Russo’s Coal Fired Italian Kitchen
91-1121 Keaunui Dr,Ste 114, Ewa Beach, HI, 96706
Russo’s Coal Fired Italian Kitchen Menu
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Address :
91-1121 Keaunui Dr,Ste 114
Ewa Beach, HI, 96706 - Phone (808) 840-0412
- Website https://www.russoscoalfired.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dessert
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Dogs Allowed : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
Categories
Italian Cuisine
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
Pizza
Pizza is a famous Italian dish savored around the world. The entire credit for the popularity of Pizza in the United States goes to the chain of pizzerias all over the country. While the base and the texture of Pizza remains same across the globe, it's the toppings that differs from country to country. In the United States, you will find the top pizzerias serving pizzas with the toppings of mainly beef, bacon, chicken, ham, and sausage for the non-vegetarians. Other than these famous meat options, Pizzas with veg toppings such as mushrooms, pepperonis, garlic, tomatoes, spinach, etc. are also famous in most restaurants in the United States.
Irrespective of your locality, you will find a variety of different restaurants in your cities offering pizzas of all different types. Pizza is hot favorite among people of all ages in the United States. A large size pizza is enough to feed a family of 3 or 4 at large. Pizza is also the most preferred food whenever a group of friends is hanging out together. Pizza gained popularity in the United States after the American soldiers stationed in Italy returned from World War II.
Over the years, different pizzerias in the United States have developed their own respective regional variations. Pizza gained popularity as the iconic dish in the United States in the second half of the 20th century. Whether you prefer thin or thick crust pizza, you can find a pizza of your preference at the best pizza restaurants in your city.
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Collin I.
Thank goodness for New York Johnny !! We went back and sat at the pizza bar this time and sat next to the counter where food ready to be served is put. When a dish is ready, it comes out and the cooks ring the bell. All this did was give me a closer look at how bad some of the servers are. One waitress even told the cooks to stop ringing the bell because it was botheirng ME?? I stopped her in her tracks and clarified that I had no problem with it. I even told her to not put words in my mouth. However, New York Johnny was great. He single handedly bumped this review up 2 stars alone. His presence and charisma won a lot of people over. We even talked a bit. Again, I like the food, but that service man.... In any event, keep Johnny. As long as he's there, I'll tolerate the not so stellar service....
(4)Kimberly O.
This place is great! Food is delicious, and when my boyfriend and I went our food was delivered to us so fast! The staff had great customer service, and the prices aren't super outrageous for how good the food is, but it is a tad bit pricey so I wouldn't recommend it to broke college students like myself haha. The staff really sold this place for me, they really made it seem like a family restaurant. While the chiefs were throwing the pizza dough, they were always smiling and laughing with each other. The only thing is it's a little noisy in there because the restaurant is kinda small, but that's not too big of a deal for me.
(5)Linda G.
I really like this Italian restaurant. It's close to home and convenient (a little too convenient, lol). We have been here several times & we have always had a good experience. The food is always good. The wait staff is pretty attentive but not in that annoying kind of way. They have made a mistake a couple times but they always fixed it right away without question or hesitation & they are very accommodating. I order the chicken Picata but add the other things I like from the chicken saltimboca & change the pasta to angel hair. They never question this and it's always yummy. We love their appetizers, we get the garlic bread knots. Oh and the free bread and oil dip is very good too! The restaurant is a little small, which can mean there will be a wait when they are busy. They do have outdoor seating available. They could use a little more lighting out there in the evening. It's deff worth a try. Enjoy!
(4)Paul
Great atmosphere and food !! Thanks to Brittany for awesome, friendly service !! Thanks to Chef John for authentic New York style pizza served with attitude :) !! We went on a Wednesday night, and had little wait time. The local band playing sweet Hawaiian melodies was a nice touch !
(4)Konner N.
This place is pretty good for pizza. I normally eat at assagio's for Italian food but I liked the food here! Had a taste of the knots, Italian works pizza and chicken parmigiana. Portions are pretty big especially the entrees, my chicken had to at least be half a pound. The service was kind of slow but it wasn't too bad. The waiter comp'd a dessert because she gave the wrong one. I wish this was closer to where everything else is but Ewa is getting better with the new shopping center!
(4)Ann-Marie C.
After having take out pizza a couple of times, we finally made it in for a dine in experience. We arrived just after 6 pm tonight (Saturday) and was told the wait was to be approximately 20 minutes, we were seated in about 25 minutes - I thought that was very reasonable. Within minutes of being seated, our waitress Stephanie greeted us and took our drink order and returned rather quickly with them. We then ordered the spinach artichoke dip for an appetizer, which was really good. We followed that with spaghetti and clams for myself, my daughter ordered the cannelloni, and my husband ordered the chicken pesto. We made sure to all order different items so we could all share. The concensus was the spaghetti and clams was by far the best tasting of all 3... The flavor was spectacular and left me wanting more even though the serving size was more than sufficient. The cannelloni had my daughters taste buds more than happy as this is always her dish of choice when dining Italian. I tried my husbands chicken pesto and at first bite, I found it to be a little bland, but that was only because the bite I took lacked sauce. On second bite, the flavor was much more satisfying. The chef prepared us a special treat of garlic knots and bruschetta topping for us to sample....spectacular! We did not get to experience the desserts because we were just to full from the meal, I will be sure to save room on the next visit. We sat at the pizza bar and were quickly greeted by the chef (John, who they brought in recently to help train the cook staff) and his assistants. Not only was he entertaining, but he is obviously there to help in the success of the restaurant. Overall, I felt the service was good and the food even better and very reasonably priced. I Would like to see them find a better system for take out orders verses the hostess duties. When busy, the hostess is very busy handling the take out orders and in turn it slows the seating of empty tables. We are looking forward to going back and trying additional items on the menu.
(4)Nichole W.
Never again! Called an order in on a obviously busy Saturday night. The hostess/cashier couldn't hear over the crowd. I had to repeat my number 3 times and they got my name wrong after 2 repetitions. When I arrived after the allotted 40 minute wait (for a medium pepperoni & wings) the food was not ready. They told me pizza was ready but wings were not. The hostess offered me an unsolicited military discount and they rang up my ticket. After a ~15 minute wait they told me the kitchen didn't see the wings but were making them now, uh no thanks. I asked for a refund so that I could just go home. So, they hand me a pizza box that had clearly been ready longer than 15 minutes b/c it wasn't even luke warm. For a few seconds I thought about cutting my losses and going home, but decided that $20 for a cold medium pizza was loudacris. I can have a $7 hot and ready any day of the week. To make things worse, the hostess said it wasn't her fault b/c she didn't know about the wings when I first arrived. Apparently it never dawned on her to go to the kitchen and ASK! After another 5-10 minutes, the mgr realized he just needed to give me cash. Phew, what a HOT MESS! Ok, off my soap box
(1)Heather M.
20 min wait on a Monday, but I'm guessing because the place is new. Food was prepared well, our server was efficient. Very noisy since the interior has nothing to insulate and absorb sounds.
(3)R M.
I went to Russos with my cousin to have lunch on a Friday afternoon. It was fairly crowded (we arrived around 1) and the wait time was 10-15 minutes. We were seated a little over 10 minutes. I have to say, the host who helped me and my cousin were extremely attentive and displayed great customer service. My cousin has her 1-month-old daughter and I had my 14-month-old Son with me. We had our little ones in strollers and our host helped organize both our strollers and gladly helped me put my Son in the high chair. He also got a extra chair so we could sit down our big diaper bags. I like that they offer their bread and dip, which is a great appetizer while waiting for your food. I was unfamiliar with the Italian names on the menu so I got a flatbread sandwich that consisted of Mushrooms, Chicken, and Spinach. The sandwich was very good and reasonably priced. My cousin got the Tomato Basil Soup and something else, I don't remember what it was called due to it's Italian name. Overall we had a great experience and exceptional customer service here. The only reason it gets 4 stars is because the inside seating is small. They do have an outdoor area but it wasn't open due to cloudy weather. If the weather is bad and they have a lot of customers, expect a longer wait time due to the shortage of seats inside the restaurant.
(4)Susan B.
Had dinner at Russo's July 10, 2014 and it was the 2nd visit for me and my husband. The food and service were great. I had the Spicy Shrimp Fettuccine and it was cooked perfectly. The shrimp was fresh and juicy, not overcooked. Tasted awesome. My husband had the Eggplant Parmesan and he loved it and practically licked the plate. We also had a cannoli, which was a great finish to our dinner. The fresh bread was awesome too. The only reason that it doesn't get 5 stars is because I am very picky and I cook as well and so while the service and food are great, I reserve 5 star ratings for ultra awesome. The only negatives were that the restaurant was a bit noisy but it was dinner time on a Thursday evening. If you're thinking of having lunch or dinner, you won't be disappointed.
(4)Donna Lyn B.
My first visit to the only Italian restaurant in Ewa Beach happened on a Saturday for lunch. Tables were all full, but there were plenty seats at the bar. We decided to wait for a table which took about 20 minutes. For our appetizer we ordered the wings and it was okay, nothing spectacular. The flatbread was herby and tasted great with the oil and balsamic vinegar dipping sauce. I shared the Chicken Marsala with linguine with my husband. The portion was decent for just one person so we devoured that entree pretty fast. There were some noodles that were stuck together and gummy. My friend dining with us ordered the Carbonara pasta and when it arrived, we all noted how small the serving portion was. There was still space in her bowl around the pasta. I want to say it looked like her entree had only a half cup of pasta. For $15, the Carbonara seems to be a rip off. Even though we were still hungry, we did not want dessert that our waitress offered. Upside, our waitress was very nice. Major downside, the pasta portion is too small for the price they charge.
(2)Raynesa J.
Made a 35 min trip just to try this place. Seating is limited, so when you go try to avoid peak times. The bread they brought to our table was amazing! Paired with a vinegar and oil dipping sauce... And we couldn't stop eating it! Waitress kept bringing more, and we tried not to spoil appetite. Ordered lasagna, which was beautifully seasoned perfectly. The seasoning really brought out an authentic taste of Italy. Yes, it was more seasoned than many would expect, but it was really good and not overwhelming at all. None of the entrees come with salad, which was the ONLY thing keeping this review from being a 5star. Husband ordered calzone, which he said was excellent!! My young daughter wanted cheese pizza, in which waitress brought it out before ours so she wouldn't have to wait long for food. Thumbs up! However, it was a little too dark on the bottom of crust for her bit after explaining that it was cooked in a brick oven she conceded and are it all. On to dessert!! We ordered a slice of red velvet cake. It was enormous! Between the 3 of us we couldn't finish it all. Overall it was a great experience. Prices are high, but the quality of food matched the price. It was fun to watch the pizza makers shaped and throw the dough while we ate. The manager had advisable presence throughout the dining area. The head chef stopped by our table to see how we liked our dinner.
(4)Dane R.
Nothing authentic about this place. Food is microwaved. Service is HORRIBLE!! Anything you buy out of the freezer section from the Safeway 300 feet away would be 1000 times better than anything served at this joke of a restaurant. And the service you would get from the self checkout terminal at Safeway would be far and away better than the "service" at this wanna be restaurant. Not worth your time or money. Unless you like to be over charged to be disappointed.
(1)Samantha T.
Review for a PARTY of 30 people. Marcelo the manager was very accommodating and patient. Max and Derrick, our servers did a very fine job in running around and putting up umbrellas, refilling our waters and they were very kind and had pleasant attitudes! Very much appreciated because this added to my lunch being a success. Also, our food was very good. Pizza, pastas, calzones, drinks; nothing was spilled, no orders were mixed up. The only reason I put 4 stars is because 5-6 plates took a little long to come out and then the billing machines went down at the end and we had to wait longer than normal to pay. But during this time, Max was patient enough to take our group pictures. So the 4 stars is not a reflection on our servers Max and Derrick. Thank-you again for your business and pleasant attitudes! I look forward to working with you again :)
(4)Nicole H.
Awesome food! Love the pasta pomodoro and the cannoli's are a must have for dessert. My husband really likes their lasagna, and he also has boasted about the sandwiches when he's gone for lunch. We go here regularly, worth the wait. Ask for Crystal for your server, she's the best! Always predicts what you need before you have to ask, we always request her.
(5)Todd R.
After our first attempt to eat here ended in us leaving after an extended wait, we were apprehensive about giving them a second chance. Thankfully we did try again during the week and got seated right away, this time around. Also, we got served by Derrek, who was an awesome and super-attentive waiter! We expected to have to wait a bit for food, but appetizers started appearing within 5 or 6 minutes and were tasty and hot. Garlic knots and artichoke dip were the hits of the table. Entrees arrived (perfectly timed) as our appetizers were finishing up. The boys all had Stromboli calzones and the girls all had pasta dishes. We all thought the Stromboli had lots of flavor, was good and hot inside, and the meats were all tasty. Derrek handled all our special requests like a champ (go Derrek!). The marinara dip was pretty basic, and it went OK with the calzones, but I'd just as soon skip it since the Stromboli had enough flavor and seasoning on it's own. The one thing that I was looking for was that oily, coal flavor that I've had the privilege of tasting at some of the classic NYC pizzerias ... Unfortunately that didn't come through. Maybe the oven needs 50-80+ years of seasoning to transfer that taste into the pie, so I'll let it go ;) The girls all liked their pasta dishes. Meatballs and sauce were well seasoned and pasta was cooked great. Lasagna report says: good flavor and not too salty :) All and all, its a good Italian option for Ewa, and can continue to compete once they learn to better manage the crowds they get on the weekends. And if they also continue to maintain great service (like Derrek), we will be back!
(4)Cheryl R.
The first time we ate here the service was fantastic! The second and third time, last Sunday, it was so bad! My husband got the ziti with meatballs added and he end up chucking his food that night! He had food poisoning! Waste of money! And to add to that, we brought my cousin to dinner to say Aloha before she left back to the Mainland the next morning.
(1)Julia G.
Yesterday we stopped by and the sign said open 27 jan. Hours start at 11. So we scheduled our day to have lunch at our new neighborhood restaurant. When we got there the sign outside said open at 5. Would of been nice to know yesterday. Beside that we walked I. To ask of we could see the menu. For a new restaurant you think they would greet with open arms and excitement. Instead you can tell we were disturbing them I told him about the sign yesterday and the manager at the bar just laughed . Extremely rude. I work for major airline and known in.my community. Ill make sure to spread the word . And to the manager and people there. Take a customer service class .You want people you feel welcome.no matter if your open yet or not. Going to assagio tonight for our anniversary.
(1)Kealiiaukai C.
Couldn't figure out a place to eat and just so happen to stumble upon Russo's. It was 5 minutes before they were closing but we were still greeted with open arms. Appetizers were good. Had the mozzarella and coal roasted garlic twist. Dinner was a pizza, Stromboli and chicken picatta. Everything was great and came with very soft and fresh foccacia bread. Pricing is very reseonable. Our service was great, and thanks to our server christian we will be returning.
(5)Jesiree N.
Been wanting to try this place out since it opened. It was fairly busy but not overwhelming so we only waited maybe 15 for our table which was reasonable. We got a table outside which wasn't bad at all. Our waitress was very nice and got our drinks and order right away. I love caesar salad especially at an Italian restaurant so I ordered that as an appetizer, excited to try it. When it came I couldn't eat it right away since there was not utensils so I had to wait a little bit for that. The salad didn't look and special at all nor did it taste special. It was very ordinary, something I would make at home or something. It didn't even come with croutons. Salad wasn't so good so I was awaiting my entrée hoping it'll make up for that. Waitress got our bread and sauce while we waited for our dinner which was really good but didn't want to eat to much because I wanted to save space for my dinner. It was nice that my baby was sleeping so that we could enjoy our meal but our meal was taking a very long time! We waited almost an hour for our entrée. There were tables that came after us that got served their dinner WAYY before we got ours so that was disturbing. But we didn't want to complain because we had a really got waitress (wish I got her name) that always checked up on us and kept refilling our bread. Food finally came and the presentation was super nice and professional. I was so excited to take a bite into it. I ordered chicken piccata and my husband got chicken marsala. We both took a bite out of it and VERY DISSAPPOINTED! It was my husbands first time eating chicken marsala and he wasn't satisfied at all. I absolutely LOVE chicken piccata and was so sad that it wasn't made to my expectations. Both of our dishes had no taste whatsoever. Being that we waited so long for our food you would think anything would taste good since we were so hungry. But the dishes were so bad that it still didn't taste good. All that time waiting only to be disappointed. Another thing that we didn't like was that there were other waiters around checking up on tables around us about their food but they kept skipping our table when we were there before everyone else and didn't get our food till late. I thought that wasn't right and felt like they were discriminating against us. I'm sure that wasn't the case but that's what it felt like when we were ignored. Advice- I don't know if this experience we had was because they just opened but just incase I'd wait awhile before coming here...Unless you don't mind your food coming late and not having it taste good and being ignored. I would've gave this 1 or 2 stars but our waitress was really nice and good and what I appreciate most is GOOD CUSTOMER SERVICE. Also although we waited a long time for our food, my sons kids portion food came at a reasonable time so he was complaining. So that was a plus! Wish our experience was better but we will come back because of the nice waitress...just not anytime soon.
(3)Brian R.
First time eating here at about 6:00pm on a Wednesday and it was excellent to my friend & I. Not to busy and staff was very friendly and very patient with us trying to decide what to order. I had the house salad & create your own calzone (angus beef, pepperoni, ricotta & prosciutto di Parma with side of marinara and it was so good. Brought leftovers home and my husband wasn't hungry but kept getting bites from the to go container. :) Friend had the Shrimp Fra Diavolo and loved it and the spicy flavor it had. I will definitely be going back soon!
(5)Stacey L.
Experienced terrible service here. I absolutely would not recommend this restaurant. Our party waited patiently for an hour and a half while other parties arrived after us and were seated promptly. The hostess didn't even make an attempt to update us on how long more we had to wait. The manager couldn't provide an explanation for the wait and kept saying that it was a mistake-- however 11 other people were seated before we said something about the wait. I hope this makes it clear how inadequate the service and the entire experience is at Russos. Save your money and time! I would give zero stars if it was an option!
(1)Da C.
We were warned about the long wait and slow service from a friend and thats exactly what we got. Waited for an hour to be seated. We also didnt get greeted at the door. Ordered an appetizer, salad, and entree. Appetizer did not come out, we informed our waitress 3x and we were told they might have lost the ticket or forgot to make our order. We still waited for it since we were hungry (another 15-20m). Despite the wait, the food was good, staff and service needs improvement.
(2)Everett L.
Don't waste your time at this place like we did. Waited 1hour 15 min to get seated, only to wait another 30 min with no servers in sight. Asked the bus people to find us a server 3 times... And still no one showed. We finally decided to leave. They have way too many bus people and not enough servers. I would have ordered if a server would have came...still would've tipped a penny. The owner was sitting on the table next to us and even he didn't get service! I predict this place to close down once the hype of being new in the area goes away.
(1)Keith S.
FINALLY!!!!!!! I use that word for two reasons, 1) Finally an EXCELLENT italian place on the island of Oahu!!!! And 2) Finally a place in EWA that I can get EXCITED to go to!!! This place is going to be a new favorite for me out here in Ewa. Have been waiting to try this place and was not disappointed. We started out with the Calamari which was fresh and tasty. For dinner, my friend had the 4 cheese pizza which was very good. A large portion size and it had a very creamy fresh taste too it. (got to try a slice). For me, I stuck with my favorite which is Chicken Parmesan. Big portion as well and very tasty!!! Even though I was full, I wanted to try the lemon cake desert and am glad I did. The service was excellent as well. I don't remember our servers name but she had an Australian accent. She was excellent! Very funny, helpful, and knew the place like she had been working there for years!! (had only opened 3 days ago). I definitely will be back and I consider this to be my new favorite restaurant in Ewa and possibly the island!!!! P.S. That negative review by that "Julia" person down below is very unfortunate. The people here were nothing but excellent, great customer service and wonderful people there. Sad she wants to compare their customer service to that of of the airline industry. I have worked in an airport setting for 9 years and have seen what rudeness looks like, the people at Russo's definitely did not display that. I guess its her loss if she wants to avoid this place.
(5)Herman B.
The famous Chef John made some awesome food and provided great entertainment and conversation. We ate well and I'm full and ready for a nap "Forget about it" !!!!
(5)Maddie M.
Worse place ever. Waiters/waitresses don't know what they are doing. They are all over the place. Food and drinks took forever to come to our table. Got more than 2 waiters in the course of our visit. Bland, tasteless dishes.
(1)Bob W.
This would be a 4 star for their pizza, have not had their pasta. 3 times i have been there 2 at table service was ok but very slow for amount of people working. this last time 11/30/14 sat at bar area service was very good, me and co-worker separate orders he got his pizza ate over half of it and I still had not even received mine so I had to get mine boxed as he was done and I was not happy although I did fill up on the bread with oil and vinegar. so I have a couple meals in frige now. very poor on getting meals out in time IMHO. Luckily I had a 5.00 off coupon
(2)Tina A.
Went for lunch and was very disappointed. Employee's gather around front Entrance bar area talking drinking their starbucks drinks, attention should be On the floor and diners. Lunch order took 45 minutes to arrive, manager seems To lack attention too. I had high hopes for this place, hope they get it together!
(2)R Y.
Food was good, but service was ok. Oven was "behind" all night, took almost 2 hours to finish our meal because the food didn't come out until the last 30 minutes. We also ordered their regular complimentary bread but only got a small basket for the 8 of us and we never got a second basket. Very disappointed!
(2)Bill H.
There's really no reason to try this place, unless you have no other choice. The service needs a lot of work and the food is mediocre at best. It does serve the worlds worst meatball if you are daring enough to attempt the the taste test. The beer is cold and that helps a lot, but that's the most positive feedback I can muster. Good luck.
(3)Brianna Y.
Great food and pizza! Our server, Lindsay, was so great. Very friendly and gave us great recommendations and service! Will absolutely be back!
(5)Laura K.
Service was fine and the food was delicious. Great, fresh flavors and high quality ingredients well prepared. My server was Princess.i was seated quickly, checked in on regularly and I had no complaints. Clean and pleasant atmosphere, nice ambience, I think this is a treasure of a place.
(5)Jeff N.
We went here to give it a try and the food was amazing. You can tell they they use fresh food not frozen stuff. The only bad thing I could see was the service but it was not horrible but I'm sure they will pull it together soon.
(4)Jana T.
Pleasantly surprised at how delicious everything was. Just can't say enough about the food and how well prepared it was. Flavors were so great! We had Coal Fired Garlic Knots and a Greek Salad to start. Mom & Fred had Angel Hair pasta with meatballs. Ricky had eggplant Parmesan. I had the Gnocchi La Pesto sauce and Tomato Basil Soup and Madi had a giant slice of pizza. Service was very friendly. Place is cute and cozy. Live music. Definitely a "once a week" thing for us! It's right across the street! Found out this is the first Russo's on the West coast, they have some in Texas and also in Dubai. All I can say is that YOU GOTTA TRY IT!!! You will not be disappointed!
(5)Sean R.
Great food, cold beer, and good service. Just a little high end in price and kind of loud. However, can't wait to come back and order other menu items; everything looks great!
(4)Joanna L.
Ordered take out today....tried the spaghetti carbonara. It was ok....probably would have been better if I dined in. Garlic knots were a little on the tough side but very tasty. Online menu needs to be updated. Would like to try the spaghetti with clams next time.
(3)Dave A.
Ok, so to start off the food was pretty good. The bread they give you is fresh. We ordered the garlic knots which were great (much better than bravo's). I ordered the chicken Marsala, which was mediocre.. The service was ok.. Hostess had no clue what she was doing. When we got there, there was a wait, so we just stood by the door and waited. While we were waiting 4 tables opened up and it was about 10 minutes before anyone bused them. So that was kind of annoying.. But other than that it was ok.. I wouldn't go back unless it was a slow day
(3)gary r.
OUTSTANDING IN ALL ASPECTS! Food was fabulous, Beer was cold, Staff was extremely freindly & attentive; especially JASMINE & SARAH! I recommend the wings & the mussel appetizers which were perfectly cooked! All fresh ingredients are used & cooked in a coal fire oven; no cans or pre-preped ingrdients!
(5)Marcus S.
super excited about the new joint in Ewa. we ended up sitting at the pizza bar. thought this might be cool...not!! we had a front row seat of watching them drop food on the floor and then try to serve it to us. we sent it back. we were then given a "fresh" batch which they were cool enogh too charge us for, yeah they charged us for something we sent back. the pizza was good and the pasta was just average. the staff was nice but didnt make up for what happened with the dropped food. oh yeah, their full bar was not so full. they were out of Stella. overall C-.
(2)Paulette S.
Nice restaurant and attentive staff! The menu is a bit scarce but overall I had a fantastic experience dining here. The location is not bad it's in the new Ewa Beach shopping plaza next to Starbucks. I definitely would recommend the fettuccine alfredo. The restaurant has a cute wine bar at the entrance with a decent selection.
(5)Kalei N.
I am leaning between a 2 or 2.5. We came one thursday for lunch and left a little underwhelmed and feeling a bit heavy. Very nice establishment, staff was friendly enough, but our waiter didn't appear to know much about his menu when we asked about items (gave us same description from menu). We ordered the garlic knots, eggplant parmesan, and cannolini. The garlic knots looks nice but was lacking a predominant flavor. It was covered in garlic butter/olive oil pepper on the side but that didn't really give it enough. The cannolini wasn't something I would order again - strong fennel taste and the filling was mushier than what I am used to. The cannolini shell was really well cooked, but I am not sure if they make there own pasta or that was bought. The eggplant parm was probably the saving grace of the meal. Had a lot of flavor and well cooked, but ours was served cold in the middle so that was displeasing to the palate. I would have liked the marinara to have a bolder flavor. It honestly tasted like smooshed canned diced tomato with nothing more added. I am debating on returning or not to try the pizzas, salads, or calzones. Saw some walking by and made me regret what I ordered. Good luck in your food adventure!
(2)A.. J.
I went last night for a togo order of pizza, wings and garlic knots. Was told be about 30 minutes. No problem. I come back 30 minutes later. Wait anither 20 minutes, was told order got cancelled!!! And they were expediting it. The problem that I have is that there was at least 7 employees standing around the cashier station chit chatting and goofing off. The rest of my order while waiting was sitting on the wine bar while waiting for my pizza to be baked. When it was finally ready, the girl that handles togo orders hands it to me. I ask her if it will still be warm she responded its fine. I get home two minutes away and its cold, the pizza was suppose to have no mushrooms and it had extra mushrooms. So dinner last night was inedible :/
(2)Dale E.
We love italian food so, in spite of the mixed reviews, We wanted to give this place a try. Over an hour and I never even got my dinner. I won't be back any time soon. We ordered a basic spaghetti with meatballs and a chicken saltimbuco. It should have been a big red flag when the waitress came back to retake our order because "it didn't go through" the first time. I don't know why she couldn't just look at her order pad, but whatever. After numerous apologies and promises that our food would be right out, ONE plate of food came...cold. When my friend was halfway through her meal, the waitress came and explained that someone took my food and the kitchen would have to remake it. We cancelled the rest of the order and left. As bad as the wait was, the way the waitress handled it made it worse. At the end she just took the charge off the bill and let us leave. She even had the nerve to thank us for coming. She did say that other diners had been waiting for their food for even longer but a better waitress would have involved the manager before it got that bad. In situations like that, managers usually expedite the food or offer a free dessert or a gift certificate to enourage the customers to return again. Nothing like that happened. We are willing to allow for growing pains but it will be a good while before we go back.
(1)Hazel T.
Love, love, love their food!! Everything I have ever tried on their menu is amazing! The restaurant is small, but cozy. They recently opened the outdoor area and added live music, which is fantastic. The service is a bit slow. The ambiance is lively. The food is worth the wait.
(4)Keyna C.
Came in with girlfriends and had great service and excellent food! Would definitely come back again! Ewa beach really needed a place like this!
(5)Allie S.
I am so excited there is a good Italian restaurant so close to my house! I absolutely love the mussels app! The wines are fairly priced and the service is great! I will definitely be back!
(4)Richard E.
The service and food was excellent. We ha a pizza, pasta, salad and soup. The servers were very accommodating.
(4)Bronson Y.
This place isn't that bad as far as food goes but the prices for said food (limited to pizzas) and the slower-than-a-snail service leaves something to be desired. Speaking pizza wise, youre looking at round table pizza prices (20$+) but I prefer round table on all accounts. Not sure about the pastas and other foods but I dont think I'll come back for the pizza, unless I bring the game of thrones series to read while I wait.
(3)Hawaii Military Realty, Inc. K.
Went to Russos last night on the 2nd or 3rd night that they were open. It was very, very good. We will be going back for many years to come. We had the Minestrone Soup which was excellent, a Paisano Pizza which was very good although I wish I would have read the menu closer to realize there was no pizza sauce on that pizza. The crust of the pizza and the coal fired oven made that pizza delicious. My wife had a pasta dish that she said was very flavorful but had just a little too much sauce. Those are things to be expected and we did not anticipate perfection since they just opened. The proprietor of the restaurant is a very personable gentleman and we chatted for a few minutes. Go enjoy a great meal, nice ambiance and good Italian food at Russos. It is worth the trip over there.
(4)Thomas L.
Pizza was not so great. Better off with tombstone. Called in the order and was on hold for ten minutes too.
(2)Cory D.
Great food @ value!!! My friend and i had a late lunch. Meal was a glass of wine each, fried calamari appetizer, two entrees chicken parmesean and a pasta dish. Total Was $59.01. Awesome food and service!!!
(5)Arlene S.
I wasn't impressed the first time I dined here, but thought to give it a second try. Sometimes I "order wrong" in the initial visit so I always come back a second time. Our table was tucked in the back corner - right outside of the bathrooms which I normally don't like but we had a toddler in the party so it was perfect seating for us. The service was slow. I had a question about something on the menu - server didn't know the answer and didn't offer to find out "oh, I don't know" was the final answer. There went my confidence level about this place. Appetizers were okay. I believe one was called a knotted garlic bread - good. Buffalo chicken wings - I've had better. For our main dishes we ordered Mediterranean salad, chicken tortellini soup, eggplant Parmesan, risotto with shrimp. The soup looked so delicious I couldn't wait to dig in. It tasted like oregano soup. There were no blend of flavors, rather, each item I bit into tasted of it's own ingredient - if that makes any sense. The pasta that came with the Parmesan tasted like tomato sauce, the eggplant did not wow my taste buds. The risotto was overpowered with pesto - yes, it was a pesto risotto but I thought it would be a nice mild flavor of it. The salad was definitely nothing to write home about. The one thing that did stand out was we accidentally tossed the toddler's fork when they cleared the table. The server went back several times to look for it and finally found it. If you are dining here for the first time, and don't know what to expect, think Olive Garden. I don't know what would be rated as excellent Italian food because I'm not Italian nor have I ever been to Italy, so my top choices here are Auntie Pasto's or Paesano. We won't be returning to Russo's.
(3)Lauren B.
This was my first time at the restaurant. My husband and his friends use to go quite frequently. When we arrived we were immediately seated. We decided to sit outside and listen to the live music. I ordered a bowl of soup to have before the meal. My husband ordered a pizza and his friends ordered pasta. My soup came out within about five minutes but so did the pasta which we thought was odd since we assumed it would be delivered with the pizza. We waited a good thirty minutes when the waiter came over and realized we didn't have the pizza yet. When he came back he said the machine jammed so the order was not put in. By the time my husband got his pizza we had been there over an hour. Our friends ate their meals so they wouldn't get cold. We asked for more bread while waiting and never received any. We were not impressed with the service at all. I honestly feel that the pizza should have been taken off the bill or at least offer a dessert on the house or something. I am not sure if I will be back as I was not happy with the food or service.
(2)Bryan M.
Awesome venue. Excellent service & the Best pizza I've had on the island in 14 years. Bravo Russo's!
(5)Jessica W.
Amazing amazing amazing. Some of the freshest Italian food that I've had. And i enjoy how everything is either imported from Italy or is made in house. Hands down my new favorite place right in my backyard. Our server was great as well.
(5)Tessa P.
I want to start this off by saying I REALLY wanted to like this place. There aren't a lot of restaurants in Ewa and this one promised to be a bit nicer than the Panda Express type of places found in the area so I was pretty excited to try it. The first time I went was about a month or two after it opened and everything was a bit lackluster; flavorless food and slow service but the place was slammed so I decided to give them another chance. Just last weekend my husband and I decided to give it a try for a late lunch but the results were even worse. We got there around 2 or 3 in the afternoon so the place had only been open a few hours and there was hardly anyone there. We were seated and immediately placed our drink and appetizer order because we were starving. My husband attempted to order a sandwich but was told that because they bake their own bread, and they only bake it early in the day, it wasn't possible to order that. I'm sorry what, they just opened a few hours ago! It's great that the bake their own bread but if that limits you to only serving a portion of your menu in the first hour or two after you open that's a serious flaw in the way you run your business. We waited and waited, people who arrived after us were served their food, and finally we received our meal although the appetizer was still nowhere to be found. Seeing as both my husband and I were starving we chose not to make a big deal and decided to just eat the spinach artichoke dip along with our meal. I ordered the ravioli and I have never tasted ravioli this bad, the sauce itself was so salty I could barely eat it so my husband ended up finishing it because it tasted amazing compared to his soggy chicken Parmesan. In addition to the saltiness the sauce was oddly burning hot in areas and almost cold in others so I'm guessing it was microwaved. The only thing that was sort of good was spinach artichoke dip and even then the cooks need to learn some basic techniques because the dip had about a dozen cloves of garlic in it, which is totally fine with me as I love garlic, but they hadn't so much as crushed one clove to release the flavor so it just tasted like cheese artichoke dip with the occasional garlic-y bite if you happened to get a clove. The real clincher though was the service. The waitresses moved at an absolutely glacial pace to the point where the guy making pizzas seemed to be a bit irritated that he had to ding his bell a couple times to get them to notice an order was up. The worst part though was the waitress with hair hanging in her face the entire time. I'm not expecting the wait staff to wear hair nets or anything but if your hair is long enough that it could possibly dip into food as you place things on the table you really should tie it back.
(1)Kari H.
Every time we come here I like it more and more. When we first tried this restaurant, I wasn't a big fan. BUT they past few times we've come have been perfect. My husband and I love the convenience of the location, service has been great and I haven't tried something I haven't liked since that first visit, which was a calzone that just needed more sauce. Try the tomato and basil soup. We like to sit outside. It's usually peaceful and intimate.
(5)Brian B.
First Review on Yelp...and yes this restaurant is the reason i signed up Just went here last night for the second time ever. The first time i stumbled upon it because i was getting a haircut. No outside signage from Fort Weaver Rd (the main street through Ewa Beach). First time i went in there just wanted to try their cheese pizza thinking if you're a pizzeria you should get that right...unfortunately i was dead wrong. Sauce was to sweet- tasted store bought- no flavor- cheese was terrible- however the crust was the best part- which usually hawaii pizza places get wrong. I sat at the four person bar with really noone in there, so the service was good. However the server said she could "find" some foccacia bread which every gets. She pretty gave me scraps... hard not edible really. She did come back with fresh bread...would have rather waited then been served scraps. Went again last night just to try more of the appetizers- got: Chicken wings- Chicken was overcooked really dry- and ummm served with Franks Red Hot? Really? Im paying for something I can get a t home as the sauce for your wings? Spinach Artichoke dip- was the best out the appetizers but nothing special Garlic Knots- too big not enough garlic unfortunately Calamari- has to be frozen and just heated- marinara no flavor Service was OK- her name was brittany- however just as we were getting settled in- the table behind us asked for a manager- apparently their server was not responsive at all- only came once for refills- and they too complained about the chicken being dry and the whole table of 8 people seemed very displeased. When the manager came out and heard the complaints- he of course apologized and stated that they had new management and they were having trouble getting new quality servers- ok just a heads up- don't say that to your customers...if you want your business to survive. He did take some money off their bill. I also did get a cut on my lip from the glass my beer was served in their was a sharp piece glass stuck to the inside of the glass- noticed with my last sip of beer- just told the server to get rid of the glass. Yes i was that nice. Overview: I was really excited that a new italian place was opening up so close to my house- like really excited- being a chain of restaurants i thought that the quality would be much better and their standards would be higher...however i am really disappointed with everything at this place. The two bright spots? You can eat outside and the beer was cold. I am honestly going to try this place one more time for their eggplant parmesean and a specialty pizza. If i can find one of those appealing i might think about take out once in a long while... Final Word: If this place caused me to join yelp- there's some issues...I would not be surprised if this place isn't even open a year from now- if they don't change things pretty quickly- Basically for people who know good Italian restaurants from the mainland- you will find this place unbearable- However for the people of the islands who don't know good italian food... this place will seem amazing- as i'm reading from the reviews on here- that seems to be the case. So too survive- either cater to a community who doesn't know any better and hope they'll become regulars- or change your game plan to include an ever increasing community that is from the mainland and definitely knows great Italian food.
(1)Delia H.
Don't waste your time/money Food is ok but service is terrible, long long long wait. Staff needs to be trained
(1)Alexa W.
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(5)Maria S.
It was about 10 minutes after 9 p.m. as we headed towards the door and we saw that they closed at 9pm. So as we started walking back to our car to leave, when a gentleman approached us and asked why we did not go in. We said we thought it was already closed as it was already after 9pm. He introduced himself as John, the chef, and invited us in and instructed his staff to sit us & take care of whatever we needed. Britney attended to us and she was very friendly, helpful and professional. Although the restaurant was closed, they did not make us feel hurried at all. We've been here two other times before and had their pizzas and they are mouth watering good. So this time we decided on the stromboli calzone and we were not disappointed. We were stuffed after that, but after we heard Britney's description of the desserts, we couldn't resist. So we took home a cannoli and it was scrumptious! Mahaho!
(4)D T.
Food was delicious, service was great. Great chef and nice waitress. Live music out back and overall a great time.
(4)Lani T.
The pizza is kind of a let down. Something about the dough - its too thick for my tastes. The cheese tasted kind of cheap, for lack of a better word. The chicken wings, however, were really good and the service seems really great. There are always tons of people waiting, so I would definitely give it another try, but was disappointed my time first time.
(3)B B.
Customer service was good.The garlic knots and complimentary bread were great. We didn't have to wait no more than 5 minutes (arrived alittle before 6 pm on a Friday) . It seemed like we had more than 3 people serving our table of 8. It's a good place to go.. I just expected more from the food based on the price we paid.
(4)Brandy C.
Visited this restaurant on June 30 with low expectations, because they are fairly new. We asked our server Crystal for recommendations and she was able to give us some great suggestions. We LOVED LOVED the garlic knots. Honestly we could have had that and dessert and been on our way. The dinner was decent, and we will definitely come back to try other things. 5 stars for service and garlic deliciousness ;)
(5)Jamie Y.
This place is Fantastic! Came here after a Beautiful day of exploring the island with Great company. Our Waitress Melissa was very upbeat and helpful, best service yet. The food was Amazing. I asked if I could sub Pasta for the Risotto Primavera, and it was so Great. Thank you to Melissa for being so helpful and Chef Azlyn for the Fantastic Pasta Primera and Chef Ocean for the Wonderful Prosciutto Pizza! You have to come here, you are really missing out if you do not!
(5)Jerry G.
Mmmm where do I start. . This place sucks with bad customer service. . We were there on vacation for my birthday week four days ago. . We stayed on base with my gfs sister and this was the closet italian restaurant to us. . We got there around 9:15 on and the girl asked us take out or dine in.. we wanted to sit and eat so we said dine in. 25 mins wait she said. We're like Ok that's fine. . Asked her for a menu and took it outside to look at it.. Well within that 5 mins we decided to order take out instead so we can be comfortable at home. . We went back in and there was another girl there. . She greeted us and ask if we want dine in or take out. . We said take out.. then she said Ok let me find someone for you so they can take our order.. she came back and did she couldn't find anybody so she did it herself. . She was done taking our order and the girl that greeted us the first time came and said oh we're back up we can't do take out. .. really what kind of fucked up shit is that! !! The Asian girl that took our order was really nice but that other girl. . Wow!! This was the first and only bad experience we had in Hawaii. . If you want Good italian food with great customer service go to Aracino beach walk in waikiki. .. they don't even deserve a star but I guess we can't post until we give em something haha
(1)Mike S.
Came in with a 45 minute wait but noticed 2 seats at the bar so we grabbed them. The bartender was busy but still attended to us. Never had an empty beer. I guess the kitchen made something by mistake so the manager came over and said on the house so we shared it with other at the bar. Calzones were great, pretty good prices too. If you want a quick in and out, go to dominos. Take your time, enjoy the meal and stop complaining if your pizza takes longer than 10 minutes.
(5)Diane S.
I'm Italian, and it's been sure bliss to have a little piece of home here in Hawaii while being active duty and so far away from home! Come and enjoy everything!
(5)Sandi L.
Love,love love the spinach dip!!!! Food is very freshly cooked. Of course if you want your food cooked fresh you have to give them time to cook it. And my server Dillon great service. I enjoy watching them make the bread and pizza too. Very happy we have a Russo's here in Ewa Beach Hawaii.
(4)Lehuanani H.
So we just returned home from there still hungry...what!? I know it's there first week but what a fail experience we had. We did get seated really fast at the bar. Then right in front of us there were two bare pizza's on the counter with flies crawling on the top one, we told the chef and he threw it away but left the other one there. We told our waitress who was very nice about the remaining pizza that the flies began attacking and we saw her report it to the head chef. The pizza sat there in front of us for the remainder of our experience there, soooo unappetizing. We ordered garlic knots as an appetizer, a stromboli and the penne mediterranean. 20 minutes later our waitress brought over some foccacia bread and then she asked the chef about the garlic knots. 40 minutes later we saw the garlic knots on the counter but no one knew who they belonged to so they sat until I mentioned to the hostess that I thought they were ours so she brought them over. Well of course they were cold and we asked the chef if they were supposed to be and he said "no" then did nothing. 10 minutes later we hailed down one of the managers and and told him we didn't want it. Right after that a poor waitress slipped and fell right on the side of us because there was oil on the floor. We mentioned that they should be sprinkling some salt on the floor before it happened again. Finally I got my penne which was delicious but no stromboli, not even in the oven yet?! When our waitress came over to ask how my penne was we asked about the stromboli. She went to inquire but by that time we were so frustrated that we didn't want to be there anymore. We noticed that our waitress was given a table outside with about 20 people that came in after us and they all had their pizzas!? At the end of our 1 hour and 15 minute experience there the owner comped our meal, 2 drinks and a penne. "sigh" As we sat and sipped on our ice because we got no refill at all we noticed that other tables were not getting their food either all the while the head chef was sitting on the bar drinking his juice with the manager! Oh and as for the fly pizza they finally decided that they should put a bag over it for now on...hmmmm...after a week?! Rough start for Russo's Coal Fired Italian Kitchen I know it's their first week opening but they have ALOT of kinks to work out. Of course no one wants to see a business fail, good luck to them.
(1)leigh a.
Just finished eating at Russo's and wanted to leave my review before I forget, which is what always happens;) Soooo here goes... 4.45pm monday night...Came to the hostess stand and there was 1 girl on the phone plus 2 others just standing there, I waited several minutes before I had to ask "excuse me, can I put my name in the list please?" One of the waitstaff seemed startled into action and immediately signed us up and said it would be 30 minutes. So we were on our way! It only took about 10 minutes and we were seated at the pizza bar. I had read the bad reviews so was a bit hesitant about the service and long wait for food, so I was on that waitress like white on rice! We had time to decide on our food whilst waiting to be seated, so ordered our food and drinks immediately. again because I had read previous reviews about the nightmarishly long wait, and with a 3 year old I was not willing to take that chance! After making immediate eye contact and her seeing I meant business;) the waitress was very good and on top of things. We rewarded this with a 20% tip. We ordered the chicken fresca pizza in medium and the pasta carbonara. The pizza was good but because they used fresh raw spinach leaves it made the pizza a bit soggy in the middle . i am a chef; and Russos, may I suggest you wilt the fresh spinach leaves and squeeze out the excess liquid before chopping It and using it this way? It will make for a much crisper texture. The carbonara was not a carbonara really, being a creamy based sauce rather than the egg and olive oil of a true carbonara, but this seems to be the norm in Hawaii so it was ok, although very rich. Which is to be expected. They need to offer juice and milk for the kids not the unhealthy fruit punch or orange soda!! and at least a scoop of vanilla icecream for the little ones, oh! And some child proof cups and maybe a couple crayons, everyone in Ewa has kids and this would make for a better family friendly atmosphere which will be their bread and butter in This area. So in closing, overall a positive experience, they need to tighten up the waitstaff a bit, maybe a few training sessions. And a manager walking the floor at all times. The food was decent so we would return. I think pretty good for a baby restaurant, hopefully they will be able to work out any kinks and do well. Ewa beach is in desperate need of restaurants that aren't just Asian or local and a little more upmarket. Good luck Russo's I hope you guys do well!
(4)SnK Cleaning Services K.
Chef John totally awesome. My boyfriend and went there and the hostess said they were closed. Chef John came out n told us to come inside. He apologized and told us to enjoy. Of course its our first time there so we didn't know what to order. We asked our waitress Lindsey what she would recommend. She said to try the spicy shrimp, salad(can't remember but so gud) n the garlic knots bread. The food was super good. The service was great. Thank u chef John. Ur awesome n so is ur restaurant. Will definitely go back!!!!!
(4)Dave G.
First time here, good food but nothing to write home to Mom about. Service was OK, but think the servers could have do e a little more to make the experience a "great" one. For Hawaii this is a good Italian place, but having been all over the world it is not a great Italian place. Prices were a little more than I would have thought they would be, not horrible but not neighborhood friendly either. Had a couple glasses of wine that were $7.50 each for house Chianti which considering we could have walked across the parking lot and grabbed the same bottle in the Safeway for $10 was a little steep. Had appetizer mussels and garlic knots, very nice but nothing special. Fettuccine Alfredo and Quattro Fromagiio pizza was good, but Cannelloni was fantastic. We will be back, but can say it isn't "East Coast" good. And that is from a west coast guy!
(3)Sophie M.
came over for vacation with my boyfriend.. we stayed on Ewa Beach with my sister so this is close by to the house.. so we walked in and the girl asked take out or dine in.. we said dine in and she told us it was 25 minutes late.. we said okay and asked for a menu.. walked outside and look it over and decide to do take out instead... walked back in and another girl greeted us and asked if we wanted to dine in or take out.. take out we said.. oh let me find somebody who can take your order.. okay.. she came back and said she can't find anybody so she did it herself.. she took our order and as soon as we were done the girl who greeted us the first time said oh sorry we can't do take out cuz they're too backed up.. Wow seriously you're refusing service.. we cannot believe she said that.. worst experience ever in Hawaii.. never again.. so we walked out went over to Safeway and bought frozen pizza.. hey we save money and it was damn good too.. if you want a great Italian food go to the beach walk in Waikiki
(1)Glads B.
Had lunch with friends to catch up on our life events here. We couldn't have picked a better place. We were early at 1100, so we were the early birds. The staff greeted us right away. It is a cute and cozy place. Right away we heard the voice of my favorite Dean Martin singing away on the background, so needless to say, we loved it. It just makes you feel like you're in Italy somewhat. We also noticed the framed pictures on the wall. All in black in white which gives you a somewhat a nice nostalgic feeling, especially since you see Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Marilyn Monroe, to name a few. We opted to sit inside though there are tables outside also. Anyway, the music truly captivated us already. Our server was very friendly and checked up on us every now and then. We ordered the house salad, Pizza Margheritta, Shrimp Fra Diavolo, Risotto Primavera, Tiramisu, coffee, and tea. We shared all except the individual hot drinks. The food were all delicious. The Tiramisu was not that sweet. The owner, Robert, came over and asked us how everything was, and we told him we are one satisfied customers and will be back again. And of course, we will gladly recommend his Italian kitchen. We like that he came by and asked our opinion. We gave a double compliment to the Tiramisu and he proudly complimented his wife for that. Great lunch experience overall.
(5)Jake V.
Tried to take the wifey out on a lunch date so we chose something close. The ambiance is nice, establishment is clean, even the bathrooms. Service is one item to work on. The time we went it wasn't really busy so there is no excuse for mediocre service. I mean how many times do I have to ask for water when you are just standing around talking with the guys at the pizza oven! Hello paying customer! It's easier getting help from another server who comes by to check on us! Now you would expect an Italian restaurant would know how to cook pasta right? We'll apparently not!!!! The pasta is better at CPK or Spaghetti factory hands down! How hard is it to cook noodles, I mean do the cooks know what aldente is? So sad too bad!!! On a good note, the pizza was pretty good. The dough had flavor and the time it took was quite short. It's nice to see the guys make it in front of you and toss he dough put the toppings and in minutes it's there. I must admit it was very tasty, and then again so was the price for a medium. Over they get 1 star for the taste and 1 for the cleanliness of the establishment. Boo for service,pasta and price.
(2)Martin D.
Okey i will recant my last review.. I wrote it while i was sitting at the Bar with my mother after the people up front told me they don't Take Reservations.. And i asked Why.. (Mind you not these are teenagers manning the front of the house) they said coz when people call during the day, it doesn't get communicated to the night crew.. Well to me thats just poor Communication and needs to be fixed by management.. So we waited for tables to open.. It took the manager to make it happen, it took a while but got it done.. I should have known better and asked for the manager instead of the front of the house.. But like i said on my first review, it's a great place to have a Dinner Date, But it's not Large PAX Friendly,if you all want to sit Together Coz they WON'T Take Resetvations.. Ewa Beach is a Residential Area!! Families with large counts going to show up now and then,and they all gonna wanna sit together!!! So... In short lol!! Foods Great!!! that manager that Helped was Awesome!! Service is good, But reservations System Sucks!! FIX IT!!!
(4)Bertha C.
If you come in after 5, wait will take you anywhere from 30-60 minutes to get in, some even longer, depending on how much people are waiting. We got there at 630p and wait was about over an hour because outside seating wasn't open due to the weather. It took us 50 minutes to get in, but my family got in before other parties who were there before us which wasn't fair to them. My family and I were seated right away, our hostess took our beverage and appetizer order right away which was great! And on top of that, all of those came right away. Mom and I ordered tomato basil soup and the minestrone soup. They were okay, tomato basil was pretty thick and I just used it as a dipping sauce for the complimentary focaccia bread you get in the beginning. The minestrone soup was better. We also ordered the garlic knots which were okay but the garlic bread from bravo's are definitely better. When all the appetizers and soups came in, our waitress, Grace, took our entree orders right away. The reason why I give two stars for this place is because it took an hour and a half for the entrees to come out and we were starving. The family who sat next to us got seated right after us, and was a little more impatient than we were. They said if entrees weren't ready as well, they were going to just cash out for their appetizers and leave, which they eventually ended up doing. My family and I waited, and after a while we started getting tired. We finally got our food, the chicken Marsala, baked ziti, lasagna, and spaghetti carbonara. They all tasted great and because of the wait, we got a free cheese cake and 50% off two of our entrees. Arriving there at 630, we didn't end up leaving the restaurant Til after 9. I understand it's a new restaurant and things will get better after everyone is used to it but the food is good and I would like to order take out instead for a while and dine in after a month or so. Grace was the sweetest server, she was polite and stopped to check on our table so often and reassured us many times. Even with all the waiting that night, she made out experience a little better and she took care of us well. I give her 5 stars! She's awesome.
(2)Ksenia C.
For how expensive it was I was expecting way more. House wine was good. Loved the fact that the artichoke spinach dip had real veggies. On the other hand, it took 30 min alone to get the complimentary bread out to us, then 15 min later we got the vinegar/olive oil. And right after that the 2 of 3appitizers that we ordered. We got a second round of glasses of water which looked really murky, and did taste funny (really more like tap tap water, even though the first set of water was fine) . then at very end got the last appetizer right before ready to ask for check. Awkward. there's no wine/beer/drink menu to look at. For people like me who are visual and like to make a choice ect. Food was good, but for service and awkwardness of service we won't be back.
(2)Nicole B.
VERY BAD SERVICE! - hostess had a hard time saying my name and I have a common name, seemed confused to where she was going to seat us. THEN sat us on a table that still had trash on it. - waiter told us he was having a hard time catching up but didnt seem to have a lot of people sitting in his area. He didnt even tell us his name. - didnt have silverware until our food came out, no napkins to use with our appetizers. - waiter spilt olive oil dip for bread and splashed on me and didnt get napkins to wipe it up. - had to ask for straws and lemons multiple times. - waiter refilled my drink with iced tea instead of coke then had to wait a while for a new one. - food was salty, the best thing was probably the bread that we had. - had to ask for a fork to eat with my dessert, while all my plates was in the way so the waiter put the dessert on the edge of the table instead of clearing some plates. - asked for check then the waiter came back and told us he forgot it, which was weird. - paid and upon returning the bill to us he didnt know which bill went to which table which was very irresponsible. Overall for my first time going here i will never come back at all. I dont see what the hype is about this place. Will not recommend anyone going. And to top it all off it wasnt busy so to me there was no excuse for bad service.
(1)N L.
I wanted to like this place, it's near my house. I've been three times, I kept trying to see if things had improved. Now I think I'm done giving chances. My first visit was at lunchtime, it was not too busy, I had a salad, it was ok, nothing spectacular, but, really it's hard to mess up a Caprese salad. Came back a short while later for dinner, we had a group of 5 and one young child. The fire alarm kept sounding throughout the evening, the music was turned up, then turned down very abruptly, totally throwing off the ambience of the place. It was awful. We ordered our food eventually, granted they were busy, but it took forever to have someone come to take our order. One of our party got his food after about 30 minutes, the rest of the food was not served until over an hour after he had finished his food. The very young servers kept asking if everything was okay with our food, not paying attention to the fact that we had not received any food. Drinks were not brought promptly, water was rarely refilled. When we did finally get our food, some of the dishes were pretty good, although not great, other dishes were just awful. One person in our party ordered gluten free pasta, it had the consistency and the taste of rubber! Now I know at this point the place was fairly newly opened, and so I tried to give the benefit of the doubt, and attributed the problems to growing pains and figured it would take a while to iron out all the kinks. I returned again tonight, yes, it was late. I walked in at 8:30, and was asked if I was there for take-out, I told the hostess that I wanted a table for 2, she looked up at the clock and said, 'Oh, we're closing in 20 minutes, so it's too late". I don't feel this is the way to treat potential customers.......... I'm not coming back again. Auntie Pastos, La Nonne, and Assagios will remain my local Italian haunts, Russo's you're off the list.........
(1)John Y.
Decided to check it out with my wife and daughter after my co-worker recommended the place to me. The decor was new, clean, modern as you would expect from a new restaurant. Hostess told us we would have to wait 35 minutes for a inside table (we got there a 5, guess they eat early in ewa beach) so we elected to sit up at the pizza bar. My only negative comment was the time it took for us to get waited on, around 15 minutes. Once the wait staff figured out who was supposed to take our order, service was in sequence and on schedule. Our wait at the pizza bar was made more bearable due to the corporate trainer, John, who provide a great interlude with his happy banter and demonstration for the patrons at the pizza bar. If it wasn't for John, we probably would have been tempted to walk out since no one seemed to acknowledge us at the pizza bar for the first 15 minutes. We had the calamari for appetizer which was delicious. The tomato basil soup was also excellent. My wife enjoyed the chicken parmigiana. Hopefully, the service was due to the place being just opened with a lot of new staff. We'll have to check this place out later.
(3)Jason L.
Fresh ingredients and fair prices with a great ambiance. Great Italian meal selection.
(4)heatherN c.
we checked this place out right when they opened the food was great and not to pricy. we had the garlic knots and they blew bravos away. everything else we had was amazing too. and all the ewa beach people know this is the only restaurant serving alcohol lol
(5)Leona C.
Heard about the new restruant in town called RUSSO'S. Decided to take my family there last night and was very interesting with a lot of their emplyee's. there were bus boys/girls that did there jobs and very polite, and you have servers that needs to be trained on how to be professional and need to do their job. We had this server her name starts with a "R" she served us our appetizers but forgot about our main course never came back to our table to check on us totally unprofessional. This bus girl came to our table, very polite, looked very professional ask to take our plates and when we mentioned to her that we been waiting for our main courde for approximately 45 mins. and that we would like our ticket and leave, she apologize and asked who was our server we pointed her out and she quickly went to her to check on what's holding up with our order and asked for our ticket. As it looked from where we was sitting the server wasn't to nice to the bus girl, she was rude and continued to ignore our request for our ticket, well she finally gave us our ticket. This server should be terminated from her job and her position should be given to the bus girl who was very polite and professional. Having servers like her will make the restruant and management look bad as well as loose their profits. Suggestion to owner and management. As a manager before moving on to better adventure I see a lot of clicks, favoritism, jealousy & gossip going on with your girls. You need to have a meeting with all your employee's and ask them if they have any problems with others and if they do they need to speak out (grip session). Cause when you have these clicks and favoritism your restruant will not be successful. As for returning to the restruant with my family, I would give it a second chance and hope that owner/management takes my advice and hopefully when we do return the bus girl that tried to help us & was very polite & professional will be our server and not our bus girl. I would like to discribe our bus girl so those who reads this can take in consideration and say to her "what a great job you're doing". She was the young lady filipino that had her hair in a really big bun. I would like to commend you. Now I would like to say that our appetizers was great! Calamari was good it could be a little more crispier, artichoke dip was divine garlic knots could use a little more garlic and your Cucumber salad was good. Maybe next time we will be able to taste our main course. Hopefully when we return, services has change and the bus girl will be our server.
(3)Lila P.
We went there on a Saturday night. The wait was longer than we were told, and we had to ask a couple of times for our focacia bread, but overall, the food tasted good and the portions were good on the items we ordered - pizza, calzone, pesto pasta, soup. The tiramisu and cheesecake was yummy! The carrot cake and canneloni was ok. The manager was very nice. I would go again in a few months to see if service improves.
(3)Ron P.
Tried Russo's on Valentine's Day night. Bad decision. We were told 30 min to 1 hour wait. Ended up being a 90 min wait. They did offer water and slices of cheese pizza to those of us waiting to be seated. A great gesture but I would have preferred to be seated sooner instead. Once seated we waited ten minutes for menus. The menus looked 10 years old with missing and torn pages. Took another 10 min to get two glasses of wine. We also wanted water however they didn't have sparkling water of any kind. Strange for an Italian restaurant. It took another ten minutes to get a glass of water. It was another 10 minutes to get flat bread and dipping oil. And again another 15 min to be served our entrees. If you been adding up the time, almost an hour to get our meals. Needless to say our waitress was horrible. Spent most of her time at the front chatting up her coworkers instead of servicing her tables. We ordered lasagna and chicken la puttanesca. Lasagna was good. The chicken dish was super spicy and wasn't supposed to be. Near the end of our time there the manager came by our table. He asked about the food. We mentioned about the chicken, he apologized and comped that meal and provided another in a box. However It took another 20 plus minutes to get the box and the cheesecake dessert we ordered. Which by the way was small for the price. Can't believe anyone would give this place more then two stars. Worst service I have ever received at a restaurant. Would not recommend this place at all right now. Ewa Beach still has no decent dining.
(2)Walter M.
We celebrated my husband's birthday with dinner at Russo's. By the way, we have been reading the Yelp reviews on the service so we were prepared. We had hoped that things had improved since opening day. We were greeted and seated within a few minutes after entering the restaurant. Our waiter took our drink order and drinks were served promptly. The wait staff walked around and asked if we needed refills. I had a diet coke and she refilled it with regular coke. That was no biggie but I did tell her it was diet. We also decided to order garlic knots for appetizer. Just to play it safe, we decided to order our main entrees and dessert too so we wouldn't have to wait. Ok, this is where we discovered how bad the service was. My husband and son had already drank 2 stella's each and still no garlic knots in sight. It took 45 minutes before we got our main entrees. We told our waiter who looked flustered, that we would be cancelling our order for garlic knots and the cannoli dessert. He finally realized that he forgot to tell us that the garlic knots and cannoli were sold out for the night, it was only 6:40 pm on a Thursday night. They also served this big group of people first even though we had arrived 15 minutes earlier. Like us, they were celebrating a birthday. I also asked the wait staff for a take out box for my pizza twice and still no box. We decided to leave the remaining pizza slices on the table. The good thing about our bad waiter is that he forgot to bill us for the 4 Stella beers so we got 4 freebies which was well deserved compensation. Now you ask me if I would go back? Yes, I would go back in a few months after they get the kinks out and service improves. The owner was on site and giving staff instructions but still need to make the service run smoother. It might help to hire wait staff that can actually focus and remember to write down things like "table 2 needs a take-out box and diet coke and to inform them that no cannoli or garlic knots tonight." Again, the food we ate was great. We only wish we could have tried the cannoli and garlic knots that everyone talks about.
(4)John M.
I decided to order a couple of take out pizzas while on a trip to Safeway. Place was kind of busy, but placed the order and was told it would be about 20 minutes. Went and did my shopping at Safeway. Returned after about 30 minutes, worried my pizzas would be getting cold. Shouldn't have worried (about that). Checked in at the podium, and was told it would be a few more minutes. After another 15 minutes, I checked again, and was told that my pizzas hadn't even been started yet and it would be, wait for it...... 20 minutes. I waited around another half hour. Yes, for those of you counting, that is an hour and 15 minutes for take out pizza. Finally was given my order. Dying of hunger I grabbed it and headed home. I know, I know I should have checked it out closely before leaving. Wait for it again..... the pizza was wrong. Then when I tried to call and express my concern, I was told the manager was "very busy" and put on hold for 15 more minutes. Never got to talk to the manager. I have two words for this place. DONT BOTHER!!!
(1)Jenna H.
my husband and I ate lunch there yesterday!!!! This was our second time here and I was awesome!!! our server this time was rhyce and she was excellent very friendly,attentive and so happy!!! we ate the fettuccine Alfredo and the pesto chicken pizza....it was heaven!!! oh save room for the cannoli it's was the bomb!!! (we had the blueberry) wish they gave 2 because before I knew it I inhaled it!!!!
(5)Ashley S.
I only rated this 1 star because you have to at least put one. If I could there would be NONE. Worst service ever. Food was disgusting. Was told it would be a 25 minute wait, turned into 40 minutes. Waited for a waiter but no one came. Didn't order drinks until 15 minutes after being seated. Waited 45 minutes for our food & I got the nasty chicken saltimbocca. People who sat down 20 minutes after us were served their food before us & all we got was a, "I'm sorry. I'll take 20% off your entire bill & take off the chicken"
(1)Micah J.
I went to russo's for the first and last time about 1 month ago. I arrived with a friend at around 4pm, which I don't consider to be busy hours as far as restaurants go. A quick glance inside confirmed that the establishment was only about 50% full. There were many empty tables. That being said, my friend and I were a walk-in and did not reserve seats. We ended up waiting about 10 minutes, and were seated by the front door. The interior ambiance is pretty nice. They had a massive cheese pizza that just seemed to be on display in a plastic case. I thought that was a bit strange. Anyway,.. after being seated, our waiter was nowhere to be found. Normally a good restaurant will offer drinks as soon as a party is seated. We did not even get water. My friend and I waited for about 20 minutes after deciding what to eat, altogether maybe 25 minutes after being seated. We received no service at all, no offer for drinks and no one ever came to take our order. We got up and looked around and left. That's about it.... I wish I could of tried the food that everyone else is reviewing, maybe it would of been good.
(2)Masayoshi S.
Came here with my mom for lunch. We waited by the hostess station and stood there for at least 5 min. We were not acknowledged by the HOSTESS/BARTENDER or whatever she was... OR any of the other employees.... I could tell they were REALLY BUSY bcuz they had two tables sat. POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE.,,,, Ended up going next door to PEARLS and had their spicy bbq chicken YUMMMM...
(1)Elizabeth D.
Past this place many times and wanted to check it out. I had my chance when my good friend said her cousin was playing live music there. Everyone knows I'm a sucker for a cold beer and live music playing, especially if they have outdoor seating. Located in the new shopping center in Ewa Beach, near safeway. It's brand new so inside is nice and shiny. Lots of parking, there is a big parking area, shared with other businesses. Nice cute decor, modern with a lot of tiles. servers were dressed in black, looked professional. servers were nice, friendly and attentive. Was always chencking up on us. They have outdoor seating which I love. They just recently started having live local music. When word gets out, I'm pretty sure this place will get packed. call in to find out who is playing. From what we ordered the food was very good but not out of the ordinary. The chicken wings was a winnah!! They served it with 3 suaces. We did not order from the full menu so can't wait to go back and try everything else. Close to home on the west side and will be back!!
(5)Sherwin Y.
Despite the fact that I am not really a "pasta guy", I am open to try new places, especially when something new opens up in your neck of the woods. So we decided last minute one Saturday night to have dinner at this new Italian joint in Ewa Beach. They had just opened at that time so the was a considerable amount of wait time, although we got seated much sooner than the expected wait time. We did not plan on ordering a lot of stuff, it was just like.. get something eat, drink, and be on our way. So me again not being a "pasta guy" , I stuck with pizza. Yeah that's more like it, I'm a "Pizza guy!" Aside from being a pizza guy I am also a meat guy! So I got the New York Village Pizza because I always like a little bit of everything. The pizza is packed with cured pepperoni, big chunks of italian sausage, canadian bacon, hamburger, all-natural mozzarella cheese, and i think shrooms, olives and bell peppers, all on top of their home made pizza sauce. Pizza was very good and it hit the spot with all that meaty and juicy goodness. Overall experience was good, but I think this review is solely on the pizza since it's the only thing I ordered aside from a few beers. This is a good meeting place for friends or family, weather it's for a quick bite, nice dinner, or just to have a few drinks, as they do also have a bar and outside seating. Will definitely be back to try more of the different pizzas and maybe if I'm in the mood, some pasta as well.
(4)Darci N.
Best restaurant.com coupon ever purchased. Out of all the options on restaurant.com this looked like the best bet so I bough it. The night we decided to go it was very busy, come to find out every night seems busy for their wonderful food. We were able to obtain seats at the bar after a good 20 minute wait. The bartender was very nice and gave us some great tips on the food. We ordered the fried calamari appetizer, the clam pizza and I had something chicken. Each dish was amazingly perfectly made and tasted just as good as it looked. The pizza was unexpectedly amazing, sounded like a weird mix but it tasted so good. This place is a great asset for Ewa Beach if you're looking for upscale dining near home.
(5)Trish I.
The hubby, baby boy and I came in to eat lunch the other day. They open at 11, got there are 11:30. Tried to order garlic knots and tomato basil soup as appetizer. FAIL. Oven wasn't ready and was told ten more minutes till it warms up. Ok, fine. I told the waitress I wanted them together, so when the knots were done she brought the soup out right after. There's no printed 'Keiki Menu' (but they should print one out! Come on Russo's, do you not cater to kids as well?!) but they offer a big slice of pizza or choose your own pasta/sauce for I believe $5.95? Baby boy wanted pizza. Hubby ordered the cannelloni. I was gonna initially order the fettuccine alfredo and share it with baby, but since their was a Keiki menu and he wanted the pizza , I opted to try the chicken portobello flatbread sandwich instead. My thoughts on the food: House bread--I loved it, wished they put more balsamic then oil for dipping. Garlic knots--got this cause I heard good things. Don't believe the hype, I liked the house bread better. The knots didn't have enough flavor. Tomato basil--I got the small, still filling. I like this a lot. Will reorder again. Keiki pizza--didn't get to taste it, although its like a huge New Yorker slice (I thought it was gonna come in a mini pizza form-thought wrong) Cannelloni--hubby enjoyed it. Says he's tried a bunch of cannelloni before and this ones just as good. Chicken portobello flatbread sandwich--burnt edges, not enough filling-but the flavor was there. My thoughts in service: Service was good, there was only about three tables aside from ours. What I didn't like was the fact that since the pizza oven was backed up, our food (meaning apps AND entrees) came out within minutes of each other, so our small table was filled with dishes. Will we be back? Most likely. We are simple diners, as long as you don't mess up our orders that badly, we won't have any complaints.
(4)Justin H.
I have been disappointed by other Italian restaurants on the island but this place, from what I have tasted so far, is delicious and satisfies my need for authentic tasting Italian. If you are a fan of Olive Garden on the mainland, then this place is not for you as it is 100 times better. The service, both from hostesses to the servers, is always friendly and pleasant. Also, if you are looking for fast food then McDonalds is where you need to go! You can't rush great food! The only negative I have about this place is that it is too small and dining in is hard to do because it is always packed, so we order take out from them. Also, on certain nights, they play music, which is way too loud for my taste, so those night we also take out. Otherwise, the food is great and very tasty! I have had their pizza, chicken parmigiana, spaghetti with Italian sausage, and a calzone!
(5)Richie I.
I give the canneloni a 3* and everything else a 1*. Especially the service. We've been here 3 times in the past 2 months hoping to have a better experience, unfortunately it didn't change. It seems like every time we come here the service gets worst. When we came today, it literally took the server 10 minutes just to take our drink order, by then we were ready to order our entree, and basically didn't have time to enjoy an appetizer. Our glasses of water were never refilled, and no check up to see how we were doing. After 3 bad experiences, I am pretty sure we won't be coming back here to eat.
(2)Deana G.
I am giving Russi's 3 stars because the food is awesome. It is conveniently located, there is live music outside, and I appreciate their military discount. However, the service is terrible every time. Once the waitress brought my husband the wrong entree and then argued with him and tried to convince him that it was what he had ordered (it had red instead of white sauce and had seafood instead of chicken). That showed that the staff doesn't know their products. When the manager came by, he was less than apologetic. Also, it took so long to get a glass of wine, we were already done eating. The hostess stand is complete chaos whether we get take-out or eat in. Since we only get take-out now, due to the bad service, I thought nothing could go wrong. I was told our food would be ready in 35 minutes, but it actually took 55. Like I said, the food is great. Garlic knots, mussels, chicken primavera risotto, New York Village pizza, Chicken Rustica pizza - all amazing.
(3)Ashley N.
I'm finally back after my short little hiatus - but unfortunately I'm not back with a happy experience to share with my fellow Yelpers. My best friend and I decided to come back to Russo's since we haven't been back here for about 6 months now. We were very excited because from what we remembered - service was very good, and the food also satisfied our every craving! We got here around 6:30PM, and we were greeted by the hostess outside of the restaurant. She told us that the wait for a table/bar/outside seat would be around 30 minutes, so we decided to take a little stroll around the shopping complex. Keep in mind that this restaurant doesn't offer any type of buzzer that will let you know when to come back - so keep track of time! Anyhow, we made our way back around 30-35 minutes later, and she told us that she had already called us so we'd have to wait another 15 minutes. Hungry and a little impatient, we decided to still give it a go and not opt out for Panda's Express. When we were finally seated, we were brought outside near the gate. It wasn't windy at all, so we were pleased with our seating arrangement. However, the outside seating was much more congested tonight, and there was live music playing. Although the music was enjoyable to listen too, it made it less enjoyable for us to have any type of conversation because we'd have to yell over not only the music, but all of the drunk people, huge parties, and waiters/waitresses trying to take orders. We were greeted by a very unhappy waitress, and she made it clear to us that she did not want to be there. Both of us could tell she was overwhelmed and tired. We were quick to order - I ordered a "create-your-own" Calzone ($13.95) and my friend got Caprese Salad ($8.95) as well as the Meatball Pomodoro ($5.95). She replied to us "Thank goodness you made my job easy" and she walked away. We actually felt really bad for her since it was a busy night, and we both understood how it felt to have to deal with customers when you're not feeling in top shape. Anyhow, the highlight of this night was the free bread. Yes, I'm being serious. Once we got our bread, we waited ~15-20 minutes for our food to come out, and since our food was delivered; our waitress never came back, nor did any other server in that establishment. We were left for perhaps, 45 minutes? The only person who checked up on us ONCE, was the manager. However, when we were finished with our meal (45 minutes later), our waitress finally came by, and we asked for the dessert menu. She said she'd be right back and left. 10 minutes passed... 15 minutes passed..... 20 minutes passed....... OK stop. Where did she go? We had no idea. We couldn't flag down any of the servers, it seemed like they were all too busy elsewhere; so I literally had to get out of my seat and search for a server. What's even more disappointing, is that I didn't even find a server to help us, I found a busboy who paid more attention to us than anyone in that entire establishment. He gave us the dessert menu, and AGAIN, no one came back to us (not even our server to check up with the dessert) so I had to get up and find the busboy and place my order through him. Um, seriously? I believe we ordered a Canneloni (~$7) and it was really small for how much we paid. Totally not worth it. Anyways, we finally got a hold of our server and asked for our check, and she actually remembered to bring it back. When we left, we were so disgusted we found the manager and tried to talk to him about our evening. When we told him about our experience, he muttered a pathetic "Oh... Sorry." And he was on his way. Wow. I would expect the manager to actually care about his customers and the service he provides. No sincerity, and absolutely no remorse for our bad experience. Oh, and I forgot to mention that there was this homeless man creeping/loitering around the outside of the gate where my friend and I sat. He periodically would lean over the gate and touch people. He even started pointing at someones wife and kept asking if he could talk to her. It was very disturbing and disrupting to not just my friend and I's dinner, but everyones! When we brought this up with the manager, he seemed like he couldn't care-less. I can't even bring up a pro/con list because everything about this dinner was bad, bad, BAD. I'm sorry to say but just as the manager of this restaurant couldn't care less about his customers - I also can't care less if I never returned here again. Which I won't!
(1)Laurie G.
I had heard so much about this new restaurant in Ewa Beach and had been wanting to come many times before but just couldn't make it until last week. It's a nice little place tucked away in the corner across from Safeway. We were greeted by the friendly staff and sat outside. We asked for the co Cocktail menu and all they serve is wine and beer. I was thirsty for something vodka but beer will do. Our server was very nice and took our order fairly quickly and bought us a basket of free bread. The bread was auite. Was hard but we were hungry so ate it anyway. It was free so no complaints from us. I had the cannelloni and my friend ordered an overpriced pizza. The cannelloni was very good but it was on the cold side but since we were sitting outside I figured the wind cooled it quicker than I could eat it. Tiramisu was Ono. Oh yeah we sat outside hoping to hear live music but no one was playing that night then I hear they don't have live music anymore because they needed a license of some sort. Overall the food is good, the prices are a little high and the staff is friendly but I'm giving them. 3 stars because of the cold cannelloni and no live music. Russo go get your license and then I'll give you another star
(3)Melissa W.
The service is slow every time I come here. The garlic knots and lasagna are tasty. The atmosphere is nice. But...I'm not sure the slow service is worth it sometimes. The wait staff is friendly...I just wish they would speed things up a little bit.
(3)C D.
Always wanted to try this place since they opened. Last night we were in the mood for pasta, so what better chance then now. Ordered the garlic knots and spinach dip both was good, but the spinach dip was a little soupy. Chicken fettuccine was really good would order that again. Chicken Parmesan was alright nothing special, needed more sauce. Overall food was average, portion was a tad small. Service was good.
(4)Lady C.
My husband and I eat in and carry out regularly and simply LOVE this place. Sooo many yummy things to choose here ----Spicy Shrimp Alfredo, Greek Salad, Pizzas, Garlic Knots, Spinach Artichoke Dip, and Italian Cream Cake.....LOVE it all! The ambiance is so refreshing - great noise level - fun and festive :) also always so nice and clean! My take out always taste as wonderful as when I dine in. The wait staff has always been on point every time we eat here - they are always courteous and professional. So happy that I don't have to drive to Buca di Beppo anymore - I now have my very own Italian Eatery in my 'hood. Also they do support the troops by providing a military discount. Also as a note to fellow yelpers: great eateries like this deserve and need our support - give them time to iron out the kinks that come with opening any new business. I've watched them 'grow' from their grand opening and they have already exceeded some of the finer Honolulu dining experiences I've had here on island.
(5)Dennis R.
We've been here twice. First time was when they just opened. The service was slow but that was expected from a new place. The food was good, the pizzas especially which they have a good amount to choose from. Our second time was about 3 months after and the service improved a lot and the complimentary bread they gave was a lot better than the first ones we had. Food was still good there. This time we had pizza and a pasta plate. Good size servings and we always leave with leftovers. Our only complaint was the wait time for our table. We were told about 20-30 mins and ended up waiting a bit over an hour. Still I recommend trying this place at least once if you're on the ewa side.
(4)April A.
This was my second time here, hubby's first time. Love that it's in the neighborhood. We had to wait for a while, came in on a Friday at 6pm, but 30 mins not so bad when the owner came out offering pizzas while we waited. So awesome! We ordered the spinach and artichoke dip, hubby ordered the shrimp fettuccini already and I ordered the shrimp diavolo? Lol, I forgot the name of it. But it was good. And if they have it I'll always order the tiramisu. Our waitress was very courteous, I think she may have forgotten to order my dish but she discounted it. The first time I came here i ordered the eggplant parmesean. And I like that dish Better than what I just ordered. Sometimes it's just hard to determine what to order when you go to a place you went before. Order what you know is good? Or try Something new? Anyhoo, it was hubby and i's date night in a year so nonetheless it was great to be out and spend quality time and have good food.
(4)Chandra H.
Had a retirement party for one of my co workers. So i picked this place since i have never tried it and i love Italian food!!. Love the menu. There was a variety of things for all of us to try. I had the Cannelloni! My favorite. I would say it was almost as good as Bucca. The place overall was nice. Only draw back is there's not enough space for large party's. They sat us outside. Which was windy and hard to talk to each other . Service was good. I think i would go back again .
(4)KM c.
First off this place is located in the new shopping area in ewa beach. This was my first time here and I used to live in ewa back in 2007 so this was my first time at this shopping center. The restaurant itself isn't too big but it isn't that small either. When you first walk in you see the bakers baking fresh bread and pulling them out of the ovens. It smelt so good. It was nice to know that a lot of things here are fresh. For starters we ordered two orders of garlic knots and mozzarella cheese and the mussels. Garlic knots: very buttery and garlicky but so delicious. Comes with 5-6 pieces and are pretty decent sized. I highly recommend this for an appetizer. Mozzarella cheese: homemade cheese balls (thats what it looks like) it was ok. Very oily. I didn't really like them. Mussels: this was ok. I prefer a garlic butter taste but this one had a spicy tomato sauce on it. I didn't enjoy the sauce . Entree: Spicy shrimp Alfredo: This entree was better then i expected it was a tad bit spicy but it was a good spice. Not too spicy but not NOT spicy (if that makes sense). This had peppers, jalepano , shrimp and tomato sauce and Alfredo sauce. I enjoyed this very much. Overall I was rather impressed with this place other then the other two appetizers which is why i didn't give it the fifth star. I would def come back here.
(4)Janee L.
Had dinner here with my boyfriend on Monday night (03/10/14) and let's just say we won't be back. Our server was slow and wasn't very helpful, sorry dear but I work in the industry and the fact that you didn't check on us to see if we were okay with our food until I put a dirty dish on it is bad. As for the food, well those were hit or miss. Mozzarella Fritti don't not order that appetizer. You get 8 mini mini mozzarella balls for $10.95 they're like the size of a quarter. Not worth the price at all. Spinach artichoke dip was worth the $10.95 price because you get a huge canniloni size dish of dip. The pizza we ordered, pepperoni, Italian sausage and red pepper would have been better if the Italian sausage wasn't a sliver. It's sliced so thin you barely taste the sausage. The chicken Parmesan that I ordered was bland, I do believe the kitchen forgot to season it. My boyfriend who usually eats anything couldn't even eat one bite, he had to ask me to send it back. That homemade marinara sauce, same as Bucco. $17.95 it's just one piece of chicken and tomato sauce drowned with basil all over. The spicy shrimp Alfredo, is a PINK sauce, dear server learn your food. I wanted to stay away from mixed sauces and she told me that it was a WHITE sauce when it came out PINK. Marinara and Alfredo mixed together. The shrimp was huge , 5 pieces and jalapeños. Didn't care for the dish though but I wanted to get out of the place so I boxed it up and we left.
(1)Rhonda B.
We went with a coupon for a free order of garlic knots when you order a 16" pizza. Our first time there and it was great. The garlic knots are HUGE, we were only able to have one slice each of pizza and we were full. Ordered the veggie pizza, great crust. Relaxed environment, space is a little small but they have outside seating with a live band. Will be going back!!!
(5)Shawn H.
Magical!! It Was mime and my wife's 10th year anniversary and she chose this place because we saw it as she drove by. We got there we were not expecting too much. seating was limited and we showed up during peak time. We were lucky enough to get an outside table away from most people, And was next to the musician that was due to play. We started out with a bottle of wine sweet Riesling, by Pacific rim, and it was delicious. The bread that came to the table was also just as good. My wife got the calzone and I got the spicy shrimp pasta, the food was very good and very fresh. Normally if we eat out the food will hurt our stomach because it is not made from good ingredients. Their head chef John came to talk to us multiple times and was very entertaining by throwing rubber pizza dough around. He also would challenge other patrons to throw the rubber pizza around. Both me and my wife tossed the pizza and it was a lot of fun. While talking with John about getting the restaurant up and running and food and all the things a cook would like to talk about, we found out that they get ingredients fresh delivered every other day. Because it was our anniversary he treated us with a tiramisu at the end of our meal, and it was delicious! The musician that evening was truly talented! Most of time if we go to a place that has a band I'm always complaining that the music was too loud and we could not talk, this particular time the music was actually too low and we asked the musician to turn it up. We listen to two of the sets that he played that evening. You could tell he truly enjoyed playing the music that he was playing he would also take requests and created and amazing ambience. Because of it being a special night for us he played multiple songs just for our anniversary. In between sets he also sat with us and talked about places we have been, and he bought us a third bottle of wine. During the end of his second set the owner(I think) showed up. I was actually thinking about writing this review then and looking around I noticed that me and my wife were having and amazing magical experience! Coming to this restaurant for our anniversary definitely made it one of the most memorable anniversaries that we've ever had! I would like to thank John and the whole staff for making it such a magical evening for us!
(5)Elson B.
Why have I not been here before? It's another great option to Italian food lovers. Garlic knots rival the garlic balls at Bravo's, while the tiramisu is a delicious staple that any Italian restaurant must perfect. Huge portions on the chicken piccata I had provided a doggie bag home. It's a must try.
(4)Carmen M.
Food is hit or miss depending on when you go. Garlic knots, calamari, and lasagna have been great all the times I've been a patron there. The lack of beer selections were eyebrow raising for a place that only serves beer and wine. Not having Bud Light in either draft or bottle, nor Coors Light on draft or in a bottle is inexcusable. Only beer on draft was Peroni-Yuck. The reason I rece for the lack of varieties is that they rotate their beers. What is also disappointing has been the consistent lack of adequate wait help. Having to repeatedly ask for drinks, food, condiments, etc. is unsatisfactory to say the least. It also appears that the wait help is constantly revolving and that could be the problem in the service the customers receive. Constant employee turnover could also signal a management problem. The only 5 star rating I can give them is for their excellent choices of entertainment/music. That seems to be the only factor that keeps people coming back.
(2)James C.
My first visit and wow. I think I'm hard to please and I have to admit it was awesome. Good service food and settings. I will be back soon. Price was fair the oven was cool and it's in ewa. I can go out on a nice date with my other half and be home in 2 hours. I have eaten all over the island and I can say for myself it's really hard to beat even with the top restaurants.
(5)Jerome S.
I always quote the three C's when there's a place worthy of a good review. That's convenient location and parking, courteous staff to serve you, and choice pasta and pizza. Crowded? Yes...that's what happens when it's great!
(5)Jason C.
This was our first time visiting this establishment. My mom has been wanting to try this place for a while. Sadly, it failed to impress and probably wouldn't warrant another visit. We were happily greeted and asked where we'd want to sit, so we asked for a table towards the back and she said "it's not set, so you can sit here" no offer to have us wait 30 seconds while they get it set. So we obliged to sit towards the front. Not a big deal, but if you ask where we would want to sit and deny us, don't ask. Service was attentive and quick and when we asked asked about a few menu items, she (we didn't get her name) was knowledgeable of the menu. We ordered lasagna, cannoli, and risotto primavera. Apparently, the first two items were good. My dish, the risotto primavera was not as good as I expected. The risotto was mushy and the sauce which supposed to be a creamy pesto tasted more like cheesy presto. The veggies looked lifeless and sitting in oil. I barely ate it all, but I took it home because I didn't want to waste the shrimp that I ordered for an additional $3.00. The lasagna is their most popular item, but small in serving size. You can get larger portion from Sabarro's. My mom tried the cannoli dish for the first time and was satisfied. Overall, our experience here deserves three stars, only for our initial impression and the unimpressed risotto. Would we return, a big maybe. I'll stick to Buca Di Beppi and Bravos instead. And if this place is trying to be like CPK, I doubt it's nearly as close to the quality and taste of CPK.
(3)CeeCee S.
First and foremost...set expectations low. This is an East coast chain restaurant expanding into Hawaii...Ewa. Additionally, this is NOT a place for Foodies. Last night for dinner, our party of three were quoted a 25 min wait for first available, however, out wait was no more than 10 minutes. Kewl! (However, we almost left as it is certainly not worth the wait.) We started off with a drink (beer or wine only.). The bartendar ignored me as she was engrossed in conversation with the customer next to me talking about how awesome Murphy's is (where I would have preferred to have been if I magically could be transported downtown) So, I decided to join the conversation in hopes of getting a drink...which worked! Looking at the menu, we ordered Sangria (as the wine selection was minimal.) Mind you, this is an Italian restaurant, not Spanish. The bartendar gives us one white and two red "Sangrias", aka contents poured out of a bottle into wine glasses. Um...this is not how Sangria is traditionally served?? Warm "Sangria" from a bottle. No ice...No fruit...and out of in a bottle. ha ha This did not make a good first impression. Table was ready outside...Awesome Live music! Gorgeous Night! Something positive! Our server had an awesome attitude and was super friendly. Sadly, she knew nothing about the wines and honestly admitted it. But, we still loved her! Happily, the manager swapped out our faux Sangrias for the best wine in the house, Mark West Pinot Noir. It is certainly drinkable...Keep in mind that this is an American Italian chain, not a real Italian restaurant. If you wish to order the dishes pictured on the menu cover, don't get too excited as they are not available in Hawaii. We ordered the Caprese and half Mulberry half Caprese NY pizza. It was edible. Kona Brewing Co and Brick Oven have much better pizza!! All in all, if you live in Ewa and dont want to drive a distance, Russo's is a decent pizza place to have a beer and slice of pizza. Again..keep low expectations and it wont disappoint. I give it two stars as it is hit or miss...it was a miss for me and a hit would still be disappointing. The manager and some staff were nice...but lacking training. The overall business management from Corp level is lacking.
(2)Melissa B.
Been here twice and already know That this is our new favorite place! Pizza bar is the best seat because you get to see all the action and love that goes into the cookin! Also, the cooks tell us jokes ;). The food is fast and delicious, period!
(5)Jordan C.
Awesome food. Awesome quality! Well worth the wait! There was a small wait but nothing too crazy. We started off with the spinach artichoke dip which was so fresh and delicious!! The food came out at a reasonable time too! I ordered the chicken puttanesca which had a nice spice to it and My girlfriend had the Greek calzone (also fresh and delicious). For the 2 of us our bill came out to $45 without dessert (cuz we were stuffed!!). Very reasonable for the amount and quality. Besides the food being great we also had wonderful service!! Definitely coming back!!
(5)Dylan K.
I just want to start off that I have never used yelp in my life but I have to say my experience at russos coal fired grill calls for it. If I could I would give them a negative star if it was possible. I will start off how the experience went when me and 5 of my family members went to this restaurant to have a nice and pricey dinner. We walked in and was seated very quickly which I was actually a surprise since I have eaten there before and had to wait for alright service. We ran in to our first issue when we asked for their locally known bread they give with all their meals but apparently they were baking some so we patiently waited for it to come as well as waited almost just as long for straws. Unfortunately about 45 minutes later I noticed a bus boy come out grab a piece of bread out of the bin dip it in the oil and eat in front of us. This was just the beginning so I asked another waitress walking by how much longer the bread would be which I got the same excuse it's COOKING. What was the final straw was that they brought out our meal which was lasagna chicken marsala and 3 fettuccine Alfredo 's before the so called cooking bread was even brought to us (I'm not a professional chef but 2 millimeter thick bread in a 400 degree oven doesn't take that long) when the food came out the marsala was runny with almost water or grease dripping and the chicken tasted like it was previously frozen, the lasagna was also bland and tasted like the might have forgotten some of the seasoning. So I calmly asked for the manager which had taken almost 15 minutes for this young girl to come out in which she stated she was the only manager in the building. I began explaining what had happen which I think she had taken in what I was saying but it didn't seem like it mattered, she stood with a smile on her face almost holding back laughter in which case I asked for the general manager. She told me again that she was the only manager In the store at this time none of my family members had touched their food and I told her we were just going to leave. At this moment a gentlemen came out in an Aloha shirt that barley fit and told us now he was the owner of the restaurant in which case I told him exactly what happened and that she said she was the only manager; at that point he gave us the same excuses the other manager had. He began getting very defensive when I began telling him how the experience went. I was absolutely taken back on how he acted practically threatening to call the cops for walking out in which I told him to go ahead and how I work in customer service and somewhat known around the island. He then began to pretty much argue with me in which case I began walking out he then quickly told me that he would comp the food as long as we never came back and began taking pictures with his cell phone so he could "remember us". SO YOU KNOW WHAT thank you for the mediocre food but non of my friends family members or anyone I deal with will ever go to this restaurant again. I eat out at on a regular basis at a broad spectrum of restaurants and i have never been treated so poorly
(1)Christopher A.
the portions are humongous! that may have won my votes over, but still. the service is pretty on point, the atmosphere is great for families and friends alike. they sometimes have live music which is definitely a plus for me. oh and how can i forget, they have a gigantic pizza. and it's freakin delicious.
(5)Nathan M.
Decided to try them out today. Pros: We arrived around 5:30 pm not very busy yet. Friendly greeting upon arrival. Seated quickly Pleasant waitress came to table right away and explained the concept / history. Took drinks and appetizer order Drinks came out quickly Appetizers came out quickly too We also recieved pizza crust pieces and olive oil and herb dipping. Food came out quickly too. Bathroom was clean Thanked when leaving by waitress and front. What we ordered: Ice tea and water Meatballs (Ok could hsve been hotter) Garlic knots (Good) Cucumber salad (Best thing we ordered) Risotto with vegetables and chicken (Not so good) didnt taste like risotto very soupy. Large pizza (Crust too thick for us, just not what we expected. Nothing special. Pizza hut is better to us and we dont even like Pizza hut. Lol) Now for the cons: Seated by the door in the back for the outside seating. Constant server traffic. Door opening and closing. Very worn Menus and dirty, odd for being new. Constant large fly buzzing us and landing on food (probably from door being open) Waitress forgot straws for our drinks and she had to be flagged down to get them. Drinks weren't filled regularly (had to ask) Main course came out too quick hadn't finished our salad and appetizer (just a pet peave of ours) Expensive for the quality. (Portions were large though) Overall not horrible, seems like they are improving. Food could be better. I really hope they succeed, we need more resturants in Ewa. Not for me but I will return in a couple of months to see if they have improved.
(2)Monica J.
Food was great! Pizza was fantastic! We started with calamari and it was fresh and tasty. The five layer chocolate cake was decadent with their fresh brewed coffee. The service was good but we had to wait a bit but once it got going it was worth it. I know there are some new servers who are new to business so be kind as they are getting the ropes. A few kinks to work out since its a new establishment but will work itself out soon. Give it try, its definitely worth it!
(4)YanYan Y.
I came here during lunch on a Sunday and was seated right away. Food was delicious! Esp the free bread yummy. I had the Eggplant Parmesean and my mother had the Spicy Alfredo Fetciunni. Waitress was friendly. I gave them 4 stars because the bus boy was annoying me lol. He did not once smile and when he cleaned our table he was a bit rude. I'm coming back to try out their pizza and wings! Oh and more free bread.
(4)Manu B.
If youre under the impreasion that this is like a CPK restaurant then forget it! Not very pleased at all. It's not "authentic" Italian food as they say and they are far from it. I ordered the flat bread caprese pizzotto sandwich. Simple right? Nope...no taste to it and it was drenched in olive oil. The spinach and artichoke dip was more like a mushroom soup type of texture with the whole heart of the artichoke. Spinach leaves were full leaves and not fully cooked. Caesars salad had an overwhelming amount of blue cheese crumbles rather than parmesian. Our waitress Tiani was very nice however the food doesn't seem to do it for me.
(1)rasa f.
I am disappointed to have to say that my veggie pizza and Mediterranean salad were tasteless, the service was lukewarm, and we certainly won't be back. My family are gourmet pizza connoisseurs, especially when it comes to fire oven pies. So when we heard Russo had newly opened, and with a coal fired oven!, we excitedly made the drive from town to Ewa. We quickly knew what we wanted, and though the place was nearly empty, no one came to take our order for 10 minutes. We had to flag someone down to let them know we're ready. After that, they came over right away with toasty warm bread and a super delicious herbed vinegar-olive oil dip (hence the star). Based on the quality of the bread and dip, we thought we were in for a treat. A big, beautiful salad came, which we dove into, but right away looked at each other surprised. Not only did the lettuce, tomato, artichoke have zero flavor, but there was only a tiny piece of Gorgonzola on top and the sun dried tomato and kalamata olives tasted old, leaving a lingering bad taste. We waited a ridiculously long time for the pizza, which made no sense given the place was empty! When it finally came, the pie was piping hot, with olives, mushroom, tomato, basil and some very wilted, squishy bell peppers. We began devouring. We kept taking bites and looked at each other quizzically. It had NO flavor? How can pizza with veggies and cheese have no flavor?! But it didn't have any juiciness that leaves you eager to keep eating. The sole pleasure was the warmth. We asked for more of that amazing vinegar-oil dip and poured that on the pizza, then we put salt, pepper, Parmesan and hot pepper, and that made it at least eatable. No one checked on us the entire time to see whether we needed anything or to ask how is everything. I had to flag someone to refill our water and the man stood there and with attitude called to my waitress, can you get them some water. It took her literally five minutes to bring the water. Overall, terribly disappointing experience. Wasted drive, wasted money, wasted calories. I'm sticking with Kiawe pizza, Infernos and JJ Dolans.
(1)Jimie R.
They have really improved since they first opened. The staff is much better and the food is really good. That said I have to say that I have only been back at non peek hours. I had the Garlic Flat bread, Carbanara and a cappuccino, all were very good. My daughter really likes their spaghetti.
(4)Will C.
First and last time we will go here... food not so great, prices are too high. Water took plate away before I was done... Palazzo Italian Restorante in Aiea is Way better.
(2)Christine C.
Service was really slow although she did apologize for it. Things we wanted on the menu; they did not have..same goes for the kids menu. Now, when it was time for the check, it took approximately half an hour for her to complete it. They also did not honor the military discount; when they have given it to us the week before when we ate there. She said policies change.
(2)Korukai R.
We live nearby, we saw the opening, we cringed at the long line of excited foodies, and we waited a few months for the hype to die down...but it never really did? There is a guaranteed wait line outside this restaurant every Friday and Saturday night so we just had to sample the sensationalism and snuck in ahead of the dinner crowd one balmy Friday evening. Our Server was Brittene and she was just delightful, seating us at the pizza making bar and setting us up with wine and bread while we waited for our appetizers; muscles, prosciutto bruschetta, meatballs, and cucumber salad. We enjoyed watching the pizza chefs and Jesse made us a surprise which was pizza bread with piped ricotta cheese on top, really, he called it his surprise. And Johnny flipped dough, and sang, and had the most entertaining wit which felt like our own little dinner theater, lol. We could taste the happiness in our food, really, happiness is a flavor right? We are planning to go back with friends soon and we hope Johnny will sing for us again.
(4)Daren S.
My family and I have been to Russo four times and every time we went we had great service and the food was awesome. Melissa waited on us twice. The second time, she remembered us. Their tiramisu is the best I've tasted.
(4)Alison W.
Great food! I haven't had a bad meal at Russo's yet. Nice outdoor eating area where you can enjoy a glass of wine and a nice meal with friends and family. Other than it being a little small and not a lot of seating I haven't had any issues with Russo's. They also provide glutton free items as well.
(4)Xandria G.
I love Italian food so we came here to check it out. Overall, it was a nice experience and I think after they get into the groove of things and find that rhythm it will be GREAT! So I will start from beginning to end. Welcome Did not receive one. There was a waiter doing something at the front, the people make the pizzas and a guy who looked like he might be in charge - no one said a word. We were not even sure if we were supposed to seat ourselves... Staff Clean and very nicely dressed. Need to hire more people. The inside was completely full except a couple of chairs at the pizza bar. The outside was filling up quickly. Only 2 waiters/waitresses. The waiters/waitresses were very friendly and were doing their best to keep up with the amount of business they had. Wait time We waited at front to be seated about 5 minutes Another 7-8 minutes for our drinks and to take our order. Food arrived in about 15 minutes- not bad for specially prepared dishes. Food Delicious!
(4)Rach K.
Pros: Decent restaurant in ewa beach Decent food Good decor Nice waiters Cons: -Expensive for what you get -appetizer took 30 min -Balding manager that yells at waitstaff & glares at you as if he's losing money while he waits on you to finish eating - good but not great food
(3)christoper l.
If you live in or near Ewa Beach I really suggest you try Russo's. My friends and I have been here three separate times, and apart from small annoyances, have very much enjoyed ourselves. The food here is freshly made, not some frozen packaged junk, and I really think that the workers care about giving you a good experience. We sat at a table for lunch and really enjoyed the salad and calzone we ordered. The dough was very fresh and tasty. I also enjoy the complimentary foccacia that comes out automatically every time you dine here. Our server Jo was excellent and efficient. The second visit was with our auntie friend who doesn't really like much of anything, but she certainly enjoyed everything we tried. The roasted garlic flat bread was amazing, the caprese salad just ok, only because I don't like it doused in a lot of dressing, and it was. The pasta and chicken excellent, even though I think you can afford to give a larger pasta portion, the meatballs were also A okay. The only complaint this night was the choice of loud rock music, wrong venue for that music. The jazzy dinner music is much better. Our third visit we were asked to wait about 5-10 minutes, we sat at the bar but the bartender kept disappearing and we never got a drink before we were seated, and then were sat at a small table by the bathroom, that table sucked, it should only be used as a last resort! We asked to be moved to the pizza bar area and really, really enjoyed our server Shea, and the two pizza experts working the ovens. They were fun, entertaining, and just downright nice. Oh the pizza was delicious as well! We also enjoyed some fresh ricotta cheese with our foccacia. It was amazing. We had a lot of fun watching the guys flip dough and ham it up. I am sorry we forgot to ask them their names, but we will next time. Everyone working here was really proud of what they do and it showed in the food. I have no hesitation recommending Russo's to any of my foodie friends. You get good food and drink at reasonable prices served with care and attention. Far better than the food up the street in Kunia. Not sure about the taste of some of the reviewers I have read here, but I have certainly been very pleased thus far. Cannot wait to go again and try the pomodoro we saw being freshly made. Keep up the good work and we will be back time and time again! CHECK OUT THE VIDEO ENJOY!! youtube.com/watch?v=GUB4…
(4)Kevin B.
No one greets you at the door and it's not clear if you should wait or find your own seat. Service is SLOW!!! Got tired of waiting in my food paid for the appetizer and went to Teddy burger.
(1)Karen C.
Very pleased with the great food. The portions are huge! Very nice staff, a little slower than some places but in Hawaii it's aloha time frame. The excellent food made up for it. Cucumber salad is awesome and do is the calzones and sandwiches. Was a wonderful lunch and very friendly staff. We will visit again!
(5)Joseph M.
Living in Ewa Beach it was nice to have something opening that we did not have to drive 20 minutes to get a quick bite to eat. Went on 1/29/14 for lunch right around 11:15am. Only a couple tables were seated at the time but I think it was due to it being there 2nd day of business. Our service was spot on. If and when you decide to try Russo's request Jasmine if she is working. She is very attentive, pleasant and knowledgeable about the menu . I had a Calzone with Italian Sausage, Canadian Bacon, Mushroom, Pineapple and Mozzarella. It came out very hot and tasty, maybe a bit to much dough but it was still very good. It is also a large portion ( had to take half home). Only draw back was that their Micros's system was down (Cash Only) so had to walk to ATM to take out cash, guess that's why manager was doing paper work on table. I would have sat outside, ( they have about 15 tables in a patio area) but it was rather windy. . Also the trainer they had working with the line cooks had a mustache and beard, saw him scratching his facial hair, don't think he handled any food (at least I hope not) and he may have went in back and washed his hands. I would give them another week or two to work out all the kinks... going back to give the pizza a try next. Draft beer looked nice and chilly but opted for a brewed iced tea instead. Will save the beer for another day. According to Jasmine they also do take out! Enjoy your experience it you go. As we left Russo's was quickly filling up with hungry lunch guest, so get there early.
(4)Evan N.
This place gets crowded on weekends with good live music and some good food. We had a pizza and a pasta and both were good. Not the absolute best but they weren't hideous. The pasta wasn't fresh but it was cooked properly and the alfredo sauce was standard. The pizza was a typical California style with a thicker, chewier crust (awesome). You can taste the difference the wood fire makes in their oven. The service was pretty lax. It took us a while to get asked where we wanted to sit and after we chose to sit at the bar the girl just pointed and gave us a "meh" kinda look. The Server was also slow. I looked like the entire bar/counter and the tables next to it were all being served by 1 person. The Server looked like "I can only do so much" and we didn't get menus or our food very fast. I will probably go back for some small later-in-the-evening food, probably just to listen to music, drink some wine, and eat some Apps. Convenient if you live in Ewa Beach.
(3)Gwen H.
We love this place! Attentive service and yummy pizza - sit by the pizza oven and watch the Chef's work if possible!
(5)Aloha C.
I love love the house bread with evoo and vinegar! Food is great - service is ok - we have received great service most of the time but it gets busy on the weekend evenings and service seems to slack only then (slow)
(4)Jerome M.
So, my wife and I have been here twice now. The first, the day after they opened. We came in, it was quiet and we were seared right away, the bread they brought out was fantastic, nice focaccia. We ordered, it took a lot long than it should of, but the waitress was attentive and apologetic. The food came out... Mind you my appetizer, with the main entree. The coal fired wings were fantastic, nice crunch and awesome flavor. The main dish was just ok, I felt a few tweaks and it could be great, but as it was, just ok... Second time we went, a few months later, again pretty quiet, but this time, it took 5-10 minutes before we were acknowledged, and a few more before someone came and wondered why no one was at the hostess station. We were sat, this time the bread was a lot thinner, and now so crunchy it didn't really absorb the balsamic, oil and spice mixture and was just meh....now we ordered, again I had the wings, because they were so good the last time, but we got them, and they were on the low side of mediocre and so disappointing. We had the pizza that was pretty good, but overall meal was just ok, and for the prices I expected much more. Oh I also forgot to mention, the service this time... TERRIBLE, our waiter was so busy trying to go home, he didn't bother refilling drinks or even really talk to us. Then as we were leaving we ordered dessert to go. And they were going to bring us a box with the cake in it, well 10 minutes later we get up and go to the hostess station and the woman who was supposed to bring the dessert was to busy chatting with her coworkers and laughing, with our dessert just sitting right there.... Really??? I may try it one more time... I don't know, their customer service needs tons of work and their quality also needs some work. Especially to charge the High prices.
(2)Joni B.
They fixed their server issues. Food is worth the wait, always. Yum!!!! It used to take a lot to get the servers' attention. I've had three positive experiences since my last review. The lasagna is the BEST. Everything is so delicious. So glad to have this place on the west side!!!
(5)Pamela C.
Stopped by Russo's for lunch Today and so impressed. I had the Minestrone soup. The entire crew was awesome and treated me like I had ordered the entire menu. In addtion, Russo's are Military and Policeman friendly. This is going to be my place and were I can bring my clients for an awesome lunch!
(5)Kevin H.
This place is awesome, service is comedic. Sit at the bar and just wait for the meltdown to commence among the servers. I do not blame the servers, management is nonexistent. Bar tenders are pretty good. The unintentional entertainment gives this place 5 stars easy.
(5)Judy S.
We ordered chicken piccata pasta n the risotto primavera with chicken. The chicken piccata was bland had to put lots of salt n pepper. Also it had sundried tomatoes n to me it doesn't compliment the dish. I had chicken piccata from different restaurants before n this didn't taste like a chicken piccata. The bf had risotto primavera which was good but it's too saucy. The only thing that I like was the complimentary bread.
(2)Ralph Y.
I've read some other reviews about the service being somewhat lacking. Our experience was that the service was very good but the food was slow getting out. We were there fairly early on a Sunday (June 29, about 1130) and there was only another deuce that was in the place. We did order some drinks plus the meatball appetizer. A tad loose in terms of texture but flavor was good including the marinara sauce. We over ordered to ensure we'd bring home something for dinner. We had the shrimp pasta dish, the italian meat pizza, a garlic chicken pizza, and stromboli. Apparently the stromboli messed up the kitchen for whatever reason. The server kept coming over every so often to apologize and tell they were getting it ready. After reading the negative reviews about the service, I'm less inclined to return back. It is disappointing since the food is very good there but having such less than stellar kitchen really is going to hurt them in the long run. I saw one patron actually leave prior to his food coming out. He wasn't very happy at the time it was taking for his main course to come out. Again the worst part of all, that lack of a crowd. If it was busy w/nearly all tables taken, I can understand. Unfortunately, the place was only half filled at best and that was just the inside. I couldn't understand why the kitchen was not able to keep up.
(2)Denise O.
Mahalo nui loa to the excellent customer service Tiffany gave us! Her sense of Aloha was genuine and real, and we appreciate that!
(4)James W.
Service was better than i expected for a place less than a week old. Complimentary focaccia and olive oil was great! For starters ordered the garlic knots and a order of meatballs. The meatballs came out 15-20 minutes before the garlic knots. By the time the garlic knots came out, the meatballs were cold. The garlic knots were kind of doughey, not cooked all the way through. They were lacking garlic. The garlic rolls at Bravo are much better. Our main courses, chicken parmesan and eggplant parmesan were just OK. I've had better. I've had worse. The busboys were very friendly and attentive. One of them check on us 4 times during our stay, once offering me a free refill on my soda. I may go back again (or take out) to try the pizza.
(3)Stuart S.
This place consistently demonstrates how poor service looks like. Waited for 40 minutes only to get another line...wait 5 more minutes. Mind you this was on a Wednesday evening. I would not recommend anyone who values customer service to come here. If there were a negative star they would deserve it.
(1)Eric A.
Went to Safeway with family across the way and saw they were finally open. Didn't have any dinner plans so we went over and got an outside table. Since the place is new.....expect the service to a bit out of sync. Other than that the waiter was friendly and the food was great. I recommend the strumboli and the spinach and artichoke dip with bread appetizer. House red wine was good too. I highly recommend eating here since a good Italian restaurant is hard to find and we are lucky to have a good one in Ewa Beach.
(5)Chi-Hye M.
Why would a restaurant put something on their menu if it's not available? Service - normal, I guess noting spectacular. Server notifies us that the fig bruschetta usually takes 15 to 20 mins , so the wait time will be longer than the pizza we ordered. We get our pizza and then she tells us that they do not have any figs available at the moment and the manager has gone to purchase the figs. We decided to wait for the manager to return with the figs since we could take it home with us. When we are half way finished with our pizza we get told that there were no figs at the store. If there were no figs available, why would you tell us that the certain item takes longer than other items, then tell us that it's not available? Why? Just be honest and tell us its not available from the beginning. Food- There wasn't anything special here either. We had the Brooklyn pizza. It was very creamy and different. Pretty good a bit pricey. Ambiance- It's a small restaurant, but it's cozy. They also have seating outside available. Overall, I don't think I'll be returning.
(2)Len C.
Russo's, if you are tracking yelp posts: remove the table next to the entrance. We sat there tonight and had a parade of people standing next to our table. Hard to enjoy your dinner with someone's okole in your face. Maybe move the hostess stand in it's place. Food's good, server, Michelle was exceptional.
(3)Russel R.
This place is okay but I think its over priced. Having a live local band play during dinner was cool other than that I rather go somewhere else for better quality such as assagios or paesanos.
(2)Emily M.
We ate here at lunch because the night before there was an hour and 45 min wait. The food was good, decently priced and the wait staff was good as well but our waitress seemed a bit flustered and was very slow. Overall it was a great experience and we will be going back!
(4)John B.
Just ate at Russo's with the wife and daughter tonight for the first time and felt compelled to write this review. Our order - 2 waters 1 Fruit Punch Mozzarella Fritti (breaded mozzarella balls) Spinach Artichoke dip Fettuccine Alfredo Chicken Saltimboca Margarita pizza with added Italian Sausage The good - Pleasant hostess Party of three seated on a six top Fettuccine Alfredo Waitress was nice but need to work on her timing The bathrooms are clean The bad - On a Tuesday evening arrived at 6:00 and told it was a 20 minute wait but seated 35 minutes later Pasta and pizza stations separate so food will come out different times. Pasta dishes came out quick while pizza and spinach and artichoke dip really slow to serve (spinach dip came out AFTER our entrees were served) Pizza crust was dry and could've used more topping or maybe I'm used to CPK pizzas. Dipping crust in artichoke dip helped make the crust more palette able Service is bad. Waiters and waitresses all have tunnel vision so good luck trying to catch their attention. Had to ask several times for refill on water Mozzarella Fritti aren't worth the price, but are tasty. Glad they weren't over cooked If we ever make it back to Russo's we will stick to the pasta dishes but will need to get over tonight's experience first.
(2)Kelly I.
Went in for dinner tonight. Wasn't greeted with an Aloha or even a Hi. Watched a server clear tables slow as molasses and then what looked like a mgr half ass wiping down tables. We elected to sit outside this evening. Sat down and watched at least 3 servers walk by our table with no acknowledgement what so ever. We decided what we wanted to eat and after at least 5 min still NO GREETING FROM A SERVER!!! We got up and walked out and told the same mgr that we didn't get waited on we were leaving. He just said sorry and didn't offer us anything to make our experience better. I am a seasoned server (25yrs experience) and have never seen such poor attitudes toward customers!! They need a lesson in ALOHA and need to light a huge fire under their feet if they are gonna keep any business. They r lucky now just wait till BW3 goes in next door they will be screwed!! Not going back to the Ewa Beach location anytime soon!!!
(1)Melana T.
Terrible. Ordered takeout. Told it would take 20 minutes. Took over an hour. Only ordered a pizza and garlic knots. Pizza was cold and hard when we got it and the garlic knots were complete dough. Like so raw it was disgusting. Register girl with the curly hair and nice eyes was so rude. She completely snobbed another employee right in front of me and my boyfriends face. Get your guys act together, you're ruining the few good places Ewa Beach has.
(1)Ashley Y.
DON'T COME HERE! BEWARE: servers are untrustworthy and will add tips for themselves! So check your bank statement, keep your receipts and make sure your server did not add a tip for themselves! Was looking for an italian place, so read that this place had good reviews. So came here on a sunday night for takeout. REBECCA took my order (don't get served by her if she's still works there). Bill came about to $41 for a medium pizza and spicy shrimp Alfredo, kinda pricey in my opinion. But I really did enjoy the Alfredo, you don't normally find spicy Alfredo anywhere. I always check my bank statement. So when I look what I was charged for, it was for $41, then when I checked my bank statement again days later it was changed to $61. Went to the restaurant talked to the manager, told him that my total had changed to $20 more and my server most likely had given herself a $20 tip because I did leave the tip/total blank on the receipt (manager asked if my server was Melissa and that if I talked to him on the phone already, but I didn't, so apparently this is not the first this had happened). Anyways, the manager said she probably made a mistake. NEGATIVE! She gave herself that tip! The 4 is not next to the 6 so there is NO way she made a mistake because I checked my bank statement it was $41 first then changed to $61! So manager only refunded me my $20.. Nothing for my troubles for coming back to the restaurant for their wrong doing nor any reason for even giving this restaurant a second chance. So after that experience I'm never coming back here. In my opinion, the manager handled this situation poorly and I hope he did the right thing by firing Rebecca! Otherwise, this place needs new management!
(1)Lauren B.
This place is delicious! Very filling but super worth it! Casual atmosphere. The pita bread they bring you is to die for!
(5)Elsa N.
The food was excellent. Just remember it will take sometime since it is all handmade. Overall service was well expect since we had a large group of ten. Only one salad order came late. They did provide a slice of chocolate cake for our birthday guest at no charge. All ten of us enjoyed our dinner.
(5)Mike P.
Not bad at all! Pretty good customer service, although we went there close to closing and it wasn't busy at all. Awesome food too! YUMMY spinach and artichoke dip with bread! The pizza and the cannelloni were delicious also! The Lasagna needed cheese in the middle layers, it was a tad dry. Prices were on the high side, but Safeway prints out coupons for this place in the back of their receipts so it wasn't too bad. I would love to comeback and explore their menu!
(4)J S.
This place is amazing. The beer is always super cold and they have an amazing selection. The pizza is amazing. Fresh ingredients really come through in the sauce and dough. The calzone is EPIC! The servers are always clean and nice. Something you don't get around here from other restaurants. You can tell that the owner knows how to run a place! GREAT JOB !!!
(5)Lina S.
I've not had a bad experience at Russo's. The food is excellent (I've only had Italian food as good as this when I visited Boston's North End), the service is great, and it's so close to home! Props to waiters Max and Christian. Each time I come by, one of the two gentlemen take the time to connect with me as a person and not just as a transaction.
(5)Tyler Y.
It's been a LONG time since I last came to dine at Russo's. Despite having poor experiences in the past, my family and I came on a Friday night to celebrate me and my stepdad's birthday. I decided it'd be a smart idea to call for a reservation two hours in advance (knowing that it usually takes a while before being seated), BUT the restaurant DOES NOT take reservations on weekends (so I was told on the phone). When I got to the restaurant at 715pm with my family (a total of 8 of us), I was greeted by a hostess outside asking if I have a restaurant. I was very confused that she asked if I had a reservation, especially since I was told earlier that day that they don't take reservations on weekends... In the midst of the confusion, the hostess said they take reservations ONLY for parties of 15 people or more on weekends. Anyways, it took maybe a half hour before my family and I were seated. We ended up being seated outside (because a party of 10 didn't show up for their reservation). Again, I was confused because the hostess told me reservations are allowed for parties of 15 or more on weekends; however, they took a reservation for 10 people? The consistency of communication is lacking. But the wait went past being seated... We ordered a few apps to start: garlic knots, calamari, Greek salad, and a large pizza (yes we ordered pizza as an appetizer LOL...). In my opinion, I could care less for those garlic knots... Basically like Little Ceasar's crazy bread but covered in butter, garlic, and parsley. On a good note, appetizers came out fairly quickly, thank goodness! However, our entrees took a VERY LONG TIME... I'm not sure if they were short staffed in the kitchen or what, but we seriously went through our appetizers and house bread in 30-40 minutes and had nothing at the table at all for some time... Despite the very long wait, the food arrived hot and fresh! I was afraid that it would've arrived lukewarm from sitting at the counter but that was not the case. My mom did notice something though. She ordered carbonara and noticed there were no peas (which were in dish the last time she visited Russo's) and barely any bacon pieces. Unfortunately I can't remember our server's name... Male server, with a buzz cut and gauges. He was very sincere and keen to check up on us. With the long wait that took place, our server offered a free dessert. We took advantage of the free dessert and in addition ordered a few more LOL. We tried the chocolate layer cake, Italian cream cake, and tiramisu. All were VERY DELICIOUS and moist. Kudos to our server for doing an exceptional job and being professional. Will I come here again? Not anytime soon. The service has always been well below average when it comes to being seated and waiting for dishes. And I find that there's a lack of consistency between servers, their manager, and just overall service.
(3)Zoe T.
First time here and the place is amazing. Great customer service, awesome food and they even have a guy tossing the pizza dough in the air. Did I mention awesome food? for appetizer we had the mussels. OMG the spicy marinara sauce that was over the mussels was amazing. I had to take home the sauce and the rosemary bread. I had the fresh jumbo shrimp with angel hair pasta and a spicy tomato sauce. I'm in love! It was soo good. My next trip there will be ro try their pizza!
(5)Joanne M.
So this was our 3rd visit to Russo's. Third time's supposed to be the charm, but it didn't work this time. The food was excellent...once you get it. Their service, or lack-of always seems to be the issue. We waited about 10 minutes for our table, which wasn't too bad and sat for maybe 5 minutes before our Server stopped by. It was funny, we're both over 50 & somewhat gray-haired & we got carded when we ordered our Sangria (which was very delicious!). We did get the Caprese (best Balsamic reduction EVER!) in a reasonable amount of time then the Garlic Knots (to die for!) followed after a while. We sat for at least 30 minutes before our empty Caprese plate & Sangria glasses were cleared then had to ask about our main course. Our Server offered no apology but said she'd check on it then about 10 minutes later brought our entrees. It was just over an hour from the time we ordered our drinks until we got our main entree and by then we'd filled up on the bread so we took most of our entrees home. Maybe it's a better take out restaurant... The food is definitely above average! Wish I'd had room for dessert. :)
(3)Vince D.
Was met with a nice smile, happy attitude. GREAT wait help very up beat girl always checking up on us. Helpful with our orders and answered all our questions. .warm complimentary bread and balsamic dip hits the spot . Yummy enjoyed that all night with my pinot noir ..All entrees we ordered was made well and taste ONO...... coming back again soon.
(5)Roxanne Lynn T.
This restaurant is far from my neck of the woods so I left it up to my friend who lives like a couple minutes away to decide where to eat for lunch. It's located in that new Shopping Area that surrounds a lot of restaurants and shopping nearby. We arrived around 1pm, it wasn't too busy as we were able to get seated the minute we walked in. We were offered water and some seasoned flat bread and balsamic dip as we were seated. I love bread, so it was a good start to eating an Italian meal. My friend and I shared two entrees: the Tuscan Chicken Salad that was $15. It was grilled chicken with romaine lettuce, tortellini pasta, feta cheese, roasted peppers and pesto sauce. It was well presented and it was different than your typical salads, so I enjoyed its flavorful ingredients that was mixed in. We also ordered the Spaghetti Carbonara for about $16 that wasn't as heavy as other pastas. It had thinly sliced Italian meat mixed it with tortellini pasta, feta cheese, roasted peppers, and pesto sauce. It complimented our balanced lunch meal with the salad and the portions were more than enough for the both of us. Service was attentive and friendly that day with courtesy check from the waitress to see if we were doing okay. The ambiance was clean and welcoming. You get what you pay for here. It's an average amount to pay for Italian food. Our food came out in a timely manner as the salad and main entree came out around the same time. I'd recommend this place for those who live in the area and are pasta lovers.
(4)Roxy W.
I came for lunch and enjoyed the Tuscan Chicken Salad and Spaghetti Carbonara. They we both rich in flavor and delicious. Both dishes were less than $15. The amount of food they give can definitely be shared between two adults. I'm glad I tried this place again. My husband enjoyed my leftovers and is looking forward to his first visit here.
(4)Lisa L.
I must be an idiot to give this place another try, seriously. If I could give zero stars this time I would. Went here last night with my two daughters (7/18/15). We ordered two glasses of wine to start, each glass was $6.50 and while I understand the glass won't come filled to the rim, it was only maybe a quarter full. Are you kidding me? Two swallows and it would be gone, let's just say we had to take very small sips to make it last. We brought this to the attention of our waitress (Brit) and she said it's a 6 oz pour and that's "just how it is soooo" then she rolled her eyes at us! 6 oz pour is understandable, ( I guess ) but when the guy on the table next to us gets a glass of wine half full then there's a problem!! We ordered the calamari for appetizer, it was good but for 15 bucks the amount they give just wasn't worth it (like 10 pieces so over a buck a piece).The bread they gave was cold. I ordered the small Mediterranean Salad and added shrimp to it (lost my appetite to eat a full meal). The salad was yummy but when I took a bite of my shrimp it was completely raw! Returned it and they remade me another salad and this time shrimp was cooked (well yay!). The good part is they removed from my bill. The food took a long time to come out and while my daughters meal was good it just wasn't an enjoyable experience and I just wanted to get out of there. I'm done this time. For realz!
(1)Nicole F.
the wait time wasn't too bad..actually it was almost empty. we came around 415ish on a Saturday. we had a party of 8 so we were seated in the far back next to the restrooms no complaints. the waitress, Reese (sp?) was super helpful with our orders and always tried to satisfy our needs with the menu and refilling our drinks. the food was okay. didn't seem too special. the knots were yummy but I prefer the garlic balls from bravo's. would come again if I'm in the area..I live in town (20 mins drive no traffic).
(4)Tamra P.
Came here for lunch with a moms group and was surprised how accommodating they were with a large amount of children/high chairs. We were out on the patio in the summer heat but those big umbrellas worked out well. Service was great, food was delicious (shared a veggie pizza), perfect crust on the thinner side. I'd definitely come back and it's a great spot for families with kids.
(4)Cynthia O.
The service was very friendly and food very timely. Our sever was Raymond was very helpful and checked on us often. We ordered a lot of food and has leftovers I enjoyed the white sangria with the eggplant Romano and garlic knots. We would go back again
(5)Rob S.
I had read reviews - when they first opened - and we waited a bit - they are EXCELLENT - tho service needs to be more attentive - BUT the food is awesome - like the foods there - desserts they are simply divine -
(5)Lyla D.
"When the moon hits your eye, like a big pizza pie, that's amore"... Our GPS led us to Laulani Village Shopping Center and directly to the doorstep of Russo's! We were greeted as soon as we entered, a host led us to a table (we requested indoor, air-conditioned comfort) and in a few seconds, our waiter, Tito greeted us. We mentioned to Tito that this was our first time here and he enthusiastically started to describe some of the house and his personal favorites. During the few minutes while he was getting our icy beverages, we decided on starting with the Calamari Fritti with house Marinara sauce. Tito also brought us a basket of hot from the coal-fire oven flat bread and a dish of olive oil/balsamic oil and rosemary for dipping. The bread was light and a bit chewy. It was a nice change from thick slices of bread that you sometimes end up filling up on before your meal arrives. Our plate of Calamari Fritti arrived... the rings and legs were tender and had a nice crisp, seasoned, crust. The Italian seasoning in the crust went well with the Marinara. We ordered one of their specialty pizzas, the Paisano pizza. A Russo's pizza is NOT like Pizza Hut, Domino's or Papa John's. It's closer to a New York-style pizza that has a crisp, thin crust yet soft and chewy enough that you can fold each slice in half to eat it. No utensils, needed, but, if you prefer, a fork and knife is there for your use. The pizza is NOT round but more square and comes cut into 9 pieces which they claim serves 1-2. Uh, we had left overs. At first glance, I thought the pizza was scantily topped with pepperoni, sliced sausage, crisp red onions, Italian roasted red peppers, olive oil and fresh garlic. But, looks can be deceiving! This pizza packed a good flavor punch! It was not overwhelming with heavy cheeses or sauce. It reminded us of pizza that we ate in Naples or Sicily. Tito stopped by to check on us several times and refilled our beverages without us even asking. We had a few moments to converse with him because we had earlier ogled the pasta dishes that were served on the next table. The portions were huge, the aromas were appealing and the women on that table obviously liked what they ordered. We enjoyed our first experience and Tito really was an excellent service person. He was friendly, descriptive, attentive and efficient. The food was more authentic than other local Italian restaurants (save for our faves- Taormina and Cafe Sistina) and was a nice casual wine-bar, family restaurant. We'll surely be back to try more of their dishes and hope that Tito will be there, too.
(4)Jaci G.
The wood fire pizza is very good, as well as the pasta dishes. The sangria is also worth getting. Friendly staff and great patio seating.
(4)Ingrid K.
I came back and the service is still lacking I waited 30 minutes for my tea and bread. The bread is still outstanding. The wings and my lasagna were still amazing but it's pricey. I paid $1.25 for extra sauce. Is the sauce great? Yes! It tastes like I am back in New York eating Itallian food made my Itallians but it was already $15.95 for my lasagna and it needs the extra sauce. There was one little lady busting her butt at the bar and serving tables. I saw plenty staff and It was half empty because we came at 430 but we didn't get the service and attention that you would get at Bravos. Whether I return is questionable.
(2)Lisa S.
Cute little Italian Restaurant out in EWA. Greeted by two lovely ladies in the front, NO wait for outside tables, gladly accepted it! Our first time here and I must say we were enlightened by our friendly waitress by the name of Lindsay, originally from NYC but resides in Wahiawa, she was so warming and absolutely knowledgable about the restaurant, she gave us great recommendations and we were happy with all of them from Drinks-Appetizer-Main Dish-Dessert, she made sure we had a memorable experience and we certainly did! I will gladly recommend this place to anyone, away from the downtown hustle & bustle..bring your friends, family, co-workers for a nice Italian Meal sure to make your tummy happy! Prices are average, Quantity is Excellent and the Food Quality I give it a 9 outta 10, take my word for it, Give this place a try you won't be disappointed. A+++
(5)Kianna H.
Husband and I went for a date night 2 nights ago. The food was tasty although the cannelloni (sp?) Could've been a little warmer. Everything else was good. While eating we both agreed that adding mixed drink options to the menu would be really nice. Overall, nice experience and tasty food.
(4)Cherisse E.
This is probably the third time we've had Russo's. The first time was shortly after they opened and the food was not great (but we got take-out and that can make a big difference) and the staff seemed unorganized. Our second visit was much nicer, we dined-in and the staff was wonderful and helpful. We had to try to order a pizza for my son with a soy & nut allergy. We ended up getting him pasta, which he loved. Tonight, we ordered take-out, and the food was really tasty. It's a bit on the expensive side when you consider its take out pizza. But the quality and flavor of the food is good. I'm used to eating really delicious pizza when I lived on the east coast, in New York as well as in New London, they had the best pizza. Of course, Russo's doesn't compare to that, but it's very good food considering it's in Ewa Beach.
(4)Kristen B.
After already waiting 30 minutes to come pick up our food, once we got here, they told us they messed up our order completely and had to remake all of our food. They said they sent out our pizzas to some other table, leaving us with a completely wrong order. So, then we had to wait an extra 20 minutes to get our food. The service was horrible from the start. I had to wait 8 minutes on the phone to talk to someone, and then once we got here, the host told me to stand outside and wait for him to come get me.... WITH THE WRONG FOOD. Would not recommend this place for Italian cuisine. The food might be good, but the service and price is not worth it.
(2)Ashley N.
Oh boy, where should I start.... - Checked in with a party of 7and no one ahead of us, waited an hour. After about the first ten minutes of waiting we saw two tables clear out next to each other which we assumed they would set up for us. Instead, they sat a small group (one of many who checked in after us) on one those tables instead of another empty one that was available.... and we had to continue to wait. - FINALLY, we were seated. Of course it would be our luck that we had fresh carnations on the center of our table with two dead/dying flies on it which we asked the waiter to remove. - Next, we ordered drinks....my dad ordered a glass of wine and the waiter asked to see his I.d.....mind you, he's 65 years old...naturally he was confused as he probably hasn't been carded in 30+ years. - Anyways, we then ordered our food and had some bread while we waited. It was taking awhile so we asked for more. He came back about 10-15 minutes later and said that there was some in the oven right now and it would be about 4 more minutes. That never happened. - So our main dishes came....well, at least everyone else's did. The waiter came back 5 minutes later and told me that another server had taken his dish and given it to their table so they were working on a new one for me. - Twenty minutes go by before someone else brings me my dish....a Penne Mediterranean with multi-grain pasta....which was not what I ordered. Now, I've had this dish twice before so I do have something to compare it to. Anyhow, I figured what the heck, multi-grain is better for you anyway, I'll just eat it. Until I realized it was swimming in an Italian-like Dressing. The menu describes it as pine nuts, garlic, olive oil, spinach, sundries tomatoes and feta cheese. It was definitely not olive oil, there was no cheese and there was no garlic. By the way, my dad ordered Chicken Piccata and there were no capers. We hadn't seen our waiter for another 20 minutes after my dish was dropped so I couldn't tell him about my food. - Whatever. We ask the guy that brought our food for more bread because we didn't get it the first time. He came back 5 minutes later with four pieces of bread (for the 7 of us) and said this is all we have left, there's some that just went in the oven, I'll get you guys more if you want some. - Moving on. Last thing....our waiter finally came back and so I had asked if they had changed their ingredients because mines was missing so many things. I showed it to him and he apologized and said that the kitchen kept messing up his orders tonight. He said he'll have another one made and he'll box it up to go, which at that point I was fine with. - Later he came back and said he was going to get us all refills, which would've been the first one for all of us that night. Instead, only my mom got an ice tea refill. - Oh, and then my "corrected" order came back in a to-go box. I peeked inside to see if it was what it normally looks like. Nope. They gave me the exact same thing. And the Italian dressing they used was hot so it continued to cook (I assume) on my way home, the pasta was mushy when I took a bite so I threw it away. So to sum things up. We got there at 6:30, left at 9:30 on a Sunday. Management, if it exists, is extremely poor. The restaurant is very unorganized. It's unfortunate because the food is very good but I believe overall customer experience is what ultimately defines a restaurant...you can always improve the food. Here are a few suggestions; 1. Hire a FOH and BOH (am and pm) shift lead or manager, it seems there is no on in charge, employees are clearly lost. 2. Train the employees on how to seat and manage the work area 3. Delegate tasks better...are employees a Host? Are they servers? Are they bussers? To me, it seems like everyone is trying to do everything. 4. Someone needs to get on the food line as a Quality Assurance person. Employees can't be over there grabbing any ol' plate they see. If you already have a QA, find a new one.... 5. Hire a manager that will be there. You can't just have an owner...and worker bees....you need the in-betweens. I do like the food but probably won't dine-in anytime again soon.
(1)Cheryl K.
Food is delicious, but they have the worst service I have ever experienced. I went with my family to eat dinner. It took 15 minutes to get greeted and get water. Overall we were there for almost three hours. Soup and salad came after I finished my entree. One of our party members did not get their entree. The server said they gave it to the wrong table and then avoided our table for the rest of the night. We waited over 1.5 hours for that one entree item before asking them to pack it to go. We then waited another half hour before giving up on it completely. We then asked to speak to a manager and stood in the front for at least 20 minutes before giving up on that and left with no one saying a word. We spent about $160 on one of the worst dining experiences. I'm sure it's not like this all the time, but I don't think I would be willing to sit down at this restaurant ever again.
(1)Lorilynn L.
A much better experience. Our server Tito was on point, making excellent recommendations and the food was delish!! Fresh bread, warm and toasty, right out if the oven with flavors that burst!! Thank you Russo!!
(4)Paula M.
Not really impressed with their take-out service. Phone ordered for take out. Was told it would be ready between 20-25 minutes. It's been about 40 minutes and my order isn't ready. Mind you, all I ordered was a baked ziti -_- However! The food is awesome. Probably one of the best. Great addition to the Ewa restaurants! :)
(4)Bella B.
sad to say but one of the worst dining experience. we get in there on saturday around 215 they are not that busy but 15 min wait for a table for 2. so we waited. i noticed no one left before we were seated. and we had to wait for a table. so i was already annoyed. they put us in a far from sight table and forgot we were there. finally they checked on us and we ordered. i had to send back our bread plates because they were greasy. ravioli chicken marsala and meatball was our order. everything was okay just basic italian food. we ordered dessert 7.50 for all desserts its not bad price but rather outrageous if you order the cannoli. u get one and not even as described in the description. it was not even pastry it was a stale cookie. one of the worst desserts i have tried to date. wat makes this experience worse was my waiter. i try to be polite but u cant blame other customers for forgetting you have a table. he was rushing us the whole meal. and then when he dropped the bill his shift must have ended because he was no where to be found and then it took forever for someone else to cash me out. i feel bad for the west side if this is the food and service they give. you are better off driving to aiea or town to get italian food
(1)Jason D.
I read about this chain restaurant opening a while ago and was intrigued - never heard of them before or seen them in my travels -that means I needed to check it out one day. That one day finally came and my friend and I made it out to Ewa Beach. It's located in the new Laulani Village Shopping Center where Safeway and Walgreens is. It's located in the corner closest to Laulani and Fort Weaver Road - good to know since this shopping center is big and still growing. The first thing we noticed was that the outside was quite unassuming - maybe you can't do much in a new shopping center. Anyway, once we walked in, we couldn't notice how small the place was. But given the size, the decor was modern with cement floors, solid wooden tables and a nice marble counter where you can clearly see their coal oven. Walking in further, you'll notice an outdoor seating area - not sure if that gets much use in the summer in Ewa. Service - when we walked in, the hostess was busy on the phone and there was no acknowledgement that she would be right with us. Luckily they had take out menus so we could peruse the menu while waiting. We waited a few minutes then a gentleman sat us, but he wasn't too friendly either. Our server finally came. She was friendly but didn't mention anything about the daily lunch special that was posted on the wall - I should've asked because it sounded pretty good. She quickly took our order, you know - the "hello, how are you, what can I get you?" We definitely needed a few minutes actually since their menu is quite large. Food - their complimentary bread is a pita-ish dough and has rosemary and other herbs on it. It's served with a balsamic-olive oil combo. Skip this and what they should have complimentary are their garlic knots! For $7.95 you get 4 awesome and not too garlicky knots, served with warm marinara. My friend and I commented we could eat this for lunch on its own! Regarding bringing out the food - I wished both my and my friends entree came out at the same time - mine came out 5 minutes before my friends - the restaurant was not busy. I ordered the cannelloni which is a rolled pasta stuffed with shredded chicken, spinach and mozzarella cheese, topped with more cheese and marinara sauce. The chicken was flavored with herbs that I couldn't put my finger on and didn't resonate well with me. It tasted fine but I wouldn't get it again. My friend ordered a calzone and that was huge! It was a lot of bread and not much filling. But my friend commented that we ate a lot of bread already, so maybe we were "breaded" out. Overall - if you live in Ewa and don't want to drive anywhere else, give these guys a try. Maybe you'll like it. Oh and they have happy hour from 2 - 6. Discounted drinks but none on food from what I could see.
(3)Zuzu2u B.
Love this place and love that it's so close to home. We often order takeout on Sundays -a day on which I never want to cook. I find the meatballs a bit dense and over-herbed. And that's about the only negative I have. Another review said a six oz pour was too small obviously doesn't get out much. A wine glass should never be filled. Five or six oz is the correct pour for proper enjoyment and development of bouquet. I do find that it's usually best to order a bottle, especially since we have a law which allows doggy - bagging the remainder, (if any!). I admit I do not know if Russo's offers bottle service. In general I would recommend this place for a nice meal at a fair price. It's great having new options out here in Ewa Beach.
(4)Misty P.
I went here excited that an Italian chain restaurant was on the westside. This restaurant is located in the new shopping complex on Keaunui Dr. tucked in a separate building by Safeway/City Mill and Petco. Parking was plentiful as it is only surrounded by a nail salon and a Korean BBQ place. We went at 5pm because we don't like waiting and crowds. The restaurant was fairly empty at this time with probably only 4 tables taken. We were seated right away and given our menus. That's when it went downhill. At first our waitress was attentive and kept coming to our table - maybe a bit too attentive. She kept asking if we were ready, in which we replied we were not. Every other minute she'd come by and being that the menu is extensive and this was our first time, bugging us to order was getting annoying...The menus were laminated and on most pages they had old marinara sauce or it was greasy...gross. When we ordered drinks, my friend asked what kind of wine they had or if they had a drink menu. The waitress was not knowledgeable at all and said they currently did not have a drink menu because it is in the process of being printed (???) and she did not know what kind of wine they had. Lame...try go look girl... The complimentary bread came out. It was delicious. The bread is a flat foccacia type bread with herbs on top. Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. It came with an olive oil/balsamic/herb dip. Finally I decided on the thin crust Paisano pizza, which came with red onion, bell peppers, Italian sausage and Pepperoni. My friend got the Mediterranean pasta which had penne pasta, what appeared to be goat cheese, spinach and tomato. The food came out in about 15 minutes. My pizza was great. I loved the thin crispy crust and the toppings. You can see them making your pizza if you're seated near their brick oven. My friend's pasta on the other hand was gross. Getting the check and having the waitress take the check was a pain in the ass. It took another 15 minutes for the check to come out and maybe 20 minutes for her to take it. She kept rotating serving tables and manning the front hostess area when someone already was there...I don't understand it. The restaurant was slow and they had enough staff wandering around aimlessly. When you tried to flag her down as she passed by, she had tunnel vision and went straight to the table she was aiming for. If it wasn't for the pizza being delicious, I would have given 2 stars. If they don't train their waiters and waitresses to give better service, I can fosee this place closing down soon.
(3)Chad W.
I'm still sitting in this restaurant waiting on my order 40 minutes after I ordered it. If I was waiting on a more complex meal I could understand, but since it's two orders of pasta it's a bit ridiculous. This will be out first and last trip to Russos. Never ewa go to ewa for Italian food.
(1)Jim F.
The first time we went here with the family, it seemed as though the waiters acted like I owed them money or something. I wasn't really welcoming and the food was average. The second time we went there the waiters seemed better, however, the food was still just average. This is a convenient location and I expected much more from this upscale type of restaurant.
(2)G H.
Been to Russo's 5 times. PROS: - The food is ALWAYS good. - The wait staff I've dealt with were all friendly - Great atmosphere - There's a live band/performer (from Thursday to Sunday, I think?) - Great location and ample parking. CONS: - Wait has ALWAYS been a miss. Luckily, I'm always with entertaining company so waiting for an hour after ordering doesn't feel like an hour. MY MOST RECENT EXPERIENCE: I made reservations for 9 people and a space for a stroller for a Saturday night, 7pm. We were seated outside and enjoyed some easy listening by a live guitarist. The atmosphere was nice: clear skies, moonlight, and a comfortable chill... it kinda felt like we were in Waikiki, but without people walking around. We ordered our food and I think the first dish was served about an hour later. We got our appetizer, the calamari, after all the other dishes were served and after reminding our server. We also had to ask our server for serving spoons and asked for our glasses to be refilled. At the end of the night, the guitarist and about 5 staff members brought out a cake and sang. Overall, my group had a great time, lots of laughs, and enjoyed the food. SUGGESTIONS: - I highly recommend making a reservation if you have a party of 7 or more especially on a weekend night. I noticed a long line of people waiting to be seated outside once we got in. - The garlic knots are good, but I think their house bread (served with olive oil and balsamic vinegar) is better, especially if you are already having pizza. - If you love ricotta cheese, you'll love the Brooklyn Special pizza. - The calamari is exceptional.
(4)James V.
I've eaten here numerous times and the service is always great. This last time I went I had the privilege of having Tito as our server. He's GREAT! He connects with the people he's serving and always pleasant. He always had my water filled which is really important to me since I drink a lot. The food was really good. The taste of the food has gotten better since they opened. I love the Garlic Knots! I highly recommend eating here if you like great Italian food. And if you're lucky, you'll have Tito as your server. I believe you can request to sit in his section.... And if you do get that chance, let him know his "volleyball idol" recommended him. Haha he'll know who you're talking about.
(5)Wes J.
Love that they're in Ewa Beach! Nice location, right across from Safeway, with plenty of parking. Interior in modern with plenty of seating, indoor and out. Pizza making station is right out in the dining room; pretty cool watching them spin the pizza dough. Our waitress was extremely friendly and so was the hostess. Food was good but not anything to rave about. It came out fairly quickly. Calamari was cooked well but a bit bland. Chicken alfredo was good, noodles were perfectly cooked and the chicken was juicy but came out warm and not hot. Wish the portion size was larger for the $20. Carrot cake was huge though and amazing. They definitely deserve the 4 starts but loose 1 star for the ratio of food to the price of the dish. I will definitely return and try their pizza. Don't buy the Restaurant.com coupon- The website made the coupon without the permission of the Russo's. Russo's did honor it though! Great customer service. Mahalo
(4)Lilian N.
Our friends ordered us some pasta (to-go) on a Saturday night from Russo's. I've never heard of this place so we were excited to try something new. We got the spicy shrimp alfredo and an order of garlic knots. The shrimp were large and nicely cooked, but the sauce was waaaaay too heavy and rich for me. It was a slightly peppery red sauce mixed with a full heavy cream Alfredo sauce. Wow, a few bites and I was done! The hubby loves rich sauces so he was in heaven lol! Oh, and our portions were clearly uneven in the takeout boxes. One had twice the amount of pasta than the other. The fresh garlic bread knots were awesome...I'd order this again! Overall, this place seems like a casual and cool place to hang out with some friends. Maybe we will return for the live music and apps one night!
(3)Mai H.
Wonderful tasty goodness!! Pizza is excellent as usual. How shall I describe the crispy goodness that melts in my mouth in an explosion of veggies and meats? Just awesome! The artichoke heart and veggie looked as good as it tasted. My husband showed off his artery attack meat laden, yet not greasy, sausage pizza that I just had to try. Couldn't convince my vegetarian daughter though. Stick with the free flat bread they give you and save room for pizza. That's all :)
(5)Christopher C.
It's so frustrating that the only Italian restaurant in a 10 mile radius has to be so shitty.
(1)Shae H.
Came in for my bday with family. Though our seating arrangement changed last minute, the staff was patient and accommodating. Our waitress was polite and helpful, the food was pretty flavorful, and I even got dessert customized with a birthday greeting. It's that extra touch that made our experience here a great one..
(5)Morgan B.
I had high hopes for Russo's after hearing about it from a friend. My husband and I had a Restaurant.com coupon, and decided to use it to try one of their signature pizzas. We called in the order around 6:15pm for a large half pepperoni, half prosciutto pizza and a large greek salad. We also thought we would try the appetizer meatballs. Around 7:00pm, I arrived to pick-up the order. Since it was Friday night, I figured I would give them an extra 15 minutes since they said it would be 30 minutes on the phone. I arrived and paid for my order and expected it to be right there to take home. It was not. Though the girl who was working at the take-out area was extremely friendly, she looked very frazzled. The place looked very disorganized as there were numerous people waiting by the door for their orders. The staff member told me it would be another few minutes for my pizza. No big deal. Another 20 minutes pass, and I had to go check on my order. The staff member apologized but it was still not ready yet. I saw others come in to pick-up their order and they said they had called over and hour ago. I felt really bad for the people they sat at the table by the door because everyone waiting for take-out was crowding around them. A front of house manager would have noticed this and organized everyone better. Finally, I received my food. It was about $50.00 for a pizza, salad, and small container of two meatballs. This seemed a bit overpriced to me for what you got. Needless to say, the pizza was cold and very basic. Nothing as described on their website or on the box. It tasted like a frozen pizza. Being Italian, I tried the meatballs and I could tell they were all breadcrumbs. The best part of the meal was the Greek salad, which was supposed to have "balsamic dressing" but it was simply balsamic oil and olive oil. I will not be coming back to this place.
(2)Adrienne L.
Awesome pizza and they have live music nightly. Great atmosphere. We tried the spinach and artichoke dip and it was not the best. Ventured out to Gnocchi and a Calazone and it was average. My advice stick with the pizza it's awesome! We usually get the half veggie half Brooklyn can't go wrong, don't know why we deviated. Sit outside and enjoy the live music. They also give a military discount so make sure to mention that when you dine here.
(4)Dina F.
Pretty good Italian place. They had some really good pizza and some tasty salads. The atmosphere was nice but they seem to be pretty busy do such a small place on the night we went. There was live music. Which was cool to have to kept our son entertained. There is outdoor seating in addition to the indoor seating. Just be prepared for longer waits from everything to your glass of water to you actual food and they seem almost afraid to come and busy your table so you might have food piling up between courses. Overall okay and worth a try just pricy.
(4)Mandie R.
We really like Russo's. Its the only nice place to eat in Ewa that is not fast food, ramen, or sushi. The service is always good and the food is always delicious. We've been there at least 4 or 5 times and it always consistent and we really enjoy the atmosphere.
(4)Riza S.
Great tasting food, but EFFING HORRIBLE SERVICE! AS I'm writing this review, i'm sitting at the table, going on 45 Mins waiting for my entree. I don't think I'm gonna come back. Maybe take out.
(2)Audrey C.
Whenever I have food cravings, the first thing I do is yelp it. I was in the Ewa Beach area and had a major pizza craving. I was sick of Pizza Hut so I decided to try Russo's. My server that day was Dillon. The fact that I actually remember his name is a big thing. The service I received that day was remarkable. He was very friendly, polite, and punctual. The pizza was exactly what I was looking for - a delicious, refreshing change from your typical Pizza Hut. I would definitely recommend this place. And if you go, ask for Dillon. He took great care of me.
(5)Lei C.
It was ok but not the finest!a little longer to wait for the food, was busy tonight so we end up sitting by the noisy bar. Server forgot to serve one of our order and we were already done but they charged us so they had to revise our bill.
(2)Riss R.
Had dinner here again as my friend wanted Italian food and I live very close to this restaurant. The service was completely different from my previous experiences. I do not remember the name of the female server who helped us but she was EXCELLENT. Water and drinks refilled timely. Food arrived promptly. A very different dining experience! Glad to see it! Because the food was again, delicious. The complimentary bread with balsamic and olive oil is a great starter. I had the Fruti Di Mare w/ alfredo sauce which was delicious (pricey though at $25), I finished my entire plate. My friend ordered the spicy spaghetti with huge jumbo shrimp! The spicy red sauce was tasty. We finished with the Italian Cream Cake which was moist. All of their desserts are made locally by a baker in Kapolei. But the tiramisu is made in house by the owner, and IT IS THE BEST tiramisu I've had. As service has seemed to make turn-around, I'll be back!
(4)Paige B.
We love this place! Prosciutto pizza is probably the best pizza I've ever had. We usually pick up rather than dine in and our service has always been fast and friendly.
(4)Malia V.
New restaurant in ewa. Has a nice atmosphere. Indoor/outdoor dining. We had a bottle of wine $28-32 is the range. Spinach artichoke appetizer... It was ok. Had the tomato basil soup... That was delish. Cucumber salad... I didn't like it :( & a shrimp Alfredo which was amazing... It comes with thin spaghetti noodle... A must try!
(4)Gabrielle M.
1st time at this place & I must say it's awesome! Garlic knotts & spicy shrimp fettuccine Alfredo a must!! On the other hand, would like to request chopsticks for salad & Tabasco for pasta.... Will be back and hopefully request will be taken care of!
(4)Ululani C.
Heard this was the new place to go on the West Side. Me and my friend decided to have dinner there last night. The restaurant kind of reminds me of Monkey Pod....but WAY smaller. I like the environment feeling. It is a small place with inside/outside sitting but not clustered. Live entertainment is available for people who sit outside. Food was great. I had the Calzone which I customized. The portion of the Calzone is worth the price. Next time I want to try one of their pastas. So far....A+ for me!
(5)Jeff C.
Best italian restaurant on island. Best free bread and bread knots. Every dish is authentic & so tasty! Almost feel like your in italy! ;)
(5)Lonny K.
I didn't even realize that Ewa Beach looked so different. They built out the shopping center area A LOT. And inside is this gem of a spot. I'll say it (but I won't deduct stars for it) - this, to me, is NOT New York pizza - and I'm not even talking about the gourmet, sit-down stuff; I'm just talking about walking around Manhattan and popping into Lombardi's or Amadeus or Suprema or any of the like, grabbing a pie, folding it in half and eating it with one hand while you search for your metrocard with the other. Nostalgia aside... the food here is good. The clam chowder is a little watery, but the flavor is good; the carbonara was flavorful and the pasta was cooked a perfect al dente; the date I was with ordered a Brooklyn Pizza, and she seemed to enjoy it. But the reason I'm coming back... and will continue to come back... the cheesecake was pretty damn good! Now, if your idea of great cheesecake is how-many-flavors-can-I-shove-into-this-cheesecake (think something like: pumpkin pecan turtle caramel cheesecake with coconut flakes that you get at that Factory), then you may not agree with this. But if you're idea of great cheesecake has everything to do with the richness and the creaminess of the cake itself (as opposed to the chalky, even gritty, texture of most cheesecakes); and if your idea of great cheesecake is in the purity and simplicity of the dish - then I think you'll agree. Of course, the server will ask you if you want some fruity syrup drizzled over it... and of course, I always decline (because to me, that takes away from the dish rather than adding to it). The cheesecake - at least on the two occasions I had it - actually reminded me of something I would get in NYC (where I'm pretty certain it's more commonplace to use ricotta as opposed to the cream cheese most people use; and I'm guessing ricotta is what they use here too). Anyways - we ordered one piece to split; and my date ordered another one afterwards for herself. See - so ya know it was good, 'cause most dates wouldn't be that straightforward on the first few dates... but it was some damn good cheesecake! Whattaya gonna do?!
(4)Jennifer L.
I decided to give it a second shot...and this is our last time. The food was blah. The service is still terrible. Our server began off by saying, "your server isn't here yet so I'll take care of you until he does." Oh, um ok? She ended up taking care of us the whole way through. It was just a weird way of starting off the initial greeting. We ordered an appetizer that came out after our entrees. Apparently, the cooks misplaced the ticket. We sat at the pizza bar and they sat the appetizer on the upper part of the bar. The cooks kept hitting our appetizer (not the plate- but the actual food) with pizza boxes that they were prepping to-go orders. We got in one bite before this happened and it tasted weird anyway. Luckily, they took it off the bill. That was probably the highlight of the meal. Our server started attending to us more once she realized we were unhappy, but by then it was too late. We just wanted to leave. I don't understand how this place is so busy. Prepackaged grocery store food is better- like knorr pasta sides. I'd recommend staying home and saving your well earned money. You won't be disappointed with that choice! It was $45 for two pasta dishes and one happy hour glass of wine.
(1)Jessica S.
I've tried this place three times now. The first time my husband and I decided to avoid the wait and sit in the bar type seating. The service was horrible. It felt like we needed to constantly chase our server and ask her for basic things like utensils and napkins however the pizza we ordered was great and we had a nice time having a drink and seeing the pizzas being made. We went there again and we were told it would be about a 25 min wait. It was actually 1 hr wait (for 3 people) and worst of all ....we still had to wait 10 min for our server to appear. As if that's not bad enough, he just introduced himself and said he would be back but that wasn't for another 13 min (yes..I was counting). We finally asked another staff member if we could at least have water. Over all service was the worst ever! Needless to say my 3rd attempt was no better. Food was good but man they need to train their staff!
(2)Karla W.
So I went to Russo's, been there a few times, pizza is good and that's about it, maybe some appetizers also but the pasta is not worth it. Now to the point, the service is horrible, half of the times that I've been there I believe the service provided by Burger King was better, so tonight I call it quits. I think the best part about tonight was when they cut off the music while still dining on a beautiful night outside or maybe was it when I asked for more bread and they looked at me like: "omg" amongst other negative things that happened tonite that an entity that makes a living by offering a service cannot fulfill. Anyways, not coming back... Ever.
(2)Amanda K.
Went here for dinner/drinks with 4 co-workers one night, and enjoyed this place overall. It is a cute place with contemporary decor, and they also have an outdoor patio in the back. The $4 wine happy hour was right up our alley! The pizza was pretty delicious! Can't wait to try other items on the menu. Service was also very attentive and friendly. Looking forward to going back again!
(4)Jessica S.
I knew this place had been here for a bit. I didn't want to try it when it first opened because of how crazy busy it got. I was pretty excited that an Italian restaurant was coming close by in Ewa Beach in a nice new shopping center. It is close to my work and home, which makes it better then driving into town. I had some high hopes for this place. The ambiance of the place is nice. I think they have a great set up. I've dined in once and got take out for our staff another time. The takeout was the sandwiches and I have nothing bad to say about that. Service was easy and smooth. I dined in with a couple co-workers and I was extremely let down by the service. We did get seated quickly outside, about a 10 minute wait. We were told it would be 30 minutes for inside and we were fine with outside. We did have to wait a bit for our other friend and her daughter to join us but when she did the waitress never checked back on us. We actually had to flag her down to finally place our order. When we did place our order it took FOREVER to finally get our food. Both the women I was with enjoyed their dishes and had good things to say about it. I am a bit of a risotto snob.... And I enjoyed my dish, although some of the veggies in the dish was a bit odd to me and didn't do a good job of complimenting the dish. And the whole dish in general was a bit rich for my taste. I'd definitely be willing to come back and try other food options - but I'll stick to making my own risotto it is much better. Service needs improvement. The live entertainment was great. I think this place has some good potential, just needs some things tweaked for improvement.
(3)Steven B.
This place is really good.. especially for hawaii. I love calzones and stromboli and this place has them. Not many places in hawaii do. My calzone was awesome. At first the price is a little high, at 15.95, but once you see it you will see why. Its huge and can easily feed two. The only reason why i didnt give 5 stars is because their bar area is really small and they dont have many options for beers on tap. But other than that if you are ok with bottle beers then they have a decent selection. Great place and will definitely be coming back.
(4)Coleen F.
I really wanted to like Russo's because I am such a huge fan of pasta, but I didn't enjoy it quite as much as I thought. The restaurant itself is pretty small and I felt like the tables were too close together. It was awkward eating because the family next to us was seated closely and I literally had moments of awkward eye contact while having my face stuffed. I did try to be positive throughout the whole experience, but there were small things here and there that really bothered me. The food wasn't too bad, I'll give them that. The portions were great sizes, but I thought the service was OK. The servers didn't look like they wanted to be there and I understand work can be stressful, especially being a server, but your mood really rubs off on your customers as well. I also had to wait until the end of my meal to get a mimosa. I ordered a mimosa, but because they had no orange juice, I had to wait for someone to buy. I know it's a restaurant, but do they usually run out of ingredients? :(
(3)Nadia K.
Had dinner here on a Wednesday night. We arrived about 6:45pm and waited about 15 minutes to be seated. We were seated outdoors and they had live music. It was pretty crowded. I thought the tables were a little too close together as my chair was bumped more than a few times by the guy whose seat was back to back with mine. It was okay, but it just felt like there was no room to sit back and really relax. The service was really slow. I know you're thinking that I was probably too busy on my phone and taking pictures and so the server had to come back several times and prolonged the wait time. But that was not the case. We had water, ordered off the menu, and waited. And waited some more. My chicken putanesca was okay. Not super good, but not bad either. We were ready to order dessert so we flagged down our server and asked for a dessert menu. She rattled the desserts off to us and we decided on the Italian cream cake which was moist, delicious and saved the dinner. I find this place comparable to a Romano's Macaroni and Grill which is not my favorite place either. For seriously delicious pasta, go to La Cucina or Assaggio's.
(2)Ram K.
Despite the bad reviews I figured I'd try this place out myself. Most of them were based on the sit down service. I chose to do a take out. I walked in around 2:10pm. Told them I wanted to put in a take out order, they took my name and gave me a menu. Lots of choices but I kind of new what I wanted, New York Village pizza, large. Told me about 15-20 minutes. They're benches outside to wait. Went back in 15 minutes later and the pizza was ready. Took it home and enjoyed it. Italian sausage, pepperoni, beef, Canadian bacon, mushrooms, olives, roasted peppers, mozzarella and homemade pizza sauce. If you're a fan of crispy crusts then this is not for you. It's thin and chewy like pan pizza, just how I like it. Just enough sauce. Next time we'll try dining in.
(5)Chris H.
I love Russo's! I'm there once or twice a week. As a grad student, I like to have nice meals but usually can't afford the time or money to do so. This restaurant is fairly inexpensive but the food is delicious. I've never had bad food here! To be honest, the service can be a little slow sometimes (not always) but I still give Russo's 5stars because I enjoy the chance to relax and sip on some wine while my food is coming. A good place to unwind! My favorite place in Ewa! :)
(5)Lucien C.
Been to Russo's 3 times now. Enjoyed the food and the atmosphere. The pizza was fresh and the crust VERY tasty. The last time we went my son had the pizza (yes he brought half of it home. My wife had the seafood pasta and I had the clam pasta. Everything was cooked nicely, the pasta was al dente not mush and the sauces we excellent for the clams and ok for the seafood. Large portion size so you can share or just plan to bring some home. Wine selection was nice, my wife had the sangria and it was again ok. Overall a nice evening kind of pricey though.
(4)Plumeria G.
We went earlier this week. Friends have raved about the food. We live nearby so every time we drove by, we'd say, "that place looks good, we should try it." We did, and we are NEVER going back. And here is why: We didn't go late, it was early, around 6pm. We had to wait 30 minutes before getting seated. Since the wait was long, we told the hostess it didn't matter whether we sat outside or inside. BIG mistake. Don't sit outside, there's a windtunnel and it's freezing. Especially right now. And there are no heat lamps. After waiting for 30 minutes, we were finally seated. We ordered the famous garlic knots and we did get those within 20 minutes, and our drinks. They were good. That's why I decided to give 1 star. Then the unwanted wait began. An hour went by, no food. It's me, my husband and our daughter. She got her one slice of pizza at least. There were other families with kids that were waiting in that tunnel area. Kids were running around screaming their heads out. The traffic on Fort weaver, is as usual, loud. Not my scene at all. Tons of people waiting so the chances of us getting reseated to be inside was impossible. It got to be so cold, me and my daughter retreated back to our car to wait. My poor husband had to sit there all miserable to wait for the food, get it packed to go, pay and leave. We got to go to Walgreens, shop, come back and he was still not back. Over an hour. For TWO DISHES. He explained why it was bad and the staff just said, "oh, sorry." Manager nowhere in site. We drive home to have our dinners. I open my take out box, and my Chicken Marsala is swimming in an inch of OIL. GROSS. The food was bland, pasta was limp. Damage: $60 for horrible service, food and outdoor atmosphere. 1 star for the garlic knots, to fill the big gurgling and loud hungry noise in our cold tummies. We'll go to Assaggio's or even Auntie Pasto's , kids eat free on Wed..thank you very much.
(1)Noah F.
I enjoy the food vey much. I've yet to taste a dish that I didn't like. The fact that the food is affordable is an even bigger plus, since I add shrimp to everything, lol. Also, it's an added bonus that you can modify dishes to your liking, especially the type of pasta you wish to have. The food is what got me interested, but the staff is what keeps me coming back. Im always greeted by multiple people upon entrance. From the bartender, hostess, waitstaff, everyone is friendly and welcoming. Russo's is definitely the place to go if you're looking for affordable, delicious food in a relaxed, laid back, FRIENDLY atmosphere. So glad I only live a few minutes away (=
(4)Davin K.
We ate dinner there on a Tuesday night. It was slow so we were able to be seated fast. We started with the fried calamari. I would give it 3 stars. Nothing to write home about. We ordered the spaghetti with meatballs, fettuccine, lasagna, and Gnocchi. Spaghetti was good as well as the lasagna. The fettuccine sauce was rich but it was really gritty. Almost like having fine sand mixed in with the sauce. I would give the fettuccine a 2 stars because of the grittiness it left in our mouths. The Gnocchi was bland and had no taste at all. Really disappointed in that one. I would give that dish a 1 star. The lasagna and spaghetti with meatballs I would give 4 stars. Our waitress was really nice. Service was good. But the prices are expensive for what was served. I expected a better food experience at that price point.
(3)Tiffany Y.
Yelp 365 Challenge x 2 #264/365 Yelp 100 Challenge Review #8/100 Last Saturday, my nephew mentioned there was an Italian Restaurant in the Ewa Beach area. At first, I thought it was in the small center by Ocean Pointe, where KFC and the Chinese Restaurant was located until he shared that it was located in the same shopping center as Safeway. Afterwards, my daughter and I had to stop by Petco and she pointed it out. It was busy considering it was their grand opening weekend, I believe but I still wanted to check it out. So, what does a yelper usually do? Look it up on Yelp and see if there are any reviews! Well, there was one review that stood out and it was Aggie's review because the others were kinda...er...shady. Her review prompted me to bookmark it as a must-try. Well, this past week I've had the stomach flu...everything that goes in...comes right back out. I know, I know-TMI. But, I wanted to try Russo's. My husband took me to Russo's for lunch. THE EXPERIENCE -Seated right away (it wasn't crowded since it was lunch time) -Waitress name was Princess and she was very friendly and helpful AMBIANCE -High ceilings to give it the feel of airy and spacy -Indoor and Outdoor Seating -Small bar (I don't drink but I figure this will be important to the ones that do) -Counter area where you are able to watch some of the cooks using the coal-fired oven -Jazz / Big Band type of music playing -The colors are warm and relaxing with nice black and white photos of New York FOOD -Garlic knots, which is pizza dough with garlic and simply delicious. It reminded me of soft, garlic balls like Bravo's -Husband ordered the Risotto di Mare (Seafood Risotto). Obviously, it must have been good because he scraped his plate clean -I ordered the Primavera Risotto, which I would have enjoyed because it was delicious but I had no appetite because I wasn't feeling well -Lemonade...I ordered lemonade because I love lemonade Now, this is where it kind of deflated. I was craving for cannoli's especially when I noticed the online menu specified CHOCOLATE-FILLED cannoli's. However, they didn't have it. I wanted to weep because the last place that had this type of Cannoli's (which I inhaled) was back in Baltimore! The good thing about it was that Princess shared it wasn't on the menu YET. I'm going to hang on with hope to the word YET. Just like that front picture on the right upper hand corner of the menu that is stuff bell peppers that looks simply delicious. I am giving it four stars because the menu is similar to Assagio's, Ricado's and Bravo's. I was hoping that with a new Italian Restaurant in town (well, the west side), that they would be adding a little flare and be a wee little different to the other Italian Restaurants on the island but so far, they'll have the familiar items of pizza's, pastas, calzones, salads and desserts. So, if you're sketchy, don't be-the menu will be familiar but with the flare of Russo's alone that offers a very nice touch to the Ewa Beach growing community. Prices are about the same as Assagio's and Bravo's but hey...why drive there when you can save some gas and eat at Russo's instead especially if you live in the Ewa Beach area, right? RECOMMENDATION: Of course (It's great for a date night, girls night, boys night, and family night) JUST MY THOUGHTS END NOTE: Without any snarkiness, I know new restaurants wants to be up there right away and establish themselves at the top right away. However, get to the top with REAL experiences and REAL reviews by REAL customers.
(4)Tracy M.
We ate lunch at Russo's on December 30, 2014, it was delicious! We started with the Spinach Artichoke dip, it was good...but a little runny! We both had Spaghetti with Clams, my personal favorite! There were plenty clams and the Spaghetti was perfect! I find it difficult to try something new because I like this dish so much! My Mom is the daring one, perhaps she'll try something new and I'll taste what she gets!! We both had Tiramisu for dessert! Oh my God was it good! It is the best Tiramisu I've had in Hawaii, the smiley face on the top was very cute! Since our last visit, November 5, 2014, the Menu had changed (it's very interesting) and the prices seemed a bit higher. No matter, we shall return!!!
(5)Shana Q.
A friend of ours introduced this place to my bf and I, and we absolutely fell in heaven. We actually wasn't feeling pasta but after we ate here, WE LOVED IT! The free bread is delicious! Our table had to ask for another basket because we demolished the first one. I had the tomatoe basil soup and all I can saw is WOW. My bf had the lasagna and he devoured the entire plate. We will definitely be coming back here.
(5)Randy S.
Went on a Wednesday, I think the service was off that night. The prices were right for an upper mid level Italian and pizzeria place. The service was a little dismissive and nonresponsive or slow to acknowledge. To be far we were in a back corner with 4 adults and 2 kids. We had the Chicken Saltimbacco, Alfredo, and a Pizza along with Calamari and Garlic Knots. The food was delievered in a timely manner and was tasted decent, but nothing to write home about. I think my expectations were a little higher. Oh then we went to check out, the server didn't bother to ask how we wanted to split the bill, he just brought it. As we worked how to split the bill and handed it back to him, he double charged and then double talked the double charge. It took us talking with him at the point of sale system to get the double charge and refund worked out. I might try this place again, but as I will not be living in Hawai'i much longer, probably will not.
(2)Christa B.
It's been six months since I've returned to Russo's and third time is definitely a charm! They must have fired everyone and started from scratch or did some serious re-training because my whole family noticed a big difference, not only in the taste and quality of the food, but in the service as well. From the start we were greeted right away by the hostess who informed us she would be right back after seating the party ahead of us. We weren't waiting very long until the bartender came around the corner and greeted us as well and asked us how many were in our party. Once we were seated again it wasn't long for our server to greet us and drop a bread basket off to our table. One of my biggest gripes about my first couple of experiences here was the long wait for everything from a table to being greeted to getting drinks to paying. Our server, Princess, was on top of things and never once did I have to wait for a drink refill nor was my drink ever less than half empty. The food was so much better than the first few times as well. I didn't order them this time, but I did notice the size of the fried mozzarella had significantly increased from the size of a cotton ball to a much substantial size a little larger than a golf ball. The calzone wasn't overcooked or burnt like before. In fact the outer shell was perfectly cooked and golden with the edges thick and crispy while the rest of the shell was soft and buttery. The cheese mixture of mozzarella and ricotta in the New York calzone was excellent and it almost tasted decadent and somewhat sweet like the mascaparone in tiramisu. It was creamy and rich and I wanted to lick it off the plate! When I asked if it was mascaparone was utilized in the mix, Chef Johnny just smiled and said it was an in house recipe that he wasn't permitted to divulge unless he killed me. Speaking of Chef Johnny, he was so welcoming and hospitable and went above and beyond to make sure we had a good experience. I could see him hopping from table to table as well as back and forth to the kitchen to make sure everyone was well pleased. Greeting and spending just a few moments with your guests is definitely a good business model and unfortunately something a lot of businesses are lacking now a days. I also had the Alfredo which was also rich and creamy but didn't have an overwhelming buttery taste like some Alfredo sauces do. The lasagna was full of different flavors and I could taste bits of carrot that added to the sweetness of the sauce. The marinara was thick with chunks of tomato and not watered down or soupy like before. Finally, the cannoli had improved as well and the sweet cream was now encased with a thicker, larger shell instead of the small flimsy thing that I ate last time. I'm so glad that Russo's decided to make some much needed changes and improvements. I hope Chef Johnny decides to stay. It seems he's added a little extra flavor not only to the food, but to the atmosphere as well. Oh, and the live music on the patio is a nice added touch. Good luck Russo's! I think Ewa will embrace and welcome you a little bit more now.
(4)Joseph S.
Russo's is a decent place to eat. For Italian food it's not bad. Food like the service is hit or miss.. There are great amounts of inconsistency. Tonight the service was bad.. Place half full.. Food was slow.. Pasta undercooked. Bread too doughy not fired enough. Food was a bit cooler since we assumed it sat waiting to be picked up.. I've eaten authentic Italian food in Italy, Brooklyn, Manhattan, North Jersey. Russo's concept and food is ruined by others. Shame for that fact it could be a gold mine if run better. Little piece of NY in Hawaii... Two stars today only.. Service 1 star.. Food 2 stars... Been here for 3 and 4.... Lucky for them it's in a place starved for something different. Otherwise anywhere else it would be surviving partially if it had competition.
(2)Sarah A.
Great food, chill atmosphere. Everything you need for a great Italian meal. Beer on tap, friendly service. I was impressed. Oh And great pizza
(5)Julia A.
I had no idea this center even existed in Ewa Beach. It wasn't here the last time I was in Hawaii which was probably a year ago .. maybe 2. I found this place on yelp and though the reviews were rather mixed I decided to recommend meeting a couple of friends there for dinner. I'm glad I did! Our server was Troy and I was told he was a little new but he did a fabulous job. He made sure we got everything we needed and did a great job checking up on us throughout the evening. We started off with the fried mozzarella and they use fresh buffalo dudes! That was on point! Then we went for the spinach artichoke dip and that was also super fabulous! It was a little loose but the flavor was great. I would highly recommend either of these two appetizers. We got the Brooklyn pizza and that was probably where they're gonna miss on that 5 stars from me. The pizza itself was pretty good. Where they lost me was the ricotta. It was sweet. Almost like it's the same ricotta base they use for their cannoli's and that was a little disappointing. I could only eat 1 slice but that's ok because at that point I was getting a little full. They also provide you with a basket of flat bread and a small dish of balsamic, olive oil and dried herbs/spice. Yums. Perfect beginning to my feast. I was the first there so I managed to eat half the basket on my own. ha! I think this is the type of place Hawaii needs. Its new and kind of hip but still with some local flavor because they bring in live music in their outside lanai in the evenings. Maybe a couple of tweaks to the food (ie: sweet ricotta) and that's about it. Definitely check this place out.
(4)Travis D.
My family has ordered food to go but we haven't dined in yet. One time we ordered a large prosciutto pizza and a risotto di mare. Their regular pizzas are 12" in diameter and their large pizzas are 16" pizzas in diameter. Each will serve 1-2 persons and 2-4 persons respectively. The risotto was cooked quite well, not too dry or too mushy. The portion size seemed a little small for the $20 price tag. But I guess the price is understandable considering that there are mussels, calamari rings, and etc inside. The pizzas are really light and delicious fresh out of the coal fire and also as leftovers for lunch the next day. If you're hangry or in a rush, keep in mind that the pizza takes about 20 minutes to cook. If you don't want to buy an entire pizza, they also have extra large pizzas that are sold by the slice: $6.50 a cheese slice plus $0.99 for each additional topping. The pasta and pizza here are a little pricy, but Russo's gives people who adventure into Ewa another option besides Papa John's, Pizza Hut, Costco, or Sam's Club. This restaurant can be crowded around dinner time, so you may want to carry out and enjoy at home.
(4)Jean H.
READ THIS REVIEW!!! I've eaten here a handful of times. Dine in and take out. Here's the thing, food isn't bad. Some of the menu items I've tried are pretty good. Others, just ok! I've never had terrible food here! Here's the issue! The service!! The service here sucks!! It's the worst ever! I brought my family. Took a minute to be seated when the place was dead. I had to ask to have menu brought to me. Then I felt slightly rushed to order. After 20-30 minutes on waiting for an appetizer that I never got. I noticed the couple next to us trying to clean 'stuff/gunk' from there wine glass! I had enough. I told the waitress could I just pay for the drinks we had so we could leave!! At least the Manager was understanding and just voided my whole ticket! Plus... The beer selection here is God awful terrible. I get it's an "Italian restaurant" and it's more of a wine place... But my goodness the beer selection is the worst!! I RECOMMENDED YOU GO TO AUNTI PASTAS!!!!!
(1)Mac J.
On week nights the food is salty and the service is slow. They don't have a happy hour menu. I was disappointed there was no happy hour menu during happy hour. How can you enjoy and share a meal if the portions don't cater to a happy hour environment where adult beverages take precedence over entrées? Not coming back for happy hour here. If you prefer to dine in after happy hour, this place is decent. Just ask them to tell the chef to hold the salt.
(2)Matthew C.
Was meeting a friend for a business lunch in Ewa and he suggested we check out Russo's in the new Safeway shopping Center off Ft. Weaver Road. I don't travel to Ewa Beach too much so I didn't know that the place was even there, but it did not disappoint. Tucked into the corner of the new center, the restaurant was clean and inviting. Staff was attentive, courteous and quickly brought out water and tasty flatbread while I waited for my friend to arrive. Once my friend arrived, service was well timed, and our server, knowing that most people need to be pau lunch during the week, need to be in and out relatively quickly. While a lot on the menu looked good, I was looking for something light and went with the house special salad and Italian sandwich combo. The food came out fast, and the cold cuts appeared to be cut fresh. Good value too, full sandwich and half salad was 11 bucks. I was eying the calzones and would like to try some of the more traditional Italian fare on a follow up, maybe for dinner. Friendly attentive service and good value for a quick business lunch gets 4 stars, I will come back to try the pasta or a calzone.
(4)Jeremy W.
The service here sucks. It gets worse every time we come, which will be no more. They screw up the orders and if you are not friends with the wait staff you will be ignored. Eff this place. I used to like coming here but the food and service has gone down the toilet!!! Stay away!
(1)Aaron V.
Came in @6 and ordered chicken parmashion with Alfredo sauce, the waiter was friendly but the food was terrible! First time food was served it had no Alfredo sauce ! So I asked for more sauce! After waiting 15 min for sauce my food got cold so they took it back to reheat! When it came back for the second time it was flooded with alfrado! And chicken was still cold! Damn
(1)K Y.
I've heard many good things so I had to try it. I was not disappointed. Great atmosphere, indoor & outdoor seating. Our server was really helpful and seemed to love working at this awesome restaurant. The flat bread they serve is tasty both plain or dipped in the oil & vinegar. The three dishes we ordered were all excellent. The service was good & although the place was packed the food came out in a timely manner. I will definitely make my way back here on a regular basis. AWESOME!
(5)Darilyn L.
The only reason why this place isn't 5 stars is because it takes forever for food to come out! Today I placed a phone order in an hour ago and was told it will be ready in 30 minutes, however I'm still waiting for my food! Lucky I'm not starving and the hostess made it right by apologizing and offering free dessert. Update: Finally got my order an hour after ordering and about 30 minutes waiting. When I reached home the pizza was COLD! You would think that they either would have re-made the pizza or kept it under a warmer. Very disappointed! I'm changing the review from 3 stars to 2!
(2)Jenna S.
This is my third time here, but waited a while to write this review since they're pretty new. We sat at the bar and avoided the 30 min wait for a table. Service was super quick and our waitress was really nice and on top of everything. The food was the bomb! The spicy shrimp alfredo and tomato basil soup were the best I've ever had. Literally. Oh yes, and don't forget the comp flat bread, so fluffly and tasty especially with that olive oil dipping sauce! I have not tried the pizza yet because I always order the same thing. I also got to try the chicken wings - yummay! They're marinated over night kind of citrusy sauce and served grilled? Broiled? Idk but super good! The sauce is served on the side. Every dish came out piping hot and fresh, had excellent flavor, and service was great. I'm so glad this place is walking distance from my house. Oh yeah, they also had live music playing, great atmosphere. I added this place to my list of favorites. Yumz.
(5)Mike M.
Location is perfect for all west oahu customers, something great to add a bit of variety to the usual chain restaurant and local food fare in the area. The food and drinks were really good although sadly some of the meat used in their pizzas were the typical precooked meat pieces you'd find at papa johns, Pizza Hut etc. Can't call yourself a 'NY style pizzeria' by not using fresh real pieces of beef or sausages. The seafood entrees ordered however were fresh so kudos for that. Why the 3 star rating you ask? SERVICE! Staff was genuinely courteous yet that doesn't always translate to a 5 star review. After being seated me and my party of 4 waited a good 20 mins prior to our orders being taken. Kudos for the waters immediately given yet 20 mins to take orders for a group of 4 is a bit long. Food was brought out hot and sizzling yet having to flag down servers for bussing was quite frustrating. I ended up having to hand our server our empty plates instead of them bussing them for us. I don't mind helping yet when I ended up being my tables busser, that was not something I walk into a restaurant hoping to be and do. Did I mention this experience was on a Sunday late morning trip??? Not a bustling Friday pau Hana or a Friday / Saturday night but on a moderately filled Sunday even before the lunch rush. This places has ultimate potential so I will definitely be back but these issues need to be fixed. I'd like to think this review was quite fair and very constructive.
(3)Kat C.
SERVICE was BAD! I was feeling under the weather at that time so I ordered the clam chowder first. It took a long time for me to get it and when I did it was already cold. I didn't say anything and just ate it. It was OK! After the whole chaos about my cold clam chowder it still took a long time for us to get the rest of our orders. Having a toddler with you can be a bit of a challenge, I was with my son and all he did was complained about being hungry and how it takes so long for his pizza to come. Few tables away who came in way after us got all of their orders before we did so that was a little DISAPPOINTING. While waiting for our orders to come,my son had finished his drink, few server past by and not once did anybody acknowledge us if we wanted refill. Once again he was complaining because he was thirsty. I finally stopped one server and asked for a refill. after 20 minutes still no drink for my son. The server finally came and didn't asked if we needed anything or if everything was ok. I mentioned about the refill but not to complained but to simply tell her to cancel it because I was ready to leave. She apologized that she forgot. My son wanted some dessert. and when I called to let our server know that we wanted to order carrot cake she said that was on the house since she forgot my sons drink. Which is really nice of her to do. She came back a few minutes later and told us that they ran out of carrot cake. So she suggested red velvet, which my son enjoyed! I know nobody is perfect but I think they can do better with their service! :)
(3)Eric S.
Really good food not TOO far from the beach. The appetizer we ordered were the garlic knots (pictured in my review) and they stole the show, they were absolutely delicious. For my main meal I ordered baked ziti, which was pretty good but I've had better. I enjoyed all the food and portions were large. I was paid for by someone else, they said the price was pretty high but I'm not sure about that so no comment there. Staff were AWESOME! They were very attentive, friendly, and detailed. Some of the best restaurant staff I've had serve in a while. Overall, a good dining experience.
(4)Amanda F.
When we arrived for a late lunch, no one greeted us at the door - there is no sign regarding seating - do we sit anywhere or do I have to wait for someone? No sign to me = sit anywhere. As I walked over to an open table, a waitress tells me I need to WAIT and go back to the front... Okay... So we wait up front and still there is no one there - I wait for at least 5 minutes before being acknowledged. Once we get to a table, it's wobbly - I have to ask our server to put something under it. Wobbly as in any movement sends the table tipping. We order a salad and the chicken piccata. It took forever to get the house salad with balsamic which wasn't very good. I didn't want to finish it. It took even longer to get our main dish which wasn't tasty either - also - it was cold. I love chicken piccata and know what it should taste like - I order it at Italian restaurants whenever I can. This was not good. I share this with you so you don't waste your time if you're looking for a good dining experience. No offense, but I will not come back here and will not recommend it.
(1)Irene And Drake Z.
We went at pau hana time on a Thursday evening. The staff was very friendly and helpful. We ordered a the Italian Works pizza (Pepperoni, sliced Italian sausage, Italian roasted peppers, and all-natural mozzarella cheese, with our homemade pizza sauce). It was delicious! The crust was nice and doughy too with just enough crunch. I also ordered a small greek salad; it was a little heavy on the sliced red onions and bell peppers, but was a good complement to the pizza. It's a nice set up too, with the oven as kind of the centerpiece of the restaurant. Will be back for more pizza soon!
(4)Sammi Z.
Always a line, so you know the food is amazing! Sometimes slower service and waiter disappeared for a while when we wanted to order.
(4)Jenn S.
Despite a lot of the negative reviews I had a GREAT experience. We had a group of about 9. Appetizers came out not too long after requested, drinks refilled right away and timing was perfect when our main entree came out. The taste of my carbonara with chicken on angel hair left me wanting more. Dessert was a big portion but that allowed us to share the tastes . I recommend you get the Tiramisu . A special thanks though to our waiter by the name of Tito. Pleasant and very helpful when it came to selecting what to eat. Checked on us as often as needed. He made my experience worthwhile. I'll be going back again as soon as I find available time.
(5)Malaan S.
Having been a resident of Ewa Beach since 2006, it's been interesting watching the community grow. I thought I was excited about that drive thru Starbucks, by MAN this restaraunt is exactly the ingredient that's been missing to make Ewa a metropolitan area. I'm not a fan of crowds so I chose the best day of the year to go anywhere without at TV, Superbowl Sunday. (A tip for those of you who have never worked in the food industry: your best hours of service are between 2-4pm.) We were greeted by the entire staff and interestingly enough, I recognized many of them from other businesses where I recall receiving great customer service from them. (Starbucks for example.) So the business did their homework on building an excellent staff by poaching those who already had the aptitude for natural, kind and efficient customer service skills. Comfort: Since the place was virtually empty, we were able to get to know the staff a bit as they began to treat us more like a family that comes in regularly. Food: Before we could sit down the foccocia bread was on our table. We ordered garlic knots as an appetizer and they were delicious and comparable to Bravo's garlic balls. I ordered the fettuccini alrfredo and the plate was beautifully arranged and the look of it made my mouth water. As I took my first bite, I felt like I found my food soulmate. The pasta was cooked to perfection, the sauce was the perfect consistency and the garlic knots was a great way to sop up the left over sauce! My older daughter ordered the Mediterranean Calzone and it was HUGE! She squealed with delight as she cut it open to be greeted with cheese oozing out of it like edible lava. My youngest daughter ordered the lasagna. It came out fast, hot and cheesy! She had filled herself up on so much of the garlic knots that she only ate about a third of the dish, but she had a smile on her face the whole time. Drinks never required a request for refills, extra napkins were provided without being requested. The staff was chatty until the food came and then they allowed us the privacy to eat and enjoy all Russo's has to offer. A special test dessert pizza was concaucted using mascarpone, marshmallows,chocolate sauce and sliced bananas. The first bite was a surprise and delightful! The melted marshmallows mimicked cheese on a pizza and the banana really brought the flavor! I found it to be innovative and brilliantly delicious. Ambiance: Since the place was nearly empty, we could really hear the old school music and take in the intended atmosphere. The seating curves around the restaurant, leaving the thrill seekers up front to watch to food get made and those in the back to have a more intimate meal. The decor was classy, black and white photos that brought back an old NY feel. I couldn't help but resist staring at Marilyn most of the time. I loved the black cloth napkins, notably expensive silverware, take out menus and to go boxes. Cost: Under $50 for the appetizers, three meals, three drinks and plenty to take home for seconds! Pro: This is clearly the dry run of the restaurant with the first wave of staff, which tends to be bad but someone had some great team working skills to teach as I watched the wait staff look after each other's customers as the restaurant grew busier and busier. It's the kind of place I wish my parents would have taken me once a week. A place where the owner watches you grow up. :) So, if you've made it this far on my review, you can tell that I WILL be returning and look forward to enjoying another great meal there! P.S.: There's a small bar and it's great to have a place to eat a meal and drink a classy beer. Much of Ewa's "eateries" are too dirty, disturbing with rude service to take the time to dress up and go to for a "date night." Russo's has changed that! They also do take out, so don't be afraid to swing in for a take out menu for those lazy weekends ;)
(5)Judy P.
Came in at lunch time on a weekday. Not packed at all. Enjoyed a nice lunch here. Good customer service - seated immediately and server was nice and checked on us frequently (appropriately). Food was great - better than I expected. We had the calamari, which was light but tasty. Their pastas have wonderful seasonings and sauces are rich with flavor. I'd say it's an upgrade from bravo but not as fancy as Assagios. Very filling and flavorful. We'd go again!
(4)Raquel A.
This place was so disappointing! Not a full service bar, ambiance is not nice at all, looks like you are sitting in the tables at Panda. My mom had the steak super dry and they wouldn't make it rare?!? I had the spaghetti with clams, clams also had no flavor and over cooked, they were super small, and the garlic and wine butter sauce was MIA. The spinach and artichoke dip was actually a creamy cheese soup not a dip at all. Spinach was not in the soup just lying on top withering. DO NOT ORDER THE DIP! The free house bread was good, hence the 1 star. I do not recommend them at all! Do not waste your Friday night!
(1)Maruel U.
This was my 2nd time going to Russo's despite living so close to its new location in Ewa Beach. Giving this place 4 stars because of the service and the food. I had a great waiter (I believe his name is Tito but I'm not sure) who served us and made us feel like we were at home. He greeted us and gave us great suggestions about what to eat. Had the eggplant Parmesan with angel hair as advised by my waiter. The food was great - tastes fresh and the food came out fast. I would definitely come back and hope to get friendly service again like I've had before.
(4)Nicholas S.
I tried to place a phone order multiple times but they never answered the phone. What a great first impression. If I could give 1/2 a star I would!!!
(1)Craig P.
Focaccia bread with oil & balsamic vinegar to start is great. Caprese salad was better than anticipated. Appetizers and meal (pizza and pasta) arrived quick. Pizza was flavorful. Staff was attentive. Probably our new "pizza place". To me, better than any in Kapolei.
(4)M L.
Signed in at 5:50pm. Was told it would be about an hour wait. Went shopping at Ross and came back about 50 minutes later. They said that it would be about another hour before I'd get seated. Took my son to get a haircut and went back to check in. Didn't get seated until 8:45pm! Ordered appetizers and that came out fairly quickly... Except that the cheese from the mozzarella cheese balls were nonexistent. I guess it melted out from being over cooked. Ordered the entree and waited over an hour and a half. The lady kept saying it'd be 10 more minutes. Finally gave up on dinner around 11:30pm still with no food. Other tables got up to leave too after waiting hours on end. It was completely and utterly a miserable experience. Word to the wise - don't go here if you're hungry. They need to get their act together or it's not going to last long.
(1)Common Sense C.
We've been to Russo's twice. The first time we weren't as impressed with the food as we were the second. Our first experience included wings which are not traditionally prepared but ended up being one of the best things about the meal. The pizza we ordered had spinach and tomatoes on it even though they weren't listed as ingredients on the menu. The baked ziti and the tiramisu were both pretty good. The second time I ordered Ravioli with Vodka sauce and substituted a meat sauce for the vodka sauce. The waitress handled it well, as did the kitchen. It was actually the best of the three main course items we'd tried! My second visit also included dessert. I had a cannoli, one of my friends had the cheesecake and another had the tiramisu. We were all pretty happy with each of those items. Wine by the glass menu is limited but we made it work. Hopefully they will add a happy hour at some point. We sat at the very small bar the first time and had great service. I would say it's very loud when you're inside. We sat outside the second time. We enjoyed that better as far as the noise goes. Our waitress was very attentive. We'll definitely return.
(4)Tracey L.
Soccer mom dinner out at Russo's was a great night! Had good food, good company and great wine and dessert! The manager was awesome and overall we all recommend Russo's. The garlic knots were delicious and the tiramisu was the best I've ever tasted. Did have to wait longer than we were told and nowhere outside to sit down, had to ask twice for the complimentary focaccia bread which came when we were will into our entrees. Will definitely come back, glad to have a nice restaurant in Ewa Beach which has too many Subways and Chinese restaurants.
(4)Cory M.
The food was fair for Italian cuisine, good portions at a somewhat reasonable price. Marinara was a bit sweet for my taste, but my daughter loved it. That's about where the "good news" ends. Stopped in for lunch and ordered 2 meatball sammys, an appetizer of knots, and a spaghetti with meatballs. Not only did it take 15 minutes to get water, it took 45 minutes to get our food! It's not like they werr busy. there was a whopping 4 tables occupied and 3 servers. If the lack of kitchen timing wasn't bad enough, they ran out of the house wine, upgraded me to a pricier chianti without running it by me, and they charged me for the upgrade!!! If you're not gonna run it by me, at least comp the difference, come on! My advice, save your money and go elsewhere. I'd have given zero stars, but yelp made me give at least one star.
(1)Kris M.
Made a reservation for 16, confirmed. Called back to change the time, "we don't take reservations." Then why the hell would you ask for my information? Bad experience before we even had a chance to try it.
(1)Omar F.
This place is AWESOME!!! My new favorite restaurant! Everything is so fresh, if you sit at the bar you can see everything being prepared. Ewa really needed this. If you get a chance t meet the owner(Robert) such a cool down to earth dude. He will surely take care of you. If you're wondering on checking it out, just go! You will not be disappointed!
(5)Patty C.
Daughter and I had cravings for Italian food so stopped here and Audrey our awesome waitress recommended we try the Fettuccine Alfredo and Chicken Saltimbocca . So ono, will be back!!!
(5)Melissa K.
We come here quite often and highly recommend this place. My only complaint is that the waitstaff never knows what kind of beer you have on tap or by the bottle. It is very frustrating to walk past the beer cooler on the way in and check out the selections only to be told by the waitstaff that you don't have any pale ales or india pales ale. We just saw them on the way in!! We love this place as our happy hour location but you need to get your waitstaff trained on the drink selection.
(4)Francis C.
The food was a 3 but our waitress (Steff) was so good which bumped it up to a 4. Something new in ewa beach and a good place to eat. Only down fall is the wait which is expected because it is new.
(4)Roger B.
My wife and I just moved to Hawaii from Chicago and have been in search of good pizza. Not only was the pizza very tasty but the service was great! Ask for Crystal... She's was awesome!!
(4)Mele M.
:-)
(2)Mary D.
I have panned this place before. And this fourth time just verifies everything. This place could be good but it's not. It's awful. The food--not so bad but not good either. The service--abysmal. Once again we were FINISHED before the waitress brought the damn bread with a cheery "fresh out of the oven". It would have been welcome at the beginning of the meal. Or even when we got the salad. I dropped a fork and had to grab another from a nearby table after waiting for the waitress to even acknowledge it. The powdered grated cheese is awful on the fairly decent food. The service doesn't do it justice. I HOPE I don't have to go back here.
(2)Kirk M.
Food was decent, but both times I was here, there seemed to be confusion on which was supposed to wait my table. Hope they get the bugs worked out soon.
(3)Shigemi W.
It is different from other Italian restaurants. Restaurant to pricey since the food & house wine is just okay. Gave three stars for our waitress who was very attentive. Maybe as time goes by, food will be better.
(3)Chris A.
Wow, this place is great! We just moved to Ewa Beach, and we are originally from New York, and we absolutely thrilled to find pizza and wings done right. Mahalo.
(5)John C.
This place has really good Italian food I never cared for Italian food until now , the service was great , there were more than 1 person helping us and making sure we were ok , everyone was so genuine! We will be coming back for the garlic knots and pasta !
(5)Will Jenny K.
Boo Hoo! We were so excited to try this place, and the saddest part was that the food was decent, it's the service that is TERRIBLE! Everything took forever! We went for lunch and it took us over an hour and a half just to get trough our meal. This was the first and last time we will be dining at Russo's Coal Fired Italian Kitchen.
(1)Sannara L.
The best pizza on the Island. Authentic coal fired pizza at its best. Thanks to Melissa for serving us with the best service anywhere, bar none. To bad its a franchise.
(5)Esther Claire D.
Amazing! My mom, boyfriend, myself, and my daughter went for dinner on their official grand opening. There wasn't much of a wait, which I was surprised about. All the workers were friendly and approachable. Service was great! Everything happened as it should. Was always asked if we were ok, if we needed anything. Everything came out pretty fast, considering they were busy. Food was AMAZING. Portion size for the price is more than perfect! One entree is enough to feed two. We ordered 4 appetizers, 2 drinks, & 3 entrees and spent about $83. In my opinion, that's really good, especially for the service and quality if everything we were provided. GREAT addition to the community. We definitely needed an Italian spot on this side. It's so convenient and close to home. Their food is great. The setting is awesome. I can't wait to come eat here again. MUST TRY: the garlic knots, the tomato basil soup (try them together)
(5)Grace G.
So upset, we waited about 10 minutes till our server introduced himself and asked what kind of drinks we wanted. Then we wait almost an hour for our dinner. Our service was worst than the first time we came here. Never again!
(1)Alan C.
I am updating a review from about two months ago - Food remains excellent, but the service really needs to be addressed. Maybe our server was new but seemed a bit overwhelmed. I do judge the entire dining "experience" from beginning to end, but when you order three glasses of wine, and watch other tables who arrive after you, get theirs before you, it is not the bar tenders fault. If you are the owner of this place, or managing the staff, you are losing business. We went in on a Monday and there were a couple large groups but certainly not crowded. Check my previous post - I try not harp on the negative, but walking into and out of a place and you have 3-4 employee's up front who don't even say hello on the way in or thanks on the way out - when there is no one else around is rude. This restaurant is close to our house in Ewa so we do like the location .... but there are other choices.
(2)Oriana S.
Great food and great service! ! Love their desserts especially. Very short waiting time as I came for pickup. Love the atmosphere as well might bring my husband for his birthday this coming week.
(5)John C.
For those of you unfamiliar with Ewa Beach, there aren't very many options for dining out so we were very excited to learn that an Italian Restaurant serving New York Style Pizza was opening here. Adding to the excitement was the fact that they serve beer and wine which is non-existent in Ewa Beach. Needless to say, I was really hoping this place would be great. Unfortunately though, it is far from it. Let's get right to the point... The Food: The so called NY Style Pizza did not in any way shape or form even remotely resemble NY Style Pizza in terms of taste, texture or quality. It was exceptionally limp, bland and soggy. And to add insult to injury, it was completely COA (cold on arrival). The Chicken Saltimbocca looked nothing like a traditional Saltimbocca dish and the star of the dish, the chicken, was severely overcooked and dry. I ordered the meatball appetizer which I asked for extra hot (heat wise) and they actually got that right. The meatballs were hot, soft and garlicky. Perhaps a little too garlicky but I happen to love garlic so that didn't bother me. The Venue: The place suffers severely from "lack of ambiance." They need to warm it up a bit with some greenery or something that will help differentiate this place from an ordinary pizza shop. The Wait: Unless you get there before 5 pm, expect to wait for a table or seating at the counter which overlooks the oven (a nice alternative to sitting at a table). The Service: Our server was young and a bit green but she did a good job overall despite forgetting to bring my glass of wine. On a positive note, the manager on duty was very pleasant, professional and did her best to address the issues with the food. She also had a lovely accent (I'm guessing she's from New Zealand). The Bottom Line: 1. The food is mediocre at best and despite what they call it, the pizza is simply not that good and New York it's not. 2. Service can range from bad to good. 3. It's the only restaurant of it's kind in Ewa Beach that also serves wine and beer so in my opinion it's worth checking out at least once so you can decide for yourself whether or not it's worth a repeat visit. For what it's worth, I'll probably go back for the meatballs and a glass of wine so I hope it gets better and stays in business.
(2)E And L G.
This is an FYI for Russo's - (from the web) When serving wine, fIrst, the bottle is presented to the person who ordered it. It's a way to confirm it's the same wine that was ordered, and there was no last-minute substitution). We had two bottles - both brought to the table pre-corked. The cork is then presented--usually placed on the table in front of the person who ordered the wine. They can look at it, feel, it, inspect it, smell it or ignore it, up to them. In the olden days, inspecting a cork was one way to ensure a wine's authenticity. Sometimes it gives clues about how the wine was stored--hopefully one end is damp and it's still a little spongy when you squeeze it, not dry and crumbly. You can take the cork with you as a souvenir if you wish, as I sometimes do. I've also seen servers present a screwcap, which is OK with me. the wine was good, the location so nice to be in Ewa, but we so wish the food to just get a taste of freshness and fairly Italian.
(2)Raymond G.
Coal Fired Italian has made its way to Hawaii, the hype has begun. I'd like to say the wait has been worth it, but both waiting for it to open, and waiting for a table, proved to be less then exciting. I learned of Russo's opening nearly 6 months ago, and was interested and excited; an italian, coal fired restaurant in Ewa Beach? It was something we needed. Well, the day has come, let's take a look at how it turned out. It's Friday night, on opening weekend, so obviously the lines are going to be long. I really can't dock them for having long lines. They did open up last Monday though, so they had all week to learn kinks and get ready for the weekend. What I can dock them for, is when we arrived, we were told "45 minutes to 1 hour". 1 hour later, we were told there was still approximately 1 hour left. That's a lot longer than what was originally told. It ended up being 1 hour and 20 minutes, but it still took a while. While waiting, we were able to sit inside and drink wine and beer while waiting. We were eventually escorted to our table with our drinks, and the service began. The service was very well done. It was busy, and I understand that, so the waiter can only spend so much time per table. Even the hostess was at least polite when we checked on the time, and didn't try ushering us away. The manager and owner were also walking the restaurant and took time to stop and talk to us. The ambiance had some positive and negative sides. While currently, it is too small for the number of people interested, I expect that once everyone gets a taste, and the crowd dies down, it will be the perfect size for families and small groups. The negative was that because of the small size, any group that got rowdy interrupted everyone's dinner. They have a bar table in front of the pizza stand, where people watch the pizza made. There was one group there that were very drunk, and very loud. Every time a pizza was tossed, they would scream and hoot and holler. While there is only so much a restaurant can do, the pizza makers could have made less of a show, as they were openly pointing out when they were about to do tricks. The owner did eventually walk over to calm them down though. Everyone has been waiting to here about the food though. We started out with the meatballs for an appetizer. The meatballs fell apart with a fork, and were quite tender. The sauce that came with them was good too. If you get the meatballs, hold on to the sauce for when the bread comes, they go great together. I say that, because the olive oil/seasonings mixture for dipping the bread is not enjoyable. We also ordered a Pizza Margherita, something simple to wait for for, that should be easy to master. The pizza was flavorless, and 22 dollars. There was no sauce on the pizza, so that limited the flavor, and the tomatoes chosen to top the pizza didn't have much flavor either. The crust was good though, so that is a good thing to improve upon. If you want to try this, wait a bit. It's not worth going during the hype. I haven't tried the pasta yet, and I understand it is tough during the wait, so this review can always be improved. For now though, this place, even with a 15% military discount, just isn't worth the wait or money.
(2)Garrett S.
Russos is a great place to eat. Lots of different choices and I really haven't had anything bad there. My favorite is the spicy shrimp Alfredo and the pizzas! Sometimes it takes a while to get the free bread up front. Depends on the amount of people there but hey it's free!! And delicious. The service has always been great as well even when they are busy. If you go ask for Shea, she's always super friendly and fast!!
(4)Destinee K.
Decided to try this place since we live across the street but if I could take it all back, I would. Confusing because there is no host table. you have to put your name down with a cashier. We waited 30 mins to be seated. I wonder why thye chose to make us wait so long when we said we would sit at the bar and it was open when we told them that. I should have left at that point. My husband ordered a sandwich but the waiter said the stop selling that at 3pm. Tried to find it printed but nowhere does it say it but he decides not to order at all. My son orders a large slice but the waiter says they stop serving that at 6pm. Again no where is it printed and I just seen someone else eat it. He checks the tickets and finds that someone just ordered it so he says he will beg the kitchen staff. Next thing you know I see the oven bakers pull out a a frozen slice of pizza and slap some cheese and pep on it and a few minutes later it was on a plate for my son. ewww frozen? but my son wanted to try it. When he was finished, he said he rather eat Little Ceaser's pizza. That's pretty bad. What really disturbed me was my view from where we were at the bar. One of the oven bakers kept rubbing his eyes and then working on appetizers and rolling dough. Not once did I see him wash his hands. Between orders oven bakers would practice throwing a rubber dough in the air and went back and forth between food without washing their hands. The staff thinks it's ok to place order tickets in the customer's food so the server can identify it. When I requested not to have our food contaminated by paper and server fingers, the kitchen staff kept looking back at me like I did something wrong. And for the kicker, there was a pizza display that sat on the counter that I thought was decoration and had been there since I walked in to put our name down for a table. The eye rubber oven baker began to cut up the pizza and wrap it in plastic. I asked what they were doing with it and he said they will be frozen for tomorrows large pizza slices. YUK!!!! My son looked disgusted because he just ate yesterday's frozen mess that was probably sitting out all day. Unacceptable and disgusting! You guys would be in trouble if I was a health inspector.
(1)Mark B.
It wasn't what I expected it to be. Spent way more than we wanted to. Service was not great either.
(3)Bob C.
Ate in twice maybe three times, got takeout twice....... Overall, this place is decent. I've had both good and annoying experiences here, but I'll be back again. Suggestions: eating at Russo's or ordering takeout is best done during off peak hours. My first experience was 4pm on a Thursday the week they opened - it was quiet and enjoyable. From other reviews I've read, and from observing the restaurant during peak hours, it seems they have a ways to go before they're operating like a well oiled machine. I understand new restaurants can take a little while to find their groove, so I'm not offended. When it's busy, expect a noisy and prolonged experience. Again, this is to be expected with a new place that gets very busy during the dinner rush. On the takeout side of the house, I've had a couple minor issues. First, let me recommend ordering something from takeout that you can reheat when you get home (pizza, calzone, etc.). The first time I ordered takeout, I waited almost a half hour to receive my order and pay. All while the order was a few feet away, cooling off. By the time I got home, my fettuccine Alfredo was a congealed mess. I still ate it though haha. It was decent even when room temperature and slimy. The second issue I had (occurring the second time I ordered takeout) involved paying with cash. They couldn't open the drawer to give me change! They did give me my food right away! Unfortunately, I was forced to stand there awkwardly because there is no place to set the takeout down while waiting ten minutes for them to find a key to the cash drawer. The awkward part more occurred during the actual handing me change. I needed a free hand and didn't have one. Oh well I'll just pay with card next time. Onto the good stuff! The food I've had has been great. Spinach artichoke dip is awesome. The bread they serve is good. The salads are fine and even taste good as takeout. CALZONES!!! Their calzones are awesome. I highly recommend ricotta cheese if you're building your own. Their pizzas are also good. Chicken parm and baked ziti are also very good. The prices for entrees seem to be in the $15-$20 range, and if it's not too crazy in there the ambiance is nice. I understand what a lot of people are saying on here about the servers not tending to their tables in a timely manner (I assume during the dinner rush). My service has been acceptable, and the servers have been very friendly. I expect the service will improve over the coming months as this place matures. The manager seems to really care. The biggest problem I see is this place is handling volume it's just not equipped to deal with. Rumor from the nail salon is that a Buffalo Wild Wings is going in on the second floor! That'll definitely make the dining crowd at Russo's more manageable. Thumbs up to Russo's, keep improving. I'll be back.
(4)Mary D.
We have given this place a couple of chances since it's close to home & the food is decent BUT service is HORRIBLE every-time we go. Have to ask for water or refill of soda more then once, takes FOREVER for their food or to get a take out box & the check and even longer for the waiters to pick up the check, every time we had to waved down the waiters to pay for your check. We gave this place a chance but management needs to rethink or TRIAN their staff- I expect good customer service if I'm going to pay $30 for pizza & $20 for a salad!!
(1)Andy A.
FOOD is always good, the staff is extremely friendly and helpful. They are known for their pizza, but I'm a huge fan of the spaghetti carbonara...yum! I try to make it here 1- 2 times a week.
(4)Michelle S.
Wish I could give no stars. Good was horrible and service was even worse. When I asked the waiter a question he brought the menus back out and started arguing with me. My friend eventually got the manager who just made excuses about being short staffed blah blah blah. As a customer I don't care. I am still paying the same amount. I will never return or recommend this place.
(1)Charito B.
Had lunch today (9/20/14) around 12:30, 2 waitress trying to decide who is going to help us one finally came after waiting 15 minutes. She looks like she was forced to come because she came with no smile and she was no help at all. Waitress never came back to see if we needed anything else. They knew we were waiting for our tab but refused to look our way. How can u forget a salad? It's an appetizer. I gave this place few months and see if they will improve but to me it got worse the workers looks like they all unhappy good food but very unfriendly atmosphere.
(1)Tracy J.
I should have taken photos! My friend suggested Russo's for an early dinner/drinks. So happy it's walking distance from our house...it's great to have more restaurant options so close to home. The restaurant looks small but they have an outdoor sitting area so there was room for us. We did go at 5PM (they open at lunch) and by the time we left at 7PM, there was a wait. We got a bottle of wine to share...$30 for a Mark West Pinot. Not bad, but I'll check to see if we can bring our own wine in...Safeway is just across the way. We also shared mozzarella balls and a caprese salad. They bring you a bread basket. The bread is like a flatbread...yummy with a a lemon/red pepper olive oil. The lemon is a nice touch to that dipping sauce. The mozzarella balls are so light, they were definitely a hit. It comes with marinara for dipping and while it was good, nothing to rave about. The balls come on a small bed of lettuce so presentation wasn't outstanding. But we're here to eat right?? The caprese salad was very good. The basil was fresh and the balsamic was a reduction. I could have munched on that all night!! I ordered the chicken marsala for my entree and my friend ordered the risotto. The marsala was very good, not as much salt as I like but I AM southern! They use portobello mushrooms so it was very hearty. The noodles were fettuccini and they were prepared just right. Not mushy!! My friend's risotto had very large shrimp, a pesto sauce, zucchini, squash, mushrooms and artichokes...it was bursting with flavor. I would highly recommend her dish. I don't normally order shrimp dishes but I would order this! Their menu is very large and I look forward to trying many other things!
(4)Raynette G.
Awesome place for a get together. Our Friends Had THEIR Anniversary, renewing of their vows celebration. The service was exceptional... The Owner, Manager, Waitresses, and servant Vili...was totally awesome! We had a wonderful time. The ambiance womderful...outside. We will definitely come again. Congrats Yolanda and Pete! We love you Both!!!
(5)Stephanie K.
Finally Ewa gets its first Italian joint. It is tucked into a corner of Laulani Village shopping center, between the UPS Store and Royal Nails Salon. We went at 7:30 pm on Friday Feb 7. For a table of 2, we were told the wait was 35 - 1 hour, so we decided to order takeout which we were told would take 30 minutes but actually took about 20, maybe less. We saw some people who came after us get seated within 15 minutes; so we regretted not putting our name down after all. The hostesses checked with us twice to see if we were doing alright. We were happy that we weren't neglected. I counted at least 20 servers/runners/busboys. The Canelonni (sp?) was delicious as well as the Chicken Piccata. We made it a point to walk around the place and saw some other delicious looking food and pizza. There is an outdoor eating area. I would recommend this place for couples, families and singles who want to cruise at the bar. Most definitely coming back (plus I took home a take out menu).
(5)K K.
Actually, zero stars. I have been to Russo's twice now. The first time they were busy and the staff was incompetent. It took forever to get seated and then they told us that there was a wait because the kitchen was backed up. We decided to leave because we were hungry and did not want to wait anymore. We decided to give Russo's another chance. Our bad. We were told that the wait would be a half an hour. I see now that the translation meant 45 minutes. We finally got seated. No water was offered or given, we had to ask NUMEROUS times and finally the waiter (loose term) brought some to us. I ordered tea and the water for it was not hot at all, like straight from a faucet, tepid water. Our server told us that the kitchen was backed up and that we should order "anything other than pizza" because there was a backlog in the kitchen. So much for the "coal fired Italian kitchen" in their name. This is now a pattern for Russo's. I ordered meatball pomodoro. The meatballs arrived COLD. We had to go and ask for utensils when the food came. Everything from the appetizer to the entree was lacking on every level. The service, well, there is no service. We asked another worker for water and she told us that she was not authorized to do so...I would have sent the meatballs back for warming up, but was afraid that it would take too long. This place needs to do better.
(1)John H.
Third time eating here and food, service and employees all top notch. We had calzone, can alone ( damn auto correct) and lasagna. Only problem is with long seating time but worth the wait.
(5)Alex Y.
Went here for Mother's Day been wanting to try Russo's for a while now I was very disappointed. I was told it would be a 10 minute wait, ended up waiting almost 30 minutes. Waited at least 10 minutes looking at 3 open tables. The hostess called someone else's name to be seated and that person pointed out that we had been waiting before them so she apologized and seated us. Once seated service was extremely slow. Ordered the calamari fritti as an appetizer it came out over cooked and rubbery. I ordered the spaghetti for the price portion size was very small compared to assagio my normal choice for pasta. I think for the same price you can get bigger portion at Assagio and same if not better quality service is definitely a lot better at Assagio. Won't try here again.
(2)Victoria A.
So there's a new kid on the block and this yeep is not a happy camper. I gave it a one star only because of the customer service (rather, the lack of it) and NOT for the food. I never got to taste the food because I left. Let me enlighten you with my experience at Russo's Italian Kitchen today! I took my daughter with me there this morning in hopes to enjoy this area newbie. We arrived at noon (there wasn't a Sunday brunch rush) and were enthusiastically greeted by a young lady who asked, "table for 2?" "Yes please!," I replied. "Follow me please," she smiled. At this point I was thinking, wow that was sweet. But what followed next was unbelievable! She stopped at one table to ask them how they were doing (with us behind her) then proceeded to another table (i'm thinking....WEIRD!!) and yet ANOTHER TABLE! Never once acknowledging that we were behind her waiting to be seated. As she engaged in conversation with the third table party we were left there standing (like an idiot I'm guessing) waiting for her to finish. I turned to ask my daughter if she also heard the hostess say, "follow me." I know I have selective hearing sometimes but when the hostess says "follow me," I DO! Especially if I know she's trying to seat me. My daughter said she heard her say the same thing and was just amazed as I was. So we are both standing there in the dining room waiting for the hostess who is NOW engaged in what appears a lengthy conversation. I felt like a third wheel on a blind date - awkward! So i figured, let's just go back to the front just in case she didn't say to follow her. We wait. And wait....and wait some more. Three male staff members saw us standing but never said anything (if it wasn't obvious enough that we were waiting to be seated). The hostess saw us standing there but never came back. If indeed it was our fault and heard her wrong, wouldn't she have come back to seat us or perhaps, if she was intent on seating us - wonder what happened to the guests she was leading to seat? Or perhaps, come back to the front and see if she lost her guests along the way? None of that happened. Point well taken - YOU DON'T WANT MY BUSINESS. Shame really. We left - disappointed and amazed. I called the store immediately and was directed to another number to call. I left my name and number for a manager to return my call. I sure hope someone calls me but if their customer service is any indication of what to expect, I guess I'll just be left standing there - again.
(1)Chris M.
Service is horrible. Our server took a break and our food just sat on the counter. They never provided us with any bread. We ordered ice tea and hot tea and the waitress was so slow. Made us feel as if we were an Inconvenience rather than a customer.
(1)Shannon D.
Did a review my first time there as u can read below. Since then I've gone back twice and we more satisfied with their service but not by much. Their waiters are very snobbish and it's surprisingly the men. We waiter for our waiter for about 10 minutes and had nothing to drink for quite some time. I need to stop coming here.
(2)Anela J.
The ambiance was nice and I was greeted enthusiastically and promptly told my wait was going to be about 15 minutes for my party of 6. The service was good but the wait time for the food was terribly long...but worth the wait. I recommend the garlic knots, and the bruschetta.
(4)Thuynhu S.
It was my first time going to this restaurant. I came in on 3/8/14 which was a Saturday around 12. It was kinda busy since it's still a fairly new restaurant. The waitress came right away and got our drink order and as we were making a drink order another waitress came and brought us the bread and Olive oil dip. I thought the Olive oil needed a little more than just the rosemary and red chili flakes so I added salt & pepper but that only slightly helped it. We ordered the calamari for appetizer and then I had the chicken al pesto and my husband had the chicken saltimbocca. The calamari was good. My opinion unfortunately about my entree was it need a tad bit mire seasoning to me and my husband agreed on the same fact for his entree. We ordered dessert which they don't currently have a menu for but the waitress told us what they had. I had the tiramisu and he I believe it was called a cream cake which was like a huge slice of cake which the waitress mentioned it can be shared. I did not enjoy my tiramisu which my husband said he knew would happen, I've only been happy with the one from Olive Garden. This one however was in a cup which I wasn't expecting but I guess I should've read more reviews and looked at all the pics. I could taste the coffee liquor in the tiramisu which I shouldn't taste so strongly I mean there was liquid at the bottom of the cup once I spooned out some to try. However my husband had no complaints on his dessert. I do appreciate the military discount they give. I believe I recall the waitress asking if either of us were firefighters or police as well, so I assume they give discounts for those as well, which is awesome. And I extremely like it because she asked us instead of us having to ask. Many places I go they wait for you to ask and if you don't then they don't bother. I wouldn't mind trying the place again for some other items on the menu.
(4)Sandra H.
Definitely the best pizza, sauce is almost like a sweet marinara. Service is also great! Wait staff very friendly and attentive. This place is my favorite place in Ewa. Can't wait to go back and try something else.
(5)Ben B.
Food is Great and deserves 5 stars! take the suggestions from the staff for items not on the menu. What brings the rating down is the wait times. Not good for large groups due to limited seating.
(4)Sam W.
Good food considering it's the ONLY restaurant in Ewa that's not fast food/drive thru or worse, Zippys. The reason for the one star, answer the phone for reservations and take out please. I called for over an hour and they only answered once. I was placed on hold for over 10 minutes. I gave up.
(1)S A.
Stay away at all costs. The person I met who claimed to be the "Executive chef" is a smoker. That means he has a very poor sense of taste. This is not a personal attack, it's a medical fact. As we were leaving he asked me how my food was, I was brutally honest and told him it sucked. He quickly blamed the "locally sourced" flour they had to buy as not being up to their standards, but its obvious their problems run much deeper than flour. He did offer us a "generous" 10% off the next time we come in, which was really more of an insult than a mea culpa. In my opinion any restaurant management that allows a smoker to be in charge of the kitchen, is clueless about food, customers, and has no business being in food service. If you have gluten health issues, be a pest and make sure - 100% sure - that the chef and management are positive they actually have gluten-free products as stated on the menu. Its not a joke or laughing matter Mr. owner. Putting ANY gluten food products on a plate you serve to a person with gluten intolerance - even just a little bit - can be a real medical problem and potential liability. There is no hostess station and no waiting area. Upon entering, nothing makes you feel welcome. When you walk in the front door you are literally standing inches behind someone who is drinking at the bar. And we all know people drinking at bars have wonderful social skills and they never eye-hump your wife or 12 year-old daughter. And they never make loud inappropriate comments about other customers. Non-alcohol customers are asked to stand outside in the elements, because some architectural genius thought a full liquor bar (and the kind of people that attracts) should be the first thing your family see's when you enter. The west and south-facing doors present a problem on windy days and the dining room becomes a blast tunnel every time someone opens the door leading to the patio - which is every 30 seconds. If you happen to be sitting inside by the patio doors (directly adjacent to the bathrooms by the way) you'll be blasted throughout your meal. Honestly, that's where the bar should be, not up front. I get the impression that they're far more interested in being the only establishment in the area with a liquor license, and less on being a food restaurant. They tried to seat us at the "pizza bar", but we wanted an actual table. The hostess told us it would be a few minutes. Ten minutes later the same hostess called our name, and tried to seat us at the pizza bar again. So it was back outside in the wind until they could work out that challenging task. WTF is up with the spinach artichoke dip? Its a semi coagulated unappealing mess of water and fat-solids. it should be a creamy consistency. This item looked like what you find inside an old paint can that hasn't been opened for 10 years - lumps of hard dried product floating in a wet mess with a crusty film developing on it. I've never eaten paint but it would probably be an improvement over the spinach artichoke dip at Russo's. I've been there twice and each time I witnessed the same phenomena. I saw people who didn't finish their meal and the waiter/waitress would bring it to them in a to-go plate. But the customer would just leave it on the table. I saw one lady shake her head in disgust and walk away from it. I did the same thing. If a restaurant is good, there are no leftover to-go plates, only empty plates. If its really good sometimes you'll see leftovers going out because people ordered too much yummy food, or the portions are HUGE. Neither of these is true with Russo's. When you see food left on the table next to the bill, that means the customer was so disappointed, they wrote it off as a total loss. They would rather walk away and make a clean break, then have anything to do with whats in that container.. That's beyond disappointing. Russo's is quite possibly the worst eatery on the west side of Oahu. Low standards, lack of attention to detail, frivolous cavalier attitude by management about everything but alcohol. Uncomfortable chairs, crooked tables that rock back and forth. These are all rookie mistakes from an unprofessional establishment that is blinded with an over-inflated opinion of itself. This is not whats expected from a chain with otherwise good reviews about its mainland counterparts.
(1)Aggie C.
I'm so glad that a great restaurant chain like this is in EWA!! I passed by EVERYDAY until I heard they opened. They are not even a week old! We came with no reservations and the place was packed. I thought we would be waiting a while for a seat, but they sat us right away. They have outdoor and indoor seating. Our waitress came out to check on us constantly. They apologized for the delay and that it may take 20 minutes for our food to come. It actually came 5 min after she talked to us. The food was wonderful. Generous portions, BIG slices of pizza and great atmosphere. You can tell they were still working out the kinks as they just opened a few days ago. Kinks: got the house bread late and it seemed burned, the order we put in was wrong, but the waitress caught it before it got to us and informed us right away. It is CROWDED! So many people wanting to eat here, so come early if you want a warm seat inside. (They can't help this! it's a popular chain!) a couple of the staff were folding napkins and utensils by the table near us. Management needs to make sure they have a decent place to do this or prep more to be prepared. If they were off to the side I would understand. But they were folding them right near our table. Once they work these out they will 5 star worthy. I only took one star away because our waitress was exceptional and the food was delicious! Overall Russo's has GREAT food and great service. If you come SHARE. The portions are really big. ALSO if you order there pizza make sure to get at least 4 toppings to really enjoy it. My suggestions to order: Spinach Artichoke Dip (CHUNKS of fresh ingredients. not canned!) New York Fiest Pizza Proscuitto and Fig Bruschetta
(4)John P.
I have tried Russo's probably 6 or 7 times. I live in Ewa so it's a very convenient place to go have dinner. On every visit with the exception of 1 the service has been terrible. I don't think any managers work there, just cooks and the wait staff who seem to be very very disorganized. Drinks never get refilled, bread is always about to come out but rarely does, and all the food (salad, appetizer, main entrée) come out with-in minutes of each other. Make sure you ask for the check 20 minutes in advance because that's how long it will take for them to bring it to you. The last time I went there the waiter never put our entrees in the computer so our food never came. And then he said that we never ordered anything until he found it written on his server pad. That is the LAST time I will ever eat there. The food is great, but not worth the aggravation. Go to Auntie Pastas!!
(1)Adam G.
I've only had one meal here, but it's the beginning of what I think will become a beautiful relationship between me and Russo's. I lived in Italy for 3 years and have had my share of Spaghetti Carbonara. This version was actually one of my favorites. I was a bit skeptical of the red onion at first, as I hardly saw that ingredient in this dish before, but I was pleasantly surprised! I can't wait to try their pizza next and garlic knots (which a lot of people were ordering). They served my beer (Stella) in a chilled glass which was a nice surprise too. I may just become a regular here because it's good and because it's just around the corner!
(5)Glenn L.
Well Wow! Ewa Beach rejoice, hell! leeward O'ahu, the whole island for that matter, finally a quality Italian restaurant and NY coal-fired pizzeria. We like all reviews so far have been waiting for them to open. We like Le Nonne but more regional specialty Italian gnocchi,risotto,ravioli excellent,and Pier Antonio is great(chef Owner), but some times you want a mainland NY Sicillian-style dining experience. This is the real deal.. The other "O" restaurants: ie: Ricado, Palazzo,Verbano,..etc. This is not! If this is your memory of Italian food...time to reboot!! Or,"forget about it! (Any of the other psuedo-Italian restaurant.) We had the Napoletana Pizza the Soho with pizza sauce and prosciutto, Sopressata Salami, porcini mushrooms. Was excellent! The crust was thin light but soft inside and the ingredients were fresh, like homemade BTW, the Soho is a deal choice of 3 toppings and sauce compared to the NY pizza build your own with three toppings was like $3 dollars more, sorry the pake comes out! We also,we're served a crispy focaccia bread with olive oil chili flakes and Italian seasoning Ono! We also had the Eggplant parmigiana it was enough for three and again you can tell that the freshness and quality of ingredients stand out and separate the others with their can or frozen content. We will be back again. Please note it was a soft opening we went on Wed. Had no problems or wait. Too cold now for us to eat outside, but pizzeria loud. Concrete floors more casual family so if want to go on a date to talk go to Le Nonne. We met proprietor Robert nice guy was thankful, but I thanked him for having the same vision of a much needed dining experience for Ewa and for all,Oahu. If you live townside well worth the drive, and time. Staff was on point, we were very well attended to considering first week and all. So I agree with Keith, we don't know where Julia can make an assessment of a restaurant that you've never eaten at? Obviously princess didn't get here attention and is just scorned and btw she didn't like El Mariachi and said Acapulco restaurant was better? Whaa! Gavacho diner for sure. But I digress. Did you ever think of calling before you made the assumption to walk their on their first soft day opening! Get a clue. It's your fault not theirs. Omg! People! Take personal responsibility for your faux pas. Don't assume it was their first day. Cut Em some slack huh! Anyways, fine with me one less person to have to wait to get in over. Your loss for sure. Your letting your pride prejudice your assessment of a restaurant shame!, because you don't know what your missing. Really Disney AMA AMA a tourist hotel restaurant is your def of great! good yes! great?? Say no more! I think you've been in the air too long eating that crap they call food, Really Airplane cuisine? Isn't that an oxymoron? People if you love good Italian then go to Russo and get "great Italian food"! My only gripe is I thought pasta carbonara was with pancetta and they are using prosciutto? Also. I am pretty sure I had Genoa salami instead of sopressata. That was disappointing but the crust makes the pizza, over the years I think too many toppings spoil a good pie and from our travels in Napoli their judicious and liberal sprinkle of toppings confirm it! American pizza is generally over-sauced and topped making the crust soggy more often than not. But talked to owner they haven't gotten the restaurant supplier online and had to do with local purveyors for the meat and missed the mark. Also the tiramisu, I thought the lady fingers were a little over-soaked for my taste. Other than that, we're looking forward to the grand opening in March. Welcome to the neighborhood Russo's and da island for sure! Long time coming!
(5)Leslie C.
Wanted to check it out in its second weekend hoping they had worked out the kinks of being a new restaurant. Walked in and we were immediately greeted by someone who looked like the owner/manager. We were seated near the open door to the outdoor seating area. It was a chilly night, so we asked if the door could be shut. The manager looking guys tells us they get complaints from both indoor and outdoor customers. They closed it initially and realized it would lock and not allow people on the outside to come in. It was a chilly back and forth confusion amongst the customers and waiters and ultimately it was just left open. Burrr. For some reason the lights in our area would periodically go out. The diners gave a mix of reactions: look up at the lights, pause in the middle of their bite, look closer at the menu, seek a waiter. The menu was blah. Nothing new or exciting. Not much variety in terms of pizza toppings. Could use more meat and veggie specialty pizzas. Table settings were a ruckus. There were no paper cups or child friendly drink holders. Just because we had a toddler with us, they didn't think she needed utensils. We ordered the dip that came with really hard bread/chips. We had to ask three different servers for our complimentary bread to eat the rest of the dip. Four or five waiters kept asking if they could clear the dip dish from the table. And after four or five times of saying "we're waiting for the bread to finish it," we just gave up and told them to take it away. We ordered some chicken pasta dish which was pretty good. Then the pizza came. I get the coal thing and all, but we were taken aback by the strong burnt taste. The pizza crust was soggy because there was a lot of cheese. The extra cheese was welcome, but next time maybe have a crust that can hold it. We finally checked under the pizza and it was literally black. Aha! The burnt taste! We left the slices of pizza turned over on our dishes and all of a sudden NO wait staff. I'm not a shy person so I loudly called out our waiter's name. He came strolling out of the kitchen area. We asked if the pizza normally tasted and looked burnt. He explained the whole coal cooking process but admitted ours looked quite burnt. No, he didn't offer compensation for the burnt pizza but gladly applied our military discount to our bill. I guess... Overall, it was a cute first try. The ambience is cute and all, but I seriously hope they get their act together. I want to see businesses like this succeed because new places are always welcome in this community. First impressions make a huge difference. Can't say I'll be returning any time soon.
(1)Zac G.
I tried to eat there 3 different occasions. They do not take reservations and waited over an hour each time before giving up. Giving 3 stars solely on no reservation policy and lack of place to sit and wait.
(3)Russell T.
Russos has very good food. The problem is that they take forever to serve you your food and when you ask for drinks or a water refill they dont come back. I also placed several take out orders and the service is very poor. First time they put me on hold for 10 minutes and then did not pick up the line. I called again and then a young lady answers the phone but carries on her conversation wirh a customer at the store and puts the phone down. I will not come back to Russos or cater any other orders until the staff at this location is more professional and gets their act together.
(2)Linh B.
We got there at around 6:30p, wait time was about 40 min, not too bad. As we were waiting, the proprietor came out offering pizza samples. It was a plain cheese pizza, but it tasted good. The service was great, very friendly, not just our server, everyone! Even during the dinner rush, they all were smiling. We ordered the fried buffalo mozzarella, fried calamari, chicken wings, meatballs, Greek calzone, and tirimisu. Buffalo mozzarella - yummy Calamari - good, could use a little more salt Meatballs - delicious, like eating meatloaf Chicken wings - Awesome, very flavorful Greek calzone - delicious Tirimisu - tasted homemade The marinara sauce, at first tasted a bit watery. We think it's because it's not from a jar. We think they make it themselves, so it's fresher, not processed. Oh, and as we walked out, about half the staff thanked us. Overall, great experience. Would we go back? Most definitely!
(4)Gina YeeJi S.
Meh..they lucked out being pretty much the only legit restaurant in Ewa, but I can't lie, it's a meh. Pizza was burnt and the server said it was because it was coal fired. I didn't even know what to say to that..I don't care if you fired it with diamonds, a burnt pizza is a burnt pizza. Calzone was too spicy, risotto was too heavy, and salad was waaaay too acidic. They should just dial it down a little, but they probably won't because right now they are owning ewa with people starved for a sit down restaurant so if you must just know it's a meh
(2)Dustin O.
Great local restaurant for Ewa Beach, I have actually passed it a few dozen times going to Safeway. I finally had a chance to sample the food and taste the wine. Great atmosphere for a date night and family gathering. During the evening they play live music outside. The waitresses are on it and make sure that your glasses are full and the bread is flowing. They have a great verity of pizzas and appetizers.
(5)J R.
Finally tried this place out because I had to attend a baby shower there. I heard bad reviews about their service and food when it first opened. The first thing I noticed upon entering the inside of restaurant was that it's small. I wouldn't bring my family of 5 in there (considering I have 3 small kids). We had the shower outside and the space is better than the inside but still tight for the amount of people we had. Staff was friendly and accommodated us the best they could but OMG the service was AWFUL! It took FOREVER for our food to come...I'm pretty sure it was an hour wait. Some if us didn't have plates or water. The 3 stars is for the food. I believe I ordered the chicken pesto. At least the food wasn't that bad. The seasoning was just right for my taste and they had more than enough chicken on there than most pasta dishes I've ordered elsewhere. Other than that, I'd still skip this place and take my family somewhere else for Italian food.
(3)Geraldine M.
This place has delishes food! The chicken fettachini is the bea best I've tasted! The calzones are a hit too! Wine selection is good. I like the red wings. Usually after dinner wine. Come on down and try it out. It's better than the other Italian restaurant in kunia!
(5)Amatchia H.
Disappointing...I was excited to try somewhere in the west oahu area that wasn't a chain or Asian food but sadly this place was rather disappointing. The location is nicely decorated and conveniently located but the service was poor and the food was meh. We didn't want pizza so we had the ravioli in vodka sauce that was pretty good, although they charge extra if you want chicken, and the chicken piccata which was bleh. Also it was a Tuesday night and not busy but service took a long time...we waited over 10 minutes for a beer...thats right a beer and by the time it arrived we were done eating sheesh. Overall for the price which was about $70 for 2 entrées, 2 beers and 1 appetizer it was not a value nor worth while. Maybe their pizza is legit but what we got for food and service was not worth while. Oh well lesson learned.
(2)Tianee R.
Dinner starts off with an absolutely delicious herb-seasoned flat bread & balsamic EVOO dip as soon as you sit down. We enjoyed an amazing fried calamari appetizer soon after, followed by a flavor-filled Soho thin crust pizza with homemade garlic sauce, grilled chicken, spinach & portobello mushrooms. Topped off the night with a sweetly authentic Italian cannoli for dessert, and my tummy is so happy! Service was fast & friendly, but I do wish they served mixed drinks from their bar! For the beer & wine lovers only. Definitely suggest coming out here to satisfy your next Italian craving! Change it up from the Bravo's or CPK for once ;)
(4)Gail F.
Russo's is our favorite restaurant on the west side of Oahu! The food is Italian and very good!! Everyone is real nice and on the weekends there is live music outside, which is Great!!! A true gem in Ewa Beach!!!!! Love it!!
(5)Nelli C.
My husband and I wanted to give this place a second chance, but we definitely won't be coming back here for a very long time after this evening! Service is extremely slow, and we had to wait for our check for almost 20 minutes. Our Server only came up to us to take our order and deliver our food; didn't check up on us once while we were eating. It would have been nice to get a refill on drinks and water. We also ordered just one pizza and a pasta dish. They charged $3 more for chicken on my Fettucini Alfredo. Our bill was not worth the service and food unfortunately!
(1)Keoni M.
Another great meal here. Had the shrimp primavolo and it was delicious. Also had the garlic knots and calamari special. Definitely a pleaser. The staff is always great and on point here. Didn't have to wait long, as we had an early dinner. Decent price for a fine-dining restaurant in Ewa.
(5)Adrian V.
I am so glad hat this restaurant popped up within walking distance to my house. I have visited Russo's on several occasions and have never had anything less than excellent. Make sure to try the garlic knots or Brooklyn pizza.
(5)Samantha S.
We finally made it and sat down at Russo's. We ordered pizza previously and I thought it was pretty good. I won't rant and rave but it was a decent pie. We came here on a Thursday night and the look inside is great. Inside and outside tables with live music (which I'll soon talk about). Service was very good, everything is apparently "made to order" so it might take some time but we aren't impatient people so we didn't mind. My husband had a make your own calzone and it was hot and delicious. It was not burned at all like previous reviews had mentioned. I had the fettucine alfredo and added portebollo mushrooms and spinach. I thought it was pretty good, not exactly the same taste as a regular alfredo. It was definitely good though. ***This is my second review and I increased it to 5 stars because they outdone my previous review that I removed most of. The live music was great this time and we enjoyed ourselves a lot. The spinach artichoke deep was probably the best I've ever had! We stuck with pizza and I loved it. So far, not other complaints.
(5)Kaitlin B.
So I've been back a few times since my original post and I like this place more and more each time I come. The food has been great - both dine in and take out. I've found a new love in their prosciutto pizza and enjoyed their "village" pizza as well. When we came in to order take out we had a beer while waiting and not only did they offer us the free dine- in bread and oil they also offered to keep our food in the warmer so we could take our time enjoying our drinks. Beer comes in a frosty glass and the service has been great - friendly and attentive!
(5)Tina L.
Absolutely HORRIBLE SERVICE! Bf and I went in on a week day around 8ish. It was relatively slow maybe 4 or 5 other tables and a few people at the bar. First we waited about 10 min to be seated, no one else ahead of us waiting, then we waited another 15-20min before someone even acknowledged us, then another few min for someone to come and take our order. They had only been open about a month or so at this point so I just figured ahh whatever they're still trynna get their sh*t together. After ordering they brought out our drinks, one water and one coke, and their house bread which was really good slightly toasted but still nice and chewy in the middle (the one and only upside to this review!). We waited about 10-15 min for our food which didn't bother me because we were busy devouring the bread. But the food itself was just ok after receiving our food not one person stopped by to check on us or refill our drinks! Mind you our drinks were pretty much empty by the time our food came because we ate about 2 baskets of bread. After asking for our check and a box we waited another 15min and received just the check! I was over it and just wanted to go at this point. All in all we probably won't return. If we got this bad of service on a week night with just a few tables I don't even want to imagine what we'd get at a peak time of service.
(1)K B.
Food was alright. Although I did love the sausages on whatever pizza my bf got. 4 stars because entertainment on the weekend is awesome! Sit outside if you have an option and enjoy the love music, that made my night.
(4)Ernest P.
...because the wait to be seated in this establishment was ridiculous, where there were at least 5 open tables, I was able to read the past month of reviews. Service is very substandard. And compared to the price of food here, it is EXTREMELY FLIP FLOPPED: 5 STAR prices with 1 star service! Therefore, after waiting 15min to sit down and another 5 with no waiter acknowledging me, I politely walked out! So, you've been warned....
(1)Tim K.
This time was not good at all. We've been here before and the service was just ok. I thought maybe it was a fluke. Nope. Service is crappy. The waitresses are very nice but just not that good. Their pizza and calzones are the only thing to go back for. Other than that - unfortunately - it's just ok. My wife ordered the Mediterranean pasta and the dish was half full of water. Yuck. The nice part was we asked the waitress if that was normal and she half heartedly said yes. She ended up taking 10 % off. Thank you ms. Waitress that was a nice gesture. Bottom line: go for their pizza and calzones. It's the best in ewa beach. Oh wait - it's the only Italian place in ewa beach. :-(
(3)Robert L.
I fell in love with this place after a night out with my wife. Great food, close to home, perfect. So much so I started coming here every Tuesday with people from work for Happy Hour. Unfortunately this was to be my last week in Hawaii and our worst visit. Our small party of usually 2 or 3 turned into 9 this week so we asked to be seated at a table , no problem . After 2 large pizzas, 2 entrees, and 3 rounds of drinks ( draft beer) we were surprisingly denied another round. We asked why and were told it was a managers decision. A manager we never saw on the floor! So it was the decision of a person watching us have a good time that it was over. Our party was made up of a 20 year Navy Veteran, 2 school teachers, 2 retirees and 4 professionals ( of various occupations). To say we were shocked would be an under statement. Never were we asked to quite down or even if we would mind moving outside. Both not unreasonable although it was not busy. Food is great but if you are looking to have a good time while you eat this might not be the place for you !
(2)Channon K.
Ordered the Spinach & Artichoke appetizer to go, fairly good price. I went in at around 1130 and there were a few tables sat. When I paid, the girl at the front told me it should be a few minutes and offered me something to drink, thank you, btw! I wanted to take a look around so I went to find the bathroom, nice and clean. The restaurant itself is really cute. I can imagine how loud it gets during peak hours because of the hard floors. Anyway, I ended up standing around for about 15 minutes. Which bothered me, after being told it would only be a few minutes. I also wish they gave me a plastic bag or something to carry it. Now on to taste, the dip itself is good. HUGE PIECES OF GARLIC still swimming around in it so beware, the bread that is served with it is good as well. Overall ok experience. I'd love to try some other menu options :)
(3)Jonathan S.
I didn't really know what to expect from an Italian place in Ewa Beach and I pretty much didn't get anything good from it. Lol. For the 3 of us, or bill came to well over $70. That does not include tip. I'm sure others probably had a great experience, but I would have to say just try other places before this place. Lol. The wait wasn't too long, maybe about 10 minutes. The restaurant looked busy, and there was a line at the entrance. It was one of those experiences where the waitress takes your order, someone else brings it out, and then the waitress magically appears later with the check. One of the courteous rules as a good server is to at least check up on your customers after they've had a taste of their food. But really the waitress literally disappeared during the whole dinner service. What's funny is I saw more of the other waiters and waitresses walking past us than our own waitress several times! Sadly the most memorable parts of the experience were all negative. The food was ok. I can't even say the food was worth remembering. In retrospect, we could've saved quite a bit of $$$ by not being lazy and just walking right over to Safeway across the parking lot to get a Digiorno pizza, a bottle of Ragu or Prego sauce, and some Barilla pasta to make at home. Basically we paid to wait for overpriced food. Lol. There are other Italian eateries I would instantly choose over this place. Right up the street in Kunia is Auntie Pastos or in town there's Buca di beppo or Angelo Pietros. I told my brother, no thanks to a second chance. Once was more than enough. They definitely have a lot of work to do to better their level of service. Thank you for such great service! Lol.
(1)Mama C.
Seated instantly! Fast friendly service! Christian has been our server a few times and he is awesome! Sweet and friendly!
(4)Lance S.
Just finished lunch, waitress forgot to place my order, calzone. Everyone in my party got their food, except me. Luckily, someone in my party ordered a pizza and had enough to share. Although I did not get my food, what I had tried was ok. I feel that as a service industry business, please remember, your service to remember someone's order is important.
(1)Suzanne R.
First time here. Food was good but service is not so good. Two of us got our food then the other 2 got theirs 10 minutes later. Not good. We had asked for lemons for our drinks and had to remind the waitress that we still needed lemons after she was walking around setting tables. We didn't get any bread so can't say anything about their bread and we should of gotten. Pricey for the meals. We will give it one more try, but this time I wasn't impressed, its too bad Ewa needs a good restaurant.
(2)Mookie H.
So the WoMan & I went out on a lunch date to Russo's since it was new to the neighborhood. Parking wasn't an issue, as its almost 1245. We were met by the host & sat immediately. We chose to sit indoors vice outside in the hot Ewa sun. Music was rather random from John Mayer to Leonard Skinnard. We were brought flat bread & balsamic vinegar & olive oil with herbs & a hint of red pepper. Our waitress, Erikka, was at our table within minutes with menus & our drink request. We decided to have Goose Island 312 draft beer ($7.00) a glass. The combination of the beer and balsalmic was very flavorful. For appetizers we went with Mussels Fra Diavolo ($12.95) & Cucumber salad ($8.95). Our main entrées were Spaghetti with meatballs ($13.95) & Spicey Shrimp Alfredo ($14.95). All of our food was excellent. The mussels were delightful with the Pinot Grigio marinara sause. The cucumber salad was very tasty with the red onions & Kalamata olives. The meatballs had flavors of sage, basil, & something I wasn't quite able to identify. The jalapeño & cilantro added just the right bite to the shrimp. The flavors are still lingering on my tongue as I write this review. It was pure eye candy. Just looking at it made my mouth water. Overall; I was very pleased with my meal & service for my first trip there. The price was average ($73.00) for good Italian dining compared to Bucca Di Peppo & Anti Pasto. I will be eating there again. I want to try there garlic pizza dough balls.
(4)Kerrie C.
This is the second time we've dined here since they first opened. The first time was soon after the grand opening and understandingly, they were still working out the kinks. This time being a few months later, it seemed as though they had things running a bit more smoothly. We checked in with the hostess who was super friendly and welcoming. She asked us if we preferred an indoor or outdoor table. The last time we dined inside but the acoustics were pretty bad and it was super noisy, so this time we opted for a table outside on the lanai. She said that we could expect a forty plus minute wait. Ordinarily, I would've probably decided to leave with a forty minute wait, but it was a cool summer evening and they had live, amateur musicians on the lanai that we did enjoy while we waited. We even went back in to let them know that we were outside by the musicians so they could find us. After about 40 minutes, we checked back in with the hostess to see how much longer, when the other host doing the seating said that he had already called our name. Ok? He then walked us to a table inside, near the restroom. No, thanks. I said that we had waited nearly forty minutes and requested an outside table. I sensed his irritation, but he handled it well and took us outside and seated us on an empty table near the door. Coolness. Our servers were all friendly and attentive and promptly took our drink order and came back to take our appetizer order. Seeing that the servers were quite busy, I asked an employee who I think was a bus boy who was refilling waters if we could have some dinner bread. He said that the kitchen was making more but he never said that he would bring us some when it was ready, and thus we never got any to enjoy with our yummy Caprese salad appetizer or at any time during our dinner. Hubby seemed to enjoy his Spaghetti with Clams, and although my Greek Pizza came to the table a bit on the cold side, it was yummy and the crispy and tasty crust made up for our lack of dinner bread. We skipped dessert, but I overheard the server sharing their dessert offerings with the neighboring table. Cheesecake with a choice of topping, Red Velvet Cake and Coconut Cream Pie. I think the desserts vary from day to day. The restroom was nice and clean. While I waited for the ladies room, I noticed a cleaning chart posted on the wall with day and time blocks used to keep track of when it was last cleaned. The odd part is that it hadn't been marked or initialed since the day prior. I say get rid of the chart if it's not being used. Overall, the food was good and the experience was better than the first time. I can't quite put my finger on what's missing at this place because all the components exist for a five-star review: a great location with no other restaurants in the area, a good menu and good employees. But I think it just needs some fine-tuning to bring it all together. The open-mic style live music on the lanai was a nice bonus that we also enjoyed.
(4)Bethani E.
Came her for lunch with a friend on a weekday. Parking was easy, not too crowded, and restaurant was clean with a good vibe. We kept it light with a house salad, Caesar salad and shared a pepperoni pizza. Server was excellent and food good. Only complaint was that it was a little pricey for lunch. It would be nice if they had lunch specials. Ended up taking home leftover pizza. But if they offered a lunch menu, there would be no need to take anything home. Also, go the Russo's website and join their email club to download a $5 off coupon. They also offer a military discount.
(4)D M.
I stopped by Russo's only days after their opening. Normally this is not something I do because there are a lot of moving parts to a restaurant and new ones take time to find there rhythm but I was wanting something new so I decided to stop by and it was great find. Since I first visited the new Laulani Shopping Center in Ewa Beach I've been waiting for a few good restaurants to anchor it. Sure there is Teddy's and Pearls but it really needed a nice sit down dinning restaurant. Russo's is a perfect match. It's a well establish franchise that has a lot to offer without being over played or cookie cutter. The food offers both Italian staples as far as antipastas, pizzas, pastas and desserts, as well as, a few new twists to such classic dishes. Our server Mackenzie was on top of everything. We hit her with a bunch of orders to appetizers all at once and she delivered without fail. She was attentive, offered recommendations and was prompt with everything. Overall, Russo's is a great find for Ewa Beach and I look forward to returning soon.
(4)Michael M.
The restaurant was pretty nice considering we came in during lunch time. The dinning area was nice, not too crowded and honey also have outdoor seating and a little bar with a television. The food was all right with nothing extraordinary to write about. Overall I would come here again. For me personally the best thing are the garlic knots!!! Next visit I will have to try their pizzas.
(3)BG M.
It was my first time eating here. I heard mixed reviews about this place but I was glad I tried it out. We were greeted as soon as we walked in, and was seated couple minutes after. The waiter took our order and the food came out 10-15 minutes, 20 at the most. I ordered the chicken Parmesan, which was really yummy And My boyfriend was amazed by the spicy shrimp Alfredo. I took a piece of my boyfriends moms chicken al somethjng which was delish and my bf's dad ordered the spaghetti with clams. Everything was really good. Like I said earlier, I heard a lot of mixed reviews about this place, from the food being to bland or the service being junk. But we enjoyed our lunch this afternoon. We will most def go to this restaurant again in the future!!
(5)Anthony F.
Great restaurant in an area with not a lot of decent dining options. Ask for Crystal, she is the best server in the entire restaurant. We had the garlic knots and a large pizza, half chicken pesto and half Italian works. It was very good. I would come again, you should too!
(5)Alexa Kae F.
Food is excellent! We were seated and drink orders were taken. The house bread is amazing! Has a good atmosphere, family friendly but more of a date night restaurant I think. Prices are resonable for the amount and quality of food. We ordered the garlic bread as an appetizer and were shocked at the size and amount of bread! Service could improve a bit...we've been waiting around 10 minutes for our bill now.
(4)James G.
This place has to be the worst right next to antipasta, in Kunia. I went here for Italian cuisine, heard of this place from friends. So I decided to go in because I didn't want to cook, like most people on a Sunday night in Hawaii. So I walked in to a girl complaining about how her order was not cooked right. I then was greeted by the girl at the counter, the girls were pleasant and courteous, but what for me when the lady was complaining about her order her son was sitting at the bar, well my son sat next to him, my son was told he couldn't sit there but the other kid was alright, made no sense that they were the same age of 7, no worries, we ordered our food, pizza, calzone, calamari zimo. After 30 minutes because the first time the food come out looked like it wasn't cooked, so I sent it back to be cooked more. After total 40 minutes, I received my food. I left aebd went home. Got to the house, and went to give my son the pizza, it was still not cooked, raw looking on the bottom, the calamari ziimo, had a total of 4 baby squid, 6 olives, half a lemon, abd maybe a teaspoon of capers, I threw it out the squid wasn't cooked, and the calzone I have to my roommate, she wanted that. She opened it and asked where was the meet, I ordered a mozzarella, ricotta, pepperoni, and mushroom, all I got was everything a small 6 slices pepperoni and no mushroom. Well $50.00 made my mind up, I will never go back to this place, not because the service was bad, just because the food sucked, and I should have known, well lesson learnt. I understand people here in Hawaii like it, they just don't know Italian food, coming from Boston (noeth end), well would have figured it was like home, guess not. I hope people read this and just understand when you want Italian food you should get Italian food not "shit on a shingle", also I'm not use to all the grease they used to make everything, I don't recommend this place to anyone who had not gone there yet, save yr money, I'll cook it better for a lot cheaper, and ziti does not cost 15 dollars,
(2)Shannon R.
Food is good but they need help with the front of the house! 5 empty tables with about 10 tables total inside and so far I have counted 5 servers. No reason to be on a wait for an inside table! Yes, they have a patio which is great and there are people out there but again, when the staff has time to hang out and chit chat with each other then they should be able to at least greet a table and get them started on some of their delicious flat bread & dipping sauce. They have a nice salad selection and their tomato bisque soup is very yummy. Their pastas are pretty tasty as well. Wine selection is nice.
(3)Jerlynn B.
First time at this place I got there early so we were seated imidiately if I have come later the place was packed in 30 min . Service was great but food wasn't quite there appatizer we had was calamari which was good but had the chicken marsala and there just wasn't enough flavor was very bland ... Maybe I'll go there again another night and try something else ...
(3)Shawna A.
First time here. Honestly, the quality of the food was not worth the price. My husband thought the Chicken Saltimbocca was fair/poor. I ordered the Strombolli and it taste like I could have bought it at Sabarro's. The garlic knots and complimentary bread was good though. I'm happy I visited so I'd know not to come back.
(2)Jonathan C.
Still haven't had a chance to actually dine in at Russo's. so we ordered take out this past sunday. We ordered a large 16" New York Village pizza ($24), 1 order of the homemade meatballs ($6) and 1 order of the garlic knots (garlic bread) for $8. Total for food came out to $40 and they said it would take about 30 minutes for our order to be ready, they called us in 20min saying the food was ready for pickup. Take out seems to be the way to go if you're just wanting to try the food without having to wait a while for a table. Pizza was okay but nothing special, it was a little on the warm side so not sure how long it had been sitting on the counter waiting for us to pick it up. Garlic knots were pretty awesome, probably the best out of the three, they served it with a marinara sauce which was good, i luv garlic and butter and these had just the right amount. The meatballs (2) were about 3" in size each and the sauce that they were sitting in had a good flavor, the meatballs themselves were moist and had good flavor. After trying the food, I'm definitely interested to taste what else they have to offer.
(2)Tom F.
Since my earlier review, I have been back to Russo's and have been pleasantly surprised each time. They've really found their groove and have worked out the issues that come with a new establishment. Pizza is great, calzones are great, apps are good as well. Happy they're in Ewa, I will remain a repeat customer.
(4)Sandy H.
We came here a few weeks after opening on a Wednesday evening and a table required a 20 minute wait. I chalked it up to being the new thing in the neighborhood, and as I referenced in my other review...there aren't a lot of sit-down dining options in Ewa. Hubs and I are fans of Bravo's in Aiea, particularly their garlic bread balls. I was eager to find out what Russo's had in store for us and if they would top what we're used to at Bravo's. We ordered the spinach artichoke dip to share. While tasty, we wished that the portion was bigger, because we were left with a lot of bread and an empty dip bowl. He ordered one of the pizzas - can't remember the name of it except it contained a lot of meat and veggies - something Italian? Delicious and crust was not overbearing, but I didn't appreciate the hefty price tag. To be fair, we did have some leftovers to take home, so maybe the price is justified. I had the Chicken Piccata. My all-time Italian fave. IMO theirs was better than Bravo's. Pasta was Al Dente just as I like it and the portion was gigantic for the price. I was only able to eat half the dish after enjoying our appetizer. Overall quality wise it's a tad better than Bravo's and even Olive Garden. Kind of at par with Macaroni Grill. Our visit was so-so. Some items were overpriced while others were just right and comparable. The staff was reliable despite and extremely busy service. They apologized several times for the kitchen being busy. I appreciate that kind of honesty and just being checked on from time to time. Hopefully we'll return once the hype goes away to try the rest of the menu. Judging from my side glances to and from Safeway, it doesn't look like that'll happen anytime soon.
(3)Aulani P.
I never really hang around Ewa and when I do go to visit friends we always end up at Zippy's, sadly. So we just decided to change it up last week and went to Russo's! "That new Italian place nearby". The wait was pretty much nonexistent and we were greeted and seated immediately by our server... Dillon, I believe. Service was so great, my friend I had an excellent time, and neither of us felt ashamed to ask questions about the menu; like we usually are. We decided to share the New York Village Pizza and it was so good, so good! Pepperoni, Italian sausage, Canadian bacon, hamburger, plus some veggies. So satisfying if you're a meat lover. Overall experience was wonderful, and we can't wait to come back as try some pastas next time. Also hoping to get the same waiter next time, his service was amazing!
(4)Jason C.
We had lasagna and chicken alfredo. The food is good, but had as good or better considering the price. And, some places with bigger portions. Half of the chicken (smaller pieces) were dry. We did NOT have the pizza because our "food mood". Based on the pizzas around us, looked like 4 star quality.
(3)Amy W.
We went to this place one day last week to try it out because it's walking distance from our house. First the waiter forgot to put in our order so we sat there for 20 minutes with no food when he came back to us and asked us what we ordered. I had a salad, which came out at the same time as my calzone after me repeatedly asking if they could bring it out earlier. We ordered garlic knots which were really greasy and under seasoned. When we finally got our Stromboli calzones they had the taste of our annoyance after waiting so long. Today I called and ordered take out to try their pizzas. The lady happily took my order and my information. She told me she would call me back when the food was almost ready in about 25 minutes. She never called and my husband went to pick up the order after 40 minutes. When he got there there was no food and no order. That's right! They never put the order in. So my husband reordered and is sitting there waiting for our two pizzas as I furiously write this review. They are supposedly giving us their employee discount but they are losing much more because they will NEVER get my business again! From now on its back to old reliable and delicious brick oven pizza in Kapolei! A little farther but worth the drive. Seriously Russo's! I know you're new but your servers cannot take simple orders? Train them or hire monkeys and you may have better luck! Soooo frustrating!
(1)Cassie T.
So this time we came to eat even though people were home for the hurricane or tropical storm. We ordered calamari, Cesar salad with chicken, artichoke spinach dip and calzone. So, they for got the chicken in the salad and the calamari was last to arrive at the table. Here's where we were impressed. We did not complain, even though we asked about our calamari twice, but they took it off the bill. I was okay that I didn't get chicken with my salad, but they took care of the calamari as hat should have been the first thing to come out. His would have been a 5 stars, but still not bad for only one server taking care of things.
(4)Amanda L.
My cousins and I get together once a month for dinner and Russo's was our pick for this month. No-one ate here before so we all were crossing fingers. The restaurant we were actually suppose to eat at got terrible reviews for their customer service and bad customer service is a pet peeve of mine so we skipped on that place. Anyways....the reason for just 4 stars instead of 5 was that we were told our wait would be 40 mins and when 40 mins came around...we were told we were right behind other party yet the hostess called 3 other parties before she finally called us. So our wait was actually more like an hour. BUT....since I was spending time with family it wasn't too bad. Once we get our table we were greeted by Derrick who was very friendly and was able to recommend to us different items to try on the menu (this was our first time here). We actually tried a couple of his recommendations and they were all on point!!! We had artichoke dip..YUMMY, chicken Caesar salad..YUMMY, eggplant parmesan with Angel hair pasta...ONO, chicken ruscato pizza (I really dont remember the name of the pizza but it was great!) YUM and then for dessert carrot cake...YUM!! Everything we ordered was soooo good and was brought to us very quickly!!! Awesome food, nice ambience. ...but for me the service is 5 stars all around. Derrick was wonderful! He not only helped us pick out different things to try but he even made small talk with us...which I love!! He had other table to service but he always made sure to check on us, fill our drinks, take away dirty plates and just made our whole first experience here awesome! I wasn't able to get the names of the others that were working but everyone was so friendly and helpful. We had different people bring us our appetizers and another one brought out our salad....so it was everyone working as a team to make our experience good...! Our next cousin dinner may not be here cause we like to try different restaurants every month but we will be back and we will be sure to tell our other friends and family about this restaurant and ESPECIALLY about our fantastic service from Derrick and the rest of the crew!! And btw...they walked us out and said good night to us from the front door...all the while it was pouring rain because of hurricane Ana. Whomever is the owner of this establishment. ...you should be very proud of Derrick and the rest of your crew that was working tonight....they along with your food is what I will be back for!
(4)Cleve S.
Food is pretty good. Service was so so. They have improved since opening. I expect that they will be 4-5 star rating in the next few years as their business matures and the employees settle in.
(3)Cynthia J.
This was my favorite restaurant but after the service I received today, I will reconsider. I brag about this place to all my friends too! So my food was cold, didn't get a drink or bread and the soup was watered-down and then the manager came out and as to reheat my pizza instead of offering me a fresh slice!
(1)Eugene N.
In a nutshell...it is a glorified CPK. Food was pretty good. I had ordered a medium pizza, 1/2 New York Village and 1/2 Pesto Chicken. It is good to know that they use fresh ingredients because I was surprised to notice that the Pesto is actually made from scratch! There was none of that super saturated chicken in the pesto-paste sauce. Even the New York Village portion of the pizza, I was able to taste each of the topping flavors, from the spicy italian sausages to the salty and tart olives, blended together by their specialty sauce. In all honesty, the flavors seems a little too subtle for my taste, but all in all, pizzas here are a good choice for dinner. Service & dining experience is, unfortunately, where this place falls. Actually, our server by the name of Melissa, was very kind, helpful and honest...but the service was really slow. We waited for about 40 minutes (since we ordered) for the food to come out, didn't even get our bread, and about 30 minutes (after we finished eating) for the check. Melissa was kind enough to pack the bread that we didnt get as a take-out.
(3)Iris A.
I was disappointed with the food, not at all Italian. Ordered a eggplant dish and it came with very soggy noodles. I had a glass of wine at $6.50 and very, very cheap wine was served, We also tried the New York pizza...that was also very soggy crust.
(1)Alohi G.
The ultimate kahuna pizza is so delicious! Great customer service. Everyone had a smile on their face!
(4)Roy D.
If you feel like wasting money then the perfect thing to order is the flat bread sandwiches. If your into eating raw red onions and nothing else then once again this is the thing to order. The bread was not toasted as it states in the menu. The overall ingredients were good but the cold bread and the amount of the onion over the rest of the ingredients was over powering. The little Italy and the caprese flat bread sandwiches were a total let down.
(2)Marie S.
Each time I go to Russo's restaurant, I feel like I am eating in my Italian grandma's kitchen. The flavors and methods of cooking are so authentic they take me back to my childhood. Last night we took friends to share dinner, had Calamari Fritti, Garlic Knots, Spinach Artichoke Dip, Veal Marsala, Gnocchi with Pesto Sauce, New York Village Pizza, Ravioli Al Rosso, Spicy Shrimp Alfredo. We sampled each other's meals and each one was better than the other. The servers are so warm, friendly, and welcoming. We can hardly wait to go back. Grazie Tanto Russo's!
(5)Melissa R.
Hands down the worst service I've ever had. We did not receive our food until one hour & 20 mins after we got there. It wasn't even busy so I called from our table and complained. We never got an apology. A table near ours left after not getting any service, and many other customers were upset as well. I will definitely not be returning!
(1)Paul C.
Live a mile and a half away, and tonight was finally our first dine-in visit. Previously had pizza takeout on 2 occasions. First time, pizza was good, but just warm. Second time, very good pie, and was still hot after the 1.5 mile drive home. As for tonight's visit: arrived 6 pm on a Saturday night, prepared for a long wait. We were quoted a 15-20 minute wait, which was pretty accurate. We were seated at the pizza bar, which I was initially not in favor of, but it turned out well. We watched and talked with the guys preparing the flatbread, pizza, garlic knots and calzones. John, brought in by the franchise to train the staff, was very entertaining and treated all the folks at the bar to free garlic knots. He kept it lively and enjoyable, and seemed to be genuinely interested in training the staff and providing quality food. We had spinach and artichoke dip for appetizer - I give it a 4 out of 5; I prefer the dip to be a little bit thicker, but the taste was excellent. Complimentary flatbread with olive oil was also 4 out of 5. My wife, daughter and I had cannelloni, chicken al pesto and spaghetti w/clams. All 3 dishes were very good to excellent, and we all shared tastes to get an idea of how we liked as many dishes as possible in a single visit. My wife enjoyed her spaghetti and clams more than the same dish on a recent visit to Buca's. I give the chicken al pesto a 4 out of 5. Very good flavor, but would have liked a little bit more chicken in the dish. Menu describes it as chicken served over penne, but I think penne with some chicken added in is more accurate. Taste was excellent though. My daughter thought the cannelloni was great; that is one of her go-to dishes and she is quite picky about it, and she loved it. We were so full after the complimentary flat bread, appetizer, meal and free garlic knots, there was no room for dessert. Overall, portions were of a good size for a meal, and I thought very reasonably priced for their size. Our server, Stephanie, was excellent; kept our glasses full, cleared plates quickly and provided an excellent recommendation on the spaghetti and clams. Considering it was a busy Sat night, the speed of service and attitude of all the staff was great. I think they could do more to deal with the unwieldy crowd that develops just inside the door when it's busy; it can be a challenge to get your name on the list or picking up and paying for takeout food with how crazy the front door gets, but once you're seated I think it's well worth the visit! Highly recommend, especially for us folks out in west Oahu who are looking for a great Italian food option!
(4)Lynn D.
First time going there service was really bad. Food was even worst. I figure maybe wait a few more months and maybe they'll get it together. Well I was wrong. After waiting for about 40 minutes I went in asking how much longer. Apparently they crossed my name off by accident. You would have thought I learned my lesson by now. Went for the 3rd time same thing they accidentally crossed my name out. As time went by I did go back and food got alot better. The people working there are very friendly but not very organized. My daughters girlfriend next to us found a broken glass in her beverage. She thought it was ice. That is why the bartender need to make sure that the glasses have to be place upside-down before being filled.
(3)Kristine L.
Our plans were to come here for Mother's Day lunch. I tried calling twice around 11:00am to see if they took reservations and if not how long the wait would be but no one ever answered the phone. Once my family arrived we were told it would be a 25-30 minute wait. We've waited for more than 30 minutes and we were told we were going to be called next. For some reason another party that arrived after us was called next. We didn't want to wait anymore so we ordered our food to go. As we were doing so the lady asked if we were sure that we didn't want to wait because she was "all caught up now" and was going to seat us at this table that has been empty for the past half hour and the table just needed to be cleaned. We have yet to try the food, but based on the service and the wait today I'm really disappointed. I understand it should be a busy day, but it seemed as if none of the workers were working fast enough to get their guests seated and their tables cleaned.
(2)Chas A.
Came here during lunch time on a weekday and it was pretty slow. Very clean restaurant with a bar, tv, & a place to sit outside. The hostess was welcoming & our waitress was very nice also. Order the calamari appetizer & it was delicious. I got the chicken pesto pasta & their portion was worth the price I paid for it. It was really good. Other than that, I recommend this place to eat if you're around Ewa side. It's kinna hidden since it's a small place.
(5)Kenneth D.
Great new restaurant, I frequent it often and never disappoints, I will say since they brought on new chef John the food has perpetration has even got better. Owner Robert also always there overseeing operation,he really cares you can tell. So give this place a try, I'm from New York and know food and also in the industry for 25 years, you won't be disappointed. Promise
(5)Laurie P.
Wife and I went to Russo's a few times when they first opened in late 2013 and it was very disappointing. Way overpriced for the quality of the meal and service. As a result, we stopped going. Recently, however, we heard they Russo's had improved so we gave it another try. Glad we did. It was AWESOME! Menu has been refreshed and the food was well seasoned. They have happy hour and live music. Only critique is the wine selection. It appears they have gone to cheaper/lower quality wines
(4)Michele B.
came tonight w good friends. the food was exceptional, service friendly and helpful, and most if all everyone kept up with the rush of customers. we specifically loved the bread knots, eggplant parm and chicken saltimbocca. pizza was also crusty and super cheeeeeeesy I've eaten at some of the best places in nyc and new jersey and this is a wondeful family friendly restaurant sat outside - great friends great food great restsurant ty chef jonny and server tiani for an awesome meal. will be back often. :)
(5)Daira C.
God place
(5)Jacob S.
I so decided to try this place since it's right across the street from my house. I went inspire of reading bad reviews and hearing bad things from people. As with every Italian resturaunt, I always try the spaghetti first - hey, if you mess this up, you really suck! It's was really tasty and the portion was a lot. I now go there on a regular basis and so far, everything I've ordered has not disappointed me. The staff is always friendly and the bartenders a great - especially Sam!! The ONLY thing that needs improvement is there needs to be more seats at the bar. Other than that - it's great!!
(5)Tiarre M.
Garlic balls weren't as yummy as I expected. My seafood pasta was more of a soup than pasta. I was so disgusted with my food I didn't want them to remake it I just asked to send it back.
(1)Lanz P.
First of all the music was way too loud. I couldn't hear my husband who was across the table and kept getting annoyed. Our waitress (bless her heart) was a sweet girl, but you could tell she was brand spanking new. She kept forgetting what we asked for. I asked her for balsamic vinegar to dip my bread in and she had no idea what I was talking about. How can someone in a restaurant such as this not know what that is. She wanted to bring me balsamic vinagrette. I think it should just be on the tables for the bread dipping. I asked her for it and twenty minutes later she still hadn't brought it to us so we asked someone behind the kitchen who immediately gave it to us. The food was okay. Maybe it will be better in the future, but right now it needs a lot of work.
(1)Azlinn G.
Great service! Great food! Quality Italian in ewa beach ! The milestone is my favorite and the Mediterranean salad if your vegan you'll love it! My husband ordered the lasagna and it was amazing!!! Nice atmosphere at nite when there's live music!
(4)Briana P.
I liked that they have a mini bar but it wasn't like a bar bar it was set up really nice, and the tile was done really nice like a modern elegance. When I first walked in the staff was friendly and I was seated immediately. My server was very professional, nice and well groomed I think his name was Dillon? Pretty sure . I ordered the Calzone I wasn't too sure what to order in the beginning but my server was very attentive and very knowledgable about the menu. I sat in front of the brick oven, which I love because it's nice to have a change of scenery and entertainment when you go out to eat. All in all I had a very fun time and I'm definitely going to be going again. Somewhere to go on a date, I've already mentioned Russo's to my family and friends!
(3)Matthew M.
Food is the best found so far on the island!... Please go here, you will not be disappointed!... Also, I don't usually have dessert, please try!...
(5)Zelda M.
LATE POST...Good food, weekend music good. Our waiter was good in the beginning, but when they gave him more tables; the service got slower and slower! Took 20 minutes to get a take out box, the manager could not be found and literally had to stop the busboy, get his attention and get our bill. Our waiter kept apologizing, dude too late, damage done! Same with the other tables you had. Management needs to train these young waiters and waitresses good customer service.
(2)Curtis L.
got here around peak dinner time, got sat after a short wait but didn't get much attention upon entering the door. After finally greeted, we were told to wait for a few minutes to get the table ready. As promised, it was ready but server was not. got our drink order in upon sitting, a child's drink, a diet coke with lemon, and a house Cabernet Sauvignon. The diet coke came without lemon, child's drink with no cover and wine came about about a whole 3 minutes later. ordered the garlic knots... good stuff.. will come back for this garlicky treat. Spinach artichoke dip was more than generous portion. Also, chicken parmesan was worth the price... about $14 i think...ravioli could pass on next time. Our server seemed like he was always in a rush, not really spending much time to talk to about our food and experience. However, other server came by to check on us... good points for that... Didn't get a wine menu or dessert menu... would have been nice to at least know what they offer so we could have the option to order it to go or come back to try ... Will be back to try pizza and the calzones for sure.
(3)Scott S.
My family and I, have been there twice, and had a great experience on both occasions. First, the service was spot on. Our waiter Christian was very knowledgeable with the menu, and wine paring. He was very attentive, but not overbearing. Secondly, the menu selections were phenomenal. The artichoke garlic pizza was made to perfection. The pasta is a must order. One of the best pomodoro sauces I've tasted in while. You got to try the wings if anything. Lastly, was not overpriced. Portions were perfect. Over all, we'll definately return. We had the privilege of meeting the owner, which explained it all. You could just see the passion, as well as the heart to please his customers. Can't wait wait to see what's next. Oh, and did I mention the live music. Frosting on the cake.
(4)Gabe P.
Disappointed. The Lasagna was over spiced for me. Chicken picata which my wife had was bland. This was a take out order. Surprised when we got home that Bread wasn't included in the order. I guess( my bad ) for assuming that it would. The staff was friendly. Our order took 15 minutes as promised.
(3)Josiah L.
My dad is from New York and he taught me what makes a good pizza. So, every time I move to a new area, I make a point of finding the best pizza. Russo's is the closest to my new house, so it's the first place I tried. First, the basics. Russo's is a pretty nice restaurant and has a full range of Italian food in addition to the pizza (though I can't comment on it). It can get pretty busy around dinner time though, so don't be too surprised if you have to wait a bit. Now for the important part, the pizza. It comes in three sizes. Medium (12"), large (16"), and XL (28"). I find the lack of an 18" slightly annoying, and it's too bad they don't have Sicilian pizzas as well, but that's just nitpicking. Russo's makes a pretty good pizza. I wouldn't put it in my top five, but it is the best pizza I've found in the area so far. The highlight is definitely the sauce (slightly sweet, with a bit of basil). No complaints about the crust or cheese either (no specific high points though). It's a good, if not amazing, pizza at a price that, while a bit more than I'm used to paying, is actually pretty good for the area. So, overall, Russo is currently my top choice for pizza in the Ewa / Kapolei area. It doesn't compare with my favorite places back on the mainland, but they don't deliver across the ocean so I'll take what I can get.
(4)Taylor Y.
I love russo's! We finally got somewhere great to eat in Ewa beach!! Their food is so yummy and it has a authentic Italian feel to it. I love sitting in the counter and watching the chef'a make the pizza. All of the waitresses I have had are pleasant and provide good service. I recommend russo's to all of my friends. And me being a chef myself it's hard to find a awesome place like this to eat at!
(5)Phil M.
We were looking for a place to eat and stumbled across this place. We had a calamari appetizer that included shrimp and it was delicious. They serve a seasoned flat bread with the meal and I could have filled up on that alone. The lasagna was next and it was so good. We will definitely be going there again when we want Italian food. Depending on what you order prices are about avg for a good Italian Resturant.
(4)Frances G.
Ah man. I wish I could give them a good review. We came in the restaurant at 5:00 pm. Got seated right away, since there weren't any seats inside we were placed outside. It wasn't that bad because there was shade. So no complaining there. Our menus were broken up, and dirty. We were asked for beverages, but had only gotten them 15 mins after. Waited another 15 for our waitress to take our orders. Food finally came in. The couple next to us were upset because service was ridiculous. They made known that they haven't gotten their drinks yet. And as soon as they got it they were complaining that there was some type of gunk on the glass. I'm not sure why, but nobody outside was given their plates and utensils, unless each party asked for them. We asked to see the menu again so we could do a take out, but the girl never showed up with one. Eventually after reminding her another time and still nothing, we didn't want to do one anymore. The food was good, just good. I was expecting it to be amazing, but I think ordering from Pizza Hut would taste the same. There was a new party seated across of us. They were waiting a looooooong time. They were seated, and never been checked on. So being nice while asking for the check- I made a comment saying that they've been there for a while. I think after so many complaints from everyone the manager and 4 other waiters came out to take orders. Any way, the wait was much longer then our time eating our foods. We waited for our check for about 15 minutes, we finally left around 7:00 pm. I really wanted to like the place, maybe in a month or so- I'll come back to try it again.
(2)Michelle M.
Ok sorry but unlike most people I was very disappointed with the food frm russo's in ewa beach. I called ahead to ask questions about the menu being that I never had been there. I asked about the spaghetti with meat balls if the sauce that came with the plate was just marinara sauce or it contained meat because the person I was buying it for had a hard time eating meat in a spaghetti sauce and I was told no it was just sauce but when we got home the sauce contained meat.I ordered the fetichini Alfredo which was one of the worst I ever had .it was not creamy at all.it seems they got the noodles and tossed it all together and served it ..it was so dry..I am very disappointed and I don think I will be going back there.
(1)F G.
Def a yummy place!! We had the wings, Caesar salad, garlic knots and a large 1/2 pesto, 1/2 mulberry. Wings were def the best...garlic knots runner up....super yum. Salad was too small for the price and pizza was ok (I've had better for $24.95). They ran out of the almond dessert? So we ended up with tiramisu but it was just ok....I've had better and for $8.95 serving size was small. Total bill was $64.00 - kinda pricey IMHO but still was very good and good service. We will be back. I would ask management to give a more generous salad serving for the price.
(4)Brittiney S.
Ordered take-out from here twice...so far so good. Appetizers The spinach and artichoke dip is boooomb! Although, the first time the bread it comes with was cold and too crispy for my liking and there wasn't much of it. Hubs and I had to ration it between the two of us. The second time, the bread was perfect - bountiful, warm, and soft. The calamari was kind of rubbery the first time, second time was great! In case you're wondering, their calamari consists of both the rings and the kind with the tentacles. The mozzarella fritti (which we only ordered the second time) seemed a tad undercooked. It was like eating a wad of cheese. But at least it's mostly cheese and not mostly breading. The wings were AWESOME!! The chicken meat itself had flavor, not just the skin. The buffalo sauce it comes with is really good too. Entrees Husband ordered chicken fettucine alfredo both times. It's kind of hard to mess up such standard fare so yeah it was good. I ordered the chicken saltimbocca the first time. It was good but the portion seemed kind of small. The second time I ordered the chicken picatta. That dish has what I call an acquired taste. Once I figured out what it tasted like, it went down a lot easier: It tasted like those Greek grape leaves. I like grape leaves, but it was a pretty unexpected flavor outside of actually eating a grape leaf lol. Overall, I would say, the food is pretty good, but it may be hit or miss. We're counting on more hits though, and will definitely be back.
(4)Tim S.
Just moved to the island and struggled to find good restaurants with great food, good service and moderate prices. Russo's is going to be a weekly trip for my wife and I. Great service, awesome pizza and amazing happy hour if you drink beer or wine.
(5)Ralph R.
Good food, but brand new staff means service is a bit spotty at times. Not enough to making me stop eating there, however. Lots of nice apps (try the meatballs, garlic knots, or calamari), great tasting pizzas and pasta. It's about time we got good Italian in Ewa!
(4)A G.
I could go both ways on this place, so I'd actually give them a 2.5 with an opportunity to re-review upon visiting again. Yes, they're new so maybe they're working out the kinks, but it's a franchise-type of restaurant so someone involved must know SOMETHING about getting a restaurant up and running right? Here are my PROS and CONS: CONS - we waited a LONG time for our food - over a half an hour. Even the complimentary bread took that long! I asked for balsamic vinaigrette for the bread and I never got it. Not until I reminded a bus boy that I had asked for it. He brought it out in a plastic little container (the kind that Zippys gives you for your ketchup when you do take-out) - not what I expected for this type of restaurant. We ordered the Garlic Twists for appetizers - this came AFTER our entire meal because they were behind on orders. They did try to make up for it, by giving this to us for free and packing it up for us to take home. My husband ordered a beer - 10 minutes later, I had to remind our waitress that he was still waiting for it. The prices are a bit much for feeling like they really didn't have their stuff together yet. PROS - Food was good and flavorful. My husband ate his entire Chicken Parm and he really liked the sauce. When we finally got to enjoy the Garlic Twists, they were good too. The waitress did apologize multiple times for the wait. They comp'ed the Garlic Twists and the beer - at least they tried making up for it. A guy, who I think was the manager, also came over and apologized. We didn't make a formal complaint or anything, but I think he had seen us waiting for awhile. I'd give them another try, but not anytime soon and not on a Friday/Saturday night. I hope they improve - we need more good food places on this side of the island.
(2)Sara R.
Found out about Yelp through a friend last week and this is my first review I'm writing. Anyways this place is okay i guess? Food is alright and the service needs some tweaking to make it run smoother. Just needs some time to work out the kinks in service and when its slows down as it is a new restaurant everyone wants to check out.
(2)Holley S.
So we were seated right away for a party of 6 and while we had to wait a bit for service- the service was pretty good, in the beginning. We did have to request water and napkins which I would think would be given to any guest dining at an establishment- but that wasn't a huge deal. I did think the amount of time it took for our waitress, Martha to take our orders as well- took a little more time than it should have for the little amount of people in the restaurant- but again, we weren't in a rush. A side note ----on the yelp page there is a lobster ravioli which they don't actually have on the menu. I think someone who posted that review included that picture. After ordering our many appetizers we got our orders right away- our actual meals took over 55 min to be served. When I asked our waitress how much longer our food would be- she apologized profusely and let me know a cook had quit that day and they had a new cook and she did realize it was slow. It took another ten minutes to get our food. Our lasagna and cucumber salad wasn't great and the clams on my father on laws Plate wouldn't even open. It was a big bummer for sure- but we were visiting and our brother and sister in law said that this wasn't typical of the establishment and they usually enjoy their dinner there. Totally not the waiting staffs fault- but they were slow even with the cook situation. I would have to say it wasn't bad and it wasn't good. Just basic. Could have been a one time issue.
(3)Hitomi Z.
After my first visit during their opening week and the experience I was really hesitant to make another visit. But I figured I wanted to give them another chance. It's been well after their crazy opening... well I'm so glad I did! Granted I went in this time by myself during late lunch around 1pm. No wait rather it was pretty empty I sat on pizza making counter. Immediately waitress asked for my drink and she was really friendly and pleasant. She came back with the drink and asked if I wanted any appetizers to start. I wanted to have their tomato bisque soup and she recommended Mediterranean salad. So I ordered both and wanted to try lasagna as main. She said that's a good choice and left to put my orders in. Maybe because I sat at the pizza making counter but the chef behind the counter kept making jokes, entertaining the guests sitting there and I felt comfortable even though I was by myself. The waitress and waiter brought me my bread (yes!!! If you read my previous review you know why) and my soup and salad! The soup was awesome and the salad was very good with the kick of balsamic vinaigrette. Halfway through, different waiter came and asked if I was waiting for anyone. I told him no and he politely asked if he can seat someone next to me. I thought that was really nice. Usually I've had places people just seat with out asking. The lady who sat next to me happens to come here frequent and was telling me what to order next time! Then here comes lasagna. Good portion, nice zesty flavor packed with meat! It was very delicious! The waitress ensured I was enjoying the food and overall I really had great experience! I was so glad I gave them another chance! Only reason for my 4 star is because I want to come back for dinner and update my review!
(4)Danielle D.
I love eating here. My boyfriend and I are regulars I would say. Well, we love the food, but we dont care for the service. After my last review, manager wrote back saying next time will be better, but it really hasnt. I could count on one hand where we had exceptional service. We went a couple days ago, ordered our usual. In my calzone, I asked for extra cheese, on top of the four choices I get with the cheese included.. but I just wanted more cheese. Our server informed us "oh, it'll be an extra charge", I responded "that's fine" and let my boyfriend order. We were done ordering and I completely forgot to order alfredo sauce to go with our meals (which was a recommended side by an employee, when we changed up our orders from just pizza and spaghetti, during a take out order). SO, again, she stated "ooohhh, okay... that's going to be an extra charge, is that okay?" If I were to respond, "no, I want it free" would that have been a problem? Would I HAVE to pay since she asked if it was okay? My boyfriend and I felt very offended that she had to state it TWICE. If we couldn't afford it, we wouldn't have asked. Zippys charges for water so I wouldn't expect Russo's to hand extra out for free. It's just disappointing that employers don't approach this situation without making the customers feel like they cant afford a $2 bowl of alfredo sauce and extra cheese when the meals already $15-$20. Nonetheless, we love the food, we love eating there. Maybe just retrain some of the staff or get them to take a People Skills class.
(4)Lika G.
This place was awesome and such great service. The spaghetti And meatballs were amazing. Very different but so delicious!! The fomagio pizza dipped and this is a must in the marinara amazing. Think I could have drank it. Can't wait to return to try more stuff!
(4)Emily S.
It's alright. Had better pasta at aunty pastos or even bravos. I've tried numerous times, but service just sucks. As a server myself I guess I have high expectations. But to lie to me about a wrong advertised price. .. common, they wouldn't put a price on the menu if they didn't want u to charge that price for it. Well I guess that's what I get for dining in ewa beach. So just b prepared to get hustled for mediocre pasta experience.
(1)kristi s.
Jasmin and her shadow were really awesome, too bad i forgot his name...so we had the Focaccia flat bread - a fav so far, calamari fritti was super Ono just right on the taste, shrimp fra diavolo had just the right kick with huge shrimps, and the chicken saltimbocca was for me...yummy! I hope they continue to do well because so far, really good!
(4)Jenna T.
Ordered a Caesar salad (large size) and added on chicken for take out. The size was disappointing. We ordered a small size last time and it was the same size. They charged us $3 extra to add chicken and there only 5 small pieces! Very disappointed with the portions and what we paid. This was a rip off.
(1)Art T.
So far it's as bad as most people said. We came at 4:45, checked in with the hostess, she said 5-10minutes, I waited till 5:05 and checked back in they claimed they didn't have me on the wait list which was now 20-30 minutes but would seat me as soon as possible for the "error." Given half the tables are empty inside and outside I don't see what the seating issue is. Pretty sure I will be fed up with their incompetence and will be heading up the road to auntie pastos. We were finally seated at 5:30, the server Jasmine was very good but handicapped by poor staffing and management. Jasmine is Australian so you will feel like you are at an outback as she keeps saying "no worries." The food Garlic knots-very good, not burnt at all Bread-average and they should probably have dip without red pepper for people with kids Wings-good Neapolitan pizza-very good Calzone-good biut they forgot one of the toppings Lasagna-my kids said they weren't hungry but demolished their orders so I assume pretty good. Chicken saltimboca-don't know the kitchen forgot to make it, not a real issue as we had more than enough food. Vanilla cake-not my thing, kids didn't like it either Tiramisu-great The manager/owner spends most of his time outside talking to various employees which probably has a lot to do with the issues they have. There are 2-3 hostess and another 2-3 employees hanging out at the front while they only have 3 severs for the whole place which was full and what seemed like only 1 or 2 busboys. If the manager/owner did his job the place could be run much more efficiently. If that happens this could be a good place to go to.
(4)