurants to dine at. We will definitely be going back to Augustino's!!
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Review from Just us ..
Garden Grove, CA
4/11/2010
I'd like to give them a 3.5 star review :)
So I ordered online, and was there a bit early. My order was placed way before the pickup time, but they said they had just gotten it and therefore it took another 15-20 minutes.
The pizza like european style pizzas is flat, not greasy. The anchovies were the large pieces you get out of the flat tins, not the chopped up little pieces you get at other places. Overall we were satisfied with the flavor. -
Review from Kristy V.
Cypress, CA
10/6/2009
Do you like garlic? If so, you will love the garlic knot appetizer they serve. They are so tasty. The manager is super nice and the staff who I think is family are really quick with service and very, friendly.
I usually get the Angel Hair Ala Freska with no tomatoes and one time I had their Chocolate Mousse dessert. That is something you should really try. DEELICIOUS! However, I am ready to try something different on menu of many options. It's a great place to go if you don't want to spend much and there is a t.v. for my husband to enjoy while eating dinner. It also helps that it is really close to my house. I definitely tell my friends about this restaurant and invite them for lunch or maybe even just to pick up some of those garlic knots to take home. Did I mention they are full of garlic?? -
Review from Jack S.
Buena Park, CA
12/16/2008
As we first walked in, we were welcomed by an amazing smell that filled the air. We became instantly hungry.
we were seated and immediately served garlic knots (small round garlic breads) along with a marinara dipping sauce. Their sauce is very good. Being 100% Italian myself, that is the first thing I taste to see if the restaurant is making it there or getting it from a can. Their sauce is very heavy in the wine flavor. So if you are not a wine flavor person you may find it a bit strong.
The bruschetta ws the best. I hate brschetta because of the stale rock hard toasted bread everyone serves with the mixture of garlic, parsley, basil, and tomatoes. Augustino's serves theirs on tall slices of soft toasted garlic bread. They even have melted mozzarella cheese on the bread below the tomatoe mixture. Delicious.
The calamari rings were amazing, too. They tasted freshly made.
On the menu you get a choice of dinners without soup or salad. You can add soup or salad for $1.95. Their prices range from 7.95 to 10.95 roughly. Very reasonable prices. They also have a dinner special menu and everything on that is $14.95 and all those dinners came with soup or salald.
I got the Fettucini Alfredo with chicken. The flavor was delicious. It definitely was made fresh on the premises. The alfredo sauce was so unique. It had new flavors along with the regular creamy white sauce we have come to enjoy in the past.
My mom's eggplant was delicious and perfectly breaded. It was very light. It was cooked to perfection.
Over all, the prices were great, the food was very flavorful and unique and the atmosphere was perfect.
I will be going back soon. -
Review from Cat A.
Los Angeles, CA
4/8/2011
I eat lunch in Cypress almost weekly, and I like to try new places, so I read some reviews here and decided to give it a chance. MAN am I glad I did! First of all, the lunch special is CHEAP and you will be stuffed when you leave- we got 2 lunch specials + a beer for about $20. They start you with these addictive little garlic knots which I later wished I didn't eat so many of, but I couldnt help it! With the special you get soup or salad, a drink, and an entree - mine was lasagna. IT WAS GOOD! Super cheesy & garlicky, plus large enough for two meals. The bf got the meatball sandwich which he just told me was so good that he's about to go back for again. While the food does take some time, I recommend anyone looking for a nice little lunch spot to go here, this place deserves patronage!
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Review from Rich H.
Second Mesa, AZ
4/7/2008
Summary, based on 1 lunch:
--generic Italian
--free parking
--ok service at weekday lunch when fairly busy
A coworker took me here after mentioning that several others we know go here all the time for lunch.
The offerings were fairly predictable and pretty average. I guess it's ok if you're going out with people who don't want to go to any of the many, superior Asian restaurants in the area. -
Review from Whitney B.
Seal Beach, CA
4/20/2011
Garlic Knots....need I say more? The service is amazing and you can tell they care about their customers. This restaurant makes you feel at home in it's comfortable cozy location, Love Augustino's!
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Review from Bob M.
Garden Grove, CA
11/29/2009
Great food but the next time they get my order delivered to my house
in less than an hour later it will be the first time. -
Review from Alexa S.
Ontario, CA
5/3/2011
I have never gone to on italian restaurant were the food is exquisite. Very clean restaurant great customer service by Denise greeted with a smile , I was having a bad day but coming to aplace were u feel welcome is Great " THANK YOU DENISE" this restaurant is a must!! Come back ...I highly recommended....I cannot wait to come back is worth the drive to Augustines from Montclair ca
Alexa -
Review from Ali C.
Westminster, CA
2/26/2011
Great Saturday night family special. Tonight was our first visit and we'll be going back. Very friendly service also.
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Review from Robert S.
Garden Grove, CA
12/27/2010 1 Check-in Here
A great Italian mom and pop restaurant where the food is great and the service is even greater! They have a wide selection of items on their menu (including Mexican that I've never tried) but we normally stick to the pizzas or calzones. Service is always friendly.
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Review from Wendy H.
Cypress, CA
2/1/2010
Great Italian food! The owners know how to give the star treatment to all of there guests. It feels like coming home and getting a great meal, the staff makes you feel so welcomed, we really stay a while when were there. My mother in law lives down the street so we have the opportunity to make it in frequently. The bread is awesome!!! I had the eggplant parmesan it was excellent and the teramisu is also amazing. So much better than the commercial restaurants in the area, theres nothing like home cooking and familiar faces.
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Review from Charles p.
Anaheim, CA
10/9/2008
This is the best Italian food I have ever had. This is one of those mom and pop resturants that always have the best food. I had a lobster ravioli, and I tried the chicken picardo. If you consider the macaroni grill Italian then you are in for a treat. Furthermore not only was the food great but the service was the best I have ever had. My soda was filled before I reached the end everytime, and the complimentary bread might as well have been bottomless, we had a new basket everytike we polished one off, which was often. I would recommend this resturant to any one seeking good authentic Italian.
