Almost everything was what you want for a night out. Salt level is the only -, but that is a personal preference. Would eat there again without batting an eye. read more

Food was really yummy! The mushroom ravioli was a ten however the minestrone soup was underwhelming. I find it really hard to go to an Italian restaurant when they don't serve free bread I think that's a little crappy. Another thing I'd note is that it is very expensive. 10-15 dollars more than I would pay at any other Italian restaurant. Overall I had a nice time but I wouldn't go again. Service wasn't great the waitress was pretty passive aggressive. For example I asked for a to go cup for my leftover soup and she said no that they didn't package up the soup because most people didn't take it to go and they didn't have containers. However you can get their marinara sauce to go so would that not be in some sort of soup like container? I don't know it was just weird stuff like that. Ambiance was fine. The tables were lined with like packing paper and that makes it feel cheap. For a 42 dollar pasta I think they can afford table clothes. read more

Macaluso's Italian Restaurant - PORTABELLO RAVIOLI - Italian Near Me - Ruston, Washington

I have been there a couple times now and the hostess has been rude and always has a tone. Food was good.

HugoPenne ArrabiataAlfredo Macaluso Our food was absolutely amazing and tasted phenomenal. Hugo provided us with some of the best service we have had at a restaurant. Macaluso's has a very intimate feel and a great vibe. Felt like what I believe a restaurant in Italy would feel like to be in. read more

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Service is amazing! Food always on point. The only italian restaurant we frequent. The atmosphere is also nice, can get a little noisy, but very quaint. Love this place!! read more

I've had this spot recommended a few times (very highly), so when a date night came up I thought this would be a fun place to visit. I'm glad to have tried it out but don't think I'll be back. For the record, as we were leaving I heard to different tables raving about their food. Maybe it was just what we ordered? Upon arriving the first thing I noticed was the noise of it. If youre looking for something intimate, this is not it. I love seafood, so that's mostly what we ordered. We started with their focaccia with a side of olive oil and balsamic. That was pretty tasty. For appetizers we had the vongole saltate (clams in a white wine garlic sauce) and the octopus carpaccio (thin sliced cooked octopus). Noteworthy is that our apps and mains came out at the same time which was unexpected. A little annoying, but it was fine. The clams were alright, not very flavorful but cooked nicely. The octopus we got more for the experience because it sounded interesting. We weren't big fans. It's ok, it's fun to try new things and now I can say I've eaten octopus right? For our mains we shared the gnocchi (In red sauce with chicken) and linguine pescatore (seafood linguine). When they described the pescatore I knew I had to try it. We actually almost both ordered it but I thought it would be fun to order different things and share. Both were a bit underwhelming, especially the pescatore as far as seasoning and flavor. Some of the seafood was cooked alright, others were chewy and overcooked. I ate my scallop first and that was probably the best bite of the dish. The pasta tasted like nothing. The service was friendly and attentive. My water glass was never empty. We left feeling underwhelmed. We were expecting this incredible meal and it just felt average to us. In the car we talked about it and felt a 3 1/2 star rating was most accurate but sadly not an option on Yelp. When food is pricey I have higher expectations. I've had better seafood. Thanks for the experience and nice date night. read more

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Fantastic food, good vibes. Brought my wife here on a date. Would definitely recommend!

Weird entrance where you are surrounded by dirty black curtains separating you from the tables and no lobby or area to wait. NO bread service. Waited 30 minutes for one side Caesar salad and (under fried) calamari then our mains came out a minute later? Server took the mains away so we could enjoy the apps first but when my carbonara was delivered later it was cold. Pasta overwhelmed by too much salty pancetta. Too expensive....$16 for a 2" square of tiramisu for dessert. Hard wood chairs and dirty fork....Underwhelming service. 1.5 hours later we finally got to leave . First and last time going there. read more

Great food, great service, intimate atmosphere. Easy to fill up on delicious appetizers. Pace yourself or share before the main event!

We ate here last night and the entries were way too salty. We did not finish either one. We had high hopes as the bread and salad was very good but I found the meatballs below par and my with entree was far too salty and she ate half before giving up. Does anyone spot check by tasting this food? Evidently not. Very disappointing and we won't be back read more

The food was absolutely amazing for me, I got the Costolette Di Agnello (racks of lamb, mash potatoes but a very smooth thick texture, and veggies) the lamb was cooked to perfection for me (medium rare) it tasted honestly like back home in AZ the way my culture made it- it took me back & was an amazing experience . My partner got the Linguine pescatore which seafood linguine (shrimp,clams,mussels, scallops) which was very good as well. Got the appetizer Vongole Saltate which is clams in white wine etc. The Customer Service was great from accidentally going to bar side & being escorted to restaurant side, to the hostess & server being great & easy to talk to, the hostess explained the menu perfectly & checked in on perfect timing. The environment is romantic, you get little lamp on your table it sets the mood. The drinks we got (only 2 tequila cocktails they had) they were very freshing and good hitters. Prior to end of night we told the hostess we were celebrating our anniversary & were given a congratulations card signed by the staff which meant a lot! Definitely would come back! read more

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My wife and are are very snobby, and we know it. I rarely give out 5 star reviews. This place? THIS PLACE? By far, hands down, the BEST dining experience of our lives. We felt welcome, we felt like family, we felt like movie stars but also like normal people. I cannot, seriously, rave enough about the service. Our server was a young gal, Erin, who was personable, self aware, and never let our water glasses reach fully empty. The sommelier was brought to our table after requested a wine, off menu. James was the most intelligent sommelier we have crossed paths with. He knew exactly what to pair with our food to bring out the flavors instead of crowd them. The level of expertise, professionalism, and down right human connection here was extremely rare. Our experience was one that is seen far and few when dining. If you want an amazing dining experience, book a reservation at Macaluso's. You will not regret it. read more

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One word: focaccia. After dinner, I had to go text everyone in my family to let them know how impressed we were with our experience at Macalusos. Small space so reservations can be few and far in between, but boy was it worth it. Risotto balls were mediocre - but everything else was top tier. Can't wait to go back! read more

We stopped by this charming neighborhood restaurant on a whim after moving to the area. It was busy on a Friday night, but we managed to get squeezed in at 9 PM--maybe a mistake since they close at 10. The atmosphere was lively, with birthday celebrations and even the chef's family dining there. We ordered a pizza, carbonara spaghetti, and a pork chop from the specials menu. The pizza arrived first and was delicious, but the carbonara and pork chop didn't come out until after closing at 10:10 PM. Both dishes were hot but both overwhelmingly salty. The carbonara lacked balance, and the pork chop--though tender--was over-salted to the point of being unpleasant. The mashed potatoes had a unique, pudding-like texture that left us curious about the ingredients. Since it was late, we didn't send the food back, but the staff acknowledged the delay and comped a tiramisu, which was enjoyable but couldn't salvage the experience. We'd return for pizza and salads, but we'd steer clear of pasta and meat dishes. It's clear the staff and chef work hard, but spending money on a disappointing meal stings--especially when it wakes you up at 4 AM with indigestion and the urge to write a review. read more

Great food! Every thing is made fresh service is good prices are average. $$ I love the lasagna but it takes a little extra time but worth the wait. The restaurant is a little small but nicely decorated . I'd recommend reservations on the weekend read more

My first time in Macaluso's , definitely not my last. The food I delicious and gorgeous same time. Perfect service, place is warm and feels very special. Big thank you to everyone who worked on April 23-2024. read more

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My husband and I never dine out for Italian food because we are often disappointed, but this time we were pleasantly surprised. My husband being of Italian decent is a little critical of Italian food so when he gave it a thumbs up I knew it was real! Such a cute and intimate little restaurant near Ruston with all the good vibes and even better food. Big portions and mouth watering focaccia bread with oil and vinegar to start. The staff was amazing and the service was extremely prompt. Couldn't ask for much more on a Wednesday evening! read more

Macaluso's Italian Restaurant - Garganelli Arrabiata - Italian Near Me - Ruston, Washington

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Had a sweet and memorable first date at Macaluso's in July 2023. The waitress was very attentive and helped me feel comfortable. We enjoyed bread and olive oil and our cocktails before our entrees. While I don't recall which dish I ordered, I remember everything tasted great and was full of flavor. We talked for hours... We still talk about our first date and hope to return soon! read more

The blackened New Zealand king salmon was incredible! It brought back memories my youth when my dad brought home salmon we thought was better than candy! Rosemary focaccia bread, sautéed vegetables, creamy garlic mashed potatoes, and salted caramel gelato made for a perfect dinner. Ambiance was lively, and service was casually attentive. My mates had chicken piccata and pasta and were highly satisfied, too. Can't wait to return when I am in the area. read more

Delicious food, great service! Highly recommend for a special occasion or a romantic dinner date!

Macaluso's continues to delight! Even in this yo-yo, takeout only world we're back in, this team serves up fresh, high quality food and even better service. We moved back to the area not long ago and love that we're within a few minutes so orders stay hot and fresh. They do a great job of managing the same before pickup. Orders are accurate, people are nice, what more could you ask for? In one occasion, my order wasn't ready on time, so they offered me a free drink while I was waiting. Classy and engaging. So don't hesitate to order from Macaluso's and, once you can eat in to enjoy the full experience and menu, go enjoy their hospitality! read more

Macaluso's Italian Restaurant - Italian Near Me - Ruston, Washington

What an amazing experience!! We were fortunate to be in Taylors section - WOW! He created such a memorable experience for all of us - we were sitting in the corner by the wine - such a great place to sit - private and great ambiance. Such an incredible kick off to the Zoo Lights - the wine was so delicious - I recommend to upgrade to the prime red - you'll love it I wish I lived here as this for sure would become my favorite!!! Thank you for such a great night - incredible service and thank you Taylor for the great memories you helped to create for all of us! read more

The service here is incredible! Our server Evan was very charming and accommodating. The restaurant has a cozy / romantic vibe and the food was pretty good and reasonably priced. If I were being extremely nit picky I'd suggest less spice in the crab pasta special (the heat made it difficult to taste the other flavors except artichoke), and adding some carrots, cream, or other flavor to the bolognese (it was a little dry / boring). It's a small restaurant so definitely get a reservation. read more

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BEST restaurant in Washington!! Alli and Taylor were the most wonderful people, and thought of every detail to help us celebrate 2 years of marriage! They both went above and beyond to create a memorable experience for us, and we will never forget the joyful service we received tonight! Alli and Taylor 4ever!!! read more

In a world of inauthentic, bland fake Italian cuisine, Macaluso stands out as a gem in the sea. From beautifully crafted dishes, mosaics of gourmet delight, and drinks of heaven, Macaluso is the Italian restaurant of the PNW. In a warm ambiance, blissful music, and a collage of family history, it truly does feel like a seat at the Macaluso's dinner table. Being sat in the bar not only gave off an intimate feel, but the drinks were the best ones I've ever had. Having been to many restaurants and working in the industry myself, Megan is truly the best bartender/ drink maker I've ever witnessed. From being patient and educating me about my palate when I was indecisive to making up a drink just for me based on what I liked, she's truly the best bartender ever. Furthermore, Megan was very attentive and quick to help me, even though I could tell she was doing the work of many. She was truly the queen of hospitality, and I look forward to taking my close ones to enjoy the food, service, drinks, and atmosphere. I was truly blessed to have had the true Macaluso experience! read more

The food here has always been amazing. The service is exceptional and it has a very old school Italian romantic ambiance. Great place to take a date, or to celebrate a special occasion as they really do treat you as one of their family every time you come in. I've had the burrata, gnocchi, chicken piccata, pizza, and bites of other dishes and all of them have been exquisite. The bartenders are amazing as well, best old fashioned in the Puget sound! read more

Such an amazing experience. The service is top notch and the food was fantastic. The best Italian food I have had outside of Italy, amazing. You need to try it. read more

Made reservations at 4:00, at opening, for my birthday. Daughter drove down from Seattle just for my birthday dinner. At being seated, the waitress took our orders for cocktails and suggested we might want focaccia bread too, didn't tell us what the specials for the night were, even though we heard other waiters telling guests what they were. We ordered the bread as an appetizer. The drinks came, but not bread. 1/2 hr. later, dinner arrived at the same time as the bread. Then, when we had been there 1 hr. and 45 min. a man came to our table - didn't identify himself - just told us we had 10 minutes to finish and leave because they had other people waiting for our table. I looked around the restaurant and saw 2 other empty tables for 4. Plus a table for 6 where people had been seated before us, were still sitting at their table enjoying dessert. This is a restaurant we have gone to before for special family occasions, like Mother's Day brunch and anniversaries. Not going again. Never been treated this way before. There was no one at the hostess stand when we left, and no big line of people waiting to get in. The food was also a step down from what we were used to. So sad. Don't bother unless you want to get in and out quickly. read more

Absolutely delicious! Just moved to the area and this little Italian restaurant is to die for! Everything we tried was delicious! We started with their focccacia bread- warm and fresh from the oven. I had the Alfredo Macaluso- so yummy- very rich. My husband had the Carbonara. Service was fantastic as well. This will be our new favorite place for Italian! read more

Macaluso's Italian Restaurant - ALFREDO MACALUSO - Italian Near Me - Ruston, Washington

I enjoyed a very tasty meal at this restaurant and service. My seafood pasta was light and delicious but filling they also offer gluten-free pasta that can replace in most dishes. My drink was also very good and light and they accommodated and replaced it when I did not like my first drink. The other people at the table with me both ordered a pesto dish and said it was bland and needed more salt read more

Macaluso's Italian Restaurant - Seafood gluten free pasta - Italian Near Me - Ruston, Washington

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Wow wow wow! Yummie From the beginning (dipping) bread nice and warm; too the Caesar Salad; main courses all winners and ending with gelato read more

OMG, This place is amazing...first time hear and was pleasantly surprised with everything, the service and food were fantastic. I'm just mad that I didn't think of taking pictures of the food before I ate it all. I got the Brussels sprouts and was one of the best I've ever had. I also got the 24 oz bone steak and was cooked perfectly. The chocolate cake was delicious. Megan the bartender customer service was wonderful. Loved her. I will be back again well done guys read more

Best cioppino I've ever eaten in my life.... frick'n orgasmic!!!! But make sure to order it with 2 extra scallops. You won't regret it :-). read more

Macaluso's Italian Restaurant - Cioppino - Italian Near Me - Ruston, Washington

My daughter has been wanting to try this the whole time she was at UPS but decided that a student's income didn't align with the menu. So we brought her for her birthday today. We were a party of four for dinner. First note: Our server Hannah was awesome. Super friendly, knows the menu, and really pays attention to the table. If you can get a table with Hannah, it's worth it. We ordered a moscato, 2 Sophia Loren's, and the Don for drinks. These were followed by octopus carpaccio and brussel sprouts. The house made focaccia is fantastic. The olive oil poured for dipping is top quality. For dinner we selected a chicken parm, lasagna, bolognese, and prawn linguini. I really recommend the octopus carpaccio - it's razor thin and very good. The brussel sprouts were the best sprouts I've had in Tacoma. No lie. They were fantastic - a must order appetizer! Al four of our dishes were very good. The chicken breast used in the parm was nice and thick. The lasagna was decadent. The prawn linguini was delicious and the bolognese was super good. We added a merlot and a Chardonnay to dine with. Everything was so good. We were too stuffed to even glance at the dessert menu. Maybe next time. read more

Went for drinks and apps. The calamari and meatballs are must haves! Our server Jessica was on point, and so much fun! Their bar has such a great vibe. read more

We rode by Macaluso's while on a bike ride near Port Defiance. We started with the Mussels Saltate. The Arrabiata sauce had just enough heat. I was thinking 5 stars at this point. The brussel sprouts and broccolini were both very good, but they seemed unbalanced with too much cheese (and I love cheese). We don't typically order alfredo but the Alfredo Macaluso looked too good to pass up. This, like the vegetables was also too rich. In fact, when we mixed more fresh pasta with our left overs at home, it was perfect. The focaccia was very good and they give a GENEROUS portion. Finally, the lemon cake was very good, though it seemed a little small for the price. We will probably be back, but we would order dishes a bit differently. read more

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This is the second time I've been here. The food is AMAZING! The space and ambiance is why it's 4 and not 5 stars. The restaurant section has tables that are too close together. I don't want to feel like I'm sitting on top of people while paying $$$ for a meal. During my visit last weekend, I could see 3 tables of people that were visibly uncomfortable with their seating space. I hope Macaluso's takes out just 2 tables or so to spread things out! I'm not sure if I will go back because I don't want to feel so squished while paying this price point. read more

We happen to pass this cute restaurant by and thought why not. Food is FABULOUS!! Service is EXCELLENT!! Environment/Atmosphere BEAUTIFUL!!! Highly, highly recommend!!!!!! We will be back, worth every penny!!!! read more

It pains me to write this review. Macaluso's was my favorite Tacoma restaurant. We don't eat out often, so it is a real treat when we do. Tonight was not such an experience; instead, it was very disappointing. My daughter and I were craving the gnocchi - a dish that we typically order at Macaluso's. It came out very quickly, which was odd. As soon as I tasted it, I understood why. The gnocchi had to have been microwaved, instead of gently sauteed. The pasta was stiff, dense and extremely chewy. Even the red sauce on it had the dry consistency of being nuked. The dish was barely edible and I so wish I had sent it back (priced at $30). I've never been served food this bad at Macaluso's. I wonder if they've had turnover in their kitchen. In any case, it will be quite a while before I make another reservation. In this economy, I can't afford to waste valuable money and time at restaurants that do not prepare and serve food with the care that loyal customers expect. read more

Came for my mom's birthday and loved our experience! The food was great! The cocktail was delicious and our service was wonderful. I've driven by this place so many times but was my first time trying it out. I'm sad that it took my this long to try this place out! read more