We went for our anniversary and it was amazing. The food was delicious and not super pricey. The…read morepizza and pasta both very good. The best part was the service! One of the best servers I've ever had! Will be back for sure.

Marcella's is one of those classic happy hour spots that my friends and I keep coming back to. Not…read moreonly do they always accommodate our large parties, but the low lit ambiance and impeccable service cannot be beat. The arancini is a MUST try. I had never tried it before and was pleasantly surprised. I recommend getting a pizza or their mussels on happy hour. Definitely a great spot for a date night or girls night outing!

The local interwebs suggested that this place might be worth the trip…read more The local interwebs were surprisingly accurate and if anything, understated. We arrived at 4:55 PM recognizing that we didn't have a reservation... I mean, what restaurant is packed right away when it opens? As it turns out this place is packed as soon as the doors open. They seat 40 on the high end according to the owner. We know this because he stopped to check on our experience, TWICE, while managing a full house. The food was superb. The price was fair, and given the quality, maybe even (dare I say?) a great value overall. For a red and white checkered tablecloth Italian dining experience, these guys are RIGHT on the money, RIGHT on the service, RIGHT on the quality. You can spend more but you won't get more. This place is worth every bit of five stars.

Lola & Giuseppe's epitomizes small but mighty. There isn't a lot of dining room space, but you'll…read morefeel right at home if you're lucky to snag one of their coveted reservations. Our server was a great cheerleader, instilling confidence in us that we were making great choices from the wine through the desserts. And the best part is that everything that I ordered delivered. The pasta fritto antipasto was an early standout as well as the Giuseppe's Salad with its rich olive oil-based dressing. Then came Giuseppe's Sampler headlined by the lasagna. The meatball and spaghetti was almost as great, but the eggplant parmesan kept the trio from being an all-time sampler. (My wife chose the eggplant option over the chicken parmesan, which would not have been my individual call). She got fettuccine alfredo which I also enjoyed. Wrapping up the meal was some of the best carrot cake I've had in a long time.

We had a wonderful experience! Our server, Allie, was incredibly friendly and knowledgeable about…read morethe menu. Her recommendations were spot on, and everything we ordered was delicious. We were celebrating a birthday, and she even offered to take pictures for us, which was such a thoughtful touch and made the occasion feel extra special. Ethan, our server assistant, was equally fantastic. He made sure our drinks were always full and kept the table cleared promptly, helping everything run smoothly throughout our meal. The food was excellent, the atmosphere was great, and the outstanding service from both Allie and Ethan truly made our visit memorable. We can't wait to come back!

This may have jumped into my top three favorite restaurants in Columbus! Wow! The patio has to…read morerival the best of what Columbus patio season offers. It's pricey but it's well worth it. The server was very knowledgeable. The wine list is immaculate. I am still thinking about this restaurant four days later. I can't wait to go back.

I was totally in love with this space and the food served inside. We ate around 6 PM and it was…read moregolden hour so the lighting was gorgeous. The space is very bright and airy: loved the floral and plant vibes. Our server was kind but maybe a bit apprehensive because we brought our two daughters. Sometimes I feel bad bringing kids but honestly we deserve to have good food even if there are little mouths involved. We had the focaccia starter and it was as pillowy and sumptuous as it looked. Next was broccolini which our 8 month old devoured. I tried the funghi pasta and my husband had the sausage ragu. Both had generous portions. The kitchen made butter noodles for our daughter and she LOVED them. I was pleased they didn't try to doll them up because she really did just want noodles and butter. Finally, the octopus was sooo tasty. The sauce was super flavorful and I love a good bean addition. Delicious meal all around.

I was exploring the downtown area around 7 PM looking for a place to have dinner. This restaurant…read morecaught my attention because of its aesthetics, so I decided to give it a try. The ambiance was enjoyable, and our waitress provided decent service. For starters, I really enjoyed the gem salad -- it was refreshing -- and I also ordered a couple of glasses of Poggio Costa Prosecco to go with my Funghi pasta. Both were very good. However, we also ordered the lobster spaghetti and were not impressed. It was very bland, and the few pieces of lobster tasted slightly gamey. I would not recommend the lobster pasta, especially considering the price, as it appeared to be the most expensive pasta on the menu. The bill also included a fee labeled as "healthcare," which was not mentioned by our waitress. I had to look it up afterward since it was the first time I had seen a charge like that on a restaurant bill. I wanted to share this so others are aware of what to expect.

Nice neighborhood Italian restaurant. Warm wood decor and friendly service. Big selection of…read moreItalian wines and expertise to help you discover them. We had the he prosciutto board - I didn't really think about prosciutto varieties! Pretty big even for 2. I had a special - confit duck keg over polenta. Savory m, rich, delicious. My friend had the pasta burro, described as the original Alfredo. It was very nice - but he chicken breading was light and crisp. Overall a very good experience.

This is a restaurant that I literally dream about since I left. It's a small place with just one…read moremain guy in the kitchen. The gnocchi is homemade and the chicken parm with it was to die for. I also got the garlic cheese bread appetizer and it was also phenomenal! I was seated at the community table but I'd sit by the trash can out back if it meant I could eat here. Parking is limited and located in a neighborhood. MUST GO!

Basi Italia is one of those places you almost want to gatekeep. It's tucked away in Victorian…read moreVillage and has the cutest, most charming vibe. The space is super intimate and classy, perfect for a slower, more special dinner. The food was so good, you can tell everything is really high quality and made with care. Everything we ordered felt elevated but still super comforting, which I loved. I got the rigatoni which was some of the best sausage/pasta dishes I've had in a while. The service was also really prompt and attentive without being too much, which made the whole experience even better. Such a good spot for a special dinner or date night if you want something that feels a little more unique and memorable. Next time I'm saving a little more space in my stomach for the Tiramisu!

Look at My Review & See Exactly Why‼ No Atmosphere…read more No Proper Service No Meat Variety NOT Worth It

As a Destin, FL native now living in Dublin, OH, I've been on the hunt for the best spots around…read morehere. A coworker of mine suggested this place to me a year ago when I started my new job. After skimming through the reviews I was a bit hesitant on coming here, but honestly I can assure you that the only thing I regret is not trying this place sooner. My boyfriend and I noticed it was in a small plaza and our first thought was that a "hole in the wall" place are usually the best so we were immediately excited. I did make a 6pm reservation after reading the reviews even though it was Wednesday and we were seated on arrival. We noticed the place was starting to get packed so I do agree that making a reservation would be best or try to avoid coming here on the weekends if you have issues with waiting or being crammed in small places. From start to finish, everything was a delight. Here's what we savored: * The homemade bread and butter- simply fantastic. I was going to ask for warm bread after reading a review, but since the waitress brought it out immediately I didn't mind and honestly it didn't need to be warm because it was good as is. The butter IS a true winner. I had to pace myself because I didn't want to fill up too soon! * Apps: WARNING portions are generous enough to be meals! We couldn't believe they were appetizers when it was brought out. Crab Cake- I've eaten a lot of crab cakes and I will say no, this wasn't the best crab cake I've had in my life BUT it was definitely a really good crab cake. Especially one with no breading. It was served with a delicious lemon butter sauce. Whoever wrote that the sauce was "sour" in a review made me giggle while eating this because I mean the sauce has lemon in it... hence the name, but even so the flavors were perfectly balanced and I enjoyed every bite. Fried Eggplant- okay my taste buds went over the moon with this one. An absolute standout. The eggplant was cooked to near perfection, and the creamy tomato sauce was to die for. 10/10! It was such a flavorful dish. Tossed Salad- a fresh, vibrant salad with a vinaigrette dressing so addictive we finished it in minutes. This is a unique salad because of the bow tie pasta in it. The tomatoes and green beans that also come in the salad are a nice touch and very enjoyable. * Entree- my boyfriend ordered the Chicken Marsala and he loved it! The chicken was cooked flawlessly, and the pasta was incredibly soft--possibly one of the best texture I've ever experienced. The marsala sauce was rich and flavorful. Ravioli- I opted for the spinach noodles with ricotta cheese and chose the link sausage. I also asked to have the crumbled sausage added as well (for an extra charge) because I needed to try this sausage that everyone has been talking about..... This Morettis sausage recipe does NOT disappoint. If you don't like "spice" you won't like it because it does have a kick to it, but I enjoy spicy. I will say I'm a fan of the crumbled sausage over the links though. It may be the same thing??? but I could go without the link casing. The ravioli were massive, perfectly stuffed, and absolutely delicious. Dessert: We couldn't resist not ordering and trying the dessert so we took it to go. They were offering a caramel apple cheesecake. After the food coma wore off, we enjoyed it at home, and I fell even more in love with this place. It's unlike anything I've tasted--cheesecake with apples inside is a game-changer! Every sauce and dish was outstanding, bursting with flavor and made with care. Karen took excellent care of us, making us feel welcome and ensuring we had a fantastic first experience. We're already planning our return to explore more of the menu. Thank you for a wonderful dinner. This place truly exceeded my expectations!

5 stars. OMG. We will definitely be back…read more Went on a Friday night and the place was PACKED. People were standing outside waiting, so I'd definitely make a reservation. The employee who helped us was very friendly. We got the chicken parm, Alfredo, pizza, and bread with homemade butter. Everything was delicious. The pasta tasted fresh, the Alfredo noodles were my favorite, and the chicken was cooked perfectly. The pizza was AMAZING. Hidden gem. The crust was soft, chewy, and perfectly crisp, and that pizza sauce is perfection. My only complaint is they didn't have utensils available for takeout. We had a 20 minute drive home and were ready to dig in immediately, so that was a little disappointing. Already looking forward to our next visit.

My friend and I went out for happy hour and had such a great time on the outdoor patio. It was the…read moreperfect day to be outside--finally feels like winter is breaking! I ordered two seafood apps: the seared scallops and the garlic roasted shrimp, and both were excellent. The scallops had a perfect sear on both sides, which was a great start, and the shrimp were seasoned really well. For drinks, we both got the Supremo Peach--so delicious and refreshing. I also tried the espresso martini. It was good, but honestly, I wish I had just stuck with the Supremo Peach because the switch was a bit of a shock to my palate. We spent time chatting and really enjoyed the atmosphere. Service was quick, and our waiter was very attentive--he even checked back in with us before happy hour ended, which I appreciated. This experience was night and day compared to my last visit, and I'm really glad I gave this place another chance. For me, this might be the perfect happy hour spot. The apps feel more like small plates, which I love for the variety, and a great cocktail like the Supremo Peach definitely seals the deal. Thanks, Forno!

It was my first time to Columbus, so I asked the gentleman working at the hotel what restaurants he…read morewould recommend and Forno was top on his list. Our server was very personable and we asked him his recommendations. We started with the Mozzarella Sticks to start and I ordered the Chicken Marsala for my main. Both dishes were good. The mozz sticks were served with a great pesto sauce and marinara, though some of the sticks lacked cheesiness. The Chicken Marsala was fantastic! The skin was crispy and the meat succulent and juicy. It was served on a bed of mushroom risotto, which was adequate, but not up to par with the chicken and sauce. The restaurant itself is fairly noisy, so carrying a conversation was tough.

My girlfriend and I went to Pasqualone's in Columbus Square last evening. To say that we were blown…read moreaway would be an understatement. From the time we walked in the door, a gentleman in the kitchen looked up and said greeted us. (There's a door so you can see into the kitchen from the foyer) I later learned it was Dave Pasqualone himself. We were promptly shown to our table and within a few minutes, a gentleman by the name of Chris introduced himself and told us what the specials for the evening were. Everything sounded great but my girlfriend picked the saccettini with the amatriciana sauce and I had the veal scalopini with a small side of saccettini. The meal was PERFECT! You could taste richness of the homemade saccettini stuffed with cheese. I was told that the pasta for the lasagna noodles are made on site which is used for the saccettini. The veal scallopini was so tender, I could cut it with a fork. Not too many capers, the right combination of butter, white wine and lemon. My girlfriend's amatriciana sauce (she was kind enough to give me a taste of two) had a little bit of a bite to it but not too much. It was mouth watering. We finished off the evening with a homemade cannoli which was superb. Towards the end of the evening, Dave came out into the dining room and personally greeted each table. We learned that Dave was the head chef at Monaco's Palace on Cleveland Ave many years ago. They always had wonderful food. To find this gem of a restaurant in Northeast Columbus, in a part of town where many restaurants come and go each month or year, is like finding a needle in a haystack. This quiet little Italian restaurant is tucked away in an unassuming strip mall that was incredibly popular in the 80's and 90's and has been churning out delicious homemade Italian dishes for over 20 years. We will definitely become regular patrons of this gem of a place. Thank you Dave, Chris and the other members of their staff to make a date night with my girlfriend a memorable experience.

A strip mall by a bowling alley, sign me up! Is probably not what you are thinking. This place is…read morereservation only, and you have to call them....on a phone. It's worth the work! This place is old school and I love it! When I walked in for my reservation the Owner/Chef popped out from the kitchen and said "Good Evening Mrs. Wilson" because well, we were the only reservation at that time. Really impressed my friends lol. We picked the day before Thanksgiving to dine out with friends we hadn't seen in a while. This is a great place for a small group to sit and talk (and be heard) without being rushed. Restaurant was 60% full? Fantastic full premium bar, great wine list and helpful servers. Just top to bottom great food and service. From the menu, it seems like a limited selection of standard Italian fair. Order from the specials, they are chef recommended and always fantastic. Even the basic spaghetti + meatballs is great! Entres $30-50 which is really pretty reasonable. Just me but, I would love more vegetables on the menu as sides with my pasta. Most meals do come with soup or salad. Great for small group (less than 10) but not sure how many they would take honestly. You will get fantastic service, great food, in a nice quieter environment. Looking forward to going back in the new year!

Wow wow WOW. When I say this was one of the best dining experiences I've ever had, I am not…read moreexaggerating. This little gem in Victorian Village is a must visit for anyone who loves authentic Italian food and stellar service. I came here with my roommates family for a celebratory dinner and had an amazing four course dining experience. I was intimidated at first by the number of courses, but each dish is in a small tasting format. Not only was the food delish but our water was incredible. He took time to go through each dish and explain the ingredients and origin. You could tell he was super passionate about his job and the food there. I'm going to come back to try their cacio pepe that they mix in a cheese wheel in front of you!! 10/10!!

Arriving at the restaurant for the first time I opened the front door & immediately struck with the…read moresmell of Seafood which indicated to me the restaurant needs a better ventilation system. I also noticed unfortunately there was no sitting or lounge area for customers to sit if they are Waiting for a table or waiting for a ride share. If you have to wait you are literally in the way of servers or the opening of the front door. I opted for the "Lighter Fare" menu at $55.00, your only two other choices were a Tasting menu at $110.00 or a Pelino's Dinner at four courses for $69.00. The menu is very limited, there is no A la carte available. Our server was professional & polite & the entire staff was lovely. I ordered : First course :Tornare alle Origini Eggplant, Pachino tomatoes, Castelvetrano olives, Pantelleria capers Main Course: L'Oro Verde della Sicilia Rigatoni, Lemon, Butter with Pistacchio di Bronte Crema Dessert : Semifreddo agli Amaretti Amaretti crumble, Semifreddo with Chocolate Sauce This breakdown comes to $18.00 per course. Looking back even the Lighter fare menu is too expensive especially for only one main course on the nights menu that offers Shrimp on your pasta, not even a protein like Chicken or Beef. The most disappointing part of the meal was the temperature of the food, not even remotely warm for this small restaurant. I had a guest dining with me and their first course of Toasted focaccia, Salt-cured Italian anchovies, Bagnet Verd which was comically 2 tiny pieces of bread smaller than a quarter & rock hard for $17.95. Sadly, I would not recommend Pelino's Pasta its too expensive & your clothes smell of seafood after dining there.