Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Cosi Cucina Italian Grill

    4.4 (270 reviews)
    ModerateItalian, Pizza, Seafood
    Closed • 11:00 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated 1 month ago

    Cosi Cucina Italian Grill Photos

    Business Info

    COSI CUCINA ITALIAN GRILL ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Romantic
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating

    You might also consider

    More like Cosi Cucina Italian Grill

    Recommended Reviews - Cosi Cucina Italian Grill

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    The salad was delicious!
    Jaime T.

    The best Italian food I've had in a long long time! The owner came over and greeted us. My sister in law is from the same town in Italy that he is from. The dishes were generous! The restaurant was clean, old school, dark and lounge. The thing that was a bummer was that they ran out of Cannolis. The server said they were very popular. There was a security guy in the parking lot who was very entertaining and funny! It was a great way to end the evening with family! Highly recommend!

    Onion RIngs
    Clem M.

    Celebrating my Wife's Birthday with Family at Cosi Cucina because it's her new favorite place and I absolutely agree. We started with the Onion Rings with Diana Sauce. They were good, large yellow onion rings with thick breading with Parmesan Cheese and Parsley. They were just not my jam, and different from other places. I wouldn't get again, just not for us. The 12 oz Filet is really two 6 oz Filets which is Ok. Came with Garlic mashed potatoes and green beans. I ordered it medium well and it came out medium which is perfect. It's not fork tender to cut through, but very tender and melts in your mouth. The house red wine Demi Glaze added nice decadence of flavor to the excellent beef tenderloin. Cooked perfectly with a nice pink center and not raw. Just excellence and you can taste the love in the food. The garlic mashed is a thick mash with plenty of garlic flavor and it will overpower the steak flavor if combined. The mash had some skin and chunks, as well as smooth consistency which I don't mind. Very tasty. The green beans were excellent, crisp and soft. Went very well. There were a few stem pieces that I don't care for on my beans, but that's just being picky. This was a fantastic meal and the Demi Glaze was exceptional. My wife choose the Lasagna and loved it. Only comment was it's a small portion for the price point, but the flavor and quality is fantastic. The strawberry salmon salad was just a beautiful plate and I heard the salmon was delicious. The Lobster Farfalle with Dinner Shrimp was also a huge hit. Lots of shrimp and lobster. We also got the old fashioned with Woodford Reserve and it was excellent. Decided to get the Cosi Connoli and it was absolutely beautiful and I loved it. Just so many flavors that it was a delicious symphony of a dessert. I wouldn't get this again. Also got the Crème Brûlée and it's just heaven. Such a beautiful end to a wonderful meal. The cheesecake was also a hit. I am not sure there is much left on the dessert menu to try, but that's ok because there is so many amazing food options to try. Looking forward to the next visit. The service was fantastic by Kaitlyn. The only other issue we encountered was dirty dishes. We got a drink served and half way through noticed the outside and inside had stuff stuck to the whiskey glass and very dirty. I got a spoon with food stuck to it and we also got a dirty plate. We did mention it so they were aware, but didn't make a big deal. I only mention because we found multiple dishes. With the flu going around it made some uneasy with the cleanliness aspect.

    Pizza was excellent
    Heather P.

    We were in town for a celebration of life and came by for a late dinner after the event. It had been a long and emotional day and our experience at Cosi Cucina couldn't have been better. The food was fantastic and the service was excellent. We were so thankful to find this place and have it on our list of restaurants to return to next time we are in town. Thank you again!!!

    Spaghetti and Meatballs
    Johannes P.

    While Christmas shopping in Des Moines this weekend we stopped by an Italian grocery store and asked the workers if they were in town for the night and wanted the best Italian food where would they go? There was no hesitation when they pointed us to the Cosi Cucina. Sure we had to wait about an hour( I would have waited hours longer), and let me tell you it was worth it! The service was phenomenal, the atmosphere was warm and romantic. The food was amazing , a culinary experience for sure. If you have a hankering for probably the best Italian food in Iowa then you need to stop in.

    Lobster Farfelle
    MaryAnn S.

    If you have a craving for Italian Flavors Cosi Cucina has one of my fan favorite dishes served up as Lobster Farfelle served in a tasty buttery sauces that is off the chart. My wait staff-- LaKurra--served my dish in an efficient manner while checking back to make sure my meal met my standard. The atmosphere was upbeat, full of happy chatter as diners enjoyed their dish of choice.

    Ziti Cucina plus two meatballs and Diana.  Aka Pasta Special.
    Dan T.

    It's been a few years since I've visited Cosi Cucina Italian Grill...which really doesn't make sense since I literally live two block away. In fact I don't know if I've been inside since Peter Renzo took over the business in 2017... It had been so long that I almost forgot the business' main entrance is in the rear of the building... The parking lot is HUGE with spaces to the West and East of the restaurant as well as more along the South side. We were a party of 12 with a 4:45 PM reservation on a Sunday evening. Our meal was flawless (in my humble opinion) from being seated to when we walked back to our vehicles at the end of the night... Everything was great! Our meal consisted of shared appetizers, our entrees, a shared pizza, and shared desserts...a few fountain and bar drinks and A LOT of $4 glasses of house wine (one of the happy hour specials). We have a great little group! Almost extended family at this point so we tend to share a lot across the table... Appetizers I tried: Onion rings, calamari strips, and the artisan stuffed mushrooms My entree: Ziti Cucina made into the "Pasta Special" with two meatballs and additional Diana sauce Shared pizza: Zesty honey garlic chicken alfredo Shared desserts: Cheesecake and the hot apple cake I could try to describe the food, but you're really better off to use the menu links, read the item descriptions, and then let your imagination do the rest of the work. That being said your imagination will probably fall short of reality. I couldn't have believed the food would taste as good as it did... Definitely not what I remember from my last visit, but the company might have had something to do with that too. The atmosphere is classic. Subtle lighting. Lots of wood. A balance that makes you think casual and upscale all at the same time. A perfect spot to grab lunch or dinner and an excellent choice for a date night. Seating is a combination of booths and tables and chairs. Our service (Ethan) was top shelf from the minute we sat down, to when our bills were finalized, and the "see you again soon"s were said as we headed to the door. I'm not a big dessert guy. Usually I could take it or leave it... But if I could make one suggestion for Cosi Cucina and have it stick with you... Save some room in your budget and appetite to try at least one of the desserts. If I left here again without trying something off the dessert menu I think I'd be kicking myself shortly after leaving... The items on the dessert menu are well constructed, aesthetically pleasing, and truly decadent! If you haven't been to Cosi Cucina yet you really need to check this place off your list. Or... If, like me, you haven't been to Cosi Cucina in a while... It's time to remedy that mistake and get back there... Life is too short. https://www.cosicucina.com/menu/ https://www.cosicucina.com/dessert-menu/

    Ziti Cucina
    Kristyn M.

    Quiet early weekday lunch. My manager wanted to bring us out for a holiday meal. We had a group of 6 of us. We have one individual who had a walker. Parking in the back of the building was perfect. Nice big lot. Our party of 6 had a reservation. They started to move us to the back of the restaurant. There is 1 step from the main entrance area to the rest of the dining area in the back. There is not a ramp, so they were quick to clear a spot for us to be able to get us seated. The restaurant was quiet at 11am so the adjustment was easy, and the waitress was right there to help us get started on drinks. She gave us time to review the menu. There is even a separate menu for appetizers which she brought but we didn't utilize. Everything moving forward was smooth as silk. Loved our waitress. There was warm bread brought out and everyone already had little finger bowls of oil for dipping. I did my normal trick to ask what the waitress ate last because the entire menu here at Cosi Cucina looks amazing. Everything sounds delicious and I just wanted to try them all. Citi Cucina- This is the restaurants signature top selling dish. A spicy blend of Graziano's Italian sausage and sundried tomatoes in a zesty tomatoes cream sauce tossed with penne pasta. The outside rim of the dish has red pepper flakes and parmesan cheese sprinkled around it for the esthetic pretty look. The heat of the meat was perfect. The sauce wasn't too thick and everything tasted perfect. I can concur that this is a great dish. I can understand why its a top selling dish. Even though the price seemed a little high for a lunch menu the portion sized matched. I can tell you it was enough food for 4 meals for me. The descriptions on the rest of the menu have to be close, because they did not fib on my Citi Cucina. The atmosphere today fit the holiday season. It has the dimmed lighting with the windows open and the midday sun shining in. The fireplace near out table was very pretty and putting off a little heat, and just above that was a TV. It was pleasant that the TV was not just a random show, but a mood setter. It was a view of a room that looked like was a view of a mountain with snow falling. It even had its own fireplace. It really just brought the holiday feel all the way around. Although we did not partake in the desert, it was offered. We were all stuffed. As we finished up and headed towards the door, there were multiple people who called out to "see you soon", "have a great day" "happy holidays". I am ready to go home and grab my hubby and bring him back, after we finish my leftovers of course. I'm stealing an idea from a fellow yelper and including links. Go check out this place. it's been around as long as it has for a reason. https://www.cosicucina.com/menu/ https://www.cosicucina.com/dessert-menu/

    Sign
    Aleena L.

    Cosi really impressed us. The pasta dishes were excellent--we ordered the Rosa Grazi and the Lobster Farfalle, both were flavorful and beautifully prepared. But the standout was the Ziti Cucina. It was absolutely delicious and definitely a must-try. The service was wonderful--attentive, kind, and made us feel right at home. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, with local art on the walls and no TVs, which made for a quiet, relaxed evening. It's a great place for date night or any time you want a cozy, quality meal. We'll definitely be back.

    Ziti Cucina
    Dianna W.

    This is an Italian restaurant and we went there for dinner for the first time. It has extensive menu from pizza to seafood pasta and the traditional Italian dishes, salads and appetizers. Service is good and we had a good time . Below are photos and dishes we tried . Like to come back to try other items on the menu .

    Classic Lasagna
    Angie M.

    First time here and we were very impressed. I loved the lasagna and my husband said the pesto pasta was fabulous. The apple cake for dessert was warm and a perfect finish to the night. Sunday was happy hour prices on wine also. The bartenders and wait staff were all very helpful and a pleasure.

    Rigatoni
    Grace F.

    Service was excellent, but the food was not. My daughter actually ordered the Ziti Cucina pizza but the server took down that she ordered the Ziti Cucina pasta instead, I had the Rigatoni with meatballs. Unfortunately, neither of us enjoyed our dish. In hindsight, we should probably have told the server my daughter wanted the pizza when she brought the pasta to our table, but my daughter didn't want to make a fuss.

    Fusilli Alfredo with meatballs
    Megan O.

    My husband and I had Valentine's Day reservations for 5:45 & got there a bit early, they got us seated right away in a cute little table that didn't feel crowded or uncomfortable. A real rose & real candle (!!!) (lol but I feel like so many restaurants use the plastic faux candles that come off as kinda tacky to me) at each table. Nice touch. I didn't catch the servers name but she was very friendly & QUICK. We ordered everything right away as we had a show at 7:30 and knew what we wanted. I ordered the Cosi cheesy chicken soup & he ordered the Caesar salad. Both were delicious & the soup had so much flavor -- incredible. The chicken in the soup was shredded & fresh & didn't taste (or look) like chicken usually does in soup & the croutons were crunchy. For our mains -- I got the fusilli Alfredo with meatballs. The noodles were a fun shape and cooked well & the Alfredo was sweet yet savory. The meatballs were HUGE and full of flavor. He got the lasagna and it was very flavorful, easy to cut with a butter knife yet held its structure & had lots of Graziano sausage. Right after we got our main courses the owner (I think) came over & brought us a little bowl of their signature special, the ziti Cucina, on the house! because it was our first time. It was SO good and had me questioning my choice of my main course. Not TOO spicy, for those who don't like spice. Just full of flavor. Our server offered desert, which we declined (this time ) They boxed up our leftovers for us and we were out of there to be on time for our 7:30 show, with plans to visit again in the near future. The owner thanked us & was happy we loved it when we were on the way out. I have no idea why we hadn't visited here in the past but are looking forward to coming back. So good, highly recommend!

    Cosi cannoli
    Marcus V.

    Amazing food and excellent portions!! Well worth value with those two things in mind but on top of that the wait staff is fast and friendly! The manager on duty heard it was me and my fiancés first time visiting on her birthday and they gave us a free little plate of there best selling signature dish.. those things people don't forget will definitely be back and I HIGHLY recommend.

    See all

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    29 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    10 hours ago

    The food was tasty and the waitress was friendly and attentive to our table . We would visit them again.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Gia C.
    80
    7
    6

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Dan T.
    1228
    912
    4334

    2 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 1
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Marcus V.
    539
    21
    13

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 2
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Service is what made this experience extraordinary. Best fried calamari I've ever had, tender and with a great lemon aioli.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Tom F.
    0
    15
    5

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Lexi A.
    0
    20
    35

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Kellie L.
    76
    17
    11

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Best apps I've ever had. Excellent service and great food. I'll definitely be back!!!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Kara R.
    0
    6
    100

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of John S.
    67
    107
    919

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 7

    Ask the Community - Cosi Cucina Italian Grill

    Do they have a corkage fee or better yet is in an appropriate place like Django's to take an outside bottle of wine?

    Bringing your own bottle is absolutely acceptable. There is a $10 corkage fee per bottle.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Italian 2,027 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Biaggi's Ristorante Italiano - Octopus special for May

    Biaggi's Ristorante Italiano

    4.0(296 reviews)
    3.1 mi
    •$$

    Came out to the West Des Moines location on University for dinner and was glad we made reservations…read moreahead of time, as the front lobby gets packed quickly. To kick things off, they brought out the complimentary bread basket and signature dipping oil. The oil blend is always a great start to the meal and ours was freshly stocked. For an appetizer, we tried the Calamari Fritti. The presentation was beautiful--lightly golden and piled nicely--definitely a strong start visually and texture-wise. For the main event, I ordered the Fettuccini with Lobster. The execution on the kitchen's part was a bit of a mixed bag. On one hand, the pasta itself was cooked perfectly al dente, holding its structure exactly how you want a thick noodle to. On the other hand, the sauce fell a bit flat for me--it just felt a little mid-tier and lacked that rich, memorable flavor pop you look for in a luxury pasta dish. The atmosphere walks a nice line between a casual weeknight spot and a slightly more upscale evening out. It's got a warm, energetic vibe that works well for a date night or a family get-together without feeling overly stuffy or pretentious. I would go 4 1/2 star if I could but it leans more towards 5.

    Thank you, Jeff and staff, for providing a wonderful meal for the residents and staff of The…read moreBeacon. It was delicious! Our team enjoyed the time around the table with the staff and residents. Your generosity is very much appreciated! Bob

    Photos
    Biaggi's Ristorante Italiano
    Biaggi's Ristorante Italiano - Lemon cake

    Lemon cake

    Biaggi's Ristorante Italiano

    See all

    Marino's Italian Restaurant - Baked spinach and cheese manicotti

    Marino's Italian Restaurant

    3.8(67 reviews)
    4.3 mi
    •$$

    A small but very tasty Italian restaurant! We had to wait a few minutes for a booth--there are…read moreonly 10 of them! We started with mozzarella sticks and the best tasting red sauce! Our salads came shortly and they are simple iceberg ones with a couple of cucumbers and a cherry tomato. The house Italian dressing is excellent! A warm basket of breadsticks accompanied our pasta. The guys had spaghetti and meatballs, Friend had lasagna, and I had baked cavatelli. Friend and I took some of ours home because the serving was so large! We all loved the red sauce & our dishes. It appears there are only two workers there. The waitress is also in charge of the front desk and there was just one Cook in the kitchen. She was very pleasant and very entertaining! We'll be back because we want to sample more things! The pizza sounds delicious ! You go for the great food - - it's just a pretty simple interior.

    I've driven by here on a near-daily basis on my commute. I've been to the taqueria next door…read moreseveral times--thought I would finally give Marino's a try. The lady who answered the phone was very polite. She quoted me a time of 30-35 minutes for the food. I thought that was quite awhile, but decided to proceed with the order anyhow. When I walked in, the restaurant was nearly empty. One room off to the side was dark; it looks like this was a party room in a former life. I saw a solo diner in the main dining room. It was eerily quiet in there. An older lady (whom I believe also answered the phone) was very polite and seemed like she appreciated the business. I wish I could speak more highly of the food. The portions were all very generous, but most all seemed to be lacking in flavor. The breadsticks appear to have been brushed on top with some kind of butter, but no garlic flavor was present and the bottoms had gone untouched. Just bland. The salads I saw online appeared to have had croutons on them but mine did not. The dressing itself had good flavor--likely homemade. The salad was a basic side salad otherwise. The cavatelli was off in several different ways. The pasta appeared to be actual cavatelli, but lacked the firmness I'm used to. The sauce all seemed to have been on one side of the dish. The sausage was Italian sausage. Will probably try again at some point--other reviews seem to indicate better experiences.

    Photos
    Marino's Italian Restaurant - Salad Supreme

    Salad Supreme

    Marino's Italian Restaurant - Mozzarella sticks

    Mozzarella sticks

    Marino's Italian Restaurant - Breadsticks

    See all

    Breadsticks

    Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant - Sausage flatbread

    Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant

    3.8(121 reviews)
    3.1 mi

    sadly, i have no pictures of our delicious repast. even more vexing, no pictures of my lovely pinor…read morenoir. i entered the establishment. had i died and no one told me? the area is beautiful and spacious, it does not smell like fried foods. at a long bar, people were delicately sipping various wines, while other people perused the open air shop. everything was so clean and airy. we had made reservations for four people, and were promptly seated. of course, i immediately forgot our server's name, i'm quite daft that way. but she was lovely and so very attentive. of course, i started with a full bodied pinot noir, while two of my seatmates looked at me in askance, as it was only noon. however my grape loving friend ordered a white wine, to keep my wine glass company. we were brought warm bread and butter, our orders were quickly taken. one person had gnocchi carbonara; the presentation was beautiful, and she said it was amazing, but man, i just can't get down with gnocchi. however, that thought was strictly between me and my wine, which sadly, was looking suspiciously close to empty. but i digress... i had the classic cheeseburger, without the cheese. i didn't want the seasoned mayonnaise either, but just asked for it on the side, since i didn't want to be a diva and refuse both cheese and mayonnaise. the hamburger and onion strings were gloriously yummy. i ordered another glass of wine to celebrate this delicious food - served HOT. i know a barbeque ranch chicken salad was ordered. i do not recall the fourth dish, as i was involved with cutting my hamburger in half. they offer a brunch and bubbles and wine o'clock! what in the delicious sorcery?? there is also a wine club - it's not even disguised as a tasteful book club - it's a blatantly open wine club. i almost amazoned a flapper dress to my table. atmosphere - tasteful/airy service - amazing food - delicious wine - always appreciated

    4.6* (out of 5) Food: 5* Atmosphere: 5* Value: 4*…read more Service: 4* Would I go back / Recommend?: 5* (Definitely) Total check/person: $36 08/15/2026 Tonight's stop included our first ever dinner on their outside patio and while it did start raining during our meal, we were protected and enjoyed the experience. We started with a Spiced Watermelon Paloma (see picture) and Summer Berry Spritzy Sangria (see picture) - both of which were very tasty and quite refreshing. For our meals, my wife ordered the Cooper's Hawk Chicken Giardiniera (see picture) and I opted for the Blackened Mahi Sandwich (see picture). We both enjoyed our meals as well as the samples that we shared with each other - so would definitely order them again and recommend them. While I was disappointed with our first visit and find the lighting quite poor inside the restaurant in the evenings, the food, drink and atmosphere are consistently very good.

    Photos
    Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant - Wall Art

    Wall Art

    Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant - Blackened Mahi Sandwich

    Blackened Mahi Sandwich

    Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant - Wines offered or purchase.

    See all

    Wines offered or purchase.

    Anna Dolce Ristorante

    Anna Dolce Ristorante

    3.7(83 reviews)
    4.3 mi

    On the final night of our six-week road trip, before heading home to Chicago, we stayed at the…read moreDrury Inn in Iowa. Although the hotel offers an evening meal, we decided we wanted something different and ordered takeout from Dolce, conveniently located right across the parking lot. The location could not have been easier. After thousands of miles on the road, the ability to walk across the lot and pick up dinner was definitely appreciated. The restaurant itself looked very inviting. From what I could see while picking up the order, the décor was modern, comfortable, and pleasant. It seemed like a nice place to sit down and enjoy a meal. The bartender who helped me with the pickup was also exceptionally friendly and welcoming, which made a very positive first impression. As for the food, it was unfortunately a bit underwhelming. We ordered polenta with meatballs and a salad. The polenta was okay, and the meatballs were a good size, but overall the dish felt somewhat bland and lacking flavor. Nothing was bad, but nothing really stood out either. The portions were also surprisingly small. The takeout containers were only partially filled, making the meal feel a little light for the price. The salad was probably the biggest disappointment. It felt like very little attention had gone into it: mostly greens with a few toppings and some mozzarella. It wasn't terrible, just uninspired and forgettable. One detail that may seem minor but was actually appreciated was the quality of the takeout packaging and utensils. Everything was packed neatly, and the utensils were sturdy and well chosen, which made eating back at the hotel easier. Overall, Dolce left us with mixed feelings. The people were kind, the location was incredibly convenient, and the restaurant itself appeared attractive and comfortable. Unfortunately, the food simply did not live up to the same standard. It served its purpose on the last night of a long road trip, but it was not a meal we are likely to remember long after the journey itself. Oh, I ended grabbing a bite at the hotel, I was still hungry

    4.2* (out of 5) Food: 4* Atmosphere: 4* Value: 4*…read more Service: 4* Would I go back / Recommend?: 5* (Definitely) 05/08/2026 Honestly stopped here while updating Happy Hour information in the area for happyhourdesmoines.com. We enjoyed the food and the atmosphere on previous stops and did again tonight. We had already eaten at another Happy Hour and it was too late now for Happy Hour anyway, so we opted for 'dessert' options. My wife ordered the Espresso Martini (see picture) and I went for the Tiramisu (see picture). The Espresso was very good and while the Tiramisu tasted very good, the presentation wasn't nearly as good as last time (think you'll see what I mean in the picture). We do like this place though and look forward to another stop for dinner some evening. If you found this review helpful, please show your appreciation with a Like or a Follow.

    Photos
    Anna Dolce Ristorante
    Anna Dolce Ristorante - Tiramisu

    Tiramisu

    Anna Dolce Ristorante

    See all

    Bravo! Cucina Italiana - Calamari

    Bravo! Cucina Italiana

    3.2(125 reviews)
    4.7 mi
    •$$

    Went in on a Saturday night around 8pm expecting some sort of energy... and it was completely…read moreempty. Not "slow." Empty. Zero tables seated and maybe two people at the bar. I was seated immediately at the bar, which was fine, but from there the experience just unraveled. The bartender seemed scattered and overwhelmed despite the lack of guests. He mentioned he'd "check on Parmesan and bread" multiple times, but neither ever arrived. I ordered a spaghetti bolognese, an Old Fashioned, and a water. The food itself was fine -- nothing spectacular, but not bad either. The bigger issue was the service and overall atmosphere. There was no presence, no attentiveness, and no sense that anyone was managing the room. At one point I was just sitting there waiting for the check with no sign of the bartender. For a Saturday night, it felt strangely lifeless. It's disappointing because the space has potential. But service and vibe matter just as much as the food -- and right now, both are missing. I hope ownership takes a closer look at what's happening here.

    Somehow they managed to turn salmon into amazing, fulfilling meal loaded with rainbow of veggies!…read more Highly recommend. Lovely atmosphere and excellent service. I'd recommend salmon and their pastas!

    Photos
    Bravo! Cucina Italiana - Shrimp.Diavlo , creamy, delish and spicy

    Shrimp.Diavlo , creamy, delish and spicy

    Bravo! Cucina Italiana - Salmon al Fresca. Unbelievable. So good for you, yet so good and scrumptious. Flaky salmon, smorgasbord of flavor

    Salmon al Fresca. Unbelievable. So good for you, yet so good and scrumptious. Flaky salmon, smorgasbord of flavor

    Bravo! Cucina Italiana

    See all

    OPA! Italian & Greek - Side salad

    OPA! Italian & Greek

    4.2(177 reviews)
    0.8 mi
    •$$

    The service was fine the server was attentive. At lunch, they have a buffet.\nThere was a lot of…read moredifferent choices.We'll say italian. The food itself was meh. Meat dish was overcooked. It reminded me of going to a buffet in the seventies. Having said that, I'll have to give it up another chance.Going at night , but I wouldn't go to the buffet again.

    Opa! Italian & Greek How I wanted you to be the best dinner night, but you came up short…read more We needed a place to grab dinner and they didn't have a wait on Saturday night. We were running a tight schedule which is our fault. I ordered the Creamy Steak de Burgo with Rosemary Potatoes. I ordered it medium and chose the beef tenderloin. Well it didn't come out medium or rare, but raw. I mean raw. The server agreed and took it back. It took a while to come back and by that time we needed to go to catch the show. We also barely made it to the show. I had to take it to go. The server didn't say anything to the manager or apologize or anything. Again I know I was in a tight schedule, but it is your responsibility to ensure the food is correct and cooked to order. I am not giving up on Opa! because the food is solid, The service could be better. The beef tenderloin was very good with the creamy garlic, wine, & basil sauce. Tossed and topped with mushrooms. The rosemary potatoes were fire, especially with the creamy sauce from the tenderloin. I would ask for more sauce next time. I did the upgrade and it's definitely worth it. They need to work on getting the rare, medium, medium well, and that's not good correct. What I got back was a very well done tenderloin. This is a solid meal and I will be back to give it a shot. We never said we were in a hurry or anything. Just want it cooked correctly. The salad and bread were good. I would get the salad dressing on the side. My gorgeous wife got the lasagna and I got a bite. It was amazing as well. She loved it and would get it again. We hadn't planned on going to Opa! but we did and I absolutely love the atmosphere and feel this is a solid place, just wasn't a great experience. I was so damned hungry through the entire show at the Civic Center and may have been hangry.

    Photos
    OPA! Italian & Greek - Mothers day buffet desserts

    Mothers day buffet desserts

    OPA! Italian & Greek - Creamy de Burgo with shrimp

    Creamy de Burgo with shrimp

    OPA! Italian & Greek - Happy hour specials

    See all

    Happy hour specials

    Cosi Cucina Italian Grill - italian - Updated September 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...