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- Hours:
Mon-Thu. 11:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Fri-Sat. 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 a.m.
Sun. 11:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
- Attire:
- Casual
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street, Private Lot
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good for:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
17 reviews for Pompilio's Restaurant
Back in Newport's darker days my dad brought Mom to this great little restaurant. It's been a family favorite for too many years to count. It was my favorite date night and family night location for nearly a decade. It's also the place that scene in Rainman with the phone book and the waitress was filmed (you can find all kinds of photos and posters on the walls). One night my dad whispered to me that Cincinnati Bengal's coach Marvin Lewis was just heading out after his meal and I looked up just in time to spot a tall dark frame with a friendly face before he exited, pretty cool!
This family owned, historic and slightly kitschy location has great food, reliable servers (many who have been there for years) and a really great if crowded bar area. Call ahead for seating or sit at the bar to wait for your table. If your unsure of what to order and you're not a vegetarian, try the Italian Sampler.
I had looked forward to trying Pompilio's given the praise I'd heard and my love for true old family Italian joints. However, it was clear Pompilio's is resting on their laurels, and I was greatly disappointed.
My parents and I came here to celebrate my mom's birthday and decided to go all out, ordering some appetizers and salads in addition to our entrees. We had the toasted ravioli, which was probably my favorite thing I had there, and the caprese salad. The caprese salad was small for its price, and the mozzarella tasted pretty ordinary and did not have the decadent moisture that I expect from an authentic Italian restaurant.
I had the lasagna, which was underwhelming. Tasted a bit like it had been prepared the day before and had been sitting under a warming lamp. I did like the sauce and the fact that the dish wasn't overly heavy as some lasagna dishes can be.
The absolute KILLER though was that they do not offer freshly-grated Parmesan. WHAT!? If I wanted to ruin my "authentic" Italian dinner with store-bought cheese dust, I would have carried my refrigerated Kraft Cheese Parmesan Shaker in my purse. Maybe it's an Italian family tradition to use this stuff, but I haven't encountered that custom at other authentic Italian restaurants.
I do have to give some credit for the fact they do have the bocce ball court here, although it was December and I couldn't play.
Overrated ... Ok Italian food. The rain man scene being filmed here makes it worth a visit.
Went here out of curiosity after reading about it's use in several films as a location.
The food is good and the ambiance is nice. I'm super-patient and have low standards when it comes to servers, but even I think they are a little slow and could be more attentive. The last time I went, I ate my entire meal without a drink because the server forgot.
I think it's fun and has an interesting past; unfortunately, I think this is one of those places that relies on its reputation and the idea that they are "the best" and therefore slips up in certain areas.
The parking is kind of a nightmare; I'd actually like to park further away and walk than have a battle for a space.
All in all, I'd go back if someone said, "Hey, let's go to Pompilios." I'd take out-of-towners if I had a reservation just because it's a fun place. I probably wouldn't risk a large party or special occasion like a birthday.
Pompilio's is the quintessential neighborhood italian joint. It's a neighborhood staple, where people come "every friday night" for years and years.
Like many people, I have been coming here since I was a kid. I took my soon to be wife on our first date here. And for a while I stayed away. Everything felt like it was going through the motions.
In the past year or two, however, Pompilio's has been revitalized. They've added some really good menu items, on the top end and the bottom. The Bocce Ball courts have been fixed up, and the service has improved.
Favorites for food:
Artichoke Spinach & Cheese Dip and Toasted Ravioli for appetizers
Chicken Milanese, Chicken Florentine, Shrimp Ronaldo, Italian Sausage Hoagie, and Three Cheese Tortellini for entrees
spend the extra money for a caesar salad, its delicious
Comparing the bread to the olive garden is downright silly. Gimenetti Baking Company makes the bread fresh every day, and they slice it at Pompilio's on a bread slicer from the 1920s, and if you notice, the bread almost goes stale by the time your meal is done = no preservatives. Wonder Bread? give me a break.
They have specials going on all the time. Last night was 1/2 price wine and appetizer night, and they'll be having a Christian Moerlien and Great Lakes Brewing Company beer tastings in the coming weeks, according to our host Larry, who was handling a really busy night fantastically.
I have only been here once, but it is certainly a place to experience. On a weekend night, the place will be packed, with standing room only in the bar while you wait for a table. Fortunately we were seated in a medium sized dining room, not the smallest and not the largest, which seems to have a diner-like feel.
My Alfredo pasta dish was excellent. The service was slow, but as I said, the place was swamped. My husband did not particularly like the lasagna; it was dry. Interestingly, while we waited at the bar, I asked someone next to me what she recommended. She said she gets the meatball sub with a side of sauce. I think that may be the key: if you like lots of sauce, order extra.
Of course the place is full of character and nostalgia. Between the fact that it's been there forever and the connection to the Rain Man movie and the photos of Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman in the bar, you have to go at least once.
We usually go later in the evening when there aren't many people. The service is usually superb. The food has always been great.
My favorite is the fried ravioli.
I can't give it 5 stars because the last time we went, our favorite waiter was actually pretty grumpy to us (and we tip very well). Must have had a bad night.
What a fantastic place.
I have been coming to Pompilio's since I was a baby. I remember being infatuated with the coin operated select-o-matic jukeboxes on the tables.
What's to say. Eggplant parmigiana is to die for. Their bread is fantastic. Sauce is delicious.
So five stars? I wouldn't say the place is an extreme value but nostalgia and quality eggplant parmigiana together are priceless. Five stars.
Funny story... one of the grandchildren of the owners was hitting on my then girlfriend/now wife and invited her out to dinner here. Heh it was funny because I had already beat him to it! If you read this... sorry man the secret is out!
Pompilio's is practically an institution - this place has been around for some time and they know what they're doing - which is casual, Italian fare with no pretense. This is your standard Italian spaghetti and meatball/iceberg salad kinda joint, so don't go expecting them to pronounce bruschetta "broo-skett-uh" or ricotta "rick-goat-eh."
The food isn't spectacular, but it is pretty good, and this is a good place to take large groups and kids. In the summertime, relax out on the back patio and enjoy a Peroni and game of bocce. Bocce leagues run Monday-Thursday nights during the summer.
I'm surprised by some of the negative reviews. Really good, old school Italian, we sat outside by the bocce courts. Seems like it can get pretty noisy and crowded inside. We had no problems with the service. Would definitely go back.
Very traditional old school italian - it's the ambiance and kind of grumpy wait staff that you gotta love and the lasagna is great!
I cant believe no one has reviewed this place yet. I've been going to Pompilios since I was born, so you have to take my review with a grain of nostalgic salt.
That being said, as far as Italian hole-in-the-walls go, this place rocks. Half the waitresses have been working there since my parents started dating, and they have the standard red and white checked table clothes. The prices are pretty reasonable.
They have all the traditional Italian American fair, and I have never been disappointed. I always get the Rigatoni with meatballs. Hasn't betrayed me in 20 some years. My mom and girlfriend love the eggplant. I also think they have homemade ranch dressing for the salads. If it's store bought, I want to know what store. I usually eat about 5 pieces of their bread. I dont think they bake it in house, but it has to be from somewhere around the corner b/c it is always so fresh and delicious.
Bonus points for the old-school bar in the front that has a very "neighborhood corner tavern" feel. But it can get smokey. They also have tons of Rainman memorabilia since the toothpick scene was filmed here.
If I could give it a zero, I would. I've only eaten here once but I have a friend that I ate with who was on her 3rd bad experience in a row.
Do not order ANYTHING with a white sauce: white clam, alfredo or any of the specialties that have some sort of white or cream sauce. There is ZERO flavor...honestly tastes like milk and flour beaten together. My alfredo lovin' son said Fazoli's was better! My tortellini specialty was with spinach, artichokes, sun-dried tomatoes in a garlic alfredo sauce. Trust me. No garlic, hardly any of the other things but there were big chunks of under cooked onion.
Though the sodas are cute in their 8ounce bottle, they are a ripoff.
I have not had their red sauce and maybe that's what the hoopla is about. Unfortunately, based on boring bread, no dipper with it, and bland food, I won't be back. Bella Luna much better choice.
Was just here, what a great older style resturant. Good food, Classis bar and the old Bocce courts I know of in the city!
I am always excited to eat at Pompilio's. The chicken and cheese tortellini San Luci is probably the best pasta dish I have ever had. The house red wine isn't too bad either. Make sure you take a big appetite with you when you go because they don't skimp out on portions.
Big black vinal booths, friendly and serious Italian cooking and the home to a scene from Rainman...what's not to enjoy?
Slow service and a bit overrated... The bread very well may be butternut brand sandwich bread and their chicken parm from a frozen kit. Apparently if you have your restaurant in a big film, you don't really need to have good service or food...
