This place has been around for years but for some reason my wife and I have never got around to trying it. Now that we are not dining indoors because of Covid, we decided to try their takeout service. (They don't deliver, and it's not on Doordash.) I'd give it a 3.5, which I'll round up to 4. The young woman who took my phone order was pleasant and efficient, and the order, when we got it, was completely accurate. My wife wanted to try the Tuscan chicken but when I attempted to order that over the phone, was told they don't do that meal on takeout. So, after a hurried conversation with my wife, she ordered the cod parmesan with cheesy risotto instead. I got the chicken parmesan. Both meals were pretty good but neither was memorable. The portions were large, giving each of us a leftover meal. (My wife is somewhat leery of leftover seafood meals; she says if the food isn't fresh the leftovers can be "fishy", but she says her leftover cod tasted fine.) Each entree came with a salad, a roll, and what appeared to be a garlic breadstick. The salad dressings (creamy garlic parmesan for me, ranch for my wife) were both excellent, and the bread was quite good as well. This may be a case where the side stuff actually tasted better than the main meal. Bottom line: a decent meal, but probably not good enough to get us to drive clear across town for takeout again. It's too bad the restaurant doesn't offer outdoor seating in the warm months, or provide delivery.
Charles Derrig
Had the best server, I believe his name was Brian. He made a couple jokes and lightened everything up. He also made some really good recommendations. I would highly recommend making reservations this place gets busy fast. Food was amazing also...
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken Stuffed with Mozzarella and Basil, Mushroom Risotto
Liviana Cain
The atmosphere was nice, with nice staff. The food however took long, and it was very bland. The pizza was greasy and the meat didn’t taste like anything. The pasta and chicken was very bland too. It tasted like nothing. The tiramisu was ok, and the bread was hard, sweet, and doughy. The only good thing were the fries.The server asked us if we wanted boxes and we said no, and she kept pressuring us into take it home. It was very uncomfortable to say no. She kept coming back and asking why we didn’t want to take boxes and that we were wasting food.The food was also very pricey for its taste.
My wife and I both really have enjoyed our meals here--and have always found the waitstaff to be helpful, cheerful and professional. It has become one our favorite restaurants in Ames.
We tried this restaurant based on some good reviews...big mistake! Ordered focaccia bread and bruschetta for appetizers. The focaccia bread was a flatbread, oiled on one side and cooked in a broiler possibly...not focaccia bread! The bruschetta had good tomatoes but I've never had it with basil pesto and covered with Parmigiano cheese - not good. We had mushroom risotta that arrived looking like gruel on a plate. Not appetizing at all! Then to see it was made with canned mushrooms. Parmigiano cod was a disappointment. One of the pieces had hard sections like it had been microwaved. It's obvious they do not have any real cooks in that kitchen or anyone who cares what food looks like to the paying customer.
William Cran
Great service! Even better calzones! Always love this place!
I never knew that spaghetti and meatballs could be as good as this place makes them. Truly worth it. The risotto is also amazing. Service is always great and friendly.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Mushroom Risotto
Karl Schecht
Food is honestly pretty great, just be ready to wait a really long time for it. Especially on busy
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 4
Nick W.
Nice owner. Amazing food. Great service. Can't really go wrong on this one. Blackened chicken Alfredo is amazing. Caesar salad is amazing. Dinner rolls are out of this world. I eat here once a week with my two little boys.
Mya W.
we ordered the cod Parmesan, I may not be a food critic but the food we tasted wasn't good, the cod was okay but there wasn't really parmesan and the Parmesan risotto tasted old, the service wasn't the best either, got seated with no silverware or napkins until we received our main dish and being an italian place it seemed it should've been better managed than it was. the atmosphere was okay and the people were nice and we paid 26 dollars for the food received and don't believe that should be charged as much for the quality
Subrata Pal
Try the risotto and pizza. Their pizza is fresh. Even people who don't love pizza can love pizza if they come here.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Blackened Chicken, Mushroom Risotto, GE
This place has been around for years but for some reason my wife and I have never got around to trying it. Now that we are not dining indoors because of Covid, we decided to try their takeout service. (They don't deliver, and it's not on Doordash.) I'd give it a 3.5, which I'll round up to 4. The young woman who took my phone order was pleasant and efficient, and the order, when we got it, was completely accurate. My wife wanted to try the Tuscan chicken but when I attempted to order that over the phone, was told they don't do that meal on takeout. So, after a hurried conversation with my wife, she ordered the cod parmesan with cheesy risotto instead. I got the chicken parmesan. Both meals were pretty good but neither was memorable. The portions were large, giving each of us a leftover meal. (My wife is somewhat leery of leftover seafood meals; she says if the food isn't fresh the leftovers can be "fishy", but she says her leftover cod tasted fine.) Each entree came with a salad, a roll, and what appeared to be a garlic breadstick. The salad dressings (creamy garlic parmesan for me, ranch for my wife) were both excellent, and the bread was quite good as well. This may be a case where the side stuff actually tasted better than the main meal. Bottom line: a decent meal, but probably not good enough to get us to drive clear across town for takeout again. It's too bad the restaurant doesn't offer outdoor seating in the warm months, or provide delivery.
Had the best server, I believe his name was Brian. He made a couple jokes and lightened everything up. He also made some really good recommendations. I would highly recommend making reservations this place gets busy fast. Food was amazing also...
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken Stuffed with Mozzarella and Basil, Mushroom Risotto
The atmosphere was nice, with nice staff. The food however took long, and it was very bland. The pizza was greasy and the meat didn’t taste like anything. The pasta and chicken was very bland too. It tasted like nothing. The tiramisu was ok, and the bread was hard, sweet, and doughy. The only good thing were the fries.The server asked us if we wanted boxes and we said no, and she kept pressuring us into take it home. It was very uncomfortable to say no. She kept coming back and asking why we didn’t want to take boxes and that we were wasting food.The food was also very pricey for its taste.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 3
I like their pizza and food.
Amazing service loved the
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fettuccine Alfredo, Blackened Chicken Alfredo, Blackened Chicken
My wife and I both really have enjoyed our meals here--and have always found the waitstaff to be helpful, cheerful and professional. It has become one our favorite restaurants in Ames.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Lasagna, Special, Ravioli, Mushroom Risotto
Great atmosphere and service. Food was very good, but not exceptional. Enjoyed the Grazianos sausage! Some of the best Italian in the area, for sure.
Absolutely fantastic. Real Italian, amazing taste, great prices compared the the chain style places. We'll definitely be back 11/10
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Blackened Chicken Alfredo, Chicken Marsala
We tried this restaurant based on some good reviews...big mistake! Ordered focaccia bread and bruschetta for appetizers. The focaccia bread was a flatbread, oiled on one side and cooked in a broiler possibly...not focaccia bread! The bruschetta had good tomatoes but I've never had it with basil pesto and covered with Parmigiano cheese - not good. We had mushroom risotta that arrived looking like gruel on a plate. Not appetizing at all! Then to see it was made with canned mushrooms. Parmigiano cod was a disappointment. One of the pieces had hard sections like it had been microwaved. It's obvious they do not have any real cooks in that kitchen or anyone who cares what food looks like to the paying customer.
Great service! Even better calzones! Always love this place!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
I never knew that spaghetti and meatballs could be as good as this place makes them. Truly worth it. The risotto is also amazing. Service is always great and friendly.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Mushroom Risotto
Food is honestly pretty great, just be ready to wait a really long time for it. Especially on busy
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 4
Nice owner. Amazing food. Great service. Can't really go wrong on this one. Blackened chicken Alfredo is amazing. Caesar salad is amazing. Dinner rolls are out of this world. I eat here once a week with my two little boys.
we ordered the cod Parmesan, I may not be a food critic but the food we tasted wasn't good, the cod was okay but there wasn't really parmesan and the Parmesan risotto tasted old, the service wasn't the best either, got seated with no silverware or napkins until we received our main dish and being an italian place it seemed it should've been better managed than it was. the atmosphere was okay and the people were nice and we paid 26 dollars for the food received and don't believe that should be charged as much for the quality
Try the risotto and pizza. Their pizza is fresh. Even people who don't love pizza can love pizza if they come here.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Blackened Chicken, Mushroom Risotto, GE