Great place to go for good food, excellent service from Susie and fabulous music from the Yard…read moreDogs. People do remember your name and it's a very friendly atmosphere.

Changed up the menu a bit, stopped in for a bite after the slow races at Gladfest. Cold beer decent…read morefood and they had a live 3 piece band with a kid that's only 13 playing the harmonica. That was really good since not everyone can play it.

Hell Yes!! The Crust is the Pie!! If you love Pizza crust this is a must try…read more... Thin crust pepperoni with jalapeños!! Wings are good eats. They are fried then charred.

I think this is the best pizza in KC. I would not consider pizza my go to food but I make an…read moreexception for this place! The service is always great and the pizza is cooked in wood burning ovens. You can see them tossing the dough and making every pizza fresh, it's amazing!! I always ask for my pizza well done because I love that crisp crust!

Great spot, lovely atmosphere. The lasagna was fantastic, rolls were... a little disappointing?…read moreThey weren't bad, but left something to be desired. Service is prompt, in time, and phenomenal. Everybody working is extremely friendly. Lots of great folks coming here to eat. Not at all what I expected just stopping on my way through.

Don't let the location of this cute restaurant deter you! The food is some of the best Italian I've…read morehad in years! The stuffed mushrooms are wonderful and save one of those rolls to soak up the sauce! The food is fresh, hot, and so tasty! The service is good, but you need patience because they are busy! The servers are moving and they will have your fabulous food to quickly! We will be back very soon!

The food was all very good, we had everything from Pizza to lasagna to bruschetta to rigatoni and…read morealfredo. We arrived about 7:00 p.m. on Saturday night and the crowd was very small. Staff was very friendly and attentive. My only complaint with the food was with the Alfredo sauce it was not quite spiced to my liking but it was not bad. Would definitely go back if in the area.

Pasta Villa was fantastic! I wasn't expecting this gem of a restaurant randomly off the highway in…read morethe middle of the no where. I definitely recommend making the trip from Kansas City! The chicken tortellini and old fashioned were amazing! I added spinach, mushrooms and bacon to the tortellini. The spumoni was also delicious! The service was also top notch.

After finishing my daily routine and heading home, my wife and I decided it was time to grab…read moredinner. She suggested Italian food and I was immediately on board. As luck would have it, we found a relatively new place only about ten minutes away that didn't have hundreds of reviews yet. Those are usually the places that catch my attention the most. From the outside, Venezia Italian Restaurant has one of those buildings that makes you curious. You stand there looking at it wondering what's actually behind the door. I'll be honest, I wasn't expecting that interior at all. The moment we walked in my opinion changed completely. Warm lighting, beautiful decor, comfortable seating, and music playing quietly in the background. Loud enough to create an atmosphere, quiet enough that you can actually have a conversation. We arrived around 3:15 PM and were the first guests in the dining room. That gave us the freedom to choose any table we wanted, so we picked a corner table where we could see the entire restaurant. The young gentleman who greeted us also ended up taking care of our table. Drinks arrived quickly, followed by fresh rolls, butter, and a salad while we waited for the main course. I ordered the Chicken & Shrimp Lamora. My wife ordered the Sicilian Marsala. Both dishes arrived surprisingly fast. The portions were generous, everything tasted fresh, and there was absolutely no feeling that ingredients were being stretched to save money. Between the pasta, shrimp, chicken, mushrooms, vegetables, and sauce there wasn't much left on my plate by the end. At that point I was honestly going back and forth between 4 and 5 stars. Nothing was wrong. The food was good. The atmosphere was great. The service was good. But I still wasn't completely convinced. Then our server asked a simple question. "Would you like to try the tiramisu?" Normally I skip dessert. This time I didn't. And honestly, that's the moment this review changed from a 4-star review to a 5-star review. The tiramisu was excellent. Not just because it tasted good, but because it completed the entire experience. Sometimes it's not one big thing that earns the fifth star. Sometimes it's a lot of small things done right and one final recommendation at exactly the right moment. I spend a lot of time on the road and eat in restaurants all over the country. Places don't surprise me very often anymore. This one did. After dinner, dessert, and drinks, the final bill came to just over $63 for two people. Seeing that total made me smile. California, I don't miss you. Great food, great atmosphere, friendly service, a fantastic tiramisu, and a restaurant that turned a normal afternoon into a memorable one. I'll gladly stop here again the next time I'm anywhere near Kirksville.

What a fantastic place for lunch or dinner!…read more The atmosphere is the first thing that stood out. The dining room is softly lit with lots of warm lamps, beautiful tables, and quiet background music. It has such a cozy, relaxed vibe that makes you want to stay awhile. The service was outstanding. Keaton welcomed us right away, took our order, and kept everything moving perfectly. Before our entrées even arrived, we were served warm garlic bread with whipped butter, then fresh salads (I was already starting to feel full at that point), and just a few minutes later our pastas were on the table. I ordered the Sicilian Marsala, and my husband had the Chicken & Shrimp Lamora. Both dishes had unique flavors that we hadn't tried before, and they were absolutely delicious. The portions were huge, I had to take half of mine home. Now I'm already looking forward to coming back and trying more of the menu. My husband also ordered the tiramisu, and he said it's one of the best he's ever had. The total came to just $63, which felt like an incredible value for the quality of the food, service, and atmosphere. We'll definetely be back!

As an East Coast Italian, I have to say this is the finest establishment west of the Mississippi!…read more Caroline is the absolute best server!!! And Oliver knows how to pick some incredible wines! Bellissimo!

Such a great place for dinner! We chose Joe's Italian Restaurant & Pizza to celebrate my husband's…read morebirthday, and we definitely made the right choice. The atmosphere is really nice and cozy, which made it a great place for a birthday dinner. We ordered the Tour of Italy, Shrimp & Sausage Arrabbiata, Fried Calamari, and three cocktails: Hurricane, Blue Hawaiian, and Fruit Punch The calamari portion was HUGE -- honestly, it could easily be a full meal on its own. Everything was fresh, crispy, and delicious. I also have absolutely nothing negative to say about the Tour of Italy. Every single dish on the plate was fantastic! The Shrimp & Sausage Arrabbiata was the only thing my husband wasn't a huge fan of because it was a little too spicy for him. And the Blue Hawaiian was just perfect! Now we actually want to come back with friends and have it again. Service was just outstanding here! We also got a wonderful piece of cake as a birthday gift for my husband. Overall, we had a wonderful experience and would highly recommend this place for a nice dinner!

During our stay in St. Joseph, we made reservations to check out one of the town's new Italian hot…read morespots. Being used to Kansas City staples like Garozzo's and Cascone's, we were excited to give it a try, but unfortunately, it didn't quite live up to the high rating hype. ​ ​The Atmosphere & Service: The space was clean and the waitstaff was incredibly warm, nice, and welcoming throughout our meal. ​Drinks & Extras: They have a great wine selection! However, keep in mind they don't have a full physical bar, so non-wine options such as beer and spirits come from a can. Bread is also a separate purchase and doesn't include an olive oil dipping sauce nor did they bring out or have any fresh ground pepper or parmesan cheese which is a bit of a sin with our meals. Note: I did get a pepper shaker, but it poured heavy like a cheap bottle of wine... Lucky for me. I'm a pepper fan. My Entree: I tried their signature Tagliatelle pasta with meat sauce. While the flavor was definitely there and the pasta was cooked just past al dente (which I didn't mind), the sauce was quite runny on the plate. ​The Price: Very reasonable--it definitely won't blow a hole in your wallet! ​The Verdict: ​While the hospitality and prices are great, the food just missed that "chef's kiss" quality I was hoping for. It's a nice spot, but overall it felt a bit overhyped compared to top-tier Italian dining.

Went out for a special dinner for my birthday. Started with the Tuscan Pork & Beans. It was served…read morepiping hot. It had nice decent heat from the red pepper flakes. Wish we had just one more piece of garlic bread to eat with it! It was exactly what I was expecting. The pasta carbonara had a nice meaty flavor throughout from the guanciale. My husband loves meat so he added an Italian sausage which it really did not need. But I'm glad he did because the piece I stole from his plate was amazing with the tastiest char. I want to go back just for a side of Italian sausage. As for the wood fired lasagna... it was good. I saw reviews where people said it was the best they've ever had. I can't say the same. When the description says sweet marinara or sweet red sauce, believe the sweet part. This sauce is SWEET. It's definitely oriented for those who eat and love a lot of sugar. I personally think if it had a splash of béchamel on top to counterbalance the sweetness, it would be better, but that would totally change the dish. I'd DEFINITELY try their white lasagna anytime if they ever have that on special. The pistachio butter Panuozzo Dolce is pretty much exactly how it looks. Think of the pistachio butter just like peanut butter in texture. It's just green instead of brown, and tastes of pistachios instead of peanuts. It's wood fired dough and the pistachio butter. I think it needs some whipped cream on top to jazz it up. I'll try the tiramisu next time! I appreciate the decent priced bottles of wine. One thought on the decor (which is pretty cool), is that it would be really nice for those patrons sitting facing the big black wall, hanging some big black framed mirrors would be fabulous so we have something to look at besides our table mates. We will be back.

Watch your bill. We ordered 2 Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo. Our server brought out Fettuccine Alfredo…read morewithout the chicken. We told him we ordered it with chicken. He took it back and they added a small amount of chicken. They charged us $17 for the chicken. The fettuccine was $48 for 2, and 2 side salads were $17. Our total bill was $113.37. We thought this was pretty high for 2 meals. This was before 4:00 pm if that made any difference.

Went to Garozzo's downtown KC for a friend's birthday and really enjoyed the entire experience. I…read morearrived before everyone else and they were BUSY, so I grabbed a seat at the bar and had a glass of Prosecco while I waited. Once the rest of our party arrived, we were seated and had a great dinner. The portions here are extremely generous, everything was flavorful, and there was definitely plenty of food to go around. But the stuffed artichoke was the surprise of the night for me! It was my first time ever having one and it was FABULOUS. I would absolutely order it again. They also have a really nice birthday perk. As long as someone at the table orders an entrée, the birthday guest gets a complimentary chicken spiedini. And definitely save a little room for the spumoni ice cream because it was delicious! Overall, Garozzo's is more than just going out for Italian food. It feels like an experience. Big portions, great food, a lively atmosphere, and especially good for birthdays and celebrations. Definitely recommend!

I see why Luigi's 418 is one of my uncles and friends go to place! Do not let the small sign and…read moredark windows fool you, this is the spot for authentic and delicious Italian cuisine--and in all places, yes, Leavenworth, KS! We had to wait for about 20 minutes for a table, but it went quick. We were sat with the best server that kept our water glasses full and checked on us regularly. I checked out the menu and decided to go with the spinach lasagna and minestrone to start. If I would have known how large the soup was I would have just gone with the lasagna! The minestrone was very healthy on the tomato, but topped with tons of vegetables! It was pipping hot, so it made it difficult to eat right away. Once it cooled down it was so delicious! This was not your canned Minestrone soup! So full of flavor and not super salty. I could have just had this as a meal, so I tried to save some room for my spinach lasagna. Wow and wow and wow! Again a very large portion that did not skip on flavor or seasoning. Every bite was so amazing! I only got a few bites in before my stomach told me to stop! I did manage to try my uncle's seafood pasta which was super rich and heavy; but again super flavorful. I liked that the portions were generous, but they did not skip on the seasoning. Again I see why this is a favorite! I will be back when I am in the area again!! A must!!

We finally checked Luigi's 418 off our list. After all, how could we pass up Italian food in the…read moreheart of America? I love great pasta and never can pass up delicious bread! The menu had some fun specials like the Luigi and the OBG, and if you leave hungry after ordering one of those, that is on you! The pasta was tasty, although it looked like spaghetti had been promoted to "Employee of the Month" and assigned to just about every dish. They also have a nice bar area and a small outdoor patio that would be a great spot to enjoy a meal when the weather cooperates. Now, the service... the tables around us got the fresh-ground pepper and grated cheese treatment. We just sat there wondering if we had accidentally ordered the "self-serve" package. By the time our food arrived, the plates were hot enough to suggest they had enjoyed a little extra vacation under the heat lamp, and my shrimp had definitely spent a few extra minutes on that journey. With restaurant prices these days, I always ask myself one question: "Could I make this at home?" If the answer is yes, then the service and overall experience have to make dining out worth it. What about you? What makes dining out for you? Overall, I am not sure I would go back for the pasta, but I would absolutely give Luigi's another shot for the pizza. They looked delicious coming out of the kitchen, and we are always on the hunt for a great Italian pie. Who knows... maybe the pizza is where Luigi really shines!

In town for the World Cup, my wife and I stopped in after spending the day at the Fan Festival, and…read morewe're so glad we did. Laura, the owner, greeted us as soon as we walked in and was probably the sweetest and most welcoming person we've met in Kansas City. She immediately made us feel at home. We started with the meatballs and burrata, both of which were delicious. The meatballs were especially well seasoned. My wife had the bolognese and absolutely loved it, and she really appreciated having gluten-free options available. I had the cacio e pepe, and the pasta was cooked perfectly. All in all, the food, service, and ambiance were outstanding. One of our favorite meals of the trip. Highly recommend for both locals and visitors alike.

Ragazza is one of those downtown spots that makes you feel just a little fancier the moment you…read morewalk in. Great upscale Italian atmosphere without making you feel like you need to pronounce every menu item with an accent. The menu has a nice variety, and our waiter was fantastic. He took the time to explain the dishes and even gave us a heads-up on which items took longer to prepare. I always appreciate the honesty--nothing worse than wondering if your entrée is being handcrafted by Italian grandmas in the back. The drinks were delicious and surprisingly reasonably priced. We did find out they have a happy hour at the bar...right after we missed it. Rookie mistake on our part! The lasagna absolutely stole the show. Rich, flavorful, cheesy, and worth every bite. If you're on the fence, order it. The appetizer was tasty but felt a little small for the price, so I'd probably save room (and money) for more pasta instead. Overall, I'd definitely come back to work my way through the menu. Next time I'll aim for happy hour, order another pasta dish, and try not to let the lasagna set unrealistic expectations for everything else.