First time and I was impressed! They have a nice patio but we ate indoors. The server (Yen) was great! Very attentive and the food was AWESOME! Get the Tuna! I would recommend this place to anyone that loves Italian food. Thank you Tre!
(4)
Joseph R.
Stopped by for a business lunch and ordered the carbonara... It was pretty good, but for the price I expect to be absolutely blown away. There are much more affordable options available.
(3)
John M.
Great atmosphere, service and menu. Pretty pricey for mediocre food. Definitely nicer places on GR with great atmosphere and better value.
(3)
Kristen S.
So disappointed!! The food was nothing to remember,. The service was probably the worst I've seen in Grand Rapids. It took a good three minutes for me to be acknowledged when I walked in the door even though there were a couple people standing at the host stand. The server did not want to be there and made that visible. The only time she came to our table was to take our food order and drop off the bill. The back server was at our table more and was more helpful, but the server didn't even stop back to check how any of our courses were and she wasn't even very busy. The manager sat up at the bar the whole time so he obviously doesn't care about the level of service his staff is providing.
(1)
Konrad B.
Great service from the moment we walked through the door. Our waitress was extremely knowledgeable about the textures and flavors on the menu. Classy with a warm welcoming atmosphere. The food is true to the Italian culture. One of my top 5 restaurants in Grand Rapids.
(4)
Jerry B.
As a foodie of sorts I have wanted to try tre for awhile. We wanted pasta last night and decided we would go and check them out. Upon arrival the atmosphere was nice and we decided to sit outside and enjoy the people passing. My first issue with the restaurant is that the girl who was waiting on us did not know her menu as a server of a supposed to be upscale high end restaurant in Grand Rapids should have. Secondly I am not a wine drinker as most seem to be impressed with,I'm a foodie. We decided on our appetizer and our meal choices. One meal was exactly as described by the menu and our server. The other which was not would have been mine of course as it always is. I'm sorry if something is described as a red wine sauce and sweet italian sausage it really needs to have those things in it, don't you think? Oh it had sausage and by the heartburn my determination would be of a peppery breakfast sausage for biscuits and gravy that I also enjoy but not in my pasta. The third issue we had at the restaurant was the lack of our servers attention. We sat and perused the www with all our empty plates- both appetizer AND dinner- on the table for a good 20-25 min after we had finished. We even stacked them for easy removal. But, alas, they sat.
(2)
Arthur D.
Perhaps the best restaurant experience of my recent trip to Grand Rapids. Final night in town, ended up here. Nice location across from the art museum plaza where there appears to be much happening during summer evenings. The homemade pasta was fantastic!! Seafood chowder was enjoyable as not of the overly creamy variety, but rather had more of a rustic home-cooked style. Our waitress was extremely helpful in wine pairings for the evening. Well done here.
(4)
Jaclyn W.
Just getting around to doing this review (actual visit was in January). My experience at Tre Cugini was pretty disappointing. Love the atmosphere and was here to celebrate our friend's anniversary. Our friend's parents had called ahead and ordered champagne for the couple which was nice - and just brought attention to the fact that it was a special occasion that evening. That saying, our server was friendly but a little impatient as one of our friend's was a bit indecisive in regards to the menu. She kept saying she had a large table she had to attend to and kept disappearing. It was fine at first - we've all been servers so we understand, but then she pretty much ignored us. Additionally, thought they might throw a desert or something in to acknowledge the occasion, but they didn't. That of course is fine, but no one was happy with their meal. The server recommended the GNOCCHI DI RICOTTA ALLA SORRENTINA which I ordered and it was extremely bland. I ended up switching with my boyfriend who ordered the RAVIOLONI DI FORMAGGIO DI CAPRA AL BURRO E ALVIA , which honestly, was not much better. Between the service and the meal - pretty disappointing for such a special occasion and for the price. Won't be returning anytime soon.
(2)
April A.
I have been here twice with my husband, both at busy times, and we were served outstanding food of adequate portions expediently and courteously. We have dined all around NYC and Chicago, and are happy to have an excellent dining experience of the same calibre of culinary expertise and ambiance for less than we are accustomed to paying.
(4)
John S.
know what you order and what ingred....If you have an issue with your dish, tough luck because the management won't do anything abput
(3)
Michelle P.
My first review was filtered! Ugh here goes again. People should be able to review honestly!! My husband and I along with our 8 month old son visited Tre Cugini on a short weekend get away to GR. We were actually looking forward to our visit to the upscale Italian restaurant. The dining experience started out great. Our waiter was friendly and had a great attitude however over the 2 hrs we were there our dining experience slowly turned into a bad one. The restaurant was not busy although we had to wait forever for our food. I'm on a special diet for my son he is breastfeeding and can't have dairy proteins. The waiter insisted he would tell the chef and he would leave all dairy possibilities off my plate. I ordered salmon with peas in white wine sauce. It came served on cheese potatoes. Unfortunately I tried a couple bites of them thinking they were something else and sure enough my little guy had a belly ache (to say the least) the next day. When I told the waiter that I tasted cheese he told me he forgot to add the dairy free to the request. At that point after our long wait and the wait staff serving a possible allergen to us you would have thought we'd receive a discount or at least a visit from the manager to our table. Absolutely nothing was offered! This restaurant puts on a great front at first but the portions are small for the price and if you need to order something special you'd better confirm several times. My husband and I were very disappointed that 1 beer 2 entrees and 1 salad came to almost $100. You'd be better off spending that money at another high end restaurant.
(1)
Ryan R.
Very slow service, we were literally they only ones in there after another table paid and left. Portions were absolutely tiny and the price ridiculous. On top of all that the staff was just sort of snooty, despite appearing outwardly friendly.
(1)
John L.
Adriano and his staff at Tre Cugini do the most fantastic job. We have dined all over the country and we feel that Tre Cugini is consistently one of the best anywhere. Whether it's pasta, fish, veal, chicken or steak you can't go wrong. Bravo and 5 stars always!
(5)
Karol C.
Great dining experience. The sea bass was perfectly prepared and tasted amazingly! Service was great too. I will definitely be back.
(4)
Karen C.
I have been to just about every restaurant in Grand Rapids and Tre Cugini continually proves itself to be the greatest of them all. The service is impeccable, the food keeps getting better. There is not one item I do not like on the menu, although I will say that the Chilean Sea Bass is my favorite (there is also lobster on it!) I have been going to Tre for about 6 years now and have never had a bad experience. ...Go here! You will not be disappointed!
(5)
Jake K.
Every once in a while, you have an experience that becomes a lifetime memory. Our dinner at Tre Cugini was like that. Having grown up in New York, and eaten at many of the top restaurants across the country, including multiple visits to Alinea in Chicago, I wasn't expecting much from a restaurant in Grand Rapids, MI. I could not have been more surprised. Decor and Ambiance: Charming. My wife actually felt that it had the feel of a Manhattan restaurant. Personally, I didn't think so, but it's warm with character. From the exposed brick walls, to the pressed tin ceiling and oversized mirrors. Michael, the accordian player is extremely gifted and plays beautiful tunes at the tableside without ever seeming intrusive. He is also a very talented artist as we later found out. Food: Very good. The menu is challenging and authentic. We had the carpaccio for starters and I had the risotto with lobster and truffle oil. The flavors were balanced and the portions, generous. My wife had the scallops which were gone before I had a chance to ask for a taste. We had ordered a half-portion of the butternut squash ravioli for my oldest daughter, but it was so good, we had to order her another half-portion. I managed to get a taste and the ravioli was every bit as good as I've had in Boston's North End. Bob, the chef, has been there for 13 years, and has worked his way up through the kitchen. Service: The best I've ever experienced, hands down. Our server was friendly and knowledgeable and recommended excellent wines to pair with our meal choices. But what set her apart was the beautiful way she engaged our three children, ages 12, 9 and 6. Far from making us feeling uncomfortable with three young children, I felt as if she elevated our status in the dining room! She brought out the chef to meet us, who in turn sent out complimentary gelato to our children. After dinner, she brought them back into the kitchen to give them a tour. Thank you Carmen! We will be back in the area in three weeks and plan to visit Tre Cugini again to see if our second visit can possibly be as good as our first.
(5)
Danny G.
A little pricey, but extremely happy with the experience. Our waitress was great and we also had a few other staff members that went out of their way to accommodate us. They even split an order of soup for us which was a request I couldn't even believe my companion made in the first place ! We were fortunate enough to visit on a beautiful day and the experience of being on their patio with such great city backdrops was awesome. Easy to recommend and would definitely look forward to returning if in the area again. I agree with another reviewer that I wish 1/2 stars ratings were available, if so I'd give it 4 1/2, but I'm rounding up because I strongly feel that some other reviews have been unreasonably harsh.
(5)
Daniel T.
It's okay. Expensive but more unique than the average Italian experience. I've had better and worse. If you're looking for classy, come here.
(3)
Rob K.
Went here with my father, my cousin, and our neighbor. Despite setting out to go somewhere more interesting (in my opinion) we ended up here due to its proximity to our hotel and our flagging energy levels. I had the butternut squash soup (incredibly bland) and the pasta with veal ragu (also incredibly bland.) My dad had the pasta off the tasting menu, which was better, if only marginally. Two appetizers, four entrees, three beers, one martini, and three espresso came out to $170 before tip, which would have felt like a splurge even if the food was worth eating. You'd be smart to: Order from the tasting menu. The pasta my father got was the only salvageable part of the meal. You'd be dumb to: Get the spaghetti with meat sauce. $22 and largely flavorless. You could go either way on: Taking a date here, maybe? The atmosphere was nice, and I'm no expert on the Grand Rapids culinary scene, so that might redeem it a little bit. The accordion player was actually really good and very friendly, but you enjoyment of that depends on how you feel about accordion music.
(2)
Elizabeth S.
My husband and I were guests here for a business dinner. Service was mediocre - aloof and almost arrogant. Food same. We had mussels - not great. C'mon - it's an Italian restaurant - can I have a little garlic please? Beet salad was pretty good. Chicken scaloppine was good, but waiter had to have his arm twisted to serve it with a pasta side instead of roasted potatoes. In the end, maybe the potatoes would've been better. Husband's striped bass was so-so and slightly over cooked. Oh well, it wasn't our nickel.
(2)
Carla C.
Although I only had an appetizer here, my experience was good.....I will be back hopefully for dinner sometime soon.
(4)
Dan B.
Glad we tried this one. Carmen, our server was awesome explaining everything on the 6 page menu. We did some shared entrees to keep the bill low but still go plenty to eat. The homemade ravioli was great and wife loved the filet. I enjoyed the filet dipped in the butter sauce, oh and the potatoes as well. Sat near the window and watched the skaters at Rosa Parks Circle. Good looking place and you can tell servers are well trained. Probably go back when outdoor patio is open. They validate parking in the Ellis Parking lot right next door so why not give it a try. We'll be back for steak and pasta for sure.
(4)
Pete E.
Very expensive. Slow food service. Ran out of Cesar salad dressing although it's simple to make with ordinary ingredients.
(2)
AJ R.
We stopped here for lunch today after looking over the menu posted outside the restaurant. When we examined the menus after being seated, we noticed that (unlike the posted menu) there was no lunch menu and the prices were higher. The waiter informed us that prices had been changed and they hadn't yet changed the menu in front. (For example, the Mozzarella Pomidora salad had gone from $7.50 to $10.00. We complained and the waiter told us (after ostensibly checking with his manager) that the prices were in the computer and they could not honor the prices posted. We left. I think in most states, this kind of advertising policy is illegal!
(1)
J S.
I had very high hopes for this restaurant. The simple fact is that the food is not good and the service it clearly lacking. My wife ordered the ravioli and I can honestly say that It was the worst ravioli that I hive had. I ordered another pasta dish that had Italian sausage and squash. It was greasy and the noodles were overcooked, which I don't expect for the prices they charge. Additionally our server stopped by our table 3 times. Once to take our order, once to give us the check and finally to return the credit card. For a mean costing close to $100 I expect much better service. I highly recommend that if you want a nice Italian mean you head over to bistro bell a Vida instead. There are few restaurants that I can say I will never go back...this is one...
(1)
Brad S.
I've been here twice and both times it has been great. The first time was with my family and the second time was with a group of friends for dinner. Most recently I had the Penne Pasta with Smoked Salmon and asparagus and it was very good. The service was great, very attentive and with perfect timing. The atmosphere is nice and enhanced by a great location, across from the park, museum and near hotels.
(5)
Bigboss A.
Overpriced with mediocre food
(3)
Al P.
Service was great on a busy Friday night. Food was good, however it was overpriced for the quality and small quantity. But in general we enjoyed it.
(3)
David G.
Not sure about this place. I hate to gripe about food being overpriced, because that's contributing to the Grand Rapids stereotype, but this place isn't that good for the price tier it's in. Salad was ok, pasta was ok, tiramisu was ok. Asked the server to surprise me with a glass of wine that went with my meal, and that was fine. I actually had two glasses. I hate to give it two stars, because they didn't really do anything wrong, it's just that nothing knocked my socks off, and in the 3 times I've been here, nothing really ever has. This is easily one of the most expensive restaurants in GR, and there are much better choices if you want to drop $150 on dinner for two. I would eat here often if it cost 40% less. Like I said, the food's not bad, just not worth what they charge for it. I would think if they had any competition from another traditional Northern Italian restaurant, they would be in trouble.
(2)
Pat F.
Our favorite Italian restaurant around. Penne Ala Vodka- the best we have ever had.
(5)
Carl E.
We found ourselves in GR last week and thoroughly enjoyed our trip. One day, we decided to eat at Tre Cugini for lunch and we're glad that we did....although our wallet felt the pinch. Anyway, we ate outside as the weather was beautiful. The service was very good...it was evident that our waiter had been trained well. There was a slight glitch and the waiter was more than apologetic about it. The food was good too....well-cooked and well-presented. If we ever go back to GR, we'll certainly look forward to another visit.
(4)
Phil G.
Much improved from last year. I will note that the online menu does not reflect the current menu (It still states "Dinner Menu Summer 2014") The service has improved back to where it should be. The menu has been re-worked and some old favorites have returned while some very good new items have appeared! I got the Beef Wellington appetizer. Amazing little nibble of heaven there. My wife and I shared a plate of beef and pork ravioli. Al-dente pasta filled with tender meats with a mildly spicy red sauce. I was kind of sad I let my wife have 50% of this... For my entree, I got the Steak Tournedos with gogonzola, rapini and roasted potatoes. The steaks were cooked just right and everything was very flavorful. I am very happy that this place has restored the food and service quality that made me a fan many years ago. I would urge anyone who at there in 2014 to consider giving it another try now.
(4)
Steve S.
Pleasant atmosphere, attentive service, good but not outstanding food.
(3)
Joe C.
Great food and bread with the meal. This place never lets us down.
(5)
Kathryn S.
We were in town for a conference for work. It took ten minutes before we even were spoken to by a sitter and that was after asking for a server. The food is extremely more expensive then what is listed on the menu here. You would think for 20 to 30 dollars a plate it would be better food. All of the food came out barely warm. My food tastes good but not for the price.
(2)
Kim M.
I had the Cavatelli and sausage. Wife had the crab cakes. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't great. Wine list was extensive, but hardly value priced. By bottle or glass, it was pricey. I ended up having an import draft. The sidewalk dining was very comfortable this June evening. It is probably not going to be at the top of my places to visit again, but I could be dragged there.
(3)
Lisa G.
My calamari was undercooked, bland, and rubbery. My husband's fettucine alla bolognese was equally under seasoned and gummy. If your taste in Italian food runs to Chef Boyardee, then this could be the place for you. Otherwise, there are plenty of other good restaurants on Monroe Center St NW.
(1)
M Y.
Very Slow service on an evening when the restaurant was not crowded. Salads nice, not too big. Meat was tough. Pasta good but not great. Expected more.
(3)
Nicholas S.
For the cost you'd assume you were eating at a very high end (for GR prices) Italian place. You'd be wrong. Food is bland and the menu uninviting. Even the cannoli, which is such a basic staple, was without flavour and meh. There are so many other good places in the area. Skip this one.
(1)
Jeremy J.
Thanks to their website (and because none of the nightly specials interest me), I already know what I want. Well, I should say I have a good idea what I want. Because I've become much more adventurous lately, I'm leaving my choices open to whatever the group wants. For an appetizer, I'm open to either the Frittura di Calamari or Ostriche Fritte Impanato con Polenta All'Aoili (fried oysters). Everyone seems to like the calamari idea so we go with that, as well as the Bresaola della Valtellina con Tallegio e Carciofi Martinati (cured beef with cheese, artichokes, crostini) and Mozzarella e Pomodori alla Caprese (cheese with tomato and marinated bell peppers). Initially, I am a bit disappointed in the calamari. I am hoping they are tossed and coated with the tangy marinara sauce, but it comes on the side. Otherwise, the calamari is offered much the same as elsewhere. The taste is good and the preparation is decent. There is a bit of springiness here and there, but it's not bad. Solid calamari, overall, but not spectacular. The Bresaola, however, is really really good. It's easy to make a little sandwich out of the components, and the slightly greasy meat coats your mouth in a most pleasant way. On the opposite side of the spectrum, the mozzarella is amazing as well. Creamy, smooth, and fresh (made in-house!). It is comforting and contagious. I want more, but I'm not going to horn in on our vegetarian's only app. I am keeping my eye on the plate, though, just in case she gets too full. I should mention here that I spent considerable time choosing a wine to go with the appetizer course. The details about which wine goes with what, which vintages are best, which regions are considered "in"...I fall down on all that stuff. It just doesn't stick in my mind that well (or, probably closer to the truth, I haven't given it due diligence). But, tonight, I wanted to be prepared and hopefully surprise our friends with a decent choice, for once. I pored through different articles on the internet. Since I already knew we were probably going to order the calamari (it's a crowd-pleaser) and artichokes were almost always on the menu in an Italian restaurant, I focused on those two components. Across the board, Chianti was the preferred recommendation. Not surprising, I guess, but my gut would have avoided Chianti (it just sounds so cliche, right?). After checking their wine list, I chose the 2004 Rocca delle Macie Chianti Reserva. Everyone seemed cool with it, so that's what we ordered. I really enjoyed the interplay of vanilla and dark chocolate in the nose, and a slightly ashy taste at the back end. Some spicy notes as well. Overall, a very bright and lively Chianti, much better than some of the Classico varieties we've stocked at home. For the main course, I have eyes for only one dish: Risotto con Salsiccia di Maiale, Gorgonzola e Pistachio. A rather unassuming shallow bowl arrives with a calm pool of risotto pasta flecked with grey-brown bits of pork sausage and verdant islands of pistachio nuts. My first bite is salty, meaty, crunchy, and luscious on the tongue. With my second bite, I begin to have flashbacks and I have to look around frantically. This is Grand Rapids, right? Have I gone back in time? With JoJo and Ivy at our table and this Authentic Italian Cuisine (trust me, this deserves Caps) in front of me, surely we've been transported back to Rome? The risotto is so perfectly prepared, it might as well have come from the kitchen of some trattoria on a side street in Rome. My only complaint (and it is a very light complaint), I expected more punch from the gorgonzola. JoJo, too, finds her gorgonzola gnocchi lacking that punch. Thankfully, JoJo accepts responsibility for the main wine selection, and her choice is spot on. Although the wine list in-house shows a 2001, we are told the list is out of date and they only have the 2003 San Marcellino Rocca di Montegrossi...which we're told is every bit as good as the 2001. Riiiiiiiiiight. Our doubts dissipate, however, upon the first sip. (Further research reveals this is a Sangiovese blend Chianti Classico from Tuscany, so no wonder it goes so well as a follow-up to the Chianti we had with our app.) The big sweetness and licorice aftertaste tames my fatty pork dish so well, I find myself taking a bite, taking a sip, taking a bite, taking a sip... Despite initial misgivings, my qualms over Tre Cugini's previous missteps are nearly gone. Food is good to great; service is likewise. Prices are perhaps slightly high, but when they hit a high note, they really hit it. We opt to bundle back up after settling the bill and head home, where Juliet has baked a pear tart and intends to whip some cream. There might even be a good bottle of Italian wine left in the cellar, who knows? Don't take my word for it, though; check out video and what my better half has to say about our culinary adventure on our website (linked in my profile)!
(3)
Seth W.
I am surprised by the reviews that Tre Cugini continually earns, and even more surprised that they have not responded to their rating by improving. After ignoring the consistent reviews, and being lured in by the fantastic looking establishment and wonderful outdoor music, I did visit Tres Cugini and I must say I am no longer surprised. True to the reviews, the food is mediocre and overpriced. The service is dissatisfying, and though the management tries to put on an outward appearance of hospitality, they actually present a pretentious and even haughty attitude. The calamari was overpriced for a small portion and lacked flavor and quaility. I can say the same for the soup. Just a suggestion Tres Cugini... Stop responding to the 4 and 5 star reviews and start responding to the 1 to 3 star reviews.
(1)
Lola A.
It's been a couple of years and we decided to give Tre Cugini another try - for Valentines Day. This restaurant really occupies some prime retail space downtown. Across the street, Rosa Parks circle sparkled in blue and white lights. It was a bone chilling evening, so the warm classy ambiance in the white table cloth restaurant was very welcome. Tonight was simply lovely! The entire experience from start to finish was well executed with regards to service and the meal was...simply exquisite. Starting from the crab cakes with a balsamic infused mini salad (which we shared) to my order of raviolli with a creamy vodka sauce that was decadent & delicious beyond belief! Hubby's sea bass was also enjoyed. We came in for an early dinner and the restaurant was quite full when we left. Proof positive that Tre Cugini has assumed its place in the Big Leagues where it has always belonged. Very happy...very, very happy. :)
(5)
Adam D.
Horrible experience, I will not go back! The owner( I assume) would not honor a Groupon I purchased. He was yelling at me, very unprofessional. He called the police on me because I refused to pay the full bill. Then he called Groupon, the rep told him over the phone that he should honor it! He did not..... In the end I conceded and paid the bill in pennies.
(1)
Todd C.
Food was great, service was outstanding & the ambiance was very nice. We had the Gnocchi Gorgonzola & Spinach Mushroom Risotto & would highly recommend it. The only drawback were the small portion sizes.
(4)
Valerie B.
Lunch during Art Prize with my daughter - a great find. Our waiter was attentive and very knowledgeable about the menu - it was a cold day so crowds were way down - perhaps that is why the service was so good based on others' poor experiences. Although I feel the prices are too high for the dishes we ordered, entrees tasted great. The bread served with olive tapenade was curious - the focaccia was perfect but the italian bread was dry and flavorless - probably stale. The calamari (11$) could have used more seasoning but the marinara served with it was perfect. The lasagna bolonese (15$?) and the gorgonzola ravioli (17.50$) were delicious. To be honest, for the prices I expected to be taking leftovers home to enjoy for dinner, but the portions were lunch sized.
(3)
Ken M.
Good food, street-side venue with a nice ambience and decor. The service wasn't superb, and we were told that it was because of a 40 top wedding party in the back. If you knew that was going to happen, a little extra staff on the main floor might have been advisable.
(3)
Tommaso F.
Great food. Authentic. The owner Adriano is very kind and the staff Christina and Ryan are very friendly and professional. Great customer service and the food is delicious. I got gnocchi di patate al Gorgonzola. It is amazing.
(5)
Ernie M.
We were walking the ARTPRIZE in Grand Rapids and looking for lunch. Every place was packed, then we came upon Tre Cugini and it was like finding an oasis in the desert. We could get immediate seating--others must have been put off by it's fancy name and appearance vs. the likes TGI Fridays, etc.. It was a great find. My wife ordered a Napoli sandwich and I got the AL Granchio sandwich(Crab Cakes). The iced teas were brewed and very refreshing. Bradley served us well and we got enough energy to start our review of another 500 art pieces in town.
(3)
James P.
Usually I go in here and the food is "Ok" but this time I didn't have a collared shirt and I didn't even get to order. I was almost entertained watching the bartender server Every suit around me and I never even got a menu. I pulled my Amex Platinum out to pay for my soda and whoosh I was back visible again., joke. I dropped 5 bucks and walked out, off my list.
(2)
Logan W.
I cannot believe this place has the rating it does. I had the most memorable meal of my life at this restaurant, and it is astounding to see people complaining about the prices. I apologize on behalf of the restaurant that there isn't a dollar menu, but realize that for a place with such outstanding atmosphere for this area that you have to pay a premium. I cannot afford to go here on any regular basis, but this kind of place is a treat. It could also be who people go with, as I find that food can only be as good as your company sometimes. My date and I were turned away from San Chez, who had a private party at the time and failed to mention that fact when I had called weeks in advance to get a reservation only to find out they do not take reservations. So there we were at 7:30 on a saturday night in Grand Rapids dressed for dinner with nowhere to eat. I had seen Tre Cugini (three cousins, translated by my girlfriend) earlier, thought it looked good and called. They said they could squeeze us in for two if we got there soon. It was a miracle, and I still am glad for it. We were seated at a table in the window in front, between the piano player and the view of the ice rink, and it was gorgeous. Never before in my life had I been in such an atmosphere. The piano player was a wonderfully talented old man, and the view of the rink was surreal. The hushed murmur of the diners made it feel like we were in a movie. It was perfect. I had a seafood pasta meal which was up to standards and my girlfriend had the chicken. The food was great, but we could not get over what a neat scene it was. The service was personable and spent time with us helping us figure out what to get. You know, waiters are people too and you shouldn't be afraid to engage them in a complimentary manner. Remember, people who are nice to you and rude to the waiter are not nice people. I don't expect that many people who wonder in off the street to appreciate the subtleties of a place like Tre Cugini, but it is special. If you are looking for a memorable night with the person you love, you could do worse than start it with a meal at Tre Cugini.
(5)
Sarah T.
Here is how I Typically establish a rating: two stars for great food, two stars for great service and one star for atmosphere. Therefore, I have given Tre Cugini one star which is for the beautiful dining room, perfectly lit, and the fabulous music. However, that is ALL tre Cugini has to offer. The food is very poor and over priced. I had a side salad - $8 and it was mixed greens and two grape tomatoes...nothing else. The calamari was bland, lacking any seasoning. In addition the service was poor and even rude at times. When the server ran into a problem with our bill and we pointed out the mistake, she rudely said...this is going to take a while. Wow. Totally overpriced food and poor service. Save your money and go to Bistro Bella Vita.
(1)
Nick M.
If you've had the most memorable meal of your life here, you need to get out more. This place can't hold a candle to a 1/2 of the restaurants in downtown Kalamazoo. Wait staff wasn't very friendly. I found the food mediocre, and I agree with previous comments about being overpriced. I had a penne pasta in vodka cream sauce with smoked salmon and asparagus (sounds good right?). Couldn't hardly find any salmon, and the few pieces of asparagus were cut up the size of tick taks.
(2)
Gwyn S.
DO NOT GO HERE! And it's not about the food at all. So my mom won a prize package from the Grand Rapids Press after she wrote a piece on Diana (yes, I guess people do win that kind of thing.) In the package was a $50 gift card to Tre Cugini. We called about two weeks prior to Art Prize and asked if it could be used at that time, because it had a few restrictions on the card, but none included Art Prize. The woman on the phone said, and I quote, "if it doesn't say Art Prize is excluded, then it's not." So we made a reservation. When we got there, there was a big note on the menu that said no discounts, gift cards, etc. would be accepted at Art Prize. Prior to ordering (thank goodness I saw that first!), I asked the waitress, who proceeded to ask the manager. Um, no. Can't use it. Even though it expired during Art Prize, we lost it. We got up and walked out. The place had maybe 10 people sitting in it. You were what, too busy to use it? So we lost 50 bucks. I'm just saying, if you think any kind of service is important when you pay for exceptionally expensive food, this is a place to miss.
(1)
Christine H.
My husband and I ate here before a play, it was absolutely wonderful. Our waitress, Yen, was very friendly, efficient and knowledgable. We ordered the sea bass and risotto both of which were outstanding. It was a super dinner with great service. We will definitely be back.
(5)
C G.
I've been to this restaurant numerous times and I've yet to be disappointed. my favorite pasta is the one with called Papperdelle. It has sausage and butternut squash in it with a simple sage and olive oil sauce but the flavor is outstanding. Can't wait to enjoy a meal there soon.
(5)
Brian M.
Wonderful Italian experience that delights the palate with inventive combination and inspiring cuisine. All served by an incredibly energetic, happy, and smiling team that puts some of the best Italian crews in Chicago to shame! There will be definitely be repeat visits when business takes me in or through Grand Rapids!
(5)
Chris M.
This is one of our favorite Italian places in GR. W enjoyed a great dinner here with four friends at the height of Artprize weekend. The restaurant was very crowded, but the service was still very good. Probably the best mussels in Grand Rapids. On this visit I tried the scallops which the waitress said had just been flown in that morning. They may have been the best scallops I've ever had. Perfectly cooked and super sweet. The Chilean Sea Bass (market price) is also to die for. My wife's tuna steak wasn't as rare as it should have been. That was the only disappointment. Everyone else's meals were fabulous. Pricey but worth it for a nice treat.
(4)
Tim H.
Stopped by to grab some dessert on a Friday evening. We ordered gelato and even though it was $8 for 3 small scoops it was tasty. Our server was also very friendly and had a lot of great info about the city. Will try to come back for dinner next time we are in town.
(4)
Tanushree B.
Good food, nothing special, prices are higher than some of the best NYC Soho restaurants...manager is quite useless. We got a pana cotta with rasberry syrup that tasted horrible so we asked for a change. The said they couldnt give a us fresh one without charging for it!.....ugh....the same old crap many potential good restaurants face....a ridiculous manager!!
(3)
Amy C.
Better than I expected! After reading reviews I was expecting a snooty hostess and overpriced so-so food but was happily surprised. We went on a Tuesday night and had a reservation since we had a Groupon. We were about 20 minutes early but were seated quickly by a very nice hostess. We hit it off with the young man who filled the water glass as soon as we were seated. Nicole, our server was knowledgeable and fun. I am glad we made the reservation because the place was full the entire time we were there. We had the appetizer special, risotto balls with cheese and truffle oil served in a cream sauce with ham and peas. I hope they add it to the regular menu because I would order it again and again. We also had the tuna tartar, caprese salad (loved the peppers and the house made mozz) and a shrimp risotto, all very good. Our dinners were the scallops and the filet in gorgonzola cream, very good and the vegetable sides were tasty. The filet was not crusted with gorgonzola, so not a very strong taste, but good nonetheless. Dessert was panna cotta and the amaretto mousse. If you like chocolate get the mousse. The amaretto was not too strong and the chocolate "sheets" it was served with were flat out candy. Yes, it is expensive and yes it took us two hours to eat, but with four courses it was nice to eat a little slow and enjoy. Unlike many of the downtown "hot-spots" we look forward to returning to Tre Cugini!
(4)
Seth H.
Stay away. They are dishonest. They post an old menu in the window with prices 25% lower then their inside menus. They won't honor the window price and they won't remove the old menu. Their food wasn't any good anyway.
(1)
l v.
I used to come here with my girlfriends for wednesday night wine. Pretty good selection. The dinner food was very hit or miss. My first meal here was fantastic. I'm not sure what happened but the second and third meals were mediocre at best. For a restaurant that charges $15+ a plate the food had better be worth it...and 2/3 times, it wasn't.
(2)
Krista B.
The prices are outrageous for Grand Rapids. If I wanted to pay that much, I'd be at San Chez or Reserve or someplace that warrants the cost. I'd be more willing to shell out the big bucks if it didn't look like an average neighborhood trattoria. We didn't order drinks, split an antipasti and skipped dessert, and it still cost me $86. My risotto with sausage and gorgonzola was watery and tasted nothing of gorgonzola, plus the pistachios in it were wet and rubbery. The waiter was pretentious and seemed put out that we didn't order three courses and drinks each (the menu is set up as three courses). He wasn't around much. I'm giving it a second star because I did enjoy our antipasti selecto. It had a nice array of meat, cheese and marinated veg for a reasonable $12 (though I'm sure the waiter was shocked that we dared to split it).
(2)
Jodi W.
Ciao Bella! We didn't have this (bad) experience that others wrote about in 2007 - perhaps they heard the feedback and made adjustments. The owners and many of their waitstaff speak Italian, and it's a family restaurant (generationally owned). We were seated right away even though it was packed on a Friday night. Our server was extremely attentive and friendly, as was all of the staff. They had an accordianist wandering around taking requests, which gave it a little something special and romantic. Although it was crowded, we could still hear our conversation, and it was comfortably busy and buzzing. The food: creamy risotta with shrimp and asparagus and a light tomato sauce, a crisp Barbera, and veal saltimbocca was delicious and made perfectly. It is a bit more expensive than many restaurants in The GR, but if you compared it to a bigger city, it was much less expensive for what it is. The outdoor tables were set and diners were enjoying the warm spring evening. It's a traditional place with the average age over 30 in the dining room. I'd definitely go back - and because of the reviews referencing inconsistency here, I will always ask the server to tell me what the chef is excited about that night - that will nearly assure me of getting a great meal, plus it alerts the chef and server to pay special attention since it was their recommendation in the first place. Give it another go! Sit outside, drink some vino, watch the passersby, pretend you are on a small street in Italy, and enjoy la dolce vita!
(4)
Scott H.
Excellent Service, Food, and Drinks. Able to savor the experience without any hint from staff that needed to finish and leave. Sat and relaxed for nearly 2 1/2 hours. Very nice experience.
(5)
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Address :122 Monroe Center St NW
Grand Rapids, MI, 49503
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Dressy Ambience : Classy Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
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.
Jason S.
First time and I was impressed! They have a nice patio but we ate indoors. The server (Yen) was great! Very attentive and the food was AWESOME! Get the Tuna! I would recommend this place to anyone that loves Italian food. Thank you Tre!
(4)Joseph R.
Stopped by for a business lunch and ordered the carbonara... It was pretty good, but for the price I expect to be absolutely blown away. There are much more affordable options available.
(3)John M.
Great atmosphere, service and menu. Pretty pricey for mediocre food. Definitely nicer places on GR with great atmosphere and better value.
(3)Kristen S.
So disappointed!! The food was nothing to remember,. The service was probably the worst I've seen in Grand Rapids. It took a good three minutes for me to be acknowledged when I walked in the door even though there were a couple people standing at the host stand. The server did not want to be there and made that visible. The only time she came to our table was to take our food order and drop off the bill. The back server was at our table more and was more helpful, but the server didn't even stop back to check how any of our courses were and she wasn't even very busy. The manager sat up at the bar the whole time so he obviously doesn't care about the level of service his staff is providing.
(1)Konrad B.
Great service from the moment we walked through the door. Our waitress was extremely knowledgeable about the textures and flavors on the menu. Classy with a warm welcoming atmosphere. The food is true to the Italian culture. One of my top 5 restaurants in Grand Rapids.
(4)Jerry B.
As a foodie of sorts I have wanted to try tre for awhile. We wanted pasta last night and decided we would go and check them out. Upon arrival the atmosphere was nice and we decided to sit outside and enjoy the people passing. My first issue with the restaurant is that the girl who was waiting on us did not know her menu as a server of a supposed to be upscale high end restaurant in Grand Rapids should have. Secondly I am not a wine drinker as most seem to be impressed with,I'm a foodie. We decided on our appetizer and our meal choices. One meal was exactly as described by the menu and our server. The other which was not would have been mine of course as it always is. I'm sorry if something is described as a red wine sauce and sweet italian sausage it really needs to have those things in it, don't you think? Oh it had sausage and by the heartburn my determination would be of a peppery breakfast sausage for biscuits and gravy that I also enjoy but not in my pasta. The third issue we had at the restaurant was the lack of our servers attention. We sat and perused the www with all our empty plates- both appetizer AND dinner- on the table for a good 20-25 min after we had finished. We even stacked them for easy removal. But, alas, they sat.
(2)Arthur D.
Perhaps the best restaurant experience of my recent trip to Grand Rapids. Final night in town, ended up here. Nice location across from the art museum plaza where there appears to be much happening during summer evenings. The homemade pasta was fantastic!! Seafood chowder was enjoyable as not of the overly creamy variety, but rather had more of a rustic home-cooked style. Our waitress was extremely helpful in wine pairings for the evening. Well done here.
(4)Jaclyn W.
Just getting around to doing this review (actual visit was in January). My experience at Tre Cugini was pretty disappointing. Love the atmosphere and was here to celebrate our friend's anniversary. Our friend's parents had called ahead and ordered champagne for the couple which was nice - and just brought attention to the fact that it was a special occasion that evening. That saying, our server was friendly but a little impatient as one of our friend's was a bit indecisive in regards to the menu. She kept saying she had a large table she had to attend to and kept disappearing. It was fine at first - we've all been servers so we understand, but then she pretty much ignored us. Additionally, thought they might throw a desert or something in to acknowledge the occasion, but they didn't. That of course is fine, but no one was happy with their meal. The server recommended the GNOCCHI DI RICOTTA ALLA SORRENTINA which I ordered and it was extremely bland. I ended up switching with my boyfriend who ordered the RAVIOLONI DI FORMAGGIO DI CAPRA AL BURRO E ALVIA , which honestly, was not much better. Between the service and the meal - pretty disappointing for such a special occasion and for the price. Won't be returning anytime soon.
(2)April A.
I have been here twice with my husband, both at busy times, and we were served outstanding food of adequate portions expediently and courteously. We have dined all around NYC and Chicago, and are happy to have an excellent dining experience of the same calibre of culinary expertise and ambiance for less than we are accustomed to paying.
(4)John S.
know what you order and what ingred....If you have an issue with your dish, tough luck because the management won't do anything abput
(3)Michelle P.
My first review was filtered! Ugh here goes again. People should be able to review honestly!! My husband and I along with our 8 month old son visited Tre Cugini on a short weekend get away to GR. We were actually looking forward to our visit to the upscale Italian restaurant. The dining experience started out great. Our waiter was friendly and had a great attitude however over the 2 hrs we were there our dining experience slowly turned into a bad one. The restaurant was not busy although we had to wait forever for our food. I'm on a special diet for my son he is breastfeeding and can't have dairy proteins. The waiter insisted he would tell the chef and he would leave all dairy possibilities off my plate. I ordered salmon with peas in white wine sauce. It came served on cheese potatoes. Unfortunately I tried a couple bites of them thinking they were something else and sure enough my little guy had a belly ache (to say the least) the next day. When I told the waiter that I tasted cheese he told me he forgot to add the dairy free to the request. At that point after our long wait and the wait staff serving a possible allergen to us you would have thought we'd receive a discount or at least a visit from the manager to our table. Absolutely nothing was offered! This restaurant puts on a great front at first but the portions are small for the price and if you need to order something special you'd better confirm several times. My husband and I were very disappointed that 1 beer 2 entrees and 1 salad came to almost $100. You'd be better off spending that money at another high end restaurant.
(1)Ryan R.
Very slow service, we were literally they only ones in there after another table paid and left. Portions were absolutely tiny and the price ridiculous. On top of all that the staff was just sort of snooty, despite appearing outwardly friendly.
(1)John L.
Adriano and his staff at Tre Cugini do the most fantastic job. We have dined all over the country and we feel that Tre Cugini is consistently one of the best anywhere. Whether it's pasta, fish, veal, chicken or steak you can't go wrong. Bravo and 5 stars always!
(5)Karol C.
Great dining experience. The sea bass was perfectly prepared and tasted amazingly! Service was great too. I will definitely be back.
(4)Karen C.
I have been to just about every restaurant in Grand Rapids and Tre Cugini continually proves itself to be the greatest of them all. The service is impeccable, the food keeps getting better. There is not one item I do not like on the menu, although I will say that the Chilean Sea Bass is my favorite (there is also lobster on it!) I have been going to Tre for about 6 years now and have never had a bad experience. ...Go here! You will not be disappointed!
(5)Jake K.
Every once in a while, you have an experience that becomes a lifetime memory. Our dinner at Tre Cugini was like that. Having grown up in New York, and eaten at many of the top restaurants across the country, including multiple visits to Alinea in Chicago, I wasn't expecting much from a restaurant in Grand Rapids, MI. I could not have been more surprised. Decor and Ambiance: Charming. My wife actually felt that it had the feel of a Manhattan restaurant. Personally, I didn't think so, but it's warm with character. From the exposed brick walls, to the pressed tin ceiling and oversized mirrors. Michael, the accordian player is extremely gifted and plays beautiful tunes at the tableside without ever seeming intrusive. He is also a very talented artist as we later found out. Food: Very good. The menu is challenging and authentic. We had the carpaccio for starters and I had the risotto with lobster and truffle oil. The flavors were balanced and the portions, generous. My wife had the scallops which were gone before I had a chance to ask for a taste. We had ordered a half-portion of the butternut squash ravioli for my oldest daughter, but it was so good, we had to order her another half-portion. I managed to get a taste and the ravioli was every bit as good as I've had in Boston's North End. Bob, the chef, has been there for 13 years, and has worked his way up through the kitchen. Service: The best I've ever experienced, hands down. Our server was friendly and knowledgeable and recommended excellent wines to pair with our meal choices. But what set her apart was the beautiful way she engaged our three children, ages 12, 9 and 6. Far from making us feeling uncomfortable with three young children, I felt as if she elevated our status in the dining room! She brought out the chef to meet us, who in turn sent out complimentary gelato to our children. After dinner, she brought them back into the kitchen to give them a tour. Thank you Carmen! We will be back in the area in three weeks and plan to visit Tre Cugini again to see if our second visit can possibly be as good as our first.
(5)Danny G.
A little pricey, but extremely happy with the experience. Our waitress was great and we also had a few other staff members that went out of their way to accommodate us. They even split an order of soup for us which was a request I couldn't even believe my companion made in the first place ! We were fortunate enough to visit on a beautiful day and the experience of being on their patio with such great city backdrops was awesome. Easy to recommend and would definitely look forward to returning if in the area again. I agree with another reviewer that I wish 1/2 stars ratings were available, if so I'd give it 4 1/2, but I'm rounding up because I strongly feel that some other reviews have been unreasonably harsh.
(5)Daniel T.
It's okay. Expensive but more unique than the average Italian experience. I've had better and worse. If you're looking for classy, come here.
(3)Rob K.
Went here with my father, my cousin, and our neighbor. Despite setting out to go somewhere more interesting (in my opinion) we ended up here due to its proximity to our hotel and our flagging energy levels. I had the butternut squash soup (incredibly bland) and the pasta with veal ragu (also incredibly bland.) My dad had the pasta off the tasting menu, which was better, if only marginally. Two appetizers, four entrees, three beers, one martini, and three espresso came out to $170 before tip, which would have felt like a splurge even if the food was worth eating. You'd be smart to: Order from the tasting menu. The pasta my father got was the only salvageable part of the meal. You'd be dumb to: Get the spaghetti with meat sauce. $22 and largely flavorless. You could go either way on: Taking a date here, maybe? The atmosphere was nice, and I'm no expert on the Grand Rapids culinary scene, so that might redeem it a little bit. The accordion player was actually really good and very friendly, but you enjoyment of that depends on how you feel about accordion music.
(2)Elizabeth S.
My husband and I were guests here for a business dinner. Service was mediocre - aloof and almost arrogant. Food same. We had mussels - not great. C'mon - it's an Italian restaurant - can I have a little garlic please? Beet salad was pretty good. Chicken scaloppine was good, but waiter had to have his arm twisted to serve it with a pasta side instead of roasted potatoes. In the end, maybe the potatoes would've been better. Husband's striped bass was so-so and slightly over cooked. Oh well, it wasn't our nickel.
(2)Carla C.
Although I only had an appetizer here, my experience was good.....I will be back hopefully for dinner sometime soon.
(4)Dan B.
Glad we tried this one. Carmen, our server was awesome explaining everything on the 6 page menu. We did some shared entrees to keep the bill low but still go plenty to eat. The homemade ravioli was great and wife loved the filet. I enjoyed the filet dipped in the butter sauce, oh and the potatoes as well. Sat near the window and watched the skaters at Rosa Parks Circle. Good looking place and you can tell servers are well trained. Probably go back when outdoor patio is open. They validate parking in the Ellis Parking lot right next door so why not give it a try. We'll be back for steak and pasta for sure.
(4)Pete E.
Very expensive. Slow food service. Ran out of Cesar salad dressing although it's simple to make with ordinary ingredients.
(2)AJ R.
We stopped here for lunch today after looking over the menu posted outside the restaurant. When we examined the menus after being seated, we noticed that (unlike the posted menu) there was no lunch menu and the prices were higher. The waiter informed us that prices had been changed and they hadn't yet changed the menu in front. (For example, the Mozzarella Pomidora salad had gone from $7.50 to $10.00. We complained and the waiter told us (after ostensibly checking with his manager) that the prices were in the computer and they could not honor the prices posted. We left. I think in most states, this kind of advertising policy is illegal!
(1)J S.
I had very high hopes for this restaurant. The simple fact is that the food is not good and the service it clearly lacking. My wife ordered the ravioli and I can honestly say that It was the worst ravioli that I hive had. I ordered another pasta dish that had Italian sausage and squash. It was greasy and the noodles were overcooked, which I don't expect for the prices they charge. Additionally our server stopped by our table 3 times. Once to take our order, once to give us the check and finally to return the credit card. For a mean costing close to $100 I expect much better service. I highly recommend that if you want a nice Italian mean you head over to bistro bell a Vida instead. There are few restaurants that I can say I will never go back...this is one...
(1)Brad S.
I've been here twice and both times it has been great. The first time was with my family and the second time was with a group of friends for dinner. Most recently I had the Penne Pasta with Smoked Salmon and asparagus and it was very good. The service was great, very attentive and with perfect timing. The atmosphere is nice and enhanced by a great location, across from the park, museum and near hotels.
(5)Bigboss A.
Overpriced with mediocre food
(3)Al P.
Service was great on a busy Friday night. Food was good, however it was overpriced for the quality and small quantity. But in general we enjoyed it.
(3)David G.
Not sure about this place. I hate to gripe about food being overpriced, because that's contributing to the Grand Rapids stereotype, but this place isn't that good for the price tier it's in. Salad was ok, pasta was ok, tiramisu was ok. Asked the server to surprise me with a glass of wine that went with my meal, and that was fine. I actually had two glasses. I hate to give it two stars, because they didn't really do anything wrong, it's just that nothing knocked my socks off, and in the 3 times I've been here, nothing really ever has. This is easily one of the most expensive restaurants in GR, and there are much better choices if you want to drop $150 on dinner for two. I would eat here often if it cost 40% less. Like I said, the food's not bad, just not worth what they charge for it. I would think if they had any competition from another traditional Northern Italian restaurant, they would be in trouble.
(2)Pat F.
Our favorite Italian restaurant around. Penne Ala Vodka- the best we have ever had.
(5)Carl E.
We found ourselves in GR last week and thoroughly enjoyed our trip. One day, we decided to eat at Tre Cugini for lunch and we're glad that we did....although our wallet felt the pinch. Anyway, we ate outside as the weather was beautiful. The service was very good...it was evident that our waiter had been trained well. There was a slight glitch and the waiter was more than apologetic about it. The food was good too....well-cooked and well-presented. If we ever go back to GR, we'll certainly look forward to another visit.
(4)Phil G.
Much improved from last year. I will note that the online menu does not reflect the current menu (It still states "Dinner Menu Summer 2014") The service has improved back to where it should be. The menu has been re-worked and some old favorites have returned while some very good new items have appeared! I got the Beef Wellington appetizer. Amazing little nibble of heaven there. My wife and I shared a plate of beef and pork ravioli. Al-dente pasta filled with tender meats with a mildly spicy red sauce. I was kind of sad I let my wife have 50% of this... For my entree, I got the Steak Tournedos with gogonzola, rapini and roasted potatoes. The steaks were cooked just right and everything was very flavorful. I am very happy that this place has restored the food and service quality that made me a fan many years ago. I would urge anyone who at there in 2014 to consider giving it another try now.
(4)Steve S.
Pleasant atmosphere, attentive service, good but not outstanding food.
(3)Joe C.
Great food and bread with the meal. This place never lets us down.
(5)Kathryn S.
We were in town for a conference for work. It took ten minutes before we even were spoken to by a sitter and that was after asking for a server. The food is extremely more expensive then what is listed on the menu here. You would think for 20 to 30 dollars a plate it would be better food. All of the food came out barely warm. My food tastes good but not for the price.
(2)Kim M.
I had the Cavatelli and sausage. Wife had the crab cakes. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't great. Wine list was extensive, but hardly value priced. By bottle or glass, it was pricey. I ended up having an import draft. The sidewalk dining was very comfortable this June evening. It is probably not going to be at the top of my places to visit again, but I could be dragged there.
(3)Lisa G.
My calamari was undercooked, bland, and rubbery. My husband's fettucine alla bolognese was equally under seasoned and gummy. If your taste in Italian food runs to Chef Boyardee, then this could be the place for you. Otherwise, there are plenty of other good restaurants on Monroe Center St NW.
(1)M Y.
Very Slow service on an evening when the restaurant was not crowded. Salads nice, not too big. Meat was tough. Pasta good but not great. Expected more.
(3)Nicholas S.
For the cost you'd assume you were eating at a very high end (for GR prices) Italian place. You'd be wrong. Food is bland and the menu uninviting. Even the cannoli, which is such a basic staple, was without flavour and meh. There are so many other good places in the area. Skip this one.
(1)Jeremy J.
Thanks to their website (and because none of the nightly specials interest me), I already know what I want. Well, I should say I have a good idea what I want. Because I've become much more adventurous lately, I'm leaving my choices open to whatever the group wants. For an appetizer, I'm open to either the Frittura di Calamari or Ostriche Fritte Impanato con Polenta All'Aoili (fried oysters). Everyone seems to like the calamari idea so we go with that, as well as the Bresaola della Valtellina con Tallegio e Carciofi Martinati (cured beef with cheese, artichokes, crostini) and Mozzarella e Pomodori alla Caprese (cheese with tomato and marinated bell peppers). Initially, I am a bit disappointed in the calamari. I am hoping they are tossed and coated with the tangy marinara sauce, but it comes on the side. Otherwise, the calamari is offered much the same as elsewhere. The taste is good and the preparation is decent. There is a bit of springiness here and there, but it's not bad. Solid calamari, overall, but not spectacular. The Bresaola, however, is really really good. It's easy to make a little sandwich out of the components, and the slightly greasy meat coats your mouth in a most pleasant way. On the opposite side of the spectrum, the mozzarella is amazing as well. Creamy, smooth, and fresh (made in-house!). It is comforting and contagious. I want more, but I'm not going to horn in on our vegetarian's only app. I am keeping my eye on the plate, though, just in case she gets too full. I should mention here that I spent considerable time choosing a wine to go with the appetizer course. The details about which wine goes with what, which vintages are best, which regions are considered "in"...I fall down on all that stuff. It just doesn't stick in my mind that well (or, probably closer to the truth, I haven't given it due diligence). But, tonight, I wanted to be prepared and hopefully surprise our friends with a decent choice, for once. I pored through different articles on the internet. Since I already knew we were probably going to order the calamari (it's a crowd-pleaser) and artichokes were almost always on the menu in an Italian restaurant, I focused on those two components. Across the board, Chianti was the preferred recommendation. Not surprising, I guess, but my gut would have avoided Chianti (it just sounds so cliche, right?). After checking their wine list, I chose the 2004 Rocca delle Macie Chianti Reserva. Everyone seemed cool with it, so that's what we ordered. I really enjoyed the interplay of vanilla and dark chocolate in the nose, and a slightly ashy taste at the back end. Some spicy notes as well. Overall, a very bright and lively Chianti, much better than some of the Classico varieties we've stocked at home. For the main course, I have eyes for only one dish: Risotto con Salsiccia di Maiale, Gorgonzola e Pistachio. A rather unassuming shallow bowl arrives with a calm pool of risotto pasta flecked with grey-brown bits of pork sausage and verdant islands of pistachio nuts. My first bite is salty, meaty, crunchy, and luscious on the tongue. With my second bite, I begin to have flashbacks and I have to look around frantically. This is Grand Rapids, right? Have I gone back in time? With JoJo and Ivy at our table and this Authentic Italian Cuisine (trust me, this deserves Caps) in front of me, surely we've been transported back to Rome? The risotto is so perfectly prepared, it might as well have come from the kitchen of some trattoria on a side street in Rome. My only complaint (and it is a very light complaint), I expected more punch from the gorgonzola. JoJo, too, finds her gorgonzola gnocchi lacking that punch. Thankfully, JoJo accepts responsibility for the main wine selection, and her choice is spot on. Although the wine list in-house shows a 2001, we are told the list is out of date and they only have the 2003 San Marcellino Rocca di Montegrossi...which we're told is every bit as good as the 2001. Riiiiiiiiiight. Our doubts dissipate, however, upon the first sip. (Further research reveals this is a Sangiovese blend Chianti Classico from Tuscany, so no wonder it goes so well as a follow-up to the Chianti we had with our app.) The big sweetness and licorice aftertaste tames my fatty pork dish so well, I find myself taking a bite, taking a sip, taking a bite, taking a sip... Despite initial misgivings, my qualms over Tre Cugini's previous missteps are nearly gone. Food is good to great; service is likewise. Prices are perhaps slightly high, but when they hit a high note, they really hit it. We opt to bundle back up after settling the bill and head home, where Juliet has baked a pear tart and intends to whip some cream. There might even be a good bottle of Italian wine left in the cellar, who knows? Don't take my word for it, though; check out video and what my better half has to say about our culinary adventure on our website (linked in my profile)!
(3)Seth W.
I am surprised by the reviews that Tre Cugini continually earns, and even more surprised that they have not responded to their rating by improving. After ignoring the consistent reviews, and being lured in by the fantastic looking establishment and wonderful outdoor music, I did visit Tres Cugini and I must say I am no longer surprised. True to the reviews, the food is mediocre and overpriced. The service is dissatisfying, and though the management tries to put on an outward appearance of hospitality, they actually present a pretentious and even haughty attitude. The calamari was overpriced for a small portion and lacked flavor and quaility. I can say the same for the soup. Just a suggestion Tres Cugini... Stop responding to the 4 and 5 star reviews and start responding to the 1 to 3 star reviews.
(1)Lola A.
It's been a couple of years and we decided to give Tre Cugini another try - for Valentines Day. This restaurant really occupies some prime retail space downtown. Across the street, Rosa Parks circle sparkled in blue and white lights. It was a bone chilling evening, so the warm classy ambiance in the white table cloth restaurant was very welcome. Tonight was simply lovely! The entire experience from start to finish was well executed with regards to service and the meal was...simply exquisite. Starting from the crab cakes with a balsamic infused mini salad (which we shared) to my order of raviolli with a creamy vodka sauce that was decadent & delicious beyond belief! Hubby's sea bass was also enjoyed. We came in for an early dinner and the restaurant was quite full when we left. Proof positive that Tre Cugini has assumed its place in the Big Leagues where it has always belonged. Very happy...very, very happy. :)
(5)Adam D.
Horrible experience, I will not go back! The owner( I assume) would not honor a Groupon I purchased. He was yelling at me, very unprofessional. He called the police on me because I refused to pay the full bill. Then he called Groupon, the rep told him over the phone that he should honor it! He did not..... In the end I conceded and paid the bill in pennies.
(1)Todd C.
Food was great, service was outstanding & the ambiance was very nice. We had the Gnocchi Gorgonzola & Spinach Mushroom Risotto & would highly recommend it. The only drawback were the small portion sizes.
(4)Valerie B.
Lunch during Art Prize with my daughter - a great find. Our waiter was attentive and very knowledgeable about the menu - it was a cold day so crowds were way down - perhaps that is why the service was so good based on others' poor experiences. Although I feel the prices are too high for the dishes we ordered, entrees tasted great. The bread served with olive tapenade was curious - the focaccia was perfect but the italian bread was dry and flavorless - probably stale. The calamari (11$) could have used more seasoning but the marinara served with it was perfect. The lasagna bolonese (15$?) and the gorgonzola ravioli (17.50$) were delicious. To be honest, for the prices I expected to be taking leftovers home to enjoy for dinner, but the portions were lunch sized.
(3)Ken M.
Good food, street-side venue with a nice ambience and decor. The service wasn't superb, and we were told that it was because of a 40 top wedding party in the back. If you knew that was going to happen, a little extra staff on the main floor might have been advisable.
(3)Tommaso F.
Great food. Authentic. The owner Adriano is very kind and the staff Christina and Ryan are very friendly and professional. Great customer service and the food is delicious. I got gnocchi di patate al Gorgonzola. It is amazing.
(5)Ernie M.
We were walking the ARTPRIZE in Grand Rapids and looking for lunch. Every place was packed, then we came upon Tre Cugini and it was like finding an oasis in the desert. We could get immediate seating--others must have been put off by it's fancy name and appearance vs. the likes TGI Fridays, etc.. It was a great find. My wife ordered a Napoli sandwich and I got the AL Granchio sandwich(Crab Cakes). The iced teas were brewed and very refreshing. Bradley served us well and we got enough energy to start our review of another 500 art pieces in town.
(3)James P.
Usually I go in here and the food is "Ok" but this time I didn't have a collared shirt and I didn't even get to order. I was almost entertained watching the bartender server Every suit around me and I never even got a menu. I pulled my Amex Platinum out to pay for my soda and whoosh I was back visible again., joke. I dropped 5 bucks and walked out, off my list.
(2)Logan W.
I cannot believe this place has the rating it does. I had the most memorable meal of my life at this restaurant, and it is astounding to see people complaining about the prices. I apologize on behalf of the restaurant that there isn't a dollar menu, but realize that for a place with such outstanding atmosphere for this area that you have to pay a premium. I cannot afford to go here on any regular basis, but this kind of place is a treat. It could also be who people go with, as I find that food can only be as good as your company sometimes. My date and I were turned away from San Chez, who had a private party at the time and failed to mention that fact when I had called weeks in advance to get a reservation only to find out they do not take reservations. So there we were at 7:30 on a saturday night in Grand Rapids dressed for dinner with nowhere to eat. I had seen Tre Cugini (three cousins, translated by my girlfriend) earlier, thought it looked good and called. They said they could squeeze us in for two if we got there soon. It was a miracle, and I still am glad for it. We were seated at a table in the window in front, between the piano player and the view of the ice rink, and it was gorgeous. Never before in my life had I been in such an atmosphere. The piano player was a wonderfully talented old man, and the view of the rink was surreal. The hushed murmur of the diners made it feel like we were in a movie. It was perfect. I had a seafood pasta meal which was up to standards and my girlfriend had the chicken. The food was great, but we could not get over what a neat scene it was. The service was personable and spent time with us helping us figure out what to get. You know, waiters are people too and you shouldn't be afraid to engage them in a complimentary manner. Remember, people who are nice to you and rude to the waiter are not nice people. I don't expect that many people who wonder in off the street to appreciate the subtleties of a place like Tre Cugini, but it is special. If you are looking for a memorable night with the person you love, you could do worse than start it with a meal at Tre Cugini.
(5)Sarah T.
Here is how I Typically establish a rating: two stars for great food, two stars for great service and one star for atmosphere. Therefore, I have given Tre Cugini one star which is for the beautiful dining room, perfectly lit, and the fabulous music. However, that is ALL tre Cugini has to offer. The food is very poor and over priced. I had a side salad - $8 and it was mixed greens and two grape tomatoes...nothing else. The calamari was bland, lacking any seasoning. In addition the service was poor and even rude at times. When the server ran into a problem with our bill and we pointed out the mistake, she rudely said...this is going to take a while. Wow. Totally overpriced food and poor service. Save your money and go to Bistro Bella Vita.
(1)Nick M.
If you've had the most memorable meal of your life here, you need to get out more. This place can't hold a candle to a 1/2 of the restaurants in downtown Kalamazoo. Wait staff wasn't very friendly. I found the food mediocre, and I agree with previous comments about being overpriced. I had a penne pasta in vodka cream sauce with smoked salmon and asparagus (sounds good right?). Couldn't hardly find any salmon, and the few pieces of asparagus were cut up the size of tick taks.
(2)Gwyn S.
DO NOT GO HERE! And it's not about the food at all. So my mom won a prize package from the Grand Rapids Press after she wrote a piece on Diana (yes, I guess people do win that kind of thing.) In the package was a $50 gift card to Tre Cugini. We called about two weeks prior to Art Prize and asked if it could be used at that time, because it had a few restrictions on the card, but none included Art Prize. The woman on the phone said, and I quote, "if it doesn't say Art Prize is excluded, then it's not." So we made a reservation. When we got there, there was a big note on the menu that said no discounts, gift cards, etc. would be accepted at Art Prize. Prior to ordering (thank goodness I saw that first!), I asked the waitress, who proceeded to ask the manager. Um, no. Can't use it. Even though it expired during Art Prize, we lost it. We got up and walked out. The place had maybe 10 people sitting in it. You were what, too busy to use it? So we lost 50 bucks. I'm just saying, if you think any kind of service is important when you pay for exceptionally expensive food, this is a place to miss.
(1)Christine H.
My husband and I ate here before a play, it was absolutely wonderful. Our waitress, Yen, was very friendly, efficient and knowledgable. We ordered the sea bass and risotto both of which were outstanding. It was a super dinner with great service. We will definitely be back.
(5)C G.
I've been to this restaurant numerous times and I've yet to be disappointed. my favorite pasta is the one with called Papperdelle. It has sausage and butternut squash in it with a simple sage and olive oil sauce but the flavor is outstanding. Can't wait to enjoy a meal there soon.
(5)Brian M.
Wonderful Italian experience that delights the palate with inventive combination and inspiring cuisine. All served by an incredibly energetic, happy, and smiling team that puts some of the best Italian crews in Chicago to shame! There will be definitely be repeat visits when business takes me in or through Grand Rapids!
(5)Chris M.
This is one of our favorite Italian places in GR. W enjoyed a great dinner here with four friends at the height of Artprize weekend. The restaurant was very crowded, but the service was still very good. Probably the best mussels in Grand Rapids. On this visit I tried the scallops which the waitress said had just been flown in that morning. They may have been the best scallops I've ever had. Perfectly cooked and super sweet. The Chilean Sea Bass (market price) is also to die for. My wife's tuna steak wasn't as rare as it should have been. That was the only disappointment. Everyone else's meals were fabulous. Pricey but worth it for a nice treat.
(4)Tim H.
Stopped by to grab some dessert on a Friday evening. We ordered gelato and even though it was $8 for 3 small scoops it was tasty. Our server was also very friendly and had a lot of great info about the city. Will try to come back for dinner next time we are in town.
(4)Tanushree B.
Good food, nothing special, prices are higher than some of the best NYC Soho restaurants...manager is quite useless. We got a pana cotta with rasberry syrup that tasted horrible so we asked for a change. The said they couldnt give a us fresh one without charging for it!.....ugh....the same old crap many potential good restaurants face....a ridiculous manager!!
(3)Amy C.
Better than I expected! After reading reviews I was expecting a snooty hostess and overpriced so-so food but was happily surprised. We went on a Tuesday night and had a reservation since we had a Groupon. We were about 20 minutes early but were seated quickly by a very nice hostess. We hit it off with the young man who filled the water glass as soon as we were seated. Nicole, our server was knowledgeable and fun. I am glad we made the reservation because the place was full the entire time we were there. We had the appetizer special, risotto balls with cheese and truffle oil served in a cream sauce with ham and peas. I hope they add it to the regular menu because I would order it again and again. We also had the tuna tartar, caprese salad (loved the peppers and the house made mozz) and a shrimp risotto, all very good. Our dinners were the scallops and the filet in gorgonzola cream, very good and the vegetable sides were tasty. The filet was not crusted with gorgonzola, so not a very strong taste, but good nonetheless. Dessert was panna cotta and the amaretto mousse. If you like chocolate get the mousse. The amaretto was not too strong and the chocolate "sheets" it was served with were flat out candy. Yes, it is expensive and yes it took us two hours to eat, but with four courses it was nice to eat a little slow and enjoy. Unlike many of the downtown "hot-spots" we look forward to returning to Tre Cugini!
(4)Seth H.
Stay away. They are dishonest. They post an old menu in the window with prices 25% lower then their inside menus. They won't honor the window price and they won't remove the old menu. Their food wasn't any good anyway.
(1)l v.
I used to come here with my girlfriends for wednesday night wine. Pretty good selection. The dinner food was very hit or miss. My first meal here was fantastic. I'm not sure what happened but the second and third meals were mediocre at best. For a restaurant that charges $15+ a plate the food had better be worth it...and 2/3 times, it wasn't.
(2)Krista B.
The prices are outrageous for Grand Rapids. If I wanted to pay that much, I'd be at San Chez or Reserve or someplace that warrants the cost. I'd be more willing to shell out the big bucks if it didn't look like an average neighborhood trattoria. We didn't order drinks, split an antipasti and skipped dessert, and it still cost me $86. My risotto with sausage and gorgonzola was watery and tasted nothing of gorgonzola, plus the pistachios in it were wet and rubbery. The waiter was pretentious and seemed put out that we didn't order three courses and drinks each (the menu is set up as three courses). He wasn't around much. I'm giving it a second star because I did enjoy our antipasti selecto. It had a nice array of meat, cheese and marinated veg for a reasonable $12 (though I'm sure the waiter was shocked that we dared to split it).
(2)Jodi W.
Ciao Bella! We didn't have this (bad) experience that others wrote about in 2007 - perhaps they heard the feedback and made adjustments. The owners and many of their waitstaff speak Italian, and it's a family restaurant (generationally owned). We were seated right away even though it was packed on a Friday night. Our server was extremely attentive and friendly, as was all of the staff. They had an accordianist wandering around taking requests, which gave it a little something special and romantic. Although it was crowded, we could still hear our conversation, and it was comfortably busy and buzzing. The food: creamy risotta with shrimp and asparagus and a light tomato sauce, a crisp Barbera, and veal saltimbocca was delicious and made perfectly. It is a bit more expensive than many restaurants in The GR, but if you compared it to a bigger city, it was much less expensive for what it is. The outdoor tables were set and diners were enjoying the warm spring evening. It's a traditional place with the average age over 30 in the dining room. I'd definitely go back - and because of the reviews referencing inconsistency here, I will always ask the server to tell me what the chef is excited about that night - that will nearly assure me of getting a great meal, plus it alerts the chef and server to pay special attention since it was their recommendation in the first place. Give it another go! Sit outside, drink some vino, watch the passersby, pretend you are on a small street in Italy, and enjoy la dolce vita!
(4)Scott H.
Excellent Service, Food, and Drinks. Able to savor the experience without any hint from staff that needed to finish and leave. Sat and relaxed for nearly 2 1/2 hours. Very nice experience.
(5)