My family and I decided to go to this restaurant since we had not been in many years. We arrived on a Friday at 5:30 pm. The place was nearly empty since we were so early. When the hostess was looking at her chart for where to seat us another coworker chimed in and said to us "we are pretty booked up tonight". I replied by saying, "ok, but there is nobody here". She said, "well, as long as you're done by 7pm, I guess we can seat you". I told her if we couldn't finish in an hour and a half it wouldn't be due to our inability to eat fast enough. While seated, we felt rushed and under surveillance. The food was not very good at all, especially the dried up steak with no sauce (my son's first steak experience). As soon as the server thought we may have a plate we were done with he quickly took it away, without confirming we were done. After 45 minutes we were ready for the check and the server asked if we wanted desert. I said "I doubt we would have time for that" in an admittedly snide way (deserved). The original employee who gave us a hard time initially said "oh, I'm sure you have time". I just laughed at her. We will never be back to this place due to the unprofessional attitude and terrible quality food. Save your money and try another restaurant in Branford; there are quite a few! read more

I've been here three times and all three times the food was excellent and so was the service. I rarely give out 5-star reviews because I want them to be rare enough to point out perfection in a restaurant, and Lo Monaco's is worthy of all five stars. The food is some of the best Italian food you'll get in these parts and the services is quick and kind. read more

Was expecting much more from this restaurant based on previous reviews. But now I can relate to those reviewers with 2-3 star ratings. We ordered take-out meals...cheese ravioli, ziti with meatballs and a small cheese pizza. Well, at least this restaurant made me appreciate Testo's (Bridgeport) so much more. The dinners were bland, bland, bland...the sauce/gravy was dull as dishwater, the ravioli cheese filling was blah, the meatballs were a bit overcooked and completely fell flat on flavor. The take-out section in the back of the restaurant is pure torture, so small and tight you're constantly bumping into people. They also did not provide bread with the meals...a big no, no! But, I guess they're assuming that no one would want to prolong their suffering by sopping up that weak sauce at the end of their meal. On another note, our son's cheese pizza was very good...I would recommend Lo Monaco's for pizza only. So, I'm giving two stars based on the delicious pie and the friendly staff...buon appetito! read more

I've eaten at this restaurant many of times.....I've always eaten in the dining room and never ordered take out before. This past Sunday (SuperBowl Sunday) I called in to order a pizza and a dinner. The girl on the phone told me that they had ran out of dough and weren't making any pizza or stuffed breads for the night. Knowing that it was the Super Bowl I understood that they ran out of pizza. Yet when I walked in I saw MANY pizzas being made and to be honest it looked like they had never ran out of dough at all. I was quite disappointed seeing how many pizzas were being made and I wasn't able to get one because I was told they were out (which was clearly a lie) I'll be back for dinner in the dining room, but I really didn't like my experience in take out. read more

I used to love love love Lo Monaco's in high school. But so much has changed about this place. I am not sure if they changed chefs , but the food is absolutely horrible here. I got the chicken marsala dinner , it tasted like bland chicken with oil. My side pasta came with sauce which was literally inedible. The escarole and bean soup was very bad. Our server was very attentive and nice. It was an older gentleman. I would not return, I've had 3 horrible experiences here. I have give-up on them. I thought maybe it was just a busy night, so I ordered take out from them, they are extremely cheap compared to other restaurants on the hill, but I have to honestly say their take out portion is so MUCH smaller than other restaurants, and to be honest the food IS NOT GOOD AT ALL! I felt ripped off each time I went there, the portion is smaller, and its inedible. PAY THE EXTRA AND GET REAL ITALIAN FOOD SOME PLACE ELSE! read more

Calamari on take out disgusting soggy. Orders wrong on take out "Come back and trade back in". NO! Get it right the first time and credit where credit is due. Bad customer service! If I could give minus stars I would! read more

Always great for in house or take out.Nice quiet ambiance, attentive service and decent if traditional, southern Italian menu. would welcome a more adventitious menu. All and all well done read more

Large mozzarella to go just over 10 bucks good pie can't beat it. The cherry pepper and sausage stuffed bread is a great pickup for a party I dig this place. read more

Upset Yelp does not allow you to give 0 stars - as that is what Lo Monaco's deserves. Service, food, and response by the management was absolutely horrendous. Appetizers were cold. Dinner orders were incorrect and there was approximately 15 minutes between the time the first person at our table received his meal and the last person in our party received her meal. When we voiced all of our concerns, management said they were aware of all the issues already, yet seemed to be unconcerned with making it right. We have been coming here for years and they have now lost us as customers. read more

I've been back a few times and the "Consistency" is impressive. Quality of food, preparation, menu selection, and their willingness to modify items works well. Service is fantastic, staff is friendly, attentive, and eager to please. Value at lunch is "crazy good" whether it's seafood, veal, pasta, or old world Italian. The kitchen is a "10". If you want classic Italian, try it for lunch and you cannot miss. read more

I hosted a birthday/Halloween party and ordered trays of eggplant, sausage and peppers and a number of stuffed breads. The eggplant was out of this world and the stuffed breads were delicious. I did not eat the sausage and peppers but there was not much left in the pan at the end of the night. The order was ready for pick up on time and the prices were unbeatable. I highly recommend and will be ordering my eggplant and stuffed breads from there from now on! read more

I am at this restaurant often it is a family favorite. If you have an allergy they are wonderful and will modify your meal to make you happy. There take out menu for catering in exceptional. Really this one should be on your list for Italian food you will never regret it. read more

One of the top Italian restaurants around. From take out to eat in always perfect. Decent service good atmosphere. Great place.

Excellent pizza, great price and the service also excellent. The owner is very friendly. Try it once and you will be hooked.

I cannot utter enough disapproving words for the way the manager treats her customers. In addition to this maleficent manager, the wait staff did not do anything without being asked. Half of our table was done with their dinners by the time the other half got theirs. And by the way, it took two hours for us to get our FIRST dinner plate. My plate wasn't bad, but the appetizers were cold and other people at my table had to send their dinner back. Perhaps if you have all the time in the world and don't care about the food, then this is the place for you, otherwise I would not recommend it. read more

Lomonicos is my favorite italian restaurant in Branford.Ive Been here since 1990 and it still is the best! Vinnie the owner is a great guy and an amazing cook! Thank you for so many great dinners! read more

This restaurant has amazing food!! The Veal LoMonaco was as tasty as it gets. The only flaw was the hostess who did not offer us anything to drink while we were waiting nor when we sat down. Our waitress was in tears at our table...talk about proper? It was a Saturday night and everything was AMESS. Even after our meal we waited a half hour for our check!! Put a whole new perspective on the restaurant I will be getting take out next time read more

Ugh. Terrible. Ate there tonight (Tuesday night) for the first time. Really terrible. We had lots of options in Branford and wish we went somewhere else for dinner. We were four adults and an infant. Arrived at 6 pm and our food arrived one hour later. I asked our waiter if I could talk to the manager and the 20 year old kid told me his parents owned the place, wouldn't be in , and he was in charge. He cared not one bit that our food was so slow to arrive and acted like it was entirely my problem . He was arrogant and uncaring. I'd never eat there again and plan to tell all my friends and family to avoid this place. I've never, ever, written a review for Yelp but feel so slighted and ripped off from this place I felt I needed to write this review. I plan on copying to other review sites as well. Avoid Lo Monico 's at all cost! read more

Awful experience. The blonde waitress was rude and the service was awful. Do not go to this place. Giving it one star is even too nice

Fantastic food every time we go there. The ambience is great, wait staff very personable. The only r Aston I didn't give me hem 5 stars is you can't order a pizza inside the restaurant on the weekends, it's only for takeout. But other than that I would say they are the best Italian restaurant on the shoreline read more

The service on a friday night at 5:30 was very poor. Took too long to be noticed and offered a drink. Only a few other people were at tables when we arrived. While most of us enjoyed our food, my father's veal was inedible (tough) and had to send it back. They did not apologize or comp the meal. It was busy by the time we left at 7:45, and they need to hire more servers. We couldn't get anyone to take our bill, had to flag down a bus boy. Rough experience. Have been here before with better service but still consider it slow, inattentive. read more

We rented the restaurant out for a graduation party of about 25 people. Alcohol service was extremely slow and in many instances drinks never came. Food was cold and service was very rushed. Silverware was not replaced in between courses consistently and staff were not friendly overall. The owner Maria was very rude and did not even greet the host. She was on the phone the whole time the party was going on and anytime we needed something she waved us off until she was off the phone. They added 18 percent gratuity to the bar tab, which is not customary especially when the tab is separate from the food, which did have 18 percent added as well. Toward the end of the party the servers and staff made us feel very rushed. They took away drinks and food before people were finished, picked up the graduate's gifts and moved them to a different table, closed out tabs before we were finished and started moving tables around while we were still there. When we confronted the owner she was very rude and unprofessional and indicated that she told us what time we needed to be out of the room and in fact she never did. They started rushing us at 3:30pm and we had the room until 5. We were out by 4. She fsiled to offer anything to make up for our concerns. Poor service and I would highly avoid this place. Food quality is good. read more

If your new to Branford and haven't been to LoMonaco's your missing out on great food. They have take out from the entire Menu. Our favorite is PIZZA RUSTICA! A thin crust, white pizza with fresh sliced tomatoes, shrimp, bacon, pignoli nuts, garlic, grated cheese, mozzarella, fresh basil, and olive oil. Our other favorite when not in the mood to eat pizza is GAMBERONI MONACHINA. It's-Jumbo shrimp dipped in an egg batter, sauteed with mushrooms and topped with mozzarella in a light champagne sauce. They offer a pasta side, but we enjoy this dish over angel hair pasta. If your eating at LoMonaco's you'll find the dinning room cozy, great service, plus you'll get a fresh salad with freshly baked garlic knot rolls! They have an extensive wine list, and the wine is very generous in size. They have a small side room for small parties which we have also enjoyed. LoMonaco's is easy to miss just driving but- but it's huge mistake not to try once. Once you've had their pizza or have gone to enjoy dinner there- you'll understand why it's our favorite place to eat in Branford! read more

Some of the best pizza in a town full of great pizza places. I have also gone here for dinner and we got a great meal, a couple glasses of wine, our waitress was very professional, and it was all for a reasonable price. Real Italian food for great prices read more

What a find!! Incredible Italian menu from the old world. Fine dining at prices under $20 for many entree's. Service great, wine list expansive. Not to be missed. read more

I have been going there for years and aside from that one staff member who Lisa M. is talking about who Im not even sure if they are still there...I must say everything is exceptional. I have never had a bad meal there and all of the other staff members have been nothing but nice and given great service. I would recommend LoMonacos to anyone! read more

Great pizza. Reasonably priced as well. The take out area needs some work, but you can't beat the value this place offers.

Very disappointed in this place . The first time we ate there , service was horrible and the food was even worse. Chicken marsala was so plain and taste like boiled chicken in oil, they gave me a side of pasta with plain tomato sauce. It was the most horrific meal I've ever eaten out . I tried this place a month later and I have to say , same thing , food was horrible and definitely not worth my money , appetite and time . read more

Awesome Pizza! Amazing Subs! Best Italian around hands down. The staff is always nice and helpful. Cant wait to go back!

First time customer; ordered a panini and a soup for takeout. The bread on the panini was burnt and gave every bite a burnt aroma not delightful. To top it off received a cup of pasta fagioli with zero broth just a blob of moistened pasta I really do wish pictures could be uploaded to show my statement shows zero exaggeration. I do hate to leave bad reviews but an employee knowingly serves this pasta fagioli in such a manner and I do not wish to drive back for a refund. All in all cant opiniate on the rest of their menu or their in dining experience simply the one I had which will definitely be my one and only. read more

Great atmosphere, but the food is not good at all. I've definitely had better italian food. Service was OK, could've been better, our waiter had a bit of attitude, like a mr "know it all". The calamari was rubbery, kind of gross. and my dinner was tasteless. Great little place inside though. It is packed with older folks, so if you want to feel like your in a retirement home, perfect place for you! read more

I recently visited Lo Monicos with my fiancé and daughter. The service we received was very pedestrian. The host walked right past us without even acknowledging us until she felt like it, The wait staff had some sort of confused system with about 4-5 servers showing face at each table. Multiple times during the evening we were asked to put our orders in when we had already done so. Very clearly a miss comunication with staff. Our order wasn't anything complicated. We decided to order an appetizer for two along with a table salad and chicken tender meal for my daughter. We stated that everything was to share beside the chicken tender meal. The salad and tenders come out first and the apitizer for some reason didn't come out until 45 minutes later. That wasn't even the issue, the waitress with glasses kept rudely insisting that the appritizer we ordered was "one that takes a long time" when we clearly saw other tables who arrived after us, get served the same meal. A blonde waitress also insisted that we ordered Our salad as an appetizer instead of a meal and that is why it came out so much earlier than the antipasti. Instead of appologies both servers insisted it was our fault. Leaving no one, not even the host Acknowledged us. I can't say much about the food because we didn't eat much, however, if your looking for a restaurant with good service then you want to look past this one because the service was atrocious. read more

The food is very good. Unfortunately we witnessed something that will prevent us from returning to this restaurant. At the next table a gentleman was celebrating his birthday with 2 other people at his table. When his steak dinner arrived at the table and he cut into it, he noticed it was overcooked (he ordered it medium rare). He was very nice about it and the waitress agreed and said they would cook him another. 5 minutes later the owner came to their table and abruptly told him they would NOT cook him another. Instead he would have to order something other than steak, which he declined. So he ate nothing for his birthday dinner. The owner was extremely rude to him and did not speak nicely to him and was adamant about cooking him another steak. When we got up to leave we went to their table and told him we heard everything and we were sorry for his situation. He said he was never treated like that anywhere. It was upsetting to me to see how he was treated. For this reason I would not recommend this restaurant. read more

I didn't think this restaurant was that great. My boyfriend and I had reservations and when I made them, the woman I talked to was extremely nice on the phone. I absolutely loved our waitress. She knew the specials of the night and gave eye contact. She answered all my questions on the food. She was very sociable too. I ordered a couple of drinks and they were made perfectly. There was another woman that brought out bread. This wasn't brought out right away when we sat down. It maybe took about ten minutes. I thought that was a little strange. I am used to bread being brought out while you look at your menu when you first get there. After appetizers, garlic knots were soon brough out by the second woman. The garlic knots were okay. They weren't as hot as I would have liked them. They didn't have that much garlic on them at all. We ordered clams casino and stuffed mushrooms for appetizers. The clams casino needed more spices and butter. They were definately lacking flavor. The bacon was still chewy and I like it a little more crispy for clams casino. The stuffed mushrooms with the seafood stuffing was also lacking flavor. I also had a side salad. I liked how the salad wasn't iceburg lettuce. It was very fresh too. For dinner, I ordered the pollo alla scarpariello. This was chicken breast in a white wine sauce with garlic, rosemary, butter, mushrooms, and scallions. This dish was excellent. It had loads of flavor and the chicken was cooked perfectly, tender, and juicy. I also had a side of pasta. They had whole wheat ziti. I was very happy about that. That's the only whole wheat pasta they had. I don't know if that is all the time or just that night. Unfortunately, their sauce lacks flavor. It definately needs more spices. Also, I asked for parmesan cheese with my pasta. I was brought out some cheese in a small bowl, but it wasn't fresh parmesan cheese. It was the kind you buy in the shaker container from the grocery store! For an Italian restaurant, I would have thought fresh parmesan cheese. My boyfriend ordered the chicken parmesan. It wasn't good at all. The sauce was bland and the breading on the chicken was bland. The chicken was cooked well though and it wasn't dry. read more

was here Saturday night 8/2/14 for my anniversary with my wife & another couple. We were seated by the hostess and soon after our waitress came over, greeted us and recited specials. As we were looking through the respectful menu, we all of a sudden heard a woman scolding one of the employee in a very loud tone. VERY UNPROFESSIONAL!!! After reviewing the business info and reading about the "quiet atmosphere" and the "no good for kids" we assumed this would of been the perfect place for us...... Unfortunately we assumed wrong!! It was a very noisy atmosphere, The inside could use some updating, I feel that the bar tables that are lined up against the wall in the entry way should be in the bar area, our table inside the main dining room was by a wall that had very noticeable paint chipped off of it, & the artificial plant that "I kept hitting my head into" on the separating wall looked like it has over lived it purpose. As for the food, everything was brought out in a timely fashion & was full of flavor. I wouldn't recommend this place to anyone who is looking to have a nice quiet dinner. read more

good food, service was terrible. my family and i sat down ordered food came in an half an hour or more. the waitress never came to check on us. i got pasta w/ lobster and i ordered no shallots or scallions, my food had both of those. the waitress was very rude she never came back to check, another waiter had to take our dishes. read more